Sometimes referred to as “War Silver”, “Warnicks”, or “Wartime Silver”, the term “War Nickel” refers to the Jefferson five-cent coin produced from 1942 to 1945. These coins have distinctive features that make them more valuable than other Jefferson nickels struck before or after.
The United States Congress authorized the removal of nickel from the five-cent coin by October 8, 1942, in order to divert the metal toward vital wartime production. Title XII, § 642 of the Second War Powers Act had authorized the United States Mint to use a 50/50 alloy of silver and copper but gave the Mint discretion to change the proportions of this composition if that would better serve the American public’s needs. Jefferson “nickels” minted during the subsequent four-year period were made of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese.
Anticipating their removal from circulation at the end of the war, War Nickels feature oversized mint marks (P, D, or S) to make them easily identifiable – just look on the reverse above Monticello’s rotunda. Most were extracted soon after the completion of the war.
In 1946, the standard nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) was resumed. Famous Henning counterfeits of the 1944-P issue did not include the mint mark and were therefore discovered by authorities.
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What’s war nickel worth
You are talking about the War Nickles and they might be valuable, but when a grading company told me they are only worth face value of .5 cents. Hmmm is that true for my 1943 P nickle?
@Joseph Arsanis I’m not sure why they told you they’re only worth face value (btw 5 cents rather than 0.5 cents!) unless they were trying to scam you. At current metal prices their silver content alone is more than a dollar.
P.S. the coin is a “nickel” rather than “nickle”.
I have two war time nickels with the mint mark s .I have decided not to sell at any cost.
Both in great condition.
I have the P,D,S,are they worth anything
I have thep,D,S nickels do they got any value?
I have a few 1943 nickel. Are they worth anything?
I have real nickels 1940,s
I have a 1943 p nickel I’m a lot of other coins where can I sell them and half dollar
I have all the war time nickels an there All in good shape1940 threw 1945 an all war nickels
I’ve several walking liberty dollars that are silver, are they worth anything?
Over the years I have two rolls assorted I n my collection. Not mint , circulated