The Legacy of Wartime Nickels: Silver Coins That Played a Role in WWII History

Nickel metal was essentially an urgent necessity for the United States at the time of World War II in order to manufacture products for military purposes.

To save this metal, the U.S. Mint redesigned the five-cent coin, which led to the issue of wartime nickels between the years 1942 and 1945. These coins did contain silver, making their place special in numismatic history.

Changes in the Composition of a Wartime Nickel

Nickel coins before 1942 had a composition of 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel. However, during wartime when the mint was maximizing the utilization of nickel, the composition of the coin was altered so that it would become 56 percent copper, 35 percent silver, and 9 percent manganese.

The arrangement ensured that the coins still would function in vending machines but conservation was achieved at the same time.

Identifying the Wartime Nickels: Mint Marks and Features of the Design
One of the characteristics defining a wartime nickel is having a larger mint mark located above the dome of Monticello at the reverse face. Notably, the Philadelphia Mint, which had not previously used a mint mark, placed a “P” mark on these coins.

This prominent placement was on purpose so that these coins could be easily identified and separated after the war, although many coins remained in circulation for years.

Production Figures of Wartime Nickels

The production of wartime nickels varied each year and at different mints. Below is a table that summarizes the production figures.

Year	Mint	Mintage
1942	P	57,900,600
1942	S	32,900,000
1943	P	271,165,000
1943	D	15,294,000
1943	S	104,060,000
1944	P	119,150,000
1944	D	32,309,000
1944	S	21,640,000
1945	P	119,408,100
1945	D	37,158,000
1945	S	58,939,000

Store Value and Appreciation of Wartime Nickels

Wartime nickels are very popular among collectors due to their historical significance and unique composition. Although they contain silver, their value depends on a number of factors such as condition, rarity, and demand.

So far, the silver content provides a basic value of these coins, but coins in good condition, especially those showing the Full Steps at Monticello, can fetch high prices in the numismatic market.

Major Varieties and Mistakes in Wartime Nickels

Several major varieties and mistakes are found in the wartime nickel series, which increase the attractiveness of these coins among collectors:

1943/2-P Overdate: This variety arose when hubs with different dates were used in the die-sinking process, causing an overdate where a “3” was imprinted over a “2”.

1943-P Doubled Die Obverse: On these coins, Jefferson’s eye appears doubled, caused by misalignment during the hubbing process.

1945-P Doubled Die Reverse: Some 1945-P nickels have doubling on the reverse, with this doubling especially clearly visible on the inscriptions.

These varieties and mistakes are in great demand and can significantly increase the value of a coin.

Conservation and Challenges of Wartime Nickels

The copper-silver-manganese alloy used in wartime nickels was susceptible to oxidation and lamination problems, resulting in discoloration and surface blemishes over time. Collectors primarily prefer coins that have avoided these problems and remain in excellent condition.

Conclusion

Wartime nickels are indeed an interesting chapter of U.S. coins against which can be measured the resourcefulness of the nation in World War II. Their distinct composition, their design features, and historical backgrounds give them additional dimensions that make them well worth adding to any coin collection.

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