| Author |
 Replies: 34 / Views: 4,441 |
|
New Member
United States
44 Posts |
I know that War Nickels --1942-1945---are 35% silver content. I have heard that ALL of the nickels containing silver had the mint mark (P,D,S) stamped over the top of the dome on back. However I have two 1942's that have no mark over the building at all. Could they be silver or not? I have read that the silver nickels were not minted until late in the year in 1942. |
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
442 Posts |
If they don't have the large mint mark over the Monticello then they are the early 1942 and are not silver
|
|
Valued Member
United States
381 Posts |
If your 1942 Nickels do not have the mintmark over the dome on the reverse, they do not contain silver. The 1942 Nickel was minted in 2 compositions. The 1942 Nickel that contained 35% silver was introduced by the mint on October 8, 1942 and only carried the mintmarks P and S. Before that, 1942 Nickels were minted with a P or D mintmark. The mintmark on the Non-Silver Nickels can be found on the reverse, on the right side of Monticello. Only the Denver mintmark will by shown. The Philadelphia mint did not put a mintmark.
I hope this helps and is not confusing. Maybe someone will come along and explain in better than I did.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Are there any known alloy errors for the 1942? John1  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1536 Posts |
In 1942 they also made a copper-nickel coin. There is a spot for it in my Whitman book. There is also a 1942P with the P over the dome, that is 35% silver. It is certainly more likely you have the nickel/copper version than an error.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1536 Posts |
Oh yeah, 1942D was also made in both nickel/copper and 35% silver in 1942. They are always fun to find in rolls, silver alloy nickels. I found two so far.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
997 Posts |
To kind of clarify... In 1942 nickels produced early in the year were of standard 75% copper/25% nickel and carried a standard small "D" mint mark on the right side of the Monticello image. (Philadelphia minted coins had no mint mark.) The silver versions in 1942-45 had the large mint mark above Monticello, including "P" for Philadelphia coins. Thus, in 1942 there were 4 versions, two each in the silver and copper-nickle compositions. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
There was a post months ago but I cannot find it.
After we looked at the image of the dome, we concluded that the coin was silver but the mint mark
was missing due to a grease-filled die. After blowing up the original image I was able to "see"
the mint mark.
I posted the enlarged image and it was agreed that this explanation was correct.
If anyone remembers this post and can find it it may be helpful.
|
|
New Member
 United States
44 Posts |
Apparently my 2 142 nickels are early Philly minted nickels. There is no mark above nor beside Monticello. Bummer! lol Thanks for the input folks!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3755 Posts |
No, the only silver nickels in 42 were P and S. D was not silver. uzed  Personally I do not consider a set of " War Nickels" to be complete without the two non silvers from 42. The term IS used for the silvers, but as we were indeed in the war for all of 42, I wrap them in. But thats just me. |
|
Moderator
United States
187940 Posts |
I agree with smokeriderdon, even though we may be in the minority.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1388 Posts |
If so, Jbuck and Don, then 1941 nickels should be included as well - we were at war in 1941 as well....  |
|
Moderator
United States
187940 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3755 Posts |
The bombing of Pearl harbor was not until Dec 7 of 41, with war formerly being declared on Japan the next day and Germany and Italy on the 11th. So, as jbuck said, it was only the last few weeks of 41 and by that time most if not all of the coins dated 1941 had been produced. So 41 doesn't really enter into it.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Im even in more of the minority in the sense I consider all the WWII dated nickels War Nickels. We may not have been in the war but for something that massive and important I can make an exception. Plus we should have been in sooner anyway |
|
New Member
United States
44 Posts |
All that considered...the point is that the only silver nickels were from 42-45. :-)
|
| |
Replies: 34 / Views: 4,441 |
Posted 01/05/2013 10:58 pm
