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 Replies: 20 / Views: 13,243 |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
I have in my possession a 1942 Nickel that appearance wise, appears to be on a 35% Silver War Nickel Coin but has " no mint mark". I have looked at this nickel under a powerful magnify glass and see no signs of a mint mark. I know these nickels were minted 1942 with no mint mark as well as 1942 with a "P" mint mark (35% silver) over the Capital Dome, could this be an "actual error"; "counterfeit"; or is it possibly the real thing? Are there other Nickels in this year out there like this? Any info would be appreciated. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I would think that in this case, the egg came before the chicken. I would think the odds are slim to nil that this would happen as a wrong nickel planchet ( War Nickel blank ) being used to strike a 1942 nickel since these were minted before the silver blanks were used at all. If it were the other way around, a copper nickel planchet with a large P mint mark over the dome, I could see that as a much greater possibility and I could be wrong but I do think that those exist as well as some 1946 nickels struck in the War Nickel composition. But ... a few good pictures would be appreciated. and  to CCF |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
The switch to nickel did not happen until several months into 1942. I would say, in order of decreasing likeliness, you may have: 1. A darkly toned 1942 prewar composition 2. A filled die 1942 P War Nickel (never seen a picture of one, but in theory they could exist) Or 3. A Henning counterfeit from the 50s. He is most famous for his 1944 nickels, but also issued 1939, 1947, and maybe a few other dates. First, pictures would help. You cannot determine the difference based on weight, but War Nickels emit a lower ring when flipped or dropped. That would be a good test. Henning nickels also usually have a hole in the R of PLURIBUS; you can see many pictures online. Hope to see how this turns out  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74584 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
 w/ Finn. This question comes up frequently when toned/heated/environmentally damaged of the pre-war composition 1942-p nickel. Ring/sound test on Formica type hard surface will tell...silver will thud! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
509 Posts |
Could it be a plated pre-war composition so it looks like the "restored" War Nickels? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I myself am not a fan of the "ring test" by dropping a coin on a hard surface to hear the tone of silver. Do this with a high grade coin and the chance of a ding or scratch is possible. I'd much rather use the " tissue test". |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5832 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1695 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Only way to really know would be a specific gravity test. An XRF test would also probably be fairly conclusive. Anything else is inconclusive and would have to be confirmed with the SG test or XRF test
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Pics please! Well summarized, Finn. dDuane - to the CCF! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
and yes, please and thank you  Edited by Debrajc
08/05/2017 6:08 pm
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Valued Member
424 Posts |
So from what I understand now (2018) regular nickels were made for half the 1942 year and when they switched over to the " War Nickels Silver" all nickels had mint marks on the back P D S . So they could be pulled back by the Gov. This is very cool info. I have both a 1942 with no mint mark. and a 1943 with a lagre P.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
I literally found one of these just a few minutes ago! I have been collecting coins for over 50 years and have went through hundreds of thousands of nickels! As a rule a circulated War Nickel is easy to pick out! It just has that certain look! When I saw this 1942 nickel I immediately thought...Ahrrr SILVER... a War Nickel! But when I turned it over... " no mint mark what so ever!?!?" I was searching the net to see if there was a known mint error where one didn't have is large mint Mark when I found this site! Like I said I have examined a LOT of nickels.... I have went through over 100,000 nickels a month back in the day! Which weighs approximately 57 pound if I remember right!#9786;#65039; Everything about this coin SCREAMS War Nickel! I will keep searching the net! If anyone knows anything feel free to e-mail me! Haven't figured out how to post pics yet?! |
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Replies: 20 / Views: 13,243 |
Posted 08/04/2017 12:23 pm
