1942 Jefferson Nickel P Mint Mark

1942 | Philadelphia (First use of P) | Mintage: 49,789,120 | 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

$3.5 – $3,025 Key Date

Obverse

Reverse

The 1942 Jefferson Nickel (First P Mint Mark) was minted at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of 49,789,120. Values range from $3.5 in lower grades to $3,025 in top condition. This is a key date, making it especially sought-after by collectors.

CoinValueDB Value Estimate

$1.00 – $3,025

Based on 2 recent sales

Price History

SoldHigh BidFor SaleLast Asking PriceMoving Average

Avg: $209 High: $3,025 Low: $1 2 sales 20 total data points

Recent eBay Sales

$14 (Raw) · Recently sold
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$138 (Raw) · Recently sold
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CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade
Grade	Value
Good (G-4)	$4
Very Good (VG-8)	$6
Fine (F-12)	$11
Very Fine (VF-20)	$12
Extremely Fine (EF-40)	$23
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	$40
Choice AU (AU-55)	$1
Mint State (MS-60)	$42
Choice Mint State (MS-63)	$69
Near Gem (MS-64)	$20
Gem Mint State (MS-65)	$205
Superb Gem (MS-66)	$48
Superb Gem+ (MS-67)	$1,620

About the Jefferson Nickel

The Jefferson Nickel replaced the Buffalo Nickel in 1938. The Treasury Department held a public competition for the new design and awarded the $1,000 prize to Felix Schlag. His design features Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home, Monticello, on the reverse. The United States Mint struck the first coins for circulation on November 15, 1938. Changes occurred over the decades. The Mint added the designer's initials to the obverse in 1966. In 2004 and 2005, the Mint issued the Westward Journey series to commemorate the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition. These coins featured new reverse designs, including the Peace Medal and the Keelboat. The Mint returned to the original Monticello reverse in 2006 but updated the portrait of Jefferson to a forward-facing design by Jamie Franki.

Coin Details

Designer: Felix Schlag
Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Weight: 5.0g
Diameter: 21.2mm
Edge: plain
Series: Jefferson Nickel (1938-present)

Historical Notes

1942 marks the first use of the P mint mark (for Philadelphia) on a regular circulation coin. This was done during World War II to identify the additional mining capacity needed for the war effort.

Collecting Jefferson Nickel Coins

Focus your collection on the Jefferson Nickel series by looking for the 1938-1964 date range first, as these are easy to find in circulation. Look for the 1942-1945 'War Nickels' which contain 35% silver and feature a large mint mark above Monticello. Watch for wear on the steps of Monticello, as collectors pay a premium for Full Steps examples. Avoid coins with heavy corrosion or scratches, as these hold no numismatic value. You should buy a folder for your coins to keep them organized by date and mint mark.

This series includes key dates — check individual coin pages for rarity details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 1942 Jefferson Nickel (First P Mint Mark) worth? +

A 1942 Jefferson Nickel (First P Mint Mark) is worth between $3.5 and $3,025 depending on condition. Coins in higher grades (MS-65 and above) command significant premiums.

How many 1942 Jefferson Nickel coins were made? +

The Philadelphia Mint produced 49,789,120 1942 Jefferson Nickel coins. Lower mintage numbers generally correlate with higher collector value.

Is the 1942 Jefferson Nickel (First P Mint Mark) a key date? +

Yes, the 1942 Jefferson Nickel (First P Mint Mark) is considered a key date in the Jefferson Nickel series. Key dates are coins with low mintage, high collector demand, or both, making them among the most valuable in the series.

How much is a 1942 Jefferson Nickel worth? +

A standard 1942 Jefferson Nickel in average circulated condition is worth its face value of 5 cents. Uncirculated specimens with full steps on the reverse often sell for $10 to $20.

Is the 1942 Jefferson Nickel rare? +

The 1942 Jefferson Nickel is not rare because the Philadelphia Mint produced 49,789,120 of them. Its value comes from its historical status as the first coin to carry the P mint mark.