1942-1945 War Nickels

$2 – $300

The 1942-1945 War Nickels (40% Silver) was minted at the Various Mint with a mintage of 119,800,000. Values range from $2 in lower grades to $300 in top condition. The coin contains 35% silver with a melt value of $1.72.

1942 | Various (P, D, S, W) | Mintage: 119,800,000

Melt Value (35% silver)

$1.72

Based on $30.50/oz silver

as of Aug 1, 2026

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Market Activity

SoldHigh BidFor SaleLast Asking PriceMoving Average

Avg: $33 High: $300 Low: $1 19 total data points

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade
Grade	Value
Good (G-4) Major design elements visible but heavily worn	$2
Very Good (VG-8) Design clear, moderate to heavy wear	$3
Fine (F-12) Even wear on high points, all lettering visible	$3
Very Fine (VF-20) Light to moderate wear on high points	$4
Extremely Fine (EF-40) Light wear on highest points only	$3
About Uncirculated (AU-50) Traces of wear on highest points	$5
Choice AU (AU-55)	$1
Mint State (MS-60) No wear, may have marks or reduced luster	$7
Choice (MS-63) Moderate marks, good eye appeal	$12
Near Gem (MS-64) Few marks, above average eye appeal	$15
Gem (MS-65) Best Value Strong luster, light marks in non-focal areas	$35
Superb Gem (MS-66) Well-struck with minimal marks	$30
Superb Gem+ (MS-67) Above average strike, virtually flawless	$225

Under $100 $100 - $1,000 Over $1,000

Coin Specifications

Year

1942

Mint

Various (P, D, S, W)

Mintage

119,800,000

Composition

56% Copper, 35% Silver, 9% Manganese

Weight

5.0g

Diameter

21.2mm

Edge

Plain

Designer

Felix Schlag

Series

Jefferson War Nickel (1942-1945)

PCGS #

4032

Historical Notes

During WWII, nickel was diverted to war production, so the mint substituted 40% silver in Jefferson nickels from 1942-1945. These war nickels have a distinctive silvery appearance.

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.

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 1942-1945 War Nickels (40% Silver) worth? +

A 1942-1945 War Nickels (40% Silver) is worth between $2 and $300 depending on condition. Coins in higher grades (MS-65 and above) command significant premiums.

How many 1942 Jefferson War Nickel coins were made? +

The Various Mint produced 119,800,000 1942 Jefferson War Nickel coins. Lower mintage numbers generally correlate with higher collector value.

Is the 1942-1945 War Nickels (40% Silver) a key date? +

The 1942-1945 War Nickels (40% Silver) is not considered a key date or semi-key date. However, condition is always important. A common-date coin in exceptional condition can still be quite valuable.

What is the melt value of a 1942-1945 War Nickels (40% Silver)? +

The 1942-1945 War Nickels (40% Silver) contains 35% silver and has a melt value of approximately $1.72 based on current spot prices ($30.50/oz silver). Most collectible coins are worth significantly more than their melt value due to numismatic demand.

How much is a 1942 silver Jefferson Nickel worth? +

A typical 1942 war nickel in circulated condition is worth its silver melt value, which fluctuates with the market price of silver. High-grade, uncirculated specimens sell for $10 to $20 depending on their specific condition.

How can I tell if my 1942 Jefferson Nickel is silver? +

You can identify a silver war nickel by the large mint mark P, D, or S located above the dome of Monticello on the reverse side. If your 1942 nickel lacks this large mark, it is likely the standard copper-nickel version minted before the composition change.