1942-P Wartime Silver Nickel

1942 nickels were not all silver some were copper nickel. The reason was a wartime need for nickel to make weapons and ammunition. The mint began making normal copper-nickel coins early in 1942 but then switched to a  copper-silver-manganese alloy.

If you have a 1942 nickel just check the back to see if it is silver or not. The 35% silver coins are distinguished by a large mint mark above the building. Although silver prices are currently less than $20 it does add a large premium. Each wartime nickel has a current metal value of $1.13 but has been as high as $2.50 in recent years.

This change find is my first silver in about two years and because of that I have been double checking every nickel I come across, with great results. Nickel and dimes are the best place to look for circulating silver since the value is not high and coins designs have not changed much.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States of America
Year: 1942-P
Mintage: 57,873,000
Metal: 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese
Value: $1.25 in F-12

Do you have any nickel and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.