How to Identify the 1943-P/D Jefferson Nickel Doubled Mintmark
A wartime Jefferson Nickel where a P mint mark was punched over an earlier D, leaving visible traces of both letters above Monticello on the reverse.
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What It Is
This variety belongs to the wartime silver alloy Jefferson Nickels (1942-1945), the only U.S. coin series where mint marks were hand-punched directly into individual working dies at that time. On this variety, a die intended for Denver was apparently re-punched with a Philadelphia "P," leaving remnants of the original "D" underneath or beside the final "P."
Obverse Design and Inscriptions
The obverse shows Thomas Jefferson in profile facing left, with "LIBERTY" and a small star to the left, "IN GOD WE TRUST" along the bottom rim, and the date "1943" to the right. The obverse itself shows no doubling for this variety; the anomaly is located on the reverse mint mark.
Reverse Design and Inscriptions
The reverse depicts Monticello with "MONTICELLO," "FIVE CENTS," and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in their usual positions, plus "E PLURIBUS UNUM" in small letters above the roofline. The wartime large mint mark sits directly above the dome, and it is here that the doubled or repunched mint mark should be examined.
Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge
Wartime nickels measure 21.2 mm across and weigh 5.0 grams, made from an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese, giving them a slightly duller gray-silver tone. The edge is plain.
Mint Marks and Where to Find Them
Look directly above Monticello's dome for the large mint mark used only during the wartime nickel era. On this variety, careful examination under magnification should reveal a faint secondary outline of a "D" peeking from beneath or beside the primary "P," rather than a single, cleanly punched letter.
Telling It Apart From Similar Coins
Compare against a normal 1943-P nickel, which has a single, evenly formed "P" with no secondary lines. Also distinguish this variety from a simple die chip or planchet flaw near the mint mark, which would look like a random raised blob rather than a recognizable secondary letter shape. A true doubled or over mint mark shows the ghost of a distinct letter outline, not shapeless metal.
Judging Condition at a Glance
Examine Monticello's front steps for the "full steps" designation (typically five or six clear, unbroken horizontal lines), a mark of a well-struck, lightly worn coin. On the obverse, check Jefferson's hair strands and jaw for softness from wear. Because the mint mark is small, a coin with strong overall detail makes it much easier to confirm the underlying letter.
Authenticity Red Flags
Because mint marks on this era's nickels were hand-punched, some individual coins naturally show minor doubling from an imperfect punch, which is not necessarily the specific documented over-mint-mark variety. Be wary of nickels where the secondary letter looks added on top of the surface (with disturbed, shiny metal) rather than integrated into the coin's original strike, as this would indicate later tampering rather than a genuine mint-made variety.
Frequently asked questions
Why were mint marks hand-punched during World War II?
The wartime nickel alloy and mint mark placement were unique to that period, and mint mark punches on working dies were done individually by hand, which sometimes led to doubling or repunching errors.
Where do I look for the doubled mint mark?
Examine the large mint mark directly above Monticello's dome on the reverse under magnification for a faint secondary letter outline.
How is this different from a die chip near the mint mark?
A die chip appears as a random blob of raised metal, while a genuine doubled or over mint mark shows the recognizable shape of a second letter.
What alloy are 1943 nickels made from?
They are made of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese, giving them a duller gray tone than standard copper-nickel nickels.
1943-P/D Jefferson Nickel Doubled Mintmark identified by the community
Recent 1943-P/D Jefferson Nickel Doubled Mintmark coins identified with Coin Identifier.
