Jefferson Nickel

Country of Origin: United States

Year of Issue: 1943

Denomination: 5 Cents

Composition: 35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese (Silver War Nickel)

Jefferson Nickel

Brief Description

A copper-silver-manganese alloy five-cent piece featuring Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home, Monticello, on the reverse.

Historical Significance

Due to the strategic importance of nickel for military use during World War II, the composition of the five-cent piece was changed from cupro-nickel to a silver alloy from 1942 to 1945.

Estimated Value

$1.50-$2.50 in circulated condition; $15-$50 in Mint State grades (MS-65)

Care Instructions

Store in a PVC-free coin flip or capsule. Avoid cleaning, especially since war nickels are prone to developing a greenish or blackish tarnish due to the manganese content; cleaning will destroy their numismatic value.

Mint Mark

P (Philadelphia) - visible above the dome of Monticello on the reverse.

Mintage & Rarity

271,165,000 (Very common)

Weight & Diameter

5.0 grams / 21.2 mm

Edge

Plain

Apparent Grade

Fine to Very Fine; shows moderate wear on Jefferson's hair and the steps of Monticello, with some surface grime typical of circulated war nickels.

Obverse (Front)

Profile of Thomas Jefferson facing left, with 'IN GOD WE TRUST' on the left and 'LIBERTY' followed by the date '1943' on the right. Design by Felix Schlag.

Reverse (Back)

A representation of Monticello, Jefferson's Virginia estate. Above the dome is the large P mint mark. Legends include 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', 'MONTICELLO', 'FIVE CENTS', and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'.

What Drives This Coin's Value

Silver content (melt value), mint mark variety (silver nickels are the first US coins to use the 'P' mint mark), and the presence of 'Full Steps' on the reverse in high grades.

Similar Coins

Standard cupro-nickel Jefferson nickels (1938-1941, 1946-2003). Distinguishable by the large mint mark above the dome and the darker, grayer luster of the silver alloy.

Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags

Check for the large P, D, or S mint mark above the dome. Genuine silver war nickels usually have a 'greasy' or darker gray appearance compared to standard nickels.

Notable Varieties & Errors

1943-P 3 over 2 (overdate) and the 1943-P Doubled Die Obverse (DDO).

Created At: 2026-04-28T21:37:03.807401