1942-S Silver Jefferson Nickel Value
Mintage: 32,900,000
Finest Known: MS68 (NGC) MS68 (PCGS)
Auction Record: $1,380 (MS68)
The San Francisco Mint did not strike any normal Type 1 Jefferson nickels in 1942, poducing only Type 2 silver nickels comprised of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese.
Production of normal 75% copper/25% nickel Jefferson nickels would resume in 1946, after the wartime need for nickel ended.
1942-S wartime Jefferson nickel. Image: USA CoinBook
The Value of A 1942-S Silver Jefferson Nickel
Large numbers of 1942-S war nickels were saved at the time of production. The softer silver alloy allowed for sharper strikes, resulting in more Full Steps examples. On the other hand, many were melted for their silver content in the 1960s and 70s.
Today, worn “war nickels” are traded in bulk for their silver content, similarly to how pre-1965 dimes, quarters, and half dollars are traded as “junk silver” for their 90% silver content.
1942-S Silver Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
| Very Fine | Extremely Fine | About Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|
| $3 | $4 | $5 |
| Mint State 61 | Mint State 63 | Mint State 65 | Auction Record (MS68) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $8 | $15 | $27 | $1,380 |
1942-S Full Steps Silver Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
Finest Known: MS67 FS (NGC) MS68 FS (PCGS)
Auction Record: $4,888 (MS67 FS)
| Mint State 61 FS | Mint State 63 FS | Mint State 65 FS | Auction Record (MS67 FS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | $22 | $70 | $4,888 |
The information on this page does not constitute an offer to buy or sell the coin(s) referred to. Proof and prooflike examples of this issue may have greater or lesser "finest known" and different record auction prices.