Before You Spend That 1942 Nickel, Find Out Why It Could Be Worth $11,500!

The value of the spare coins in their pockets is often overlooked. However, you might be sitting on a little wealth if you happen to hold a 1942 Jefferson Nickel. At auction, some uncommon versions of this coin have brought up to $11,500!

Why Does the 1942 Nickel Have Such High Value?

Because of World War II shortages of materials, the U.S. Mint created two distinct varieties of Jefferson Nickels in 1942:

• The typical cupronickel alloy (75% copper, 25% nickel) was used to make early 1942 nickels (Type 1).
• Late 1942 Nickels (Type 2): The U.S. Mint changed the composition of nickel to a 35% silver mixture with copper and manganese in order to save nickel for the war.

Collectors highly value the Type 1 nickel (early 1942 variant), which is significantly rarer than the silver version. Its worth increases even further if it is designated as Full Steps (FS).

Bankruptcy Announcement: This Iconic Clothing Brand Will Close 415+ Stores by 2025

How to Spot an Uncommon 1942 Nickel, Jefferson

To ascertain whether a 1942 nickel you believe you own is rare and valuable, take the following actions:

Verify the Mint Mark and the Year.

• Examine the Monticello building, which is the flip side of the coin.
• You have an uncommon Type 1 nickel if there isn’t a big mint mark (P, D, or S) over Monticello.
• The coin is the later silver war nickel form if it bears a sizable mint mark over Monticello.

Check the Weight and Material

• Use a magnet to determine whether the coin is a common nickel-copper alloy if it sticks.
• If it weighs 5.00 grams and doesn’t stick, you might have a valuable Type 1 version.

Seek out the designation for Full Steps (FS).

• Look at the Monticello steps.
• Full Steps (FS) coins are known for their crisp, continuous steps and can fetch high prices.

Look for Seldom Occurring Error Features

• Check for doubled die mistakes on the obverse (heads side), particularly in “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.”
• Look for repunched mint marks, which can add a substantial amount of value.

What’s the Value of a 1942 Jefferson Nickel?

These actual auction results demonstrate the coin’s high value:

• In 2007, a 1942 Type 1 Full Steps (FS) nickel brought in a record $11,500.
• In 2016, another Type 1 in Good 6 condition brought $9,988.
• Depending on their rarity and condition, even lower-grade variants might fetch hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Where to Get the Most Money for Your 1942 Nickel

Here are the top locations to sell a rare 1942 Jefferson Nickel if you find one:

• One of the leading rare coin auction firms is Heritage Auctions.
• Get your coin verified and sold using PCGS’s (Professional Coin Grading Service) platform.
• eBay: Sell straight to enthusiasts and collectors.
• A reliable website for rare U.S. coin auctions is GreatCollections.

Keep Your Eye on This Priceless Coin in Your Change!

Unbelievably, a mere five-cent coin can have thousands of dollars in value. The auction records provide the evidence! Don’t let your 1942 Jefferson Nickel go unrecognized; examine it now to determine its possible worth.