Many hobbyists collect Jefferson Nickel “war nickels” because in 1942, the U.S. Mint stopped production of the 75% copper and 25% nickel coins, replacing those with a 35% silver coin, as copper-nickel alloys were needed for the Allies in World War II.
Hobbyists also collect war nickels because of the large mintmarks on the reverse.
Toning of the two alloys are similar. But the silver nickel has a different ping and is generally brighter. To tell the difference between alloys, the Mint placed large letters on the reverse above the dome of Monticello. This was the first appearance of a “P” mintmark on any US coin.
If you are a roll hunter or auction bidder, you want to focus on the 1943 DDO and the 1945 DDR. Collect the pair separately because these are the two major doubled dies of the series. They make a great obverse/reverse pair and are plentiful enough to still discover in rolls, and also valuable in higher grades.
1943-P DDO
The hub doubling here can be seen with the naked eye or with a loupe.
Although more of the motto and legend are doubled, you should focus on the stronger ones found in the date and in “Trust.”
This is a coveted coin because of the doubling on Jefferson’s eye, appearing as if he has two left eyes.
The 1943-P war nickel had a mintage of 271,165,000, so hundreds of the doubled dies were released into circulation before the die was changed. PCGS alone has authenticated more than 400 in various conditions, ranging from a value of $50 for low mint state up to $200 in almost uncirculated. You will want to find, bid on or buy an uncirculated sample, which run about $300 in gem MS65.
As you can imagine, scammers on eBay and other venues count on your not knowing how to identify the doubled die. Here’s a classic example. The nickel below is a regular strike, no doubled dies anywhere and no full steps, either.
1945 DDR
The hub doubling also here can be seen with the naked eye or with a loupe.
The 1945-P war nickel had a mintage of 119,408,100, and like its 1943 sister, hundreds of doubled dies were released into circulation before the dies were switched. PCGS alone has authenticated some 300+ examples.
Again, as you can see, the doubling is prominent on “cello” of “Monticello” and on the “E,” “N, “T,” and “S” of “Cents.
Values are typically less than $100 in almost uncirculated, rising to $300 in MS65. You will want to search for, bid on or buy an uncirculated version of this popular coin.
It is important to know the diagnostics, too, because scammers are pretending to sell worn ones with machine doubling, passing them off as DDR. Here’s a prime example:
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