Picked up a set of war nickels today

Don’t worry, I’m never breaking up this set

 

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Good to hear!

 

Should the 1942-P Proof war nickel be included in the "complete set"? It's the only year proofs were stuck for war nickels. I don't think it's included separate from the business strike in the registry sets, but for completeness, I picked one up recently. Mintage is at 27,600 - higher than the earlier Jefferson nickel years, but lower than subsequent years when proofs resumed in 1950. I don't have the coin in hand yet, but these are the NGC photos.

 

I don't think that the 1942 Proof War Nickel has to be part of the set. It's a special issue that was made for collectors, not circulation.

 

That's a fair argument.

 

Will that be full-steps?

 

At a PF-63, I suspect not. There are many graded higher, but I got what I think was a good deal. We shall see.
https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explor...s-1938-date/14180/1942-p-silver-5c-pf/?des=pf

 

Proof does not qualify for that designation. Since it’s a method of manufacture it will disqualify any proof coin that gets special designations. Like FS, FH, SB, etc.

 

That's interesting, I didn't know that.

 

That is very expensive. War nickels graded MS66 can be found for under $30 on eBay very easily. A quick search shows one even selling for less than $20.
Any time coins are sold on TV it’s generally a massive rip off.

 

Those coins are surprisingly affordable for having such a low mintage. I guess the popularity is low. I’ve been casually assembling the early proofs - 38 through 42 - when I find the right coin for a reasonable price. Still need the 38, 42 type 1 and I believe the 40.

 

I agree with you - the price does seem like a bargain. That's a decent endeavor - the mintages for these early Jefferson proofs are low.

 

Wow, that's a beauty of a set there, @NorCal!

 

But was that true so many years ago...are all proof nickels FS?

 

Don’t know if they all are and zinc would think that as the die wears, they couldn’t be. However most of them do have all the steps.