Hi! I just bought some Jefferson nickel, which is a new item for me. I've read some things about metal composition but I dont know how to verify, validate, or distinguish them. If anyone can provide info, I'd appreciate it. I've lined up 6 nickles. The top are the standard composition, as I understand, but the others are not grey and the bottom right has more of a copper tone? The second pic is of the 2nd & 3rd right column, of 1st pic. Also, a 54 S is in good (enough) condition?? Or not? ...I decided to add a '54 D that looks like it might have a repunched D?
All nickels, every series are 5 grams and 75% copper and 25% nickel. The only nickels that are different while still 5 grams are the war nickels. 35% silver 56% copper and 9% manganese. (Not including 3 cent nickels or half dimes.) Can't really tell on the D mark. The 54-S seems to be in excellent condition. MS.
The war nickels all look like standard circulated war nickels to me. They are notorious for turning black when circulated. The ones that you have shown closeup have been cleaned but still have the same metal composition. The 54-S you showed is a very nice coin with good luster and probably deserves a gem grade. In order to determine if you have a 54-D/D, we would still need a better photo of the mintmark. Shown below is the example from NGC Variety Plus.
Thanks! Do u think th '54 S should be graded? I actually have 5 that show some stairs and many others in nice condition but no stairs. The 54 d/d would be a significantly off struck mint mark, a new find...if real? I dont know if these pics help?
A 1954-S is only worth about $25 in MS65 so submitting that coin would only be worth your time/money if it had a reasonable chance at getting a premium gem grade. Although your coin is nice, I do see enough imperfections that should limit the grade to MS65. To me, that is a great album coin. Regarding steps, either a coin has 5 complete steps or it doesn't. As much as collectors want credit for less, the price of a coin doesn't change until you reach 5 full steps. Thanks for the additional photos, but I still can't see what you are seeing with that mint mark. Maybe some others will be able to see it.
The silver war nickels have the mint mark on the reverse over the dome in very large letters. Very hard to miss.
I agree about the 54-S, it is a nice coin but not worth the cost of getting it graded. The only 54-S examples that I'd send in for grading would be MS 66 minimum and/or full steps. Full steps examples for 1950's S mints are few and far between.
I'm not asking that question. I'm asking about the metal composition. There are three types. One is a variety struck on pre-war "silver" planchets, one on a higher copper "test" planchet. One on the appropriate war-time composition. Thanks though.
Sorry, I misunderstood what you meant buy standard composition. BTW, I was born in 1943 and have saved most all Steel Cents and Silver Nickels that I have ever had in my hand. Therefore, I do like your specimens shown above.
RE the 1954 D nickel, I can't tell from your photos. You have the coin in hand. check against this: http://www.doubleddie.com/1469087.html Or here:http://varietyvista.com/05 JN RPMs/RPMs 1954D.htm I know there are error 1943 nickels struck on steel cent planchets. Curious to know where you got your info on "pre-war 'silver' planchets" and "higher copper 'test' planchets"?
Ok, we are going in circles. I found VERY little info, so I came here. THEN, someone misread my question. So, I explained. ...I found "very little" info on '43 nickels with incorrect metal composition. One is obvious, the pre-war planchet. This is often referred to as "silver" and why I have in quotes. The other is a planchet with higher copper content. This is summarized to be a planchet that might have been considered (or tested). From what I read. If I knew the answer, I would not have come here.
I think it could be one of those... To be honest, I think I see d/d/d??? ...but only under different magnification(s).
Ok, let me see if I can help. There is a lot of misunderstanding here, but most of it unfortunately on your part. There are 2 types of Jefferson Nickels as far as composition. The regular composition which is 75% copper and 25% nickel and the wartime composition, which is 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese. Your 1943 nickels are all of the typical wartime composition and are indeed silver, and not “silver” as you suggested. These coins are easily distinguishable by the large mint mark over the dome of Monticello on the reverse. In 1942, nickels were made from both compositions, and the wartime composition was used exclusively from 1943 through 1945, but in 1946, the five cent coin returned to it’s previous composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel. There were no test planchets in 1943. The pattern coins of 1942 were struck in many metal compositions, but never with the circulating nickel design. I hope that answers your question.
I obviously know more than i thought. I came here with a question, not as an expert. People have misread my question and spread rudimentary information and nothing insightful. You NEED to educate yourself. You prove a little knowledge is a dangerous thing....You took us back to square one. Watch this.