War nickels were minted during the Second World War and contain 35% silver. Try an internet search for more information.
From 1942-1945 the US removed the metal nickel from nickels, and the 75% copper and 25% nickel nickels now contained 56% copper 35% silver and 9% manganese. In 1942 they made regular nickels in Philly and Denver, but they also made silver nickels in Philly and San Francisco. All the other years all 3 mints made silver nickels and these are designated with a large mint mark over the dome of Monticello on the reverse. They are desirable for the silver content and there are a few rare varieties.
Thank you ALL for the information. So I have a 1942 nickel with no mint mark that I can see, it's 35 % silver?
Unfortunately, no... The silver nickels have a large mint mark over the dome of monticello on the reverse.
I'd pick a ton of these out of the pocket change when I was a kid........still got most of them. Nothing like Pauls' (Lehighs') examples. But I did buy some from him a few years ago, because I wanted a pristine example of a 'war years' coin/5 cent piece looked like in mint state....
Did you say Silver War Nickels? You have my attention now! Everyone above pretty much summed it up! Do you have any you can share with us? @Lehigh96 , nice photo!
Thank you all again! Will keep my eye out for War Nickels now. Did some googling, figured out mine has NO silver Content! I will keep looking though! Thanks All!
Your nickel is a regular 1942 Philly that I explained in post #3. The silver 1942 Philly has a large P over the dome and a different patina.
I searched for this doubled eye variety. I bought this 1 off Ebay. I am very happy with it. 1943-P Jefferson Nickel - Doubled Die Obverse Doubled Eye FS-106 - PCGS MS-64