1942–1945-PDS Jefferson War Nickel 3-Coin Mint Mark Set

World War II Nickel Mint Mark Set

During World War II, our nation’s coinage did more than just line the pockets of citizens going about their business. They also helped us win the war. Perhaps the most famous example of this is the Jefferson “War Nickel,” struck from 1942 to 1945.

Patriotic First — And Only — Silver Nickels

Though the coin gets its name from its traditional metal contents, these coins contained no actual nickel. Instead, these coins were struck for the very first time in 35% fine silver since the color was right and the metal was less valuable to the war effort. This marks the only time silver was part of the nickel’s composition! Nickel, on the other hand, was a valuable component in guns, tanks and airplanes — and so hoarding the metal to strike coins would have been an incredibly unpatriotic, and potentially dangerous, thing for the U.S. Mint to do!

But the mint stepped up and donated its nickel supply, helping win the war and giving us a unique variety of Jefferson Nickel. This set contains one coin from each mint that struck the War Nickel — Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. To help identify them, a prominent distinguishing feature in the form of very large mintmarks were added. Coins from all three mints bore the super-sized mintmarks above the dome of Monticello. This also represented the very first time the letter “P” was used as a mintmark on a U.S. coin!

Your 1942–1945-PDS Jefferson War Nickel Three-Coin Mint Mark Set will come housed in a custom storycard that’s perfect for display and easy to store. Dates vary.

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• COMPLETE MINT MARK SET OF WARTIME NICKELS – Due to the need for nickel for the war effort, the U.S. Mint changed the composition of Jefferson Nickels struck from 1942-1945. This three coin set contains one coin from each mint that struck the War Nickel — Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.
• FIRST TIME “P” MINTMARK USED – To help easily differentiates wartime nickels struck at the Philadelphia Mint from non-Wartime Nickels, a special “P” mintmark was used for the first time on a U.S. Coin.
• FIRST – AND ONLY – NICKELS STRUCK WITH SILVER – These nickels were struck with 35% silver, the first — and only — time nickels contained silver in their composition.
• LEGAL TENDER U.S. COINAGE – Each coin is five cents legal tender in the United States.

The U.S. Mint came to the rescue during World War II, and this three-coin collection is the proof. No U.S. or World War II coin collection is complete without it!