1942 (S) Jefferson Nickel - Wartime Silver Alloy
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 ā estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-67). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$4,888 MS67 08-11-2011 Heritage Auctions
Description
The 1942 (S) Jefferson Nickel - Wartime Silver Alloy is a nickel produced at the San Francisco Mint as part of the Jefferson Nickels Original Design 1938-2003 series. Total mintage reached 32.9 million. The obverse features Thomas Jefferson facing left, while the reverse displays Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's Virginia estate. Designed by Felix Schlag. Wartime silver alloy introduced mid-year. Large mintmark above Monticello distinguishes silver from standard issues. Struck in 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese, weighing 5 grams, 21.2 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #84017. Felix Schlag won the 1938 public design competition for the Jefferson Nickel, defeating nearly 400 entries. Wartime silver nickels (1942-P, 1942-S, 1943-1945 P/D/S) are collected for their silver content. Key dates include the 1939-D, 1950-D, and Full Steps (FS) designation specimens.
External References
Error Varieties(38)
1942-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001
1942-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002
1942-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003
1942-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002
1942-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003
1942-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004
1942-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001
1942-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-002
1942-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-003
1942-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-001
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-002
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-003
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-004
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-005
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-006
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-007
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-008
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-009
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-010
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-011
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-012
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-013
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-014
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-015
1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-016
CU-5c-1942S-01 Cud
CU-5c-1942S-02 Cud
CU-5c-1942S-03 Cud
CU-5c-1942S-04 Cud
RRDC-5c-1942S-01 Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack
RRDC-5c-1942S-01R Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack
RRDC-5c-1942S-02R Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack
RRDC-5c-1942S-03R Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack
RRDC-5c-1942S-04R Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack
RRDC-5c-1942S-05R Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack
RRDC-5c-1942S-06R Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack
