- Year: 1942
- Mint Mark: D
- Coin: Jefferson Nickel
- Type: Wartime Nickel
- Price: $1.75-$100.00+
- Face Value: 0.05 USD
- Produced: 13,938,000
- Edge: Smooth
- Silver Content: 35%
- Silver Weight: 0.0563 oz.
- Melt Value: $1.79
Notes: There are D over Horizontal D mint marks for this year, and they are worth up to a grand ($1000) Wartime nickels were issued in 35% silver from 1942-1945 as Nickel was a resource needed for the World War II. These Nickels are usually ugly and grimy but a great way to stock up on silver at near spot or under.
Mintages
How much is a 1942 D Jefferson Nickel worth?
In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around $1.75, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $100 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1942, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].
What are your coins really worth?
Use the handy-dandy calculator below to find the real value of any jefferson nickel in your collection.
Specs & Design
This coin has a total mass of 5 g, a diameter of 21.21 mm, and a thickness of 1.95 mm. It's edge is smooth, and the coins are composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
Designer: Felix Schlag
Front (Obverse): The front of this coin has the bust of Thomas Jefferson featured front and center. The words IN GOD WE TRUST are on the left most portion, with the word LIBERTY on the right just above the date. If a mint mark is present it will be just below the date.
Back (Reverse): The reverse features the Monticello located in Albemarle County, VA. The Monticello was the long time home of Jefferson. The words E PLUIRIBUS UNUM, meaning out of many one are draped across the top, while the words FIVE CENTS, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are featured on the bottom.
Most Valuable
The most valuable Jefferson Nickel's. Prices listed are for MS-65 certified. Visit the link to learn more about each coin.
| Image | Year | Mint | Worth |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
1940 | $170 | |
 |
1955 | D | $120 |
 |
1963 | D | $102 |
 |
1942 | D | $100 |
 |
1940 | D | $90 |
 |
1944 | S | $85 |
 |
1939 | S | $80 |
 |
1955 | $80 | |
 |
1983 | S | $80 |
 |
1938 | D | $75 |
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| Image | Name | Mint | Worth |
Want more? Click here to see the most valuable coins ever minted.
Are 1942 D Jefferson Nickels Silver?
Yes! Jefferson Nickel's produced in 1942 are 35% silver to be precise, and contain 0.0563 troy oz or 1.751 grams in total of .999 pure silver. Silver weight is measured in troy ounces. Troy ounces weigh about 2 grams more than the standard ounce. CoinTrackers has built a tool that will let you know if your coin is silver or not. The tool is called Is My Coin Silver?.
Numismatic vs Intrinsic Value:
This coin in poor condition is worth $0.04 less than the intrinsic value from silver content of $1.79, this coin is thus more valuable to a silver bug than to a coin collector. You will most likely find however that it is hard to get a coin for less than spot price. At least that has been our experience. Want more info? Then read Coin Collecting Investment an article that details the benefits of coin collecting as a way to build wealth..
Current silver melt value* for a 1938 D Jefferson Nickel is $1.79 and this price is based off the current silver spot price of $31.76 This value is dynamic so bookmark it and comeback for an up to the minute silver melt value.
***Price subject to standard supply and demand laws, dealer premiums, and other market variations. Prices represent past values fetched at online auctions, estate sales, certified coins being sold by dealers, and user submitted values. While we wholeheartedly try to give honest price estimates there are many factors besides appearance, metal content, and rarity that help make up the coins overall value. Call or visit your local coin dealer for more information.
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