1942-S Jefferson Nickel

The 1942-S Jefferson Nickel had a total mintage of 32.9 million coins struck at the San Francisco Mint. The 1942-S Jefferson “War” Nickel is a key date within the series and is one that is comprised of Silver instead of Nickel due to the need for Nickel from the military during World War II. This is a very common coin that is better preserved than some of the other war nickels and is worth the effort to find. It can be found in grades as high as Mint State 68 and is available in Prooflike and Full Step Prooflike versions thanks to the careful preservation of the coin over time.

History of the 1942-S Jefferson Nickel

Unlike previous years, the “S” mint mark is large and can be found above the dome of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello home on the reverse of the coin. Typically, the mint mark was small and found to the right of the Monticello. Felix Schlag designed the coin to feature Jefferson’s left-facing profile on the obverse of the coin. His home was on the reverse and can be found with a fully struck staircase, which usually has the distinction of being a Full Step variety. Cherrypicking is advised with the 1942-S Jefferson Nickel because so many were kept in excellent condition, which is a collector’s paradise for finding that ideal specimen.