1943-S 5 Cent Jefferson War Nickel NGC/PCGS MS66

Nickels that Helped Win the War

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!

The Jefferson "War Nickel" available here was struck in 1945 by the San Francisco Mint during the last year of the war. It also comes certified and graded by either the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) as being in Gem Uncirculated (MS66) condition. Grading service varies.

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• KEY-DATE WARTIME NICKEL – 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 1945-S War Nickel was struck at the San Francisco Mint during the last year of World War II.
• FIRST – AND ONLY – NICKELS STRUCK WITH SILVER – These "War" 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.
• GEM UNCIRCULATED CONDITION – Your 1945-S War Nickel has been graded by either the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) in Gem Uncirculated (MS66) condition. Grading service varies.

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