1942 (S) Jefferson Nickel - Wartime Silver Alloy
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). 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 from the San Francisco Mint, belonging to the Jefferson Nickels Original Design 1938-2003 series. With a mintage of 32.9 million, this is a less common issue — ranked 2nd of 4 mint variants by mintage, with 21% of production. The obverse features Thomas Jefferson facing left and the reverse displays Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's Virginia estate. Wartime silver alloy introduced mid-year. Large mintmark above Monticello distinguishes silver from standard issues. The San Francisco Mint, a Gold Rush-era institution, now specializes in proof and collector coinage. Estimated market value ranges from $5 to $34 depending on grade and condition. Struck in 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese, weighing 5 grams, 21.2 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #84017.
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
RRDC-5c-1942S-07R Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack
Other Strike Types in This Series
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