This is a "war nickel" - a US 5 cent piece dated between 1942 and 1945. During World War II the metal nickel was a war commodity used for nickel plating steel and iron items. During these years all nickel was sent into war production and the US mints replaced the 35% nickel in 5 cent pieces with silver. Planning to reclaim the silver and melt down nickels after the war, the mint made these easily identifiable with the mint mark above the dome of Monticello on the back - instead of behind Jefferson's pony tail as on all other nickels. I don't believe the planned melt down/reclamation ever happened.
As of today (3/25/11) silver has a value of $36+ an ounce - making the "melt value" of the 35% silver in a war nickel $2.09 REGARDLESS OF CONDITION. War nickels in fine condition should rate at least an extra buck to the collector.
That's a silver war nickel, containing 35% silver, and it's worth at least $2.
Around $1.50.
The P mint mark was only used on the back of nickels dated 1942 to 1945. If that's what you have it's a so-called "war nickel" made of copper, manganese, and silver as a means of conserving nickel for the war effort. They sell for about 80-90 cents in circulated condition. Nickels dated 1980 and later may have a P or D on the front, but they're only worth 5 cents.
From mid-1942 to the end of 1945, U.S. nickels were made of silver, copper, and manganese because the metal nickel was needed for the war effort. As of 06/2009, these coins are worth about $1, depending on condition.
The large "P" above the dome means it's a "war nickel" that is struck in 35% silver. The nickel was removed for the war effort and silver was used as a replacement, this was done from 1942 - 1945. Because it has a small amount of silver the value is about $1.00. NOTE: The 1942 war nickel is the first US coin to ever use a "P" Mintmark.
That's a silver war nickel, containing 35% silver, and it's worth at least $2.
Around $1.50.
The P mint mark was only used on the back of nickels dated 1942 to 1945. If that's what you have it's a so-called "war nickel" made of copper, manganese, and silver as a means of conserving nickel for the war effort. They sell for about 80-90 cents in circulated condition. Nickels dated 1980 and later may have a P or D on the front, but they're only worth 5 cents.
No Nickels were struck in silver after 1945, the value is 5 cents.
The Jefferson series of U.S. nickels known to have doubled die errors are: 1939-P/ 1943-P/ 1945-P.
From mid-1942 to the end of 1945, U.S. nickels were made of silver, copper, and manganese because the metal nickel was needed for the war effort. As of 06/2009, these coins are worth about $1, depending on condition.
A 1945 nickel with an "S" mintmark above Monticello (the building on the back) is a wartime nickel made of 35% silver. Its value depends on the coin's condition and silver content but typically ranges from a few dollars to around $10.
The Liberty nickel was not made in 1945. In 1945 there was a silver nickel and that is worth 25 cents.
The large "P" above the dome means it's a "war nickel" that is struck in 35% silver. The nickel was removed for the war effort and silver was used as a replacement, this was done from 1942 - 1945. Because it has a small amount of silver the value is about $1.00. NOTE: The 1942 war nickel is the first US coin to ever use a "P" Mintmark.
It is the mintmark for the San Francisco Mint. You may also find a D for Denver or a P for Philadelphia. During WWII the nickel's composition was changed because nickel metal was needed for the war effort. To indicate the change, the Mint made the mint mark larger and moved it from the then-standard position at the right of Monticello. In addition, the letter "P" was used for Philadelphia coins for the first time.
The only difference is it has a P on the back of it (Opposite of the face)
The U.S. Mint has not produced a nickel with a 5 on the back of in 1945. If someone has stamped it on the coin then they have damaged it as far as numismatic value is concerned and is worth little more than a nickel. If it is made with the five on the back then it is probably a novelty coin of some sort and has a value of no more than you are willing to pay for it. If you think there may be more to the coin than I have said then you may want to take it to a an honest coin dealer and after seeing it then perhaps they can tell you exactly what it is.