Price Guide for 1942 Nickel Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $20.00 – $9,987.50Uncirculated: $7.00 – $1,920.00
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eBayCirculated: $3.25 – $34.33Uncirculated: $4.95 – $1,017.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $6.00Uncirculated: $8.00 – $2,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $8.00 – $424.00Uncirculated: $10.00 – $4,112.50
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eBayCirculated: $2.25 – $321.20Uncirculated: $0.99 – $5,950.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $3.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $3,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $44.00 – $1,645.00Uncirculated: $112.00 – $15,275.00
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eBayCirculated: $19.99 – $700.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $900.00Uncirculated: $1,350.00 – $8,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $10.00 – $1,495.00
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eBayCirculated: $6.66 – $50.00Uncirculated: $2.25 – $2,625.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3.00 – $6.00Uncirculated: $7.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $110.00 – $340.00Uncirculated: $27.03 – $12,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $166.00Uncirculated: $9.99 – $1,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $28.00 – $40.00Uncirculated: $55.00 – $32,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11.00 – $727.00Uncirculated: $14.00 – $960.00
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eBayCirculated: $5.50 – $24.95Uncirculated: $7.00 – $1,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $18.00Uncirculated: $22.00 – $250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $15.00 – $4,888.00
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eBayUncirculated: $16.90 – $650.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8.00 – $8,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,055.00 – $32,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $70.00 – $129.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,500.00 – $14,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $25.00Uncirculated: $1.00 – $16,450.00
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eBayCirculated: $48.00 – $74.00Uncirculated: $0.99 – $2,199.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $12.00 – $20.00Uncirculated: $25.00 – $15,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $9.00 – $11,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $36.00 – $169.95Uncirculated: $12.00 – $642.16
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $12.00 – $8,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $235.00 – $763.75
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eBayUncirculated: $320.00 – $415.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $85.00Uncirculated: $100.00 – $1,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $493.50 – $646.25
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eBayUncirculated: $156.30 – $765.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $115.00 – $2,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $90.20 – $199.75
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eBayUncirculated: $123.00 – $275.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $5.00 – $58.00Uncirculated: $80.00 – $500.00
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eBayUncirculated: $200.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $85.00 – $850.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $600.00Uncirculated: $25.00 – $4,320.00
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eBayCirculated: $29.00 – $1,000.00Uncirculated: $16.37 – $1,460.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $24.00 – $6,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $74.00 – $270.25Uncirculated: $1,006.00 – $5,760.00
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eBayCirculated: $36.00 – $595.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $15.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $1,350.00 – $8,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,140.00 – $30,550.00
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eBayCirculated: $29.00 – $176.67Uncirculated: $3,300.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,000.00 – $11,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $13.00 – $5,287.50
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eBayUncirculated: $15.05 – $1,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8.00 – $1,650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,020.00
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eBayUncirculated: $66.00 – $1,050.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $75.00 – $1,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $228.00
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eBayUncirculated: $35.00 – $211.09
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $132.00
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eBayUncirculated: $300.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $10.00 – $60.00Uncirculated: $70.00 – $800.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,527.50 – $6,613.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $250.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $316.00 – $14,100.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2,250.00 – $2,499.95
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $90.00 – $25,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,405.00 – $6,462.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $100.00 – $6,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1942 Nickel
The 1942 Jefferson Nickel marks a significant change in U.S. coinage due to World War II. To conserve nickel for the war effort, the composition was altered to include silver, creating the ‘wartime nickel’. This change lasted from late 1942 through 1945.
The mint mark was moved to a prominent position above Monticello on the reverse, making it the first U.S. circulating coin to feature the P mint mark for Philadelphia.
| Weight | 5.0 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Mint Marks | P, D, S (above Monticello on reverse) |
| Composition | 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese (wartime composition) |
| Obverse Design | Portrait of Thomas Jefferson facing left, designed by Felix Schlag |
| Reverse Design | Monticello, Jefferson's home, designed by Felix Schlag |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1942 nickels significantly impacts their value, especially for the silver wartime composition. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 and above) command premium prices, with those in MS65 or higher being particularly valuable.
Full Steps examples, where the steps of Monticello are clearly defined, are highly sought after and can command substantial premiums.
Mintage: 57,873,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: Regular and wartime silver alloy varieties
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for silver composition
Mintage: 13,938,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: Regular and wartime silver alloy varieties
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for silver composition
Mintage: 32,900,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: Regular and wartime silver alloy varieties
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for silver composition
Composition variety is a crucial factor for 1942 nickels. Coins minted in the latter part of the year using the silver alloy are more valuable due to their silver content and historical significance.
Strike quality is important, with well-struck coins showing sharp details on Jefferson’s hair and Monticello’s columns being more desirable. Luster plays a significant role in determining value for uncirculated specimens, with coins exhibiting strong, original mint luster commanding higher prices.
For circulated coins, even wear and lack of major marks or damage are important for maintaining value. The presence of the mint mark above Monticello is crucial for authenticating the wartime composition.
