Would like some info/pics of a 1944 No P Nickel

ledzep87

I tried to looking at some websites and the past threads about this.

All but one of the pictures have been deleted and all of the websites are no longer running

Thank you!

-Jon

Leiana

Well, it's fake...

Here is an old thread on another forum WITH PICS!!

From the Wikipedia Article on the Nickel:


<< <i>An unofficial variety dated 1944 was made in 1954 when counterfeit nickels were produced by Francis LeRoy Henning of Erial, New Jersey. He had previously been arrested for counterfeiting $5 bills. The 1944 nickels were quickly spotted since Henning neglected to add the large "P." He also made counterfeit nickels dated 1939, 1946, 1947 and 1953. It is estimated that more than 100,000 of Henning's nickels reached circulation. These can still be found in pocket change, and there is a thriving collectors' market for them, although owning a counterfeit is technically illegal. Henning dumped another 200,000 nickels in Copper Creek, New Jersey, of which only 14,000 were recovered. Another 200,000 are thought to have been dumped in the Schuylkill River. When caught, Henning was sentenced to 3 years in jail, and had to pay a $5,000 fine. >>



Hope this helps you.

-Amanda

mikemars

Amanda beat me to it.

-Mike

RichieURich

As usual, Amanda has covered the topic quite well. One additional point: the 1944 no P has a couple of die states. The first die state E PLURIBUS UNUM is in good shape. In the late die state E PLURIBUS UNUM has a defect in the lower left upright of the R. You can see it in the 2nd pic of Amanda's post. This defect can be used to identify other Henning nickels (1939, 1946, 1947, and 1953). I found a 1947 Henning nickel a few months ago. It just looked strange when I was going through a bunch of pre-1960 Jeffersons. It was the first Henning nickel other than 1944 No P that I've ever seen.

Interestingly enough, the Secret Service began seriously investigating when they had received the huge total of 14 (yes, fourteen) counterfeit nickels.

Assuming Henning made 100,000 nickels and let's guess half were 1944 No P, that would mean a mintage of about 50,000 1944 No P nickels. If the 1944 No P were genuine and as a result was a coin needed for every set of Jefferson nickels, how much would it be worth? And how much would the other Henning nickels be worth?