Need expert help on 1944 Jefferson

Dandydon

I came accross a 1944 Jefferson nickel in a container of older date nickels that my wifes grandmother had accumulated. The nickel has no mint mark and does not appear to contain silver. The coin is worn and and looks like any normal Jefferson. I am only a small collector but have never heard of a 1944 without mint mark non silver Jefferson. Is this a fake?

fc

<< <i>I came accross a 1944 Jefferson nickel in a container of older date nickels that my wifes grandmother had accumulated. The nickel has no mint mark and does not appear to contain silver. The coin is worn and and looks like any normal Jefferson. I am only a small collector but have never heard of a 1944 without mint mark non silver Jefferson. Is this a fake? >>



i think there was a person out there making fake nickels during that
era. he got caught because he failed to add the mint mark.

let me google a bit. brb.

jonathanb

Not only is it fake, but it's worth more as a fake than it would be worth if it was real!
Henning nickel

fc

An unofficial variety of the wartime coin 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 mintmark. [1] He also made counterfeit nickels dated 1939, 1946, 1947, and possibly 1953 as well as one other unidentified date [2]. 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 was required to pay a $5,000 fine.

fc

http://www.numismaticenquirer.com/TNE/Henning%20Counterfeit%20Nickel.html

pontiacinf

I am STILL trying to get one of these, I think its the only jefferson (even though its fake) That I do not have.