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1945 Nickel NOT WARTIME COMPOSITION? HELP NEEDED!

pcgs69pcgs69 Posts: 4,397 ✭✭✭✭
This coin is not mine. It is a metal detector find that I am posting for a member of one of the metal detecting forums. It is a 1945 nickel that appears to be non-wartime composition. He says it weighs 5.481 grams. Is this potentially some kind of Henning nickel? He would greatly appreciate any input you could provide. Thanks!

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    bolivarshagnastybolivarshagnasty Posts: 7,359 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What makes him think it is not 40% silver? Lack of mint mark?
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    BustHalfBrianBustHalfBrian Posts: 4,199 ✭✭✭✭
    Just looks like a corroded War nickel to me. The mintmark likely eroded away from exposure to the elements. Extra weight is probably due to foreign matter accumulated on the surfaces.
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    ms70ms70 Posts: 13,958 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The corrosion looks more steel than nickel.
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    pcgs69pcgs69 Posts: 4,397 ✭✭✭✭
    It's possible, but WTNs tend not to look like this after being found. Maybe there is a P hidden in there...
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    COALPORTERCOALPORTER Posts: 2,900 ✭✭
    I can kind of make out a "P".
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    Jinx86Jinx86 Posts: 3,729 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If he'd like he could mail it to me and I could put in under our spectrometer. Then we'd really know what its made of.


    ....But I too think I see a P
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    19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,503 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If he'd like he could mail it to me and I could put in under our spectrometer. Then we'd really know what its made of.


    ....But I too think I see a P >>

    As do I.
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
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    lasvegasteddylasvegasteddy Posts: 10,492 ✭✭✭
    what did i just look at and why againimage
    everything in life is but merely on loan to us by our appreciation....lose your appreciation and see


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    TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>....But I too think I see a P >>

    As do I. >>


    You all have better eyes than I do. I see something that might be the symbol for Boron?image
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    BoosibriBoosibri Posts: 12,690 ✭✭✭✭✭
    With that level of EDi don't think that the weight means much. Nothing to suggest this isn't just a corroded war nickel.
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    rec78rec78 Posts: 5,944 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It is a war nickel worth whatever you can get for it. Coinflation lists its current silver value at $1.00. Now you just have to find someone to buy it. If you get 50 cents or more for it you are doing very well. These coins have to smelted and not just melted, which there is currently a ban on in the US.
    image
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    astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Is this potentially some kind of Henning nickel? >>

    If not of wartime composition, this is most likely. Henning made nickels that had different dates.
    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
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    MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 39,600 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It is a war nickel worth whatever you can get for it. Coinflation lists its current silver value at $1.00. Now you just have to find someone to buy it. If you get 50 cents or more for it you are doing very well. These coins have to smelted and not just melted, which there is currently a ban on in the US. >>




    War nicks are specifically excepted from the ban. Smelt away.

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
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    7Jaguars7Jaguars Posts: 7,991 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Lil ammonia treatment occ. cleans up the grunge.
    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    First soak and agitate in acetone... should remove a lot of the grunge.... then rinse in alcohol followed by hot running water.... should show you better what is there... then weigh it again and let us know what you find and add another picture. Cheers, RickO
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    CoinCrazyPACoinCrazyPA Posts: 2,899 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I can kind of make out a "P". >>



    I see it also.
    Positive BST transactions: agentjim007, cohodk, CharlieC, Chrischampeon, DRG, 3 x delistamps, djdilliodon, gmherps13, jmski52, Meltdown, Mesquite, 2 x nibanny, themaster, 2 x segoja, Timbuk3, ve3rules, jom, Blackhawk, hchcoin, Relaxn, pitboss, blu62vette, Jfoot13, Jinx86, jfoot13,Ronb

    Successful Trades: Swampboy,
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    stevebensteveben Posts: 4,666 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1945-P
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    FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 6,029 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A Nickel should weigh 5.1 grams.

    If your's weighs 5.4 something, it's from
    all the corrosion and 'stuff' on the coin.
    (or you're friends' scale is off a bit)

    That corrosion would also tend to hide parts of the
    design, including the Mintmark.

    Like others, I'm certain it's a normal
    war nick that's just corroded, etc., and
    it is not on a normal copper-nickel planchet.
    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
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    It looks like a regular war nickel "P" mint mark to me.
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    pcgs69pcgs69 Posts: 4,397 ✭✭✭✭
    Thanks everyone, and thanks Fred for adding your insight. I will have him clean some of the corrosion off, and the mint mark should reveal itself.
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    ebaybuyerebaybuyer Posts: 2,984 ✭✭✭
    before getting too crazy with it, soak it overnight in a weak citrus bath
    regardless of how many posts I have, I don't consider myself an "expert" at anything

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