1945 Nickel NOT WARTIME COMPOSITION? HELP NEEDED!

pcgs69 · January 26, 2015 9:21AM

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!

bolivarshagnasty · January 26, 2015 9:39AM

What makes him think it is not 40% silver? Lack of mint mark?

BustHalfBrian · January 26, 2015 9:49AM

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.

ms70 · January 26, 2015 10:29AM

The corrosion looks more steel than nickel.

pcgs69 · January 26, 2015 10:39AM

It's possible, but WTNs tend not to look like this after being found. Maybe there is a P hidden in there...

COALPORTER · January 26, 2015 10:47AM

I can kind of make out a "P".

Jinx86 · January 26, 2015 10:50AM

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

19Lyds · January 26, 2015 12:10PM

<< 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.

lasvegasteddy · January 26, 2015 12:25PM

what did i just look at and why again

TopographicOceans · January 26, 2015 2:38PM

<< ....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?

Boosibri · January 26, 2015 5:40PM

With that level of EDi don't think that the weight means much. Nothing to suggest this isn't just a corroded war nickel.

rec78 · January 26, 2015 6:53PM

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.

astrorat · January 26, 2015 8:04PM

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

If not of wartime composition, this is most likely. Henning made nickels that had different dates.

MsMorrisine · January 26, 2015 9:01PM

<< 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.

7Jaguars · January 26, 2015 9:35PM

Lil ammonia treatment occ. cleans up the grunge.

ricko · January 27, 2015 12:13AM

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

CoinCrazyPA · January 27, 2015 4:37AM

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

I see it also.

steveben · January 27, 2015 4:52AM

1945-P

FredWeinberg · January 27, 2015 5:14AM

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.

Halfway · January 27, 2015 5:26AM

It looks like a regular war nickel "P" mint mark to me.

pcgs69 · January 27, 2015 8:18AM

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.

ebaybuyer · January 27, 2015 12:45PM

before getting too crazy with it, soak it overnight in a weak citrus bath

1945 Nickel NOT WARTIME COMPOSITION? HELP NEEDED!

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