1940 Nickel Value

  • 1945 Jefferson Nickel
Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez

A few variations of Jefferson Nickels do not include the Monticello view on the back, such as the Westward Journey designs. Despite these factors, the original design is still being used today. Grading the 1940 Jefferson Nickel. There are four main tiers on the grading scale for the 1940 Jefferson Nickel. The top tier would be Uncirculated coins. This is the 1940 nickel value. We look at rare nickels worth money and other valuable Jefferson Nickels from 1940. These are the coin mintage, nickel errors.

1940

Coin Info

$1.53
United States
Silver Coin
0.05625 t oz

1940 Nickel Value Coins

$0.05 USD

1940 Nickel Value Silver

215,505,100
U.S. Mint
1945

1945 was the last year that Jefferson nickels were struck in the 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese composition that was first used in 1942. With the war ending in 1945 and the urgent need for nickel no longer present, the United States would wrap up use of the special five-cent coin composition at the end of the year. While most 1945 Jefferson nickels are unremarkable in terms of overall rarity (more than 200 million were made) there was a doubled-die variety made that year.

Here’s a look at mintage figures and values for 1945 Jefferson nickels:

1940 Nickel Value
  • 1945-P, 119,408,100 minted; $2.75

  • 1945-P Doubled die reverse, mintage unknown; $25

  • 1945-D, 37,158,000; $2.75

  • 1945-S, 58,939,000; $2.75

*Values are for coins in Very Fine-20 condition.

Value

1945 Jefferson nickels are generally common in all grades, up to the mid-level uncirculated arena, and are quite inexpensive even in the Mint State-65 grade range, with examples costing around $20 each in that condition. The 1945 doubled-die reverse five-cent coin is not essential when completing a basic date-and-mintmark set of Jefferson nickels, but is a more popular variety among Jefferson aficionados. As is the case when you’re buying any wartime nickels, do your best to avoid selecting pieces that exhibit streaking, which is a somewhat common issue with wartime nickels due to their alloy.

Other Years From This Coin Series

1940 Nickel Value

Latest Blog Posts

1940 Nickel Value Worth

Latest Blog Posts

Definition: Subtle differences in design details can differentiate dies used in different years. Whether accidental or purposeful, obverse dies are sometimes mated with a reverse die meant for a previous or subsequent year. These are often called “transitional reverses”. Well-known examples include 1992(P) and 1992-D Lincoln cent obverses mated to a 1993 reverse.

Nickel
Shown below is the reverse style found on 1938 nickels (left) and the reverse style found on 1940 nickels (right). The reverse of 1938 is often designated “Type 1” and shows poorly-defined stairs that are somewhat uneven. The reverse of 1940 is often designated “Type 2” and shows better-defined stairs with straight sides.
Nickels carrying the date 1939 can show either reverse and at least in one case, a 1940 proof nickel has been identified with a 1938 reverse.