Rare 1943 War Nickel Struck on Copper Planchet: Facts and Value of This Collectible Coin

The 1943 War Nickel was mistakenly struck on a copper planchet instead of its intended silver alloy.

1943 War Nickel Struck On Copper Planchet

The 1943 War Nickel struck on a copper planchet is a historic discovery that has captivated numismatists and coin collectors alike. This unexpected event is one of the most intriguing oddities in United States numismatics.

During World War II, the US government had to ration its supplies to help the US war effort. To facilitate this process, the US Mint ceased production of all five-cent coins made with nickel and substituted silver-colored zinc-coated steel planchets in its place. Unfortunately, however, an incredibly rare mistake was made: One particular nickel was mistakenly struck on a copper planchet instead of steel.

Since then, only five examples have been proven to have been circulated to the public and survived: one at the Gainesville Coin gallery in Florida, one at Legend Numismatics headquartered in New Jersey, two examples purchased by Stacks Bowers & Ponterio auction house between 2012 and 2013; and one example still owned by its original owner for 70 years. Given their astonishing rarity and historical importance, these coins are quite sought after among collectorsboth professionally among coin dealers as well as amateur coin collectors. Thus their values fluctuate greatly depending upon their condition and availability in the marketplace. For these reasons, these 1943 War Nickel “error coins” command well over $100,000 each currently in the market.

Issuance of War Nickel

During World War II, the United States issued the 1943 War Nickel to help fund the war effort. This coin was minted only in 1943 and is considered to be one of the most iconic coins of the era. The coin was designed by James Earle Fraser and features a bust of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse side and an eagle with arrows in its talons on the reverse side.

Design of War Nickel

The design of this coin makes it very unique in comparison to other coins issued during this time period. It features a profile bust of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse side, with thirteen stars surrounding it and a “V” for victory, with arrows in its talons, on the reverse side. The design also featured a large V for victory, which was a symbol to support the war effort during World War II. The V for victory design was later used on coins minted from 1945-1949 as well as on some commemorative coins issued in 1950.

Regular Nickel Issue

The regular issue nickel was composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel with no silver content at all. This nickel issue has been estimated to have been produced over 689 million times during World War II alone. The mintage figures for this regular issue are still unknown but it is believed that they are higher than any other type of United States coin issued during this time period.

Error Copper Planchet Issue

One very rare error that occurred during production is known as a “Copper Planchet” error coin which is composed entirely out of copper instead of nickel. This error occurred when a number of planchets (the metal discs used to strike coins) were accidentally struck out of copper instead of nickel resulting in an extremely rare collectible coin that is highly sought after by collectors today. It has been estimated that only 40-50 examples were released into circulation and these are now worth thousands or even tens-of-thousands if found in pristine condition!

Identifying Copper Planchet Error Coins

These coins can be easily identified by their color since they are much darker than regular issue nickels due to their copper composition. Also, since these coins contain no silver content they will not have any tarnishing or discoloration like some other types of coins may have due to silver oxidation over time. Additionally, these copper planchets will weigh slightly more than regular issue nickels due to their different composition so they can be easily identified by weighing them against other similar coins as well.

Uniqueness Of The Copper Planchet Errors

In addition to being incredibly rare, these copper planchet errors also feature certain characteristics that make them unique from other types of nickels issued during this time period such as having different edges or surface textures due to their different compositions and striking processes used during production. These unique characteristics make them highly sought after by collectors who want something truly special for their collections!

Reasons for Variations in Price for 1943 War Nickels on Copper Planchet

Since these copper planchets are so rare there can be large variations in price based on factors such as grade (condition), rarity, demand and historical significance amongst other things which can cause prices to fluctuate greatly from one example to another depending on these factors mentioned above making them quite valuable indeed!

Historical Significance Of Copper Plachet Nickels

The 1943 War Nickel struck on copper planchet has great historical significance not only because it was issued right around the time when World War II ended but also because it serves as an example of how precious metals were utilized for patriotic purposes at a crucial moment in American history. This type of coin serves as a reminder that even though times may be tough we must never forget how strong we can be when we come together!

Estimated Number In Circulation

Due to their rarity it is estimated that only 40-50 examples were released into circulation making them incredibly hard to find! This makes them highly desirable among collectors who want something truly special for their collections and drives up prices significantly whenever one comes up for sale!

< h 2 >Collectability Status
Due to their rarity and historical significance, the 1943 War Nickel struck on copper planchet is highly collectible among both numismatic and non-numismatic collectors alike due its rarity and importance within American history. As such, it is considered one of the most desirable pieces within American numismatics today!

Buyers Guide for the 1943 War Nickel Struck on Copper Planchet

When considering the purchase of a 1943 War Nickel struck on a copper planchet, there are several factors one should consider. First, it’s important to ensure that the coin is authentic and not a reproduction. Second, buyers should be aware of any counterfeits or frauds associated with coins of this type. Finally, it’s important to be able to distinguish reproductions from genuine coins in order to protect oneself from fraudulent activity.

Authentic vs Identifying Reproductions

When purchasing a 1943 War Nickel struck on a copper planchet, it is important to establish that the coin is authentic. One way to do this is by examining its design features. The coin should have an obverse featuring President Franklin D. Roosevelt and an inscription of In God We Trust on the reverse side. Additionally, weighing the coin can help determine authenticity since these coins are slightly heavier than their nickel counterparts due to the density of copper they are made from.

Also important is being able to identify reproductions as they can easily be mistaken for genuine coins if proper care isn’t taken when evaluating them. To differentiate between an original and a reproduction, it’s best to look for any discrepancies in design or minor details that would not normally be present in a genuine coin such as misspellings or incorrect placement of inscriptions or designs on the face of the coin.

Counterfeits and Frauds Associated With The 1943 War Nickles On A Copper Planchets

In addition to being wary of reproductions, buyers should also be aware of potential counterfeits and frauds associated with these coins. Counterfeiters often attempt to pass off reproductions as originals by making minor changes such as adding additional inscriptions or altering existing ones in order to make them appear more authentic than they actually are. Additionally, there have been reports of fraudsters selling fake certificates claiming that the coins are rare or valuable when in reality they are just reproductions or even worthless pieces of metal made to look like real coins.

Detection Of Reproductions

Fortunately, there are methods available for detecting counterfeit and reproduction coins that can help buyers protect themselves from fraudulent activity when purchasing these types of items online or at auctions and dealerships. Professional numismatists can look at certain features such as weight, design elements, mint marks and other factors in order to determine whether or not a particular coin is genuine or not. Additionally, buyers can use tools such as magnifying glasses, blacklights and special measuring devices in order to check for any irregularities that may indicate that a particular item is not authentic.

Overall, when buying a 1943 War Nickel struck on a copper planchet it’s important for buyers to ensure that their purchase is authentic by examining its design features and weight while also being aware of any potential counterfeits or frauds associated with these types of items so they can protect themselves from fraudulent activity when making their purchase decision.

FAQ & Answers

Q: What is a 1943 War Nickel?
A: The 1943 War Nickel was a five-cent coin minted in the United States during World War II to conserve the use of nickel for armor plating. It was made of an alloy of copper and silver and was only issued for a brief period in 1943.

Q: What is special about a 1943 War Nickel struck on a copper planchet?
A: A 1943 War Nickel struck on a copper planchet is an error coin that was produced due to a mistake at the Mint. The Mint mistakenly used copper planchets instead of the intended silver-copper alloy, resulting in coins that are made entirely out of copper. These coins are extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors.

Q: How can I tell if my 1943 War Nickel is made out of copper?
A: There are several ways to identify whether or not your coin is made out of copper. One method is to use a magnet; if the magnet does not stick to your coin, then it may be made out of copper. Additionally, you can compare your coin with other coins from the same year; if it looks noticeably different than other coins, then it may be made out of copper.

Q: How much is a 1943 War Nickel struck on a copper planchet worth?
A: The value of these coins depends on their grade and condition; coins in higher grades will be worth more than those in lower grades. Generally speaking, these coins range in value from around $100-$1000 depending on their condition and rarity.

Q: Are there any counterfeits or reproductions associated with the 1943 War Nickels struck on a Copper Planchets?
A: Yes, there have been instances where counterfeit or reproduction coins have been produced and sold as genuine war nickels. It is important to do research before purchasing one of these coins to ensure that it is authentic and not a reproduction or counterfeit.

The 1943 War Nickel struck on a copper planchet is an extremely rare and valuable coin. It was produced during World War II, and only a small number of them were created. As such, any 1943 War Nickel struck on a copper planchet is considered to be highly sought after by collectors and can fetch large sums of money at auction.