Last Updated on August 4, 2022
In 1938, the Buffalo nickels were replaced by the Jefferson nickels. The US Mint kept creating these nickels and changing the design from time to time. Remember that most of these nickels don’t have a high value.
If you want to know the worth of a 1946 nickel, you are in the right place. Keep reading for more information.
How Much Is A 1946 Nickel Worth?
The worth of the nickel depends on the type and condition. The 1946 nickel without mintmark and in MS65 condition is worth $17. On the other hand, the 1946 nickels with the mintmark S and D in MS65 condition are worth $13.
However, if you find the 1946 coin without a mintmark, it will be worth $0.28. The 1946 S and D nickels in the same condition will be worth $0.45 and $0.4 respectively. Remember that these are just estimates and the price can slightly differ.
The mint state coins will always cost more. If you want a high-value coin, you must look for the one in MS65 condition.
What Is The Value Of The 1946 Proof Nickel?
Unfortunately, the mint did not strike any proof coins for 1946. That is because the Philadelphia mint struck proof coins between 1938 and 1942, which is why none were struck this year. Besides that, the resources used for proof coins were diverted elsewhere.
The soldiers were returning from the war and the government was creating medals in their honor. So, the materials used for proof coins were being utilized for medals instead. Because of this, you will not find any proof coins from this year.
What Is The Value Of A Double Die 1946 Jefferson Nickel?
There are some double-die error coins that you can find in the 1946 nickel variety. You will witness the doubling in the eye of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse side of the coin. The error on the back side has the doubling of the inscription of Five Cents and Monticello.
If you find this coin in MS67 grade, it can be worth more than $3,000. However, if the condition is average, you can get between $20 and $50 for it. The most valuable nickels range between the grades of MS64 and MS67.
What Is The Value Of The 1946 Jefferson Nickel With An Off-Center?
Another error of this nickel is the off-center error. This error is prevalent and almost all of these pieces have no worth if the off-center is between 1% and 2%. However, if the off-center is between 10% and 20%, then these nickels will be worth between $30 and $50.
One of the most valuable coins from this error has an off-center of 50% with the full mintmark and date. If you find such an error coin, you can receive at least a hundred dollars for it. So, depending on the off-center, the value of this error coin can be anywhere between $30 and $100.
Is There A 1946 Nickel In Silver?
There was a mintage of nickel temporarily in silver as the war was going on. However, in 1946, the Mint decided to return towards the production of nickels with copper. Of course, collectors are always on the hunt and they found a few errors of silver nickel on a silver planchet.
These coins were rare, which is why their worth is more than a thousand dollars. Many experts also suggest that you will find some pieces somewhere, but there is no way to distinguish these coins because the weight is the same. That is why the only way to distinguish these coins is to consult a coin expert.
What Is The Metal Composition Of The 1946 Nickel?
The 1946 nickel was composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Besides that, the mass of these coins is five grams and the diameter is more than 21mm. These were the first nickels that were minted after the war, but their composition is pre-war.
Unfortunately, these 1946 nickels minted in Philadelphia have poor quality because the budget was reduced due to the war. That is why if you find such a coin in circulated conditions, it will not be much more than its face value. The San Francisco and Denver coins were of better quality.
The quality of the San Francisco nickels was better and the Denver coins were the best in terms of quality. That is why their value is higher than the nickels without a mintmark, as they were produced in the Philadelphia minting facility in the US.
