Numismatic

1942-P Silver Jefferson Nickel Type-II Proof-64 NGC

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In 1942, the United States modified the composition of its five-cent piece to conserve nickel for wartime manufacturing. This distinctive variety, struck at the Philadelphia Mint, contains 35 percent silver, 56 percent copper, and 9 percent manganese. To easily distinguish these emergency silver issues from their copper-nickel predecessors, a prominent 'P' mint mark was placed on the reverse above the dome of Monticello, marking the first time the letter 'P' was used as a mint mark on a U.S. coin. Designed by Felix O. Schlag, the obverse features a profile portrait of Thomas Jefferson alongside the mottoes of liberty and trust. The reverse showcases Monticello, Jefferson's beloved Virginia estate. This specific coin is certified as a Proof-64 specimen, representing a highly polished strike from a limited production run of just 27,600 proof pieces minted that year.