Owner Comments:
The changeover of production from the (75%-25%) copper-nickel alloy Jefferson nickels to that of the (56%-35%-9%) copper-silver-manganese composition Jefferson five-cent pieces occurred in mid-to-late 1942. Remarkably, proof pieces were minted for both alloys, with the Cu-Ni alloy pieces having a mintage of 29,600, and the Cu-Ag-Mn pieces having a mintage of 27,600. No doubt, contemporary nickel collectors wanted both types of the proofs, so the mintage figures reflect, to some degree, the demand of the time. What is perhaps the most remarkable, is that the U.S. had just entered WWII and yet the production rose for Jefferson nickel proofs to meet the demand of collectors by 58% from the previous year for the Cu-Ni alloy alone. The effect of the war had not completely caught up with the U.S. Mint (as, indeed, it would the following years of WWII, in which there was no proof coinage made).
Proof nickel production had changed little or none from the time that brilliant proof coinage was reinstituted in 1937. Most coins were brilliant, with only a scant few ever being imbued with a mild cameo contrast, due to production techniques and the hardness of nickel coinage. The present example is a lovely brilliant proof, with lavender and blue hues, highlighted with mildly sunset orange centers to both the obverse and reverse. The state of preservation is high, and visually dazzling, although it does not rank among the absolute highest ever graded for the date. Alas, my proclivities are for beauty rather than points. Enjoy!