The Poe Collection of Prooflike Coins

Owner Comments:

Total Graded: 55443
Total Prooflike: 16
Percentage: 0.0289%

An interesting subset of the Jefferson nickel series is the War Nickel, made from 1942-1945. Nickel and copper were important wartime metals, and so the mint was forced to use silver for the nickel. These coins were given large mintmarks over the dome of Monticello to distinguish them. Today, they are incredibly popular with collectors. San Francisco minted nickels sometimes exhibit prooflike characteristics due to polishing the dies and placing them back in service. The effect is seen on many different series of coins from the 40’s and 50’s, and can be quite charming. Fully prooflike coins are rare, but semi-PL coins can be found with a bit of searching.

I have added a 1942S to my set. This is by far the most common date for PL war nickels, with 11 of the 16 graded (two of those being FS examples). My coin is tied for finest known. It has very nice mirrors, with the characteristic die polish covering the surfaces. The strike is average (which means it is soft). There is a light patina covering the coin, which, with the reflective mirrors, gives this coin a very attractive look.