Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1939 nickel and others

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Expert: - 4/1/2008


Question
I have 5 coins from 1939 to 1942, 2 of wich are from 1942 and feel very different than the other's. They are worn but you can still make out the windows, eyes and hair lines. How much are they worth?

Answer
If the 1942 has a large mint mark on top of Monticello then it's 35% silver and has some melt value (maybe 50 cent or so).  The others have a nominal value which is why they typically get spent.  However, they might be worth a bit over face, like 2-3 times face or so depending on condition, mint mark, and your potential buying audience.  Normally, when I get coins like this in circulation, I just go ahead and spend them.  It's not worth hanging onto them typically unless you're putting together a date set.

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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Bruce Goldstein

Expertise

I specialize in U.S. three-cent nickels, but also close behind them are U.S. two-cent pieces, three-cent silver, and twenty cent pieces. Also, I have a bit of experience in the area of U.S. Early Proofs (19th century). However, I can possibly assist in most questions regarding U.S. Type coins.

Experience

I have read virtually everything I can find in print on the areas of U.S. 2-3-20 cent pieces. I have written articles on three-cent coins and Early Proofs published (or will be published) in Coin World.

Organizations
ANA

Publications
Coin World

Education/Credentials
MS in Mathematical Physics ANA Advanced Grading and Problem Coins seminar

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