5 Costly Silver Nickel Mistakes Every Collector Makes (And How to Avoid Them)

I’ve Watched Collectors Lose Thousands on These Errors

After 30 years in coin collecting, I’ve seen the same five mistakes cost collectors dearly. Those 1942-1945 silver nickels? Most people handle them all wrong. Let me walk you through the costly blunders – and exactly how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Walking Past Blackened Silver Nickels

You might walk right past one and never know. I found a 1943-P at a flea market last year – so dark it looked like charcoal. The seller had priced it as a regular nickel. My gain, their loss.

Don’t Let This Happen to You

• Spot the mint mark: Wartime coins show P, D or S above Monticello
• Feel the weight: 5 grams vs. 4.9g for regular nickels
• Check the edges: Smooth, not reeded like modern coins

My Foolproof Silver Test

Keep these in your kit:

// Your coin-hunting cheat sheet
if (mintMarkVisible && weightFeelsHeavy) {
testWithAcidSwab();
}

Mistake #2: Missing Hidden Treasure in Plain Sight

Most collectors chase dates while goldmine varieties sit in their trays. As my mentor told me:

“These coins don’t get much respect. That 1945-P doubled die in your pocket change? Could be dinner money.”

War Nickel Varieties That Pay Bills

• 1943-P Doubled Eye – Buys a nice steak dinner
• 1945-P DDR – Often $150+ even when worn
• 1943/2-P Overdate – Rare enough to fund a vacation

How I Find Hidden Gems

1. Zoom in on mint marks – look for doubling
2. Study the date numbers carefully
3. Check the building steps on the back

Pro tip: Search eBay sold listings – the prices will shock you.

Mistake #3: Believing the “Not Worth Melting” Myth

Here’s what most collectors miss about silver nickels:

The Disappearing Act

This should make your palms sweat: Only 1 in 10 war nickels might survive by 2033. As one refinery worker told me:

“We process these by the truckload when silver spikes. People don’t realize what they’re throwing away.”

Mistake #4: Treating Relics Like Pocket Change

True story from last month’s coin show – a collector bought drinks with ten war nickels. Talk about an expensive round! I’ve seen other painful choices:

• Storing coins loose in car consoles
• “Cleaning” with vinegar and baking soda
• Jingling them in pockets like subway tokens

How I Protect My Silver Nickels

1. Slip them into archival-quality holders immediately
2. Store in airtight containers with moisture control
3. Track values monthly – these aren’t your grandpa’s nickels

Mistake #5: Sleeping on the Coming Shortage

This one keeps me up at night. As melting increases:

• Uncirculated coins become museum pieces
• Variety premiums could 10x overnight
• Common dates might outpace rare ones in value

My Action Plan

// Shift your strategy now
function protectYourStack() {
upgradeQuality();
targetKeyVarieties();
keepSomeUnsearchedRolls();
}

Your War Nickel Survival Kit

Follow these steps religiously:

1. Check those dark coins twice – silver hides in ugly packages
2. Become a variety specialist – this is where real money hides
3. Store like precious metal – because that’s exactly what it is
4. Watch refinery buy prices – know when to cash in
5. Cherish high-grade examples – survivors will rule the market

These wartime treasures won’t last forever. Implement these steps now – don’t wait until they’re all melted down into jewelry and electronics.

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