War nickels minted during World War II are becoming increasingly valuable for collectors. Many people have noticed that some of these nickels seem to turn black or dark over time. There are a few key reasons why war nickels tend to darken as they age.
What Are War Nickels?
War nickels refer to the 35% silver nickels produced by the United States from mid-1942 through 1945. These nickels were minted during World War II and helped provide valuable silver needed for the war effort.
Unlike normal nickels made of cupronickel (an alloy of copper and nickel), war nickels contain 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese. The manganese was used as a substitute for nickel, which was saved to produce armor and ammunition.
The most obvious distinguishing feature of war nickels is a large mint mark appearing above the dome of Monticello on the reverse. The mint marks indicate the mint that produced the coin – P for Philadelphia, D for Denver, and S for San Francisco.
Why Do War Nickels Turn Black or Dark?
There are two primary reasons why many old war nickels have turned dark or black over the decades:
- Toning and tarnishing of the silver content
- Environmental damage and wear
Toning and Tarnishing of Silver
With a significant silver content of 35%, war nickels are prone to toning and tarnishing over time. The silver reacts naturally to air, humidity, and small amounts of sulfur.
This causes the nickel’s surface to tone in colors like yellow, blue, purple, black, and many shades in between. The toning occurs gradually over many years of circulation and storage. A completely black war nickel likely toned for decades before turning fully dark.
The process of toning and tarnishing is similar to how sterling silver items like jewelry or flatware darken over time. It is essentially caused by oxidation and doesn’t negatively affect the silver content or value. Some collectors even prize toned war nickels for their distinct, colorful surfaces.
Wear and Environmental Damage
Many old war nickels also turn dark from general wear and tear over 70+ years of use. Coins tone and tarnish faster when in direct contact with human hands, the air, and dirty surfaces.
Daily use in commerce can literally wear down the metal surfaces through friction. This exposes even more of the silver beneath to oxidization and toning. Circulation also brings coins into contact with foreign contaminants, dirt, oils, and grime that can stick to the surface and darken the appearance over time.
Coins that sat unused for long periods may have also been affected by elements like humidity, temperature changes, or contact with reactive surfaces that trigger toning. Proper storage like protective coin holders or albums can help prevent this.
Do Black War Nickels Still Have Value?
War nickels that turned black or dark over time still maintain their base silver value. In most cases, toning and tarnishing is merely surface discoloration and doesn’t affect the actual metal content.
Here are the silver values for common war nickel issues in different conditions:
| Year & Mint | Fine Condition | Extremely Fine Condition |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 P, D or S | $1.03 | $1.15 |
| 1943 P | $1.03 | $1.15 |
| 1943 D | $1.04 | $1.16 |
| 1943 S | $1.03 | $1.15 |
| 1944 P | $1.03 | $1.15 |
| 1944 D | $1.04 | $1.16 |
| 1944 S | $1.03 | $1.15 |
| 1945 P | $1.03 | $1.15 |
| 1945 D | $1.04 | $1.16 |
| 1945 S | $1.03 | $1.15 |
As you can see, even in well-worn “fine” condition, common date war nickels carry a baseline silver value around $1.03-$1.04 each, or roughly 20-21x face value. Better conditioned coins trade for higher premiums.
Let’s take a 1943 P war nickel for example. With silver at $20 per ounce, the 35% silver content in this coin is worth around $1.03 melted. If the coin grades Extremely Fine with nice visual appeal, it may trade for $1.15 or more to the right collector – despite being dark in color.
Should You Clean Black War Nickels?
Cleaning dark war nickels is controversial in the collector community. Some argue that carefully removing the toning helps restore the coin’s natural brilliance and eye appeal. Others believe cleaning permanently damages the coin’s natural surfaces and reduces value.
As a general rule, you should avoid cleaning toned war nickels to maintain their collectibility. Harsh cleaners like jewelry polish, baking soda, or even diluted vinegar can scratch the nickel and impair the surfaces. Once done, cleaning cannot be reversed.
There are a few exceptions where cleaning may be warranted:
- The coin is so severely tarnished or coated in grime that the details are obscured. Careful cleaning may reveal the original surface underneath.
- The coin is worn to the point that it no longer has collectible value. Gently cleaning it won’t materially affect the value.
- You plan on having the coin graded. Third-party grading services like PCGS or NGC may conserve and lightly brush a coin to earn a higher grade.
For cleaning, your safest bet is submerging the war nickel in distilled water mixed with a tiny amount of baking soda or mild dish soap. Avoid scrubbing and let it soak to loosen any dirt and oils. Be sure to rinse it thoroughly after. White vinegar or lemon juice can also be tried as a cleaning solution in small doses.
How to Store War Nickels to Prevent Further Darkening
Storing your war nickels properly can help slow down the toning process and prevent additional darkening over time. Here are some tips:
- Place each coin in an airtight, archival safe plastic holder or album slot designed for coins. This protects the surface from air exposure.
- For bulk storage, seal coins in air-tight plastic tubes or vinyl flips. These minimize air contact compared to canvas bags.
- Control humidity where coins are stored. Lower humidity reduces moisture that can react with the silver surfaces.
- Avoid storage in direct sunlight or heat to prevent damage from light and swings in temperature.
- Handle coins as little as possible and by the edges to limit touching the surfaces.
- Use cotton gloves or be sure your hands are clean when handling to reduce oil transfer.
You can find coin accessories like plastic holders, tubes, and gloves online or at your local coin shop for proper war nickel storage.
The Value of Toning on War Nickels
While many collectors prefer war nickels with original brilliant surfaces, toned and tarnished coins have grown in popularity in recent years.
Gently toned nickels with pleasing, original coloration can sometimes trade for higher premiums than clean examples. Many collectors find the unique rainbow patina that takes decades to form quite attractive.
However, coins with artificial or unattractive toning usually don’t carry this premium. At the same time, coins with dark, murky toning or thick dark layers may only be worth bare silver value.
When assessing the collectibility of toned war nickels, important factors include:
- How evenly toned the obverse (heads) and reverse (tails) sides are.
- If the toning follows and highlights elements of the design.
- The originality and hue of colors like amber, violet, magenta, crimson, electric blue, etc.
- How much original silver luster still shows through.
Truly exceptional “monster toned” war nickels with wildly colorful, unique surfaces are some of the numismatic community’s most prized coins. While most tone randomly over time, these special nickels can trade for huge premiums up to $1000 or more!
Selling Your War Nickels
If you have darkened war nickels and want to sell them, here are some options:
- Coin dealers – Local coin shops and online dealers will often buy common war nickels close to silver melt value. They may pay moderate premiums for rare dates/mints or coins with attractive natural toning.
- Bullion buyers – Precious metal dealers will pay based strictly on the silver content. While convenient, you won’t get any added numismatic value.
- Coin shows – Setup as a vendor or walk the floor looking for dealers interested in your coins. This allows you to shop your coins around for the best offer.
- eBay Auctions – List heavily toned or rare war nickel dates on eBay to a reach a wide audience. Make sure to photograph both sides clearly.
When selling, recognize that collectors have different preferences. What one buyer considers an unattractive dark coin may appeal to another as a wonderfully toned piece. With patience, you can often find the right buyer willing to pay strongly for your war nickels.
Conclusion
War nickels minted during WWII develop fascinating dark tones and tarnished surfaces over 70+ years of age. This natural aging is caused by oxidation and chemical reactions with the coin’s 35% silver content. While cleaning toned nickels is controversial, they maintain their inherent silver value and appeal with collectors. Storing these historical coins properly minimizes additional toning and damage over time. Numismatists still actively collect war nickels for their silver value, ties to the WWII era, and the appealing rainbow patinas that can form on their surfaces.