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1946-D

Nickels · Jefferson Nickels · 1938–Present
Regular
Weight5 g
Diameter21.21 mm
MintDenver
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 45,292,200
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerFelix Schlag
Collector's Key IDCK-1379

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About this coinHistory

Denver struck 45,292,200 Jefferson nickels in 1946, the first year of post-war copper-nickel production at Denver. The coin is common in all grades and readily available in Mint State. Strike characteristics are generally strong, and Full Steps examples exist in adequate numbers for specialist demand at modest premiums.

Collectors building complete Jefferson nickel sets acquire the 1946-D without difficulty. The coin is typical of immediate postwar Denver production and marks the return to the standard copper-nickel alloy after the Wartime Silver period. The mintmark position returned to the small below-dome placement on the reverse, matching the pre-war convention.

The 1946-D represents the normalization of Jefferson nickel production after the wartime disruptions. Denver's operations returned to routine patterns, producing copper-nickel coins alongside other denominations without the special composition considerations that had characterized 1943-1945 production. The coin is a representative example of the return to prewar Jefferson nickel normalcy.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G)
VG-8 Very Good (VG)
F-12 Fine (F)
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $0.30 $0.30
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $0.30 $0.35
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $0.35 $0.40
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $2.50 $2.50
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1946-D Jefferson Nickel worth?
In Very Fine condition it runs about $0.30, rising to roughly $2.50 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1946-D Jefferson Nickels were minted?
45,292,200 were struck.
What is a 1946-D Jefferson Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1946-D Jefferson Nickel?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1946-D Jefferson Nickel a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.