Sack of 35 Unique WWII Coins

This collection features emergency coins that were issued by the U.S. Mint during World War II.

At the start of the war, U.S. currency underwent radical changes in response to the military demands for metals such as copper and nickel for use in airplanes, shell cases, etc. In 1943, the Penny was made in steel instead of copper. This is a one-year-only coin and the only steel coin in U.S. history.  The collection includes ten 1943 Steel Pennies.

The next year, Pennies were made with recycled copper from shell cases recovered from battlefields and ships around the world. These so-called Shell Case Pennies were made until 1946. The collection includes twenty 1944-1946 Shell Case Pennies.

Starting in 1942, the Nickel was struck in 35% silver to save nickel for the war effort. These are the only silver Nickels in history, and the short-lived silver coins are identified by a large mint mark on the reverse, above Monticello (regular coins have the mint mark in a different location). Five 1942-1945 Silver Nickels complete the collection of emergency coins struck in different-than-usual metals in the World War II era.

Some of these coins are now over 75 years old, and even the most recent are 70 years old. The coins disappeared from circulation generations ago, shortly after World War II ended in 1945. These are the coins that helped America win the war!

The collection of 35 coins is presented in a custom canvas bag.