Week # 150 - Why ask why??

[Danielle C.]

QUESTION:

 

A very large mintmark above the dome of Monticello distinguishes the copper-silver-manganese five-cent pieces of 1942-45. Why was this done?

 

Good Luck!!

 

Our first place winner will receive a copy of the 2005 January Census Book. We will also give a prize to a randomly selected player.

 

 

REMINDER: The Numisma-Quest ends/ended on Saturday at midnight EST. Entries after that time will not be valid. See the Trivia Info post for more details.

When you post your answer, only the administrators can see it. Stop back each Monday. We will make all the posts visible and announce the winners.

[reid1836]

To distiguish the silver composition nickels from the copper composition nickels. Silver was less important during the time of world war II than was copper which was used by the military. Hence by easily distinguishing between the two compositions the nickels with the copper composition could be seperated and menlted down for their copper content if need be.

[cpm9ball]

These coins were anticipated to be withdrawn at the end of WWII, so they added the large minmark above the dome to easily identify them.

 

Chris

[Ikemann1-migration]

I believe it was for just that reason, to distinguish it as the new alloy.

[Hoot]

This was done so that the silver-manganese-copper pieces could be readily identified and withdrawn by the Mint after the war and melted for their silver and copper content (primarily the silver).

 

Hoot

[RGT]

The mint knew they would have to sort these silver "nickels" out from the standard alloy nickels when they were reclaimed for melting. The large mintmark was to make these obvious and easy to sort out.

[Beijim]

So they could be easily reclaimed from circulation after the war effort should the Treasury want to recover the silver.

[melmcbee]

The mintmark was put in that spot to distinguish the alloy content. These were the nickels that had the nickel removed.

[chrisfuccione]

Because of the change of the metal in the coins due to the war

[Merc]

I believe it was done to easily identify the silver alloy nickels so they could be pulled out of circulation by the Federal Government if need be.

[CoinBoy-migration]

These war nickels(1942-45) were issued to eliminate nickel, a critical war material and can be distinguished by the larger mint mark placed above the dome of the capitol on the reverse.

[rexcat]

To indicate the change of of alloy.

[rowan17-migration]

These mintmarks were added to indicate that these were the silver "war years" in which the nickel was replaced by the referenced alloy. Nickel was needed in our war efforts. The regular mintmark was resumed after the Nickel returned to its present metal.

[Danielle C.]

QUESTION:

 

A very large mintmark above the dome of Monticello distinguishes the copper-silver-manganese five-cent pieces of 1942-45. Why was this done?

 

ANSWER:

 

So the coins could easily be withdrawn after the war.

 

Congratulations Cpm9ball!! You are this weeks Numismaquest winner. You will be receiving a copy of the January Census Book.

 

Congratulation Merc! You are this weeks Numismaquest runner up. You will be receiving a display box.

 

Thanks for playing and stop back next week for another question. Keep up the good work!

[cpm9ball]

Thank you, Danielle! I feel very honored when you consider the vast knowledge of numismatics possessed by so many others on the Boards. Mine is but a pinhead in the ocean.

 

Thanks,

 

Chris