1945 P, D & S Lincoln Cent AU/BU Trio & 1945 P, D & S Jefferson Nickel VF Trio

Product Description

1945 P, D & S Lincoln Cent AU/BU Trio – Copper was a critically important metal during WWII, therefore available supplies (including for coinage) were diverted toward the war effort. In 1943, copper pennies were replaced with zinc-coated steel. These steel pennies were less than ideal, so the Mint instead began using recycled shell casings from 1944 until 1946. The metal composition of these coins differed only slightly from previously as they contained no tin. This set includes all three of the 1945 issues from Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints in AU/BU quality.

The penny wasn't the only U.S. coin affected by WWII; another metal crucial to the war effort was nickel. The standard composition of the 5¢ piece was changed to a silver alloy from 1942 through 1945. To distinguish these from earlier issues, large mintmarks for Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco appeared above the Monticello reverse; we've included a 1945 specimen of each in Very Fine condition.