Part XI:
COUNTERFEITS:
Henning Nickel
Author JC Stevens
In the mid-1950s Francis LeRoy Henning of Erial, New Jersey minted what is now known as the “Henning” Nickel. He made counterfeit nickels dated 1939, 1944, 1946, 1947 and 1953. The 1944 nickels were quickly spotted since Henning neglected to add the large Mint Mark.
Counterfeit 1944, 5.40 grams. 1944, 4.96 grams, US Mint Philadelphia (P).
The 1944 Henning Nickel is easy to spot because of the missing Mint Mark. But the other dates 1939, 1946, 1947 and 1953 are more difficult. These are identified by a mistake on the die that Henning made that has a hole/looped “R” on “PLURIBUS” on the reverse side which gives it a very distinct look but not all reverse die has this mistake. The Counterfeit’s Weight is ~5.4 grams while the Jefferson Nickel is ~5.0 grams.
Image courtesy of Cameron Leonard. Image courtesy of Bob Saylor.
While being interviewed after his arrest Henning claimed to have made six nickel reverse dies and six nickel obverse dies giving the impression there is another Henning dated nickel.
The 1982 book “THE COUNTERFEIT 1944 JEFFERSON NICKEL” written by DWIGHT H. STUCKEY details the events that resulted in the arrest of Mr. Henning.
If you are an ANA member you can borrow this book from the Dwight N. Manley Library. Located at the ANA’s Colorado Springs headquarters, the staff lends materials to members all over the world for just the cost of postage and insurance.
Image courtesy of Joseph P. Cronin
The image above is the cover of a new book “The Henning Nickels Collectors’ Guide” published this year, 2024, by Joseph P. Cronin. Joe, with the help of a number of contributors, gives us “An In-depth Look at Tips and Diagnostics to Help You Authenticate Francis Henning’s Counterfeit (and Valuable) Jefferson Nickels”. A must have reference for all Henning Nickel collectors.
1939
Images of the 1939 Henning Nickels in the collection of Cameron Leonard.
1939, 5.42 grams, no die crack with the hole/looped “R” on “PLURIBUS” on the reverse side.
1939, 5.40 grams die crack with
1944
Images of the 1944 Henning Nickels in the collection of Bob Saylor and JC Stevens.
1944, with the hole/lopped “R” on “PLURIBS” on the reverse side. Image courtesy of Bob Saylor.
1944, 5.40 grams, die crack with the hole/lopped “R” on “PLURIBUS” on the reverse side.
Note: The reverse die crack has been found on both 1939 & 1944 Henning Nickels.
Some of the Hennings do not have a hole/loop in the R.
Look on the reverse above Monticello to the left of the dome and you will see a small dot in the field.
When searching other dates for Hennings this is a marker to use besides looking at the R.
1946
Images of the 1946 Henning Nickels in the collection of Joshua H. Sears.
1946, 5.26 grams, with a reverse die with the hole/lopped “R”, “black arrow”.
Image courtesy of Joshua H. Sears.
1947
Images of the 1947 Henning Nickels in the collection of Bob Saylor.
1947, 5.33 grams, a reverse die that the “R” on “PLURIBS” is not damaged. Image courtesy of Bob Saylor.
1953
Images of the 1953 Henning Nickels in the collection of Joshua H. Sears.
1953, 5.58 grams, with a reverse die with the hole/lopped “R”, “black arrow”.
Image courtesy of Joshua H. Sears.