Jefferson Nickel Was Hidden Inside a Candle Jar: In a discovery that has captivated coin collectors and history enthusiasts alike, a seemingly ordinary candle jar turned out to be the hiding place of a rare Jefferson Nickel—one that could be worth thousands of dollars. The story, shared by a retired schoolteacher from Ohio, serves as a charming reminder that treasures often lurk in the most unexpected corners of our lives.
A Chance Discovery During Spring Cleaning
Mary Ellen Hughes, 68, stumbled upon the coin while decluttering her attic. Behind a dusty box of holiday decorations, she found a decorative candle jar—a long-forgotten gift from over two decades ago. The candle had burned out years earlier, but at the bottom of the jar, something metallic glinted in the light.
At first, Mary Ellen assumed it was just a loose washer or an old coin someone had tossed in as a joke. But after cleaning it, she noticed something unusual about the nickel. Intrigued, she took it to a local coin expert, who confirmed that it was no ordinary coin.
The Hidden Rarity: A Wartime Treasure
The nickel turned out to be a 1942 Jefferson Nickel, part of a special series minted during World War II. Due to wartime nickel shortages, the U.S. government temporarily altered the coin’s composition, using a blend of silver, copper, and manganese instead. These “silver war nickels” are highly prized by collectors, especially when found in pristine condition.
What made Mary Ellen’s discovery even more remarkable was the coin’s near-perfect state. Sealed inside the candle wax for decades, it had been shielded from air and humidity—a phenomenon collectors call “environmental encapsulation.”
A Coin with Unexpected Value
While the nickel hasn’t yet been auctioned, preliminary estimates suggest it could fetch between 2,000and2,000and5,000, depending on its final grading. For Mary Ellen, the excitement isn’t just about the potential windfall—it’s the whimsical story behind the find.
“I used to burn candles all the time during the holidays,” she said with a laugh. “I must have dropped the nickel into the wax without realizing it. To think it was just sitting there all these years!”
A Reminder to Look Closer
The story has sparked a wave of excitement in collector circles, with many wondering if other rare coins might be hiding in plain sight—tucked away in old jars, drawers, or even forgotten storage boxes. As coin appraiser Alan Reese noted, “War nickels are already special, but finding one in this condition is rare. Finding it in a candle jar? That’s the kind of story collectors love.”
In an age where people chase fortunes in stocks or digital currencies, Mary Ellen’s experience is a heartwarming nudge to appreciate the small, unexpected surprises life offers. Sometimes, the most valuable treasures aren’t locked away in vaults—they’re waiting quietly in the places we least expect.
