This is another issue that was widely hoarded by the roll when new, and Mint State survivors are quite plentiful. Most are not fully struck at their centers, though coins having nice luster and fairly clean surfaces may be found. Typical of several San Francisco Mint coins of the mid-late 1940s, there are a handful of prooflike 1946 S nickel and far more that are partially prooflike. These were coined with dies that had been resurfaced to remove erosion lines and/or clash marks, thus extending their lifespans.
Two doubled-die obverse varieties are known for this issue having some of the boldest doubling seen for the Jefferson series. A few RPMs are also known, these including both styles of S mintmark used this year.
Mintage:
| Philadelphia | Denver | San Francisco |
| 161,116,000 | 45,292,200 | 13,560,000 |