Nickels minted in the United States between 1942 and 1945 are made of 35% silver. Due to the pressing need for industrial metals like nickel during World War II, five-cent coins were actually made from 35% pure silver during the duration of the war. The rest of the alloy was made up of copper (56%) and manganese (9%).
Does a 1945 nickel have silver in it?
That’s because 1945 Jefferson nickels are made from 35% silver composition. It was replaced with an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese. These so-called war nickels were struck through 1945. They have a large mintmark over the dome of Monticello on the reverse (tail’s side) of the coin.
How much is a 1942 1945 nickel worth?
The 1942 – 1945 Silver Jefferson Nickels, a junk silver coin, contains 35% silver which is 0.0563 troy ounces….1942 – 1945 Silver Jefferson (War) Nickels: Investor’s Junk Silver Guide.
| Year | Mintage | Numismatic Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 P | 57,873,000 | $1.00 – $95.00 |
| 1942 S | 32,900,000 | $1.00 – $150.00 |
| 1943 P | 271,165,000 | $0.90 – $120.00 |
| 1943 D | 15,294,000 | $1.25 – $1,100.00 |
What was the nickel made out of in World War 2?
The US nickel has been 25% nickel / 75% copper since 1866, EXCEPT for certain coins struck 1942–45, the so-called “war nickels,” which were 35% silver / 56% copper / 9% manganese. The extra cost of using silver in the coin was rationalized by the fact that silver (at the time at least) had no industrial value while nickel was needed for the war.
What are the mint marks on a 1942 nickel?
The Mint mark. Silver war nickels bear large Mint marks of “S”, “D” or “P” above the dome of Monticello on the reverse. The idea of these large marks was to clearly denote the Silver nickel years, making the coins easier to pull from circulation after the war. If you have a 1942-P Nickel, you have a Silver war nickel.
What’s the value of a 1945 Jefferson nickel?
1. Calculate 35% silver value : $1.4617 is the rounded silver value for the 1942-1945 silver nickel on April 16, 2021. This is usually the value used by coin dealers when selling these coins at melt value. However, the total melt value is continued below.
When did they start making nickels with silver?
What Year Were Nickels Silver? In 1942 with wars raging in Europe and the Pacific, nickel became a prized war material. Congress authorized the production of nickels with 50% copper and 50% silver on March 27, 1942. The legislation gave the US Mint the authority to vary the metals’ proportions according to practical concerns.
