Which Nickels Contain Silver and How to Find Them
Uncover the hidden history and value of specific U.S. nickels with silver content. Learn identification and valuation methods.
The five-cent coin, commonly known as the nickel, is typically made of a copper-nickel alloy. However, during a specific period in U.S. history, its metallic content was temporarily altered. This change resulted in certain nickels containing silver, distinguishing them from their more common counterparts.
Key Identifying Features
Nickels containing silver were minted exclusively between 1942 and 1945. The most prominent identifier for these “war nickels” is a large mint mark located directly above the dome of Monticello on the coin’s reverse side. This mint mark will be a “P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, or “S” for San Francisco. For 1942, it is important to check for this large mint mark, as some 1942 nickels were produced with the standard copper-nickel composition before the change occurred.
The Reason for Silver Content
The nickel’s composition was altered due to World War II. Nickel metal became a strategic material needed for the war effort, particularly for armor plating, munitions, and other military applications. To conserve this resource, Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to change the five-cent coin’s alloy.
This temporary alloy consisted of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese. This blend was chosen to ensure the new coins would function correctly in vending machines and other coin-operated devices, maintaining similar electrical conductivity and magnetic properties. After the war, the Mint resumed production of nickels with their traditional 75% copper and 25% nickel composition starting in 1946.
Determining Their Value
The primary value of these silver-content nickels, often referred to as “war nickels,” is derived from their precious metal content rather than their numismatic rarity for common examples. Their worth is directly tied to the fluctuating spot price of silver. Each silver war nickel contains approximately 0.05626 troy ounces of pure silver.
To estimate the “melt value” of a silver nickel, multiply this silver content by the current market price of silver per troy ounce. For instance, if silver is trading at $37.67 per ounce, the melt value of one war nickel would be approximately $2.11. While melt value is the main driver for most of these coins, certain rare dates, specific mint marks, or coins in high grades can command a premium due to collector demand. Online bullion dealers or coin value guides can provide current silver prices and general valuations.