A Silver War Nickel contains 0.0563 troy oz of pure silver, worth $3.04 at today's spot price.
To save nickel for the war effort, the US Mint made five-cent coins from an alloy of copper, silver and manganese from late 1942 through 1945. These war nickels are the only US nickels that contain silver.
Melt values use these spot prices (US dollars):
- Silver $54.05 per troy oz Current quote · Quote time Oct 24, 2:40 AM EDT
Some prices could not be refreshed recently and may be out of date.
Melt value is the metal content at spot price, not a buy or sell price. Collectible coins can be worth much more. For reference only.
Specifications
| Years | 1942–1945 |
|---|---|
| Face value | 5¢ |
| Composition | 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese |
| Gross weight | 5 g |
| Fineness | .350 (35%) |
| Pure metal | 0.0563 troy oz (1.75 g) |
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Standard roll | 40 coins |
How the melt value is worked out
Melt value is the pure silver in the coin multiplied by the spot price. We use the coin's standard minted weight; worn coins weigh slightly less.
-
5 g × .350 fine ÷ 31.1035 g per troy oz = 0.0563 troy oz
0.0563 troy oz × $54.05 spot = $3.04
How to identify it
- Look for a large mint mark (P, D or S) above Monticello's dome on the reverse. The 1942-P was the first US coin to carry a P mint mark.
- A 1942 nickel with no mint mark, or with a small D to the right of Monticello, is the regular copper-nickel alloy and contains no silver.
- War nickels often tone darker and look grayer than ordinary nickels.
- Only the silver is counted. The copper and manganese add a fraction of a cent.
Melt value vs. collector value
Most war nickels trade for their silver. Coins with full steps on Monticello, high grades and a few scarcer dates bring premiums. Unlike other nickels, war nickels are excluded from the US rule against melting five-cent coins.