A War Nickel contains 0.05626 troy ounces of silver. Minted from 1942 to 1945 in 35% silver, they are the only US nickels that contain silver. Identified by the large mint mark above Monticello on the reverse. Its melt value updates in real time based on the current silver spot price.
Melt value only. Collector premiums and dealer spreads not included. Based on 0.05626 troy oz silver per coin.
Coin Specifications
War Nickel Value Specs
Composition
35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese
Gross Weight
5.00g
Silver Content
0.0563 troy oz
Face Value
$0.05
Mint Years
1942-1945
Mint Marks
Philadelphia (P - large above Monticello), Denver (D - large above Monticello), San Francisco (S - large above Monticello)
Diameter
21.2mm
Designer
Felix Schlag
Background
Why Stackers Track This Coin
During World War II, nickel was classified as a critical war material needed for armor plating, artillery shells, and other military equipment. In 1942, the US Mint replaced the nickel in five-cent pieces with a silver alloy containing 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese. This composition was used through 1945, when the war ended and nickel returned to the coinage. The wartime composition is identified by a large mint mark placed above the dome of Monticello on the reverse — a placement unique to war nickels. All three active mints participated, including Philadelphia, which had never used a mint mark on nickels before. War nickels are the only US nickels that contain silver and remain a fascinating and affordable entry point into constitutional silver collecting.
Compare
War Nickel Value vs Similar Coins
War Nickels contain less silver per coin than any other common constitutional silver denomination, but their 35% composition and wartime history make them a unique part of the junk silver market.
Coin
Composition
Silver (oz)
Melt Value
Notes
War Nickel Valuethis coin
35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese
0.05626 oz
—
—
90% Silver Dime (pre-1965)
90%
0.0715 oz
—
More silver per coin than a war nickel
90% Silver Quarter (pre-1965)
90%
0.17875 oz
—
About 3x the silver of a war nickel
Kennedy Half (1965-1970)
40%
0.14792 oz
—
More silver, different era
Regular Jefferson Nickel
0%
0 oz
—
No silver — worth face value only
Common Questions
War Nickel Value FAQ
How much silver is in a War Nickel?
A War Nickel contains 0.05626 troy ounces of silver. It is struck in 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese with a gross weight of 5.00 grams. A roll of 40 war nickels contains approximately 2.25 troy ounces of silver. $1 face value (20 war nickels) contains approximately 1.125 troy ounces of silver.
How do I identify a War Nickel?
Look at the reverse of the coin — the side showing Monticello. War Nickels have a large mint mark (P, D, or S) positioned directly above the dome of Monticello. Regular Jefferson Nickels either have no mint mark or have a small mint mark to the right of Monticello. The large above-dome placement is unique to war nickels and is the only reliable identification method. Note: not all 1942 nickels are silver — only 1942 nickels with the large mint mark above Monticello contain silver.
Are all 1942-1945 nickels silver?
Not all 1942 nickels are silver. In 1942 the Mint produced both regular copper-nickel and silver war nickels. Only 1942 nickels with the large mint mark above Monticello on the reverse are silver. All 1943, 1944, and 1945 nickels are war nickels regardless of mint mark. The safest approach: always check for the large above-dome mint mark rather than relying on date alone.
Why did the US Mint use silver in nickels during WWII?
Nickel was a critical war material used in armor plating, artillery shells, and military equipment. The War Production Board classified nickel as a strategic metal in 1942, restricting its use in coinage. The Mint substituted a 35% silver alloy to maintain coin production while freeing nickel for the war effort. The large above-Monticello mint mark was added specifically so the wartime coins could be easily identified and removed from circulation after the war.
How much is a War Nickel worth today?
The melt value of a War Nickel changes with the silver spot price. At $30 silver it is worth approximately $1.69. At $50 silver approximately $2.81. At $80 silver approximately $4.50. War nickels typically sell near melt value with small premiums for rolls or bulk lots. Use the live calculator above for the current melt value based on today's spot price.
If you're tracking multiple coins, MyOunces automatically calculates your total melt value across gold, silver, platinum, and palladium with live spot prices.