War Nickel (1942–1945) Melt Value
Minted 1942–1945 · 35% silver · 0.05626 troy oz pure silver
Current Melt Value
| Silver spot price | Unavailable |
| Silver content | 0.05626 troy oz |
| Composition | 35% silver |
| Face value | $0.05 |
| Multiplier over face | — |
Bulk Value
| Quantity | Total Silver | Melt Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 coin | 0.056 ozt | — |
| 5 coins | 0.281 ozt | — |
| 10 coins | 0.563 ozt | — |
| 20 coins | 1.125 ozt | — |
| 50 coins | 2.813 ozt | — |
| 100 coins | 5.626 ozt | — |
War Nickel (1942–1945): Silver Content & History
War Nickels contain 0.05626 troy ounces of pure silver (35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese).
During World War II, nickel was a critical war material needed for armor plating and other military uses. From mid-1942 through 1945, the US Mint changed the composition of the Jefferson Nickel to 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese — eliminating nickel entirely. These coins can be identified by the large mintmark (P, D, or S) above Monticello on the reverse. The Philadelphia Mint used a 'P' mintmark for the first time in US history on these coins. War Nickels are the lowest-silver-content US coin and are popular among beginning silver stackers due to their lower per-coin cost.
Collector Value Note
War Nickels in circulated condition trade near melt. High-grade examples with strong luster can carry small collector premiums.
How Melt Value Is Calculated
The melt value of a War Nickel (1942–1945) is calculated by multiplying the pure silver content (0.05626 troy ounces) by the current silver spot price. At today's silver price of current spot per troy ounce, one War Nickel (1942–1945) contains significant worth of silver.
This is the intrinsic or melt value — the metal value if the coin were melted. Actual selling price depends on dealer premiums (for bullion-grade coins) or numismatic premiums (for collector-grade examples). When selling, expect to receive a percentage below spot depending on the dealer and quantity.