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Yes. During WW2 nickel was needed for the war effort, so in late 1942 the mint changed the metal used in 5¢ coins to an alloy of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese . They also moved the mint mark to a position above the dome of Monticello, made it much larger, and for the first time used the letter P for Philadelphia.

At that time silver was cheap - about $1.30 an ounce - so the small amount used in the coins didn't raise their metal value above 5 cents.

After the war, the regular copper-nickel alloy was resumed, mint marks went back to the side of Monticello, and the use of "P" was stopped until 1980.

Contrary to many popular misunderstandings, there has never been a 90% silver nickel. ALL American nickels other than "war nickels" are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy.

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Q: Were US nickels ever made of silver?
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Continue Learning about U.S. History

What years are us quarters nickels and dimes made of silver?

The years when US quarters, nickels, and dimes were made of silver are as follows: Quarters: Prior to 1965, quarters were made of 90% silver. Nickels: US nickels have never been made of silver. They have always been composed of a blend of copper and nickel. Dimes: Prior to 1965, dimes were made of 90% silver.


What year was the last year the US minted silver nickels?

The only US nickels that ever contained silver were special "war nickels" made from late 1942 to 1945. All US nickels from 1866 to the present are made of the same alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper. War nickels were made of an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese because nickel metal was needed for the war effort. These coins are distinguished by a large mint mark letter over the dome of Monticello on the back.


Is a 1964 US nickel silver?

None. Silver was used in dimes, quarters, and half dollars but not nickels. Urban legends and internet rumors to the contrary, the only US nickels that ever contained silver were the special "war nickels" struck during WWII when nickel was a strategic metal. ALL other US nickels have been made of the same alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel.


When were silver nickels made?

The only US nickels that ever contained silver were special "war nickels" minted from late 1942 to 1945. War nickels were made of an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese because nickel metal was needed for the war effort. They can be identified by a large mint mark letter over the dome of Monticello on the back. All other US nickels dating back to the coin's introduction in 1866 are made of an alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper.


What years of buffalo nickels have silver value?

None have any silver value. US nickels made from 1866 to mid-1942 and from 1946 to the present are made of a copper-nickel alloy, not silver.

Related questions

Are the nickels in 1930 made of silver?

No, the only US nickels to have silver are the "War Nickels" from 1942 to 1945


What is the value of a silver in a buffalo nickel?

None, because all buffalo nickels are made of the same 75% copper / 25% nickel alloy as current US nickels. The only US nickels that ever contained any silver were special "war nickels" made during 1942-45.


How much silver is in a 1905 US nickel?

The only US nickels that ever contained any silver are the war years of 1942-1945. All other US nickels are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel


Were US silver nickels minted in 2000?

The only nickels that ever contained silver were the famous "war nickels" minted during WWII when nickel was a strategic metal. All other nickels are made of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel.


What years are us quarters nickels and dimes made of silver?

The years when US quarters, nickels, and dimes were made of silver are as follows: Quarters: Prior to 1965, quarters were made of 90% silver. Nickels: US nickels have never been made of silver. They have always been composed of a blend of copper and nickel. Dimes: Prior to 1965, dimes were made of 90% silver.


Do us nickels have silver in them?

No, they don't. US nickels are made of copper and nickel. The only ones that DO contain silver are war nickels, minted 1942-1945.


How much is 70 pure silver nickels worth?

No US nickels have ever been pure silver, the "war nickels" of 1942-1945 are 35% silver and are the only nickels to have any silver. Post new question.


Are US nickels made from silver?

No. The U.S. nickel is made from, ironically, nickel and copper. (That's how it got the name.) The only nickels that ever contained silver were the famous "war nickels" minted during WWII when nickel was a strategic metal. All other nickels are made of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel.


Is a 1938 US nickel silver?

The only nickels that ever contained silver were the famous "war nickels" minted during WWII when nickel was a strategic metal. All other nickels are made of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel.


What metal is a US nickel made from?

Nearly all US nickels are 25% nickel and 75% copper.The only exceptions were special "war nickels" made during 1942-45. Regardless of popular myths, these are the only US nickels that ever contained any silver.


Are US Harris Liberty Nickels made of silver?

Sorry, no such coin as a "US Harris Liberty Nickel" The ONLY US nickels to have silver in them are the Jefferson "War Nickels" from late 1942 through 1945 and those were 35% silver.


How much silver is in a 2005 Lewis and Clark nickel?

None. The only US nickels that ever contained silver were made during WWII, and no circulating US coin has contained silver since the 1960s.