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Please don't assume that because a US coin was minted before 1965 it has to contain silver. That was the case only for higher-denomination coins like dimes and quarters. All US nickels except those minted during WWII have been made of an alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper.

The only exception to this happened during WWII when nickel metal was needed for the war effort. From October 1942 to December 1945 special "war nickels" were minted. These coins are 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese, and can be identified by a somewhat darker color and a large mintmark letter over the dome of Monticello. internet rumors to the contrary, these are the only US nickels that ever contained any silver.

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Q: What were US nickels made of before 1965?
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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.


Were there any silver US nickels made in 1964?

No, there were no silver US nickels made in 1964. Prior to 1965, the composition of US nickels included 25% nickel and 75% copper. However, starting in 1965, the composition changed to a mixture of copper and nickel clad.


What is the value of a 1901 silver US nickel?

Please don't assume that every US coin minted before 1965 contains silver. US nickels made from 1866 to mid-1942 and from 1946 to the present are made of a copper-nickel alloy. There's more information at the Related Question.


Are nickels made before 1965 made of silver?

Except during WWII, all US nickels have been made from an alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper. It's a common misconception that pre-1965 nickels were made of 90% silver just like dimes, quarters, and half dollars. If you think about it for a few seconds, though, nickels are twice as big as dimes so a nickel made of 90% silver would have actually been worth 20 cents! From late 1942 through 1945, special "war nickels" were made from 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.


What are US nickels made of before 1964?

Nickels are made of 75% copper and only 25% nickel, including nearly all of those made before 1964. Silver was only used in dimes, quarters, and half dollars at that time, not nickels. "war nickels" minted during 1942-1945 were made of silver, copper, and manganese because nickel was a strategic metal. These are the only nickels that ever contained silver. Urban legends and internet rumors to the contrary, all other nickels are made of the same 75% copper / 25% nickel alloy.

Related questions

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.


Were there any silver US nickels made in 1964?

No, there were no silver US nickels made in 1964. Prior to 1965, the composition of US nickels included 25% nickel and 75% copper. However, starting in 1965, the composition changed to a mixture of copper and nickel clad.


Can you melt 1964 US nickels for silver?

No, you cannot melt 1964 US nickels for silver. From 1965 onward, US nickels have been composed of a copper-nickel alloy. The 1964 US nickel is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, not silver.


What are US nickels made of before 1968?

For US 5 cent coins,except for the War Nickels dated 1942-1945 that have 35% silver in them, all nickels from 1866 to 2010 are made from a copper nickel alloy of .750 copper and .250 nickel


What is the value of a 1901 silver US nickel?

Please don't assume that every US coin minted before 1965 contains silver. US nickels made from 1866 to mid-1942 and from 1946 to the present are made of a copper-nickel alloy. There's more information at the Related Question.


Are nickels made before 1965 made of silver?

Except during WWII, all US nickels have been made from an alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper. It's a common misconception that pre-1965 nickels were made of 90% silver just like dimes, quarters, and half dollars. If you think about it for a few seconds, though, nickels are twice as big as dimes so a nickel made of 90% silver would have actually been worth 20 cents! From late 1942 through 1945, special "war nickels" were made from 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.


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 are 2014 nickels made of?

2014 US nickels, like most US nickels, are made of an alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper. 2014 Canadian nickels are made of an alloy of 94.5% steel and 3.5% copper, plated with 2% nickel.


What are US nickels made of before 1964?

Nickels are made of 75% copper and only 25% nickel, including nearly all of those made before 1964. Silver was only used in dimes, quarters, and half dollars at that time, not nickels. "war nickels" minted during 1942-1945 were made of silver, copper, and manganese because nickel was a strategic metal. These are the only nickels that ever contained silver. Urban legends and internet rumors to the contrary, all other nickels are made of the same 75% copper / 25% nickel alloy.


What is the value of a 1961 silver US nickel?

The US mint did not produce any silver nickels in 1961. Silver nickels were only minted from 1942 to 1945 due to the shortage of nickel during World War II. A 1961 nickel would be made of copper and nickel, and its value would be face value (5 cents) unless it is in uncirculated condition or has some other rare characteristics.


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.


When did they start minting nickels?

The first US nickels (5¢) were minted in 1866. The first Canadian nickels were made in 1922.