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The only US nickels that contained any silver were made from late 1942 through 1945.
The silver-alloy coins have a large mint mark above Monticello's dome instead of a small mark to the side. The letter "P" was used for Philadelphia issues for the first time on any coin.
A lot of people think that US nickels were once made from 90% silver like dimes and quarters were, but in fact nearly all nickels have been made of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Nickel was a strategic metal so in late 1942 the composition of the 5-cent piece was changed to an alloy of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese. That silver percentage is much lower than standard silver coins so technically there has never been a true "silver nickel".
Some 1942 nickels were struck in the old composition and some in the silver alloy. From 1943 to 1945 the silver alloy was used for all nickels. Normal copper-nickel alloy composition was resumed at the start of 1946 and continues to today.
When new the coins looked very similar to their copper-nickel cousins. However after a small amount of wear the silver and manganese components tarnished severely and the coins turned an unpleasant dark gray.
Today the price of silver is more than 10 times what it was in the 1940s, so "war nickels" are worth at least a dollar or so for their metal content.
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"Nickle": Be careful of this common misspelling. The metal and the coin are NICKEL. A "nickle" is actually a small European bird (!)
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When did they stop making silver us 5 cent nickels?
The U.S. stopped minting silver half-dimes in 1873, a few years after the introduction of the nickel. The only nickels that actually contain silver are "war" nickels minted 1942-1945.
What year did the US Treasury stop making silver nickels?
Many people are confused by when US nickels contained silver. The only US nickels that contained any silver were special "war nickels" made from late 1942 to 1945. All other US nickels dating back to the coin's introduction in 1866 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.
When did the US stop using silver in nickels?
Silver was only used in nickels from 1942-1945 on coins with a large mintmark over the Monticello (some nickels in 1942 do not have the large mintmark and are of the standard composition), these coins are 35% silver. All other nickels are 75% copper and 25% nickel.
When did the US stop making nickels out of nickel?
From mid-1942 to 1945 US nickels were made of an alloy of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese because nickel metal was needed for the war effort. All other US nickels minted from 1866 to mid-1942 and from 1946 to the present are made of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
What year did the US stop making silver quarters?
1964 was the last year US quarters were made of Silver.
When did they stop making silver us 5 cent nickels?
The U.S. stopped minting silver half-dimes in 1873, a few years after the introduction of the nickel. The only nickels that actually contain silver are "war" nickels minted 1942-1945.
What year did the US Treasury stop making silver nickels?
Many people are confused by when US nickels contained silver. The only US nickels that contained any silver were special "war nickels" made from late 1942 to 1945. All other US nickels dating back to the coin's introduction in 1866 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.
Are any new silver nickels?
None of the new US nickels are silver.
Are the nickels in 1930 made of silver?
No, the only US nickels to have silver are the "War Nickels" from 1942 to 1945
When did the US stop using silver in nickels?
Silver was only used in nickels from 1942-1945 on coins with a large mintmark over the Monticello (some nickels in 1942 do not have the large mintmark and are of the standard composition), these coins are 35% silver. All other nickels are 75% copper and 25% nickel.
When did the US stop making nickels out of nickel?
From mid-1942 to 1945 US nickels were made of an alloy of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese because nickel metal was needed for the war effort. All other US nickels minted from 1866 to mid-1942 and from 1946 to the present are made of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
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.
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.
Can you melt 1964 US nickels for silver?
You can melt them but you won't get any silver. All US nickels except special "war nickels" made during 1942-45 are struck in the same alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper.
What year did the US stop making silver quarters?
1964 was the last year US quarters were made of Silver.
When were nickels silver?
The only time US nickels were silver was from 1942-1945. They contain 40% silver. They have a metal value of around 2 dollars.
