Which US Coins Are Silver? A Year-by-Year Cheat Sheet
1964 and earlier dimes, quarters and halves are 90% silver. Here's every US silver coin by year, plus the look-alikes that fool people.
Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) Melt Value
Live · updated ET
Melt value of one Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver)
$3.05
Face value $0.05Melt ÷ face 60.93× Pure silver 0.05626 ozSilver spot $53.44
A Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) (1942–1945) weighs 5 grams and is made of 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese. That works out to 0.05626 troy ounces of pure silver, so at today’s spot price the metal in one coin is worth about $3.05.
Look for a large P, D or S mint mark above Monticello’s dome. War nickels are exempt from the federal ban on melting 5-cent coins.
Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) specifications
| Years | 1942–1945 |
|---|---|
| Face value | $0.05 |
| Weight | 5 g (0.1608 troy oz) |
| Composition | 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese |
| Diameter | 21.21 mm |
| Copper content | 2.800 g · worth $0.0396 |
| Silver content | 1.750 g (0.05626 troy oz) · worth $3.01 |
How much are Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) coins worth in bulk?
| Quantity | Face value | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.05 | $3.05 |
| 5 | $0.25 | $15.23 |
| 10 | $0.50 | $30.46 |
| 40 (1 roll) | $2.00 | $121.85 |
| 100 | $5.00 | $304.63 |
| 1,000 | $50.00 | $3,046.34 |
How the Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) melt value has changed
| Date | Melt value then | Change to today |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month ago (Oct 9, 2026) | $3.45 | ▼ -11.75% |
| 1 year ago (Nov 9, 2025) | $2.73 | ▲ +11.52% |
| 5 years ago (Nov 9, 2021) | $1.40 | ▲ +118.06% |
| 10 years ago (Nov 9, 2016) | $0.8619 | ▲ +253.43% |
Based on stored daily closing prices and monthly averages for copper, nickel and zinc.
Melt value vs. what your Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) is worth
Melt value is the floor: the value of the metal alone. Dealers who buy coins for their metal usually pay a little below melt. Coins with a rare date, mint mark or error, or in uncirculated condition, can sell for far more than melt to collectors – check a current price guide or have the coin graded before selling anything that looks scarce.
Have several coins? Use the coin melt value calculator or the junk silver calculator.
Other nickels
| Coin | Years | Metal content | Melt value | × face |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Shield Nickel | 1866–1883 | 5 g · 75% copper | $0.0734 | 1.5× |
 Liberty Head “V” Nickel | 1883–1912 | 5 g · 75% copper | $0.0734 | 1.5× |
 Buffalo Nickel | 1913–1938 | 5 g · 75% copper | $0.0734 | 1.5× |
 Jefferson Nickel | 1938–present (except 1942–1945 silver issues) | 5 g · 75% copper | $0.0734 | 1.5× |
Melt value = metal content × today’s spot price. It is not what a dealer pays (usually less) or a collector’s price (often more).
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) worth in melt value today?
At today’s metal prices (November 9, 2026) one Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) contains about $3.05 worth of metal. This is the melt (scrap) value – rare dates and coins in top condition can sell for much more to collectors.
How much silver is in a Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver)?
A Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) weighs 5 grams and contains 0.05626 troy ounces (1.750 grams) of pure silver.
Is a Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) worth more than its face value?
Right now the metal in a Jefferson War Nickel (35% silver) is worth 60.9× its face value of $0.05.
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Melt values are estimates based on spot prices and official coin specifications. Dealers usually pay less than melt; rare coins can be worth far more to collectors.