When Were Nickels Made From Silver?
The composition of U.S. Nickels has changed twice over the last 157 years. They were minted with 35% silver content throughout World War II. The last year for silver nickels was 1945.
What Were the Two Changes to the Nickel’s Composition?
From the first Shield Nickels through the Liberty Head and Buffalo Nickels, Nickels were all made of .750 copper and .250 nickel.
When the United States entered World War II, nickel became critical to the war effort. Nickel was used in plate armor, anti-aircraft guns, and ordnance.
It was even used to construct lightweight, portable bridges that enabled the invasion of Germany. The U.S. needed to conserve its nickel and reduce the amount used in the five-cent coin. The solution was to substitute silver for nickel.
It may seem strange for silver to be considered less useful than nickel, but when raw materials were already stretched thin, Congress authorized a compositional change to the Nickel.
The approved change on March 27, 1942, was to mint Nickels with .500 copper and .500 silver. The Mint was authorized to vary these or add other metals in the public interest. The Jefferson nickel’s composition changed to .560 copper, .350 silver, and .009 manganese.
In 1945, after the conclusion of WWII, the Nickel returned to a .750 copper and .250 nickel composition. Wartime nickels remain popular today.
Collecting Nickels from the U.S. Mint
Nickels from the U.S. Mint present a great entry point into the numismatic world. The five cent nickel has undergone numerous design changes and it a classic coin to collect. For novice collectors interested in starting their journey with nickels, we recommend starting with non-silver coins, such as the 1964-D Jefferson nickels, which offer exceptionally low prices due to their high mintages and lack of precious metal content.
Historical Nickels
Historical nickels are a tangible reminder of the past. Their designs reflect a snapshot of the American mindset, steeped in the annals of time. Wartime Jefferson nickels are an excellent historic nickel to collect. Their short issuance, historical relevance and and uncommon composition make them a great addition to any collection. Another historical nickel that is popular with collectors is the 1913-1938 Buffalo Nickel. The Buffalo nickel was issued before the Jefferson nickel and numismatists admire the unique die varieties and connection to the American West.
