nickels.....what % silver?

[Jason O]

I thought that all silver coins minted before 1964 were 90% silver. Now I hear that this didn't include nickels. Thanks for any help.

 

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[stoney56]

Only what they call war nickles have any silver (40%). Look for the large mint mark on the reverse above Montecello. Years are 1942-1945 I believe.

 

[Jason O]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[hollowpointred]

war nickels are 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9 % manganese and were minted from 42 to 45.

 

[fiatboy]

hollowpointred nailed it. And you'll know they're war nickels because the mintmark is above Monticello on the reverse. It's huge, so you can't miss it.

 

[theartdept]

What about buffalo nickels? Silver?

 

[LadyDigger]

I'm starting to like these War nickels....just got my third one from work...so now I have 2 - 1942 P and 1 - 1943 P and I'm still looking!!!

Found my first 1950s nickel..a 1953...for some reason...they are hard to find...how come?

Found lots of 60s and 70s....only that one 1953 and have about 10 or so 40s (including the 3 silvers).

Happy Hunting,
Annmarie

 

[Siegfried Schlagrule]

Most folks keep all nickels before 1960 for several reasons. The big push on mintages came in 1964 in preparation for stealing all our silver. The government knew that silver coins would disappear rapidly when the junk appeared so they began working ahead of time to have enough coins for business. Since there were fewer made there will be fewer found. siegfried schlagrule

 

[fiatboy]

Buffalo nickels are not silver. Only the Jeffies from 1942 (not all '42s) through 1945 are silver. The 1942's that are not silver don't have the huge mintmark on the back.

And I'm also a HUGE fan or the war nix!

Happy Hunting!

 

[knightfrompa]

As a new member here's some info for you more experienced hunters. I'm just getting started in the hunting outside, rather than on-line for old coins. I've been collecting coins for a while now and try and keep up on going prices and such for coins... of the USA . haven't really gotten into collecting coins from other nations... yet.
1. Half- Dime 1794/5 silver- other .8920 silver
2. Half-dime 1853- 1873 silver-other .9000 " "
3. Jefferson nickel 1942P- 1945S Copper, Silver, magnesium
****Note however that the 1942 & 1942 S nickels are composed of Copper-nickel. Mint marks for the sivler nickels are found above Monticello on reverse. Jefferson nickels 1938-1941 are all Copper-nickel.

 

[oldplacesnofinds]

As a new member here's some info for you more experienced hunters. I'm just getting started in the hunting outside, rather than on-line for old coins. I've been collecting coins for a while now and try and keep up on going prices and such for coins... of the USA . haven't really gotten into collecting coins from other nations... yet.
1. Half- Dime 1794/5 silver- other .8920 silver
2. Half-dime 1853- 1873 silver-other .9000 " "
3. Jefferson nickel 1942P- 1945S Copper, Silver, magnesium
****Note however that the 1942 & 1942 S nickels are composed of Copper-nickel. Mint marks for the sivler nickels are found above Monticello on reverse. Jefferson nickels 1938-1941 are all Copper-nickel.

I have coins for sale. Check out my listings in the For Sale section.

 

[Evolution]

Only what they call war nickles have any silver (40%). Look for the large mint mark on the reverse above Montecello. Years are 1942-1945 I believe.

1942-1945 were the years for silver nickels. The 1942 nickel was made in a regular non-silver version as well.