From 3 buffalos to 4 wars

[Coinstar magnet]

Last night's hunt yielded 3 buffalos and a 38d so my next box tonight gave me 4 war nickels...and a worn buffalo plus a 1938 Jefferson...sadly, no mint mark. The melt value on the war nickels, the 42 S anyway was $3 or so according to AI....but my local coin dealer only wanted to give me $1 last time I was in due to the 35% silver and other elements in the war nickels...I guess they are harder to melt down? Any advice or thoughts are welcome. Thanks!