Pull out a handful of old nickels and look at the dates. If any of them say 1942, 1943, 1944, or 1945 — and have a large mint mark on the reverse above Monticello — you are holding one of the most overlooked silver coins in American numismatics. The Jefferson War Nickel. And it contains 35% silver.
At Buyers of New York, located at 30 W. 47th Street, Suite 8006 in Manhattan’s Diamond District near Rockefeller Center, we buy War Nickels at live silver spot pricing. Most sellers who bring them in didn’t even know they had silver. Now they walk out with cash. That’s the point.
Why Were Nickels Made with Silver?
During World War II, nickel was a critical war material needed for armor plating, munitions, and military equipment. In 1942, the US government redirected the nation’s nickel supply to the war effort and ordered the US Mint to reformulate the five-cent coin. The resulting alloy — 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese — replaced standard nickel composition for the duration of the war.
Production of silver-composition nickels ran from October 1942 through 1945. When the war ended and nickel supply normalized, the Mint returned to the standard copper-nickel composition in 1946. The silver nickels were never recalled — they simply circulated alongside regular nickels for decades, slowly disappearing into jars, sock drawers, and forgotten coin collections.
How to Identify a War Nickel
There is one foolproof identifier: a large mint mark on the reverse, above the dome of Monticello. The mint marks used were:
- P — Philadelphia. This is significant because Philadelphia had never used a mint mark on nickels before. The large “P” on a 1942–1945 nickel is the surest sign you have a silver coin.
- D — Denver
- S — San Francisco
Important: Not all 1942-dated nickels are silver. The Mint began transitioning mid-year in 1942. 1942 nickels without the large mint mark are standard composition and contain no silver. The large mint mark above Monticello is the definitive identifier — no exceptions.
Silver Content and Value
Each War Nickel contains 0.05626 troy ounces of silver (35% of the coin’s 0.16075 oz total weight). That number might seem small, but it adds up quickly:
- A roll of 40 War Nickels = 2.25 troy ounces of silver
- 100 War Nickels = 5.6 troy ounces of silver
- A $10 face value bag (200 coins) = approximately 11.25 troy ounces of silver
We pay 35% of live silver spot per coin. We show you the spot price and the calculation before you accept anything. No mystery pricing, no arbitrary answers.
Are Any War Nickels Worth More Than Melt?
Most War Nickels in circulated grades are priced at melt plus a small premium for their historical significance and collector appeal. However, certain War Nickels in high uncirculated grades — particularly those graded MS-65 or higher with Full Steps on Monticello’s steps — trade at meaningful premiums above melt. We assess condition and flag any coins that deserve a closer look before pricing.
The 1943-P War Nickel is particularly popular with collectors due to its historical significance as the first US coin to bear the “P” Philadelphia mint mark. Pristine uncirculated examples in top PCGS or NGC grades can sell at significant premiums.
How to Check Your Nickels at Home
Before you come in, do a quick sort. Pull out every nickel dated 1942–1945. Check the reverse for a large mint mark above Monticello. Set those aside — those are your silver coins. Everything else is copper-nickel clad and worth five cents. When you come to Buyers of New York, bring the silver ones. We’ll handle the rest.
Sell Your War Nickels at the Diamond District
30 W. 47th Street, Suite 8006 — take the elevator to the 8th floor, one block from Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan’s Diamond District. Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm. Walk-ins welcome. Cash paid same day.
Whether you have 10 War Nickels from a jar or 500 from an inherited collection, bring them in. We evaluate and pay on the spot. No appointment needed.