War Nickel Melt Value
From late 1942 through 1945 the US Mint pulled nickel for the war effort and struck five-cent coins in a 35% silver alloy — 0.0563 troy ounces per coin, priced live below.
Identification is unmistakable once you know the tell: a large mintmark (P, D, or S) above Monticello's dome on the reverse. It's the only US coin series where Philadelphia used a P mintmark before 1979.
| Coin | Precious metal content | Melt value today |
|---|---|---|
| War Nickel 1942–1945 (35%) | 0.0563 troy oz — 5.00 g, 35% silver | $3.89 |
Dollar figures here are computed from the live spot price when the page loads and change continuously; the printed baseline is a 2026-08-23 snapshot — cite the metal content and formula, not a captured price. Formulas on the methodology page.
Worth pulling from a nickel jar?
Absolutely — at current silver prices a war nickel's melt value is a large multiple of face. They tone dark gray and look grubby, which is exactly why they still turn up unsearched in bulk nickels. Note the federal melting prohibition on 5-cent coins applies (31 CFR 82); like all melt figures here, this is a pricing benchmark, and dealers buy war nickels on it every day.
Sources: live spot prices via gold-api.com · coin weights and fineness from U.S. Mint historical specifications · karat/fineness definitions per standard jewelry marking practice. Melt value ≠ an offer to buy; see how we calculate.