Home / Values / Jefferson War Nickel (1942-1945)
Jefferson War Nickel (1942-1945)
War nickels are 35% silver, but only 1942–1945, and only if the large mint mark sits above Monticello on the reverse.
Melt is the floor: what the metal alone is worth today. A coin's collector value can be higher (date, mint mark, condition). It is rarely lower.
A dealer's buy price sits under both melt and retail on purpose — that spread is the margin that keeps the doors open. Ours is listed openly instead.
What makes one worth more than melt
- All 1943, 1944, and 1945 nickels in this design are silver. For 1942, check the mint mark placement: that's the whole test.
- 1943/2-P is a known overdate variety. Common war nickels are an honest melt coin, worth checking against spot either way.
Quick check
Minted 1942–1945. Not sure if yours is silver? →
Calculate more than one
Have several? Open the melt calculator, pre-set to Jefferson War Nickel (1942-1945) →
Have a mixed bag by face value instead? Junk silver face-value tables →
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