No, not all 1945 nickels are silver. The 1945 nickel is a unique and highly significant coin for a variety of reasons. Minted in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, the circulating coins contained a 35% silver and 65% copper alloy.
While this makes the coins circulate very easily, it also means that the coins weren’t struck from 100% silver. The 1945 “war nickel” contained no silver and was only issued in the Philadelphia mint.
This coin was a unique way to ensure that the US had an adequate supply of coins to keep the country running in wartime. The US government ordered all US mints to create coins without any silver which resulted in the beautiful war nickel.
Of all nickels minted in 1945, only the war nickel was composed entirely of copper and meant purely for circulation.
How can you tell if a 1945 nickel is silver?
You can tell if a 1945 nickel is silver by looking at the date stamp on the coin. If the date is stamped onto the coin in Roman numerals, then it is a silver 1945 Jefferson nickel. If the date on the coin is stamped with Arabic numerals, then it is a copper-nickel clad 1945 Jefferson nickel.
Additionally, silver nickels are 5. 00 grams compared to the 5. 67 grams of copper-nickel clad nickels. You can check the weight of the coin to determine the type of metal in the nickel.
What year nickels are pure silver?
Nickels that are pure silver were made between 1942 and 1945 during World War II. During that time, the United States Mint produced nickels with a composition of 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese.
This was done as a way to preserve copper resources which were being used to support the war effort. The silver-colored nickels had the same design as other nickels, with Thomas Jefferson on the front and Monticello on the back, but they are slightly lighter in weight and larger in size than the regular nickels we know today.
Post-1945 coins have a mainly copper composition, with a small percentage of other elements.
How much silver is in a 1945 nickel?
A 1945 nickel contains 0. 05626 troy ounces of silver, or approximately 1. 7 grams. This is because prior to 1965, US nickels were composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel—containing no silver. However, the US Mint produced nickels from 1942 to 1945 with a composition of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese.
This composition resulted in each 1945 nickel containing a total of 0. 05626 troy ounces of silver.
What is a 1945 p silver nickel worth?
A 1945 P Silver Nickel is worth around $3. 50 to $4. 00 in circulation condition, though its exact value may vary according to current market trends. This makes it worth significantly more than any common-date Liberty Head nickel.
The 1945 P Silver Nickel also has a higher grade than almost all other coins of that date, as it was struck on a planchet composed of 90% nickel and 10% copper. Collectors of coins in higher conditions may be able to spot a 1945 P Silver Nickel in the wild, which is worth significantly more than those found in circulation condition.
For example, coins in MS-60 (Mint State) condition or higher may be worth in the range of $50-$200.
What are 1945 nickels made of?
1945 nickels are made of a metal alloy known as cupronickel, which is a combination of copper and nickel. The amount of each metal varies, but typically consists of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The composition was determined by the US Mint in 1837, when a five-cent coin, also known as a “half dime,” was first introduced.
The 1945 nickels also feature the image of President Thomas Jefferson facing left on the front side of the coin and Monticello, his Virginia home, on the back.
Is the 1945 nickel worth anything?
The 1945 nickel can be worth a considerable amount of money, depending on its condition. These coins were minted from silver coins at the Philadelphia and Denver mints and are quite rare. As such, they generally fetch a higher price than other 45 nickels in decent condition.
The 1945 nickel generally falls into one of three categories: “fully uncirculated” (no wear or discoloration), “lightly circulated” (light wear and toning) or heavily circulated (heavy wear and possibly some discoloration).
Fully uncirculated specimens are the most valuable, generally selling for between $50-$1000 depending on the specific grade and details. Lightly circulated nickels range between $10-$30, while heavily circulated will sell a few dollars.
If you have a 1945 nickel and believe it is worth more than a few dollars, it is worth having it appraised by a professional coin dealer to determine its precise value.
What was the last year they put silver in nickels?
The last year that silver was used in the composition of US Nickels was in 1945. Prior to this, US Nickels were composed of 75% Copper and 25% Nickel. However, when the US Mint began minting nickels in 1965, the composition was changed to all manganese-brass alloy.
This change was made in order to conserve the critical metal nickel, which was needed for production of armaments used during WWII. During WWII, all five-cent coins in the US were composed of silver, with newer coins being composed of a Copper-Silver alloy, containing 35% silver.
This composition was used until the change to all-brass in 1965.
What nickels should I keep?
When it comes to collecting or keeping certain nickels, it depends on your own preferences and interests. If you’re looking for a purely investment/collectible perspective, some nickels may be considered more valuable or desirable than others.
For example, rare or key date nickels such as the 1883 Liberty Head Nickel and the 1914-D Buffalo Nickel may be worth a significantly higher premium than more common date nickels.
If you’re looking to build a type set, it could include all the designs of the nickel such as the Shield Nickel, Liberty Head, Buffalo Nickel, Jefferson Nickel, and the current design. For a complete set of Jefferson Nickels, it would include one from every year from 1938-present.
If you’re more interested in building a collection of coins from circulation, then those ‘special’ nickels like the 1942-1945 War Nickels, the 2004 Lewis & Clark nickel, and the 2005 Westward Journey might be something that you look for.
Those can be more difficult to find in circulation compared to more common nickels, but you may get lucky and find one or two!.
Ultimately, the nickels that you keep or collect depend on your personal preferences, interests, and budget.
Is there anything special about a 1963 nickel?
Yes, the 1963 nickel is a special coin as it is one of the rarest United States nickels ever produced. It was the only year where the Jefferson Nickel, which was produced by the US Mint since 1938, had both a special proof and uncirculated reverse or “tail’s side” design.
The special proof design featured a small 3 on the reverse, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first release of the nickel in 1883. Additionally, the 1963 nickel marked the end of the Westward Journey nickel series, so collectors from all over the world seek out this particular nickel.
This coin is usually worth more than a typical nickel to experienced coin collectors and buyers, as it is quite rare. Although the coin is not incredibly valuable, it would make an excellent addition to any coin collection as it is an important part of American numismatic history.
How do you tell if a coin is silver or copper nickel?
The first way is to visually inspect the coin. Silver coins are usually a bit brighter and shinier than copper nickel coins, and often have a gray or gray-white color. Silver coins also typically have distinct lettering, as well as a clear image on both faces.
The second way to determine a coin’s composition is to compare its weight to known silver coins or copper nickel coins. Silver coins are usually heavier than copper nickel coins. When coins are made, the composition of the metal is finely tuned to match the denomination of the coin.
The third way to identify a coin’s composition is to use a special testing kit that scratches the coin and measures its electrical conductivity. Silver coins will usually have higher electrical conductivity than copper nickel coins.
Finally, the last way to tell if a coin is silver or copper nickel is to take it to a professional numismatist who can identify the coin and verify its composition. A coin identification expert can use a variety of tests to identify the coin and its composition.
