This is one of the years they made nickels partially out of silver. At current silver values, it's worth about $1 in worn condition, $1.50 with only slight wear. A nice uncirculated one is worth about $5.00
All U.S. nickels (except for silver "war" nickels 1942-1945) are 75% copper and 25% nickel.
In general, a US nickel has to be minted in 1945 or earlier to have any extra value but there are a lot of exceptions. The most important dates to know are:1950-D nickels are moderately scarce and worth several dollars in average condition."War nickels" 1942-1945 with a large mint mark over Monticello are worth at least $1 because they contain a small amount of silver.Common-date buffalo nickels are worth at least $1 but that can go up for coins in better condition.Older-date buffalo nickels can be worth a couple of dollars or moreCommon-date Liberty nickels are worth at least $3; older ones can be (but not necessarily are) worth more.All shield nickels are worth significant premiums.
Please post a new question with your nickel's date. Except for the famous "war nickels" minted from 1942 to 1945, ALL US nickels made since 1866 have been struck in the same 75/25 cupronickel alloy.
Only the war years of 1942-1945 have silver. All Jefferson Nickels from 1938 to mid-1942 and 1946 to date are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
Monticello is the building on the reverse of the coin.
This is a War Nickel (1942-1945) that has silver in it. The large "S" above the dome identifies it, circulated coins are valued at $1.00-$3.00 uncirculated are $5.00-$10.00 but all values depend on he grade of the coin.
Check that coin again. The only nickels with the large mint mark above Monticello were those dated 1942-45.
This is one of the years they made nickels partially out of silver. At current silver values, it's worth about 50 cents.
It depends, as there was actually a change in composition In late 1942.-- If the nickel has no mintmark, or a small mintmark to the right of Monticello on the back of the coin, it is 75% copper and 25% nickel.-- If the nickel has a large mintmark above the dome of Monticello on the back of the coin, it is 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese.
That is a "war nickel". War nickels minted between 1942-45 are identified with a large P, D, or S above the Monticello on the back. These nickels are 35% silver, and so have a definite value. The idiot who says they're worth "about 5 cents" is stupid.
7-5-11>>> The ONLY US nickels to have any silver were the "War Nickels" struck from late 1942 to 1945. And all of them have large mintmarks on the reverse above the dome of Monticello.
War Nickels of 1942-1945 are 35% silver ( .05626oz pure silver ) the silver coins are identified by the large mintmarks above the dome of Monticello on the reverse.
There are two different Jefferson nickels dated 1942. One is made from 35% silver with a large "P" or "S" mintmark on the reverse over Monticello. This is a War Nickel that's worth about $1.00 in circulated condition. The other is a common copper-nickel coin that in circulated condition is really only worth face value.
8-22-11>>> The only US nickels to contain any silver are the "War-Nickels" that were struck in 35% silver from late 1942 through 1945 and can be identified by the large mintmarks above the dome of Monticello on the reverse. Please see the question "What is the value of a 1941 US nickel?" for more information.
The large "P" above the dome means it's a "war nickel" that is struck in 35% silver. The nickel was removed for the war effort and silver was used as a replacement, this was done from 1942 - 1945. Because it has a small amount of silver the value is about $1.00. NOTE: The 1942 war nickel is the first US coin to ever use a "P" Mintmark.
???? Monticello is on Jefferson nickels struck from 1938 to 2003 and 2006 to the present.