fallback snapshot Aug 2, 2026 · live price loads automatically
Common quantities
| Quantity | Melt value |
|---|---|
| 1 war nickel | $3.25 |
| $1 face / 20 nickels | $64.91 |
| $2 roll / 40 nickels | $129.83 |
| $10 face / 200 nickels | $649.13 |
| $100 box / 2,000 nickels | $6,491.28 |
How to identify a silver war nickel
The wartime alloy was used from 1942 through 1945. Look for a large P, D, or S mintmark above Monticello on the reverse. A 1942 nickel without that large reverse mintmark uses the standard copper-nickel alloy and does not belong in this calculator. The U.S. Mint explains the wartime mintmark placement.
War nickel silver value formula
Multiply the live silver price by 0.05626 troy ounce per coin, then multiply by the number of coins. Twenty war nickels contain about 1.1252 troy ounces of silver, while a 40-coin roll contains about 2.2504 troy ounces.
Collector value can exceed silver value
Melt is only the gross metal benchmark. Date, mintmark, grade, varieties, original surfaces, and demand can make a war nickel worth more. Do not clean coins; identify them and compare recent sales or a coin-specialist quote before accepting a melt-only offer.
Legal restriction
31 CFR Part 82 generally restricts melting or processing US five-cent coins for metal recovery and limits bulk export, subject to listed exceptions. This calculator is an informational metal-value comparison.
Related calculators
Open the full US silver coin catalog · Half Dollar calculator · Silver Dime calculator · Quarter calculator · Morgan Dollar calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a war nickel worth today?
Its silver melt value is the live silver price multiplied by 0.05626 troy ounce. Collector value can be higher depending on date, mintmark, condition, and variety.
How much silver is in a war nickel?
A correctly identified 1942–1945 wartime-alloy nickel contains 35% silver by weight: about 1.75 grams or 0.05626 troy ounce of pure silver.
How many war nickels make one troy ounce of silver?
About 17.77 war nickels contain one troy ounce of silver at nominal mint specification. Eighteen coins contain about 1.0127 troy ounces.
How can I identify a 1942 silver war nickel?
A silver-alloy 1942 nickel has a large P, D, or S mintmark above Monticello on the reverse. A 1942 nickel without that large mintmark uses the standard copper-nickel composition.
What is a 1943 war nickel worth?
Its melt value equals 0.05626 times the current silver price. Check the mintmark, condition, and varieties because collector value can exceed melt.
Are war nickels junk silver?
They are commonly grouped with US junk silver because their value often tracks contained silver, but collectible dates, varieties, and higher-grade examples can trade above melt.
Can I legally melt war nickels?
31 CFR Part 82 generally restricts melting or processing US five-cent coins for metal recovery, subject to specific exceptions. The displayed value is informational, not a recommendation to melt coins.