US FIVE-CENT COIN · COPPER + NICKEL
3.75 g + 1.25 gCopper + nickel per original 5.000 g coin
The ordinary US nickel is 75% copper and 25% nickel by mass. Enter both metal prices below to find its metal-content value. Silver war nickels use a separate composition.
METAL CONTENT AT YOUR PRICES
Enter copper and nickel prices in USD per ordinary pound.
Metal-content value does not include separation costs or a dealer’s spread.
How much metal is in a US nickel?
The Mint specifies 5.00 g total mass with 75% copper and 25% nickel: 3.75 g copper and 1.25 g nickel. Multiply each metal’s grams by its price per pound, then divide their sum by 453.59237.
The large P, D or S above Monticello identifies the 35% silver wartime issue. Some 1942 nickels use the ordinary alloy, so date alone is insufficient. Do not enter silver war nickels in this copper-nickel tool.
Can you melt US nickels?
31 CFR 82.1 generally prohibits exporting, melting or treating US five-cent and one-cent coins. Section 82.2 provides specific exceptions and written licences, including an exception for the 1942–1945 copper-silver-manganese five-cent alloy. A calculated value above face does not authorize melting ordinary nickels.