Sharon P. asks: When was the last year a Jefferson nickel was made of silver?
Jefferson nickels are made from planchets that are 75% copper and 25% nickel and weigh 5 grams. This composition has been in continuous use for regular nickel coinage since 1866. The only exception to this was the war years of 1942-1945 where nickel was needed for the military. The change of composition was signified by a large mint mark over Monticello on the reverse. The emergency alloy was 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese. The original copper-nickel composition was resumed in 1946 and continues today.
