United States · Five Cents · 1942–1945
| Country | United States (United States Mint) |
| Denomination | Five Cents |
| Years struck | 1942–1945 |
| Gross weight | 5 g |
| Fine silver (AGW/ASW) | 1.75 g (0.0563 ozt) |
| Composition | 35.0% silver, 56.0% copper, 9.0% manganese |
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Thickness | 1.95 mm |
| Edge | Plain |
| Designer | Felix Schlag |
From mid-1942 through 1945 the nickel was struck in 35% silver (with copper and manganese) to free nickel for the war effort. Each contains 0.0563 troy ounces (1.75 g) of silver — the only nickels worth pulling from circulation for melt.
War nickels carry a large mint mark above Monticello's dome — including the first P mint mark ever used on a US coin — so they can be identified at a glance.