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1945-D Wartime Silver

Nickels · Jefferson Nickels · 1938–Present
Regular
Weight5 g
Diameter21.21 mm
MintDenver
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 37,158,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition56% Copper, 35% Silver, 9% Manganese
DesignerFelix Schlag
Collector's Key IDCK-1376

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About this coinHistory

Denver struck 37,158,000 Wartime Silver Jefferson nickels in 1945, the final year of Denver Wartime Silver production. The coin is common in all grades and readily available in Mint State. Strike characteristics are generally strong, and Full Steps examples exist in adequate numbers for specialist demand at modest premiums.

The 1945-D represents Denver's terminal Wartime Silver issue and marks the end of the composition change at the Mile High facility. Collectors building complete Wartime Silver sets acquire the 1945-D as the closing Denver entry in the 1943-1945 series. The large reverse mintmark above Monticello continues to identify the silver composition, and the coin serves as a final document of the wartime alloy experiment at Denver.

The coin entered circulation during the final months of World War II and the immediate postwar transition. By the time 1945-D nickels were commonly circulating, the war had ended and the country was beginning the massive postwar adjustment. The 1945-D Wartime Silver nickels are therefore witnesses to both the end of the war and the beginning of postwar American life.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $3 $3.50
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $3.50 $4
F-12 Fine (F) $4 $4
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $4.50 $4.50
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $5 $5
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $4.50 $5.50
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $6.50 $7.50
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1945-D Wartime Silver Jefferson Nickel worth?
In Good condition it runs about $3–$3.50, rising to roughly $6.50–$7.50 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1945-D Wartime Silver Jefferson Nickels were minted?
37,158,000 were struck.
What is a 1945-D Wartime Silver Jefferson Nickel made of?
56% Copper, 35% Silver, 9% Manganese, weighing 5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1945-D Wartime Silver Jefferson Nickel?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1945-D Wartime Silver Jefferson Nickel a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.