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1945-P Wartime Silver

Nickels · Jefferson Nickels · 1938–Present
Regular
Weight5 g
Diameter21.21 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 119,408,100 Combined mintage for all 1945-P Wartime varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition56% Copper, 35% Silver, 9% Manganese
DesignerFelix Schlag
Collector's Key IDCK-1375

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About this coinHistory

Philadelphia's 1945 Wartime Silver Jefferson nickel mintage reached 119,408,100 coins, another massive production year as the war moved toward its final conclusion. 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-P represents the final full year of Wartime Silver production at Philadelphia and marks the closing of the wartime composition experiment. The coin entered circulation during the final months of the war and the immediate postwar period, witnessing both the end of World War II in August and the beginning of the massive demobilization that reshaped American life through 1946.

The large reverse mintmark above Monticello continued to identify the silver composition. When normal copper-nickel production resumed in 1946, the mintmark returned to the small below-dome position that had been standard before the Wartime Silver program, visually confirming the end of the wartime alloy experiment. The 1945-P is the terminal Philadelphia Wartime Silver issue and a required acquisition for complete sub-series representation.

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 $5
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $5 $5.50
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $5.50 $6
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $8 $9
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1945-P Wartime Silver Jefferson Nickel worth?
In Good condition it runs about $3–$3.50, rising to roughly $8–$9 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1945-P Wartime Silver Jefferson Nickels were minted?
119,408,100 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1945-P Wartime varieties).
What is a 1945-P Wartime Silver Jefferson Nickel made of?
56% Copper, 35% Silver, 9% Manganese, weighing 5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1945-P 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-P 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.