During World War II, nickel became an important material for military production. Beginning in 1942, the U.S. Mint changed the five-cent coin’s composition to an alloy containing 35% silver.

These wartime nickels were produced through 1945 and are easy to identify: look for a large P, D or S mint mark above Monticello on the reverse. The oversized mark indicated the coin’s special wartime composition.

Even an ordinary-looking five-cent coin can carry silver and wartime history—explore authentic coins and currency at ThePatriotVault.com.