Expert: Neil S Berman - 9/15/2006

Question
what is the history of materials used for making nickels? have they only been made from nickel? or were there other materials used?
thanks for your answer.
al danowski

Answer
The first coin in the US made from nickle was the Three Cent Nickle in 1865, a three cent peice three quarters copper and one quater nickle. The first Five Cent nickle was made in 1866, also made of three quarters copper and one quarter nickle, as all nickles are except during 1942-1945 it was made of .560 copper, .350 silver and .09 manganese.