and there was a date range for that specific composition, here is a quote from an article -
(quote)
During 1942 through 1945, the U.S. removed nickel from the 5-cent coin in order to help save the metal for the war effort. Therefore, the U.S. used a special metallic alloy in the 5-cent coin during those 4 years.
The 1942 to 1945 five-cent coins are often called war nickels, wartime nickels, or silver nickels
Why? Because 1942 to 1945 5-cent coins contain a combination which includes 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese. 1942 to 1945 nickels are distinctive from others with a darker gray color than most other circulated nickels and a large mint mark over the dome of Monticello on the reverse (tails side).
(end quote)
Now the 1943 date reminded me that was the year they made steel cents (1943 and 1944) and what would be nice to find is one of the extremely few rare 1943 copper cents that got made.
Now the 1943 date reminded me that was the year they made steel cents (1943 and 1944) and what would be nice to find is one of the extremely few rare 1943 copper cents that got made.