2007-07-02 12:17:32 · 6 answers · asked by lanie 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
"Due to shortages of silver during and after the American Civil War, an alternative metal was needed for five-cent coinage, and the copper-nickel alloy still in use today was selected."
2007-07-02 12:22:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Prior to Nickels, the 5-cent piece was called a "Half-Dime". It had the same silver content as a Dime but half the size. The U.S. stopped minting them after 1873.
The Nickel was first minted in 1866 and had no silver. The only Nickels with any silver were made from 1942-1945 due to the needs of WWII.
I would recommend www.coincommunity.com if you need further information.
2007-07-02 12:46:43 · answer #2 · answered by Flyer 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, original nickels never had silver in them. They only put silver in them during World War 2 to help save on nickel for the war effort. They were minted from 1942-1945.
2007-07-02 12:24:44 · answer #3 · answered by kepjr100 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No doubt because it's cheaper. They changed during wartimes but changed back.
But the coolest coins by far are the silver pennies from WWII. Or, the silver inked-dollars.
2007-07-02 13:20:15 · answer #4 · answered by stpaulsabres 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
silver is hard to find- it is precious. People want it around their necks, fingers, ankles and writsts not on a nickle.
2007-07-02 12:37:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
when america became cheap. like the 2000"s
2007-07-02 12:26:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋