After the war the Mint went back to 75% copper / 25% nickel. A 1946 nickel is that cupro-nickel coin. Melt is both metals at copper and nickel bids per pound — not a silver melt.
If someone told you “old nickels are silver,” they mean 1942–1945 with the large reverse mintmark. 1946 is not that coin.
Full spec and quantity math: Jefferson nickel (cupro) · Identify · US silver by year
Melt / coin$0.0746
Copper / lb$6.5215/lb
Gross weight5.000 g
If you want to sell Find a shop near you
A local coin shop can look at what you have. Melt may not be the whole story — dates and condition matter.
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