A 1964 Jefferson nickel contains 35% silver, equivalent to 0.05626 troy ounces of pure silver. This composition differs from nickels minted after 1964, which are composed primarily of copper and nickel. This specific year marks the end of silver being a significant component of the five-cent piece in United States currency.
The silver content of these coins makes them more valuable than their face value. This increased value stems from both the intrinsic value of the metal itself and the numismatic interest in coins from this transitional period. Collectors often seek out well-preserved examples, further driving their market price above the melt value of the silver they contain. This historical shift in metallic composition provides a tangible link to a specific era of U.S. coinage.