America's first nickel, or five cent piece, was first produced in 1866. It consisted of 25% nickel, and 75% what metal?

In the years following the Civil War, the United States faced a severe coin shortage due to the widespread hoarding of precious metals like gold and silver. This made the existing silver five-cent piece, known as the "half dime," scarce and impractical for daily commerce. To solve this problem, the U.S. Mint needed to create a new coin from a durable, non-precious material that the public would not be tempted to hoard.

The solution, first minted in 1866, was an alloy known as cupronickel. This metal blend consisted of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The specific combination was chosen for its exceptional hardness and resistance to wear, making it perfect for a coin that would see heavy circulation. Ironically, despite being composed primarily of copper, the coin quickly earned its lasting nickname, the "nickel," after its more distinctive, silver-colored component. This same 75/25 composition proved so successful that it remains the standard for the U.S. five-cent piece to this day.