are 1941 nickels pure silver

[GenevieveLee]

While the provided context is not detailed enough to answer your question, the answer based on established numismatic facts is quite clear. It's a very common point of confusion for new collectors, but a 1941 nickel contains no silver.

You can be absolutely certain that a 1941 Jefferson nickel is made from the standard, pre-war alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Its value is tied to its condition and rarity, not its metal content.

The coins you're likely thinking of are the famous "war nickels." As the United States entered World War II, nickel became a vital material for the war effort. To conserve it, the U.S. Mint changed the coin's composition for a limited time, from late 1942 through 1945. These special nickels were struck with an alloy containing 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese.

The easiest way to identify a silver war nickel is to look at the reverse side. The silver nickels feature a large mint mark (P, D, or S) directly above the dome of Monticello. A 1941 nickel will not have this large mint mark, confirming it is part of the standard copper-nickel series and holds no silver value.