Please don't assume that just because a US coin was minted before 1965 it's made of silver. US nickels made from 1866 to mid-1942 and from 1946 to the present are made of a copper-nickel alloy, not silver. From mid-1942 to 1945 nickels did contain a small amount of silver because nickel metal was needed for the war effort. Those "war nickels" are the ONLY ones that have any silver in them.
There's more information at the Related Question.
Look on the back of the coin to see if there's a small mint mark letter below the words FIVE CENTS. It may be blank or there may be a D or S. (The F on the front of the coin is the designer's monogram and not a mint mark.)
Numismedia lists the following approximate retail values as of 10/2011:
No mint mark (Philadelphia):
Very worn condition - $5
Moderately worn - $8
Slightly worn - $16
Almost no wear - $53
Uncirculated - $108 to $14,950 depending on quality
"D" mint mark (Denver):
Very worn - $18
Moderately worn - $47
Slightly worn - $120
Almost no wear - $318
Uncirculated - $450 to $29,250
"S" mint mark (San Francisco):
Very worn - $12
Moderately worn - $47
Slightly worn - $98
Almost no wear - $337
Uncirculated - $510 to $58,500
"D" mint mark, shadow"17" underneath "18" in the date:
Very worn - $1,030
Moderately worn - $2,630
Slightly worn - $4,380
Almost no wear - $16,450
Uncirculated - $28,440 to $309,380
DISCLAIMER: The retail values quoted are the best available as of the date shown, but may vary due to market fluctuations. Also the wholesale (buying) price of a coin will be less than the selling (retail) price. A reputable coin dealer will be able to give a more accurate valuation based on inspection of the coin.
These coins are also frequently called Buffalo nickels. Please see the question "What is the value of a 1918 US nickel?" for more details.
It's the usual practice of this site to answer a single question at a time. Please see:"What is the value of a 1940 US nickel?""What is the value of a 1942 US nickel?""What is the value of a 1944 US nickel?"
This design is called either a buffalo nickel or an Indian head nickel; both names are about equally common. Please see the question "What is the value of a 1919 US nickel?" for more information.
The US nickel was first issued in 1866. Please double-check your coin.
If you look at the coin's back side you'll see that the entire buffalo is shown, not just its head. However, on the front side only the Native chief's head is shown.That's why these coins are called Indian Head Nickelsor Buffalo Nickels, but never "buffalo head" nickels....Please see the question "What is the value of a 1918 US nickel?" for more information
5 cents.
A 1957 nickel is worth face value only, unless it's uncirculated or a proof coin.
In average condition, both coins are only worth their face value.
1 cent
Average current retail value is $5.00
Check that coin again. The first U.S. nickel was issued in 1866.
This famous design is also frequently called an Indian head nickel. Please see the question "What is the value of a 1920 US nickel?" for more information.