The chart at this Zerohedge link graphs the metal “dollar” value of a U.S. Mint cupronickel nickel from 1997 to September 2012.
The chart is found in this Zerohedge article dated September 11, 2012.
The chart shows that before the 2008 price crash, the metal value of a U.S. Mint cupronickel nickel reached a peak of about 190% of face value.
For comparison, before the 2008 price crash, the metal value of a U.S. Mint zinc penny reached a peak of about 120% of face value, while a pre-1982 U.S. Mint copper penny reached a peak of about 290% of face value.