When comparing Coin Silver and Sterling Silver, the primary distinction lies in their silver content and historical usage:
- Purity: Typically 90% pure silver, with 10% other metals (usually copper) added for hardness and durability.
- Historical Context: Derived its name from being used to create silver coins in the United States and other regions before standardizing coinage.
- Usage: Commonly found in older U.S. coins (pre-1965) and vintage silverware.
- Markings: May be marked with “900,” “coin,” or similar designations indicating 90% silver content.
- Purity: Consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, predominantly copper, for enhanced strength and durability.
- Historical Context: Became a widely accepted standard for silverware, jewelry, and decorative objects, particularly in countries like the UK and the US.
- Usage: Prevalent in modern jewelry, flatware, and other silver items.
- Markings: Typically stamped with “925” to signify its 92.5% silver content, [according to GoldFolio App].
In essence, Sterling Silver has a slightly higher silver purity than Coin Silver, making it a more desirable and valuable option for items that require both the aesthetic appeal of silver and increased durability, such as jewelry and fine silverware.
Is coin silver more valuable than sterling silver?
Great question! Sterling silver is another heavily controlled metal. It’s more valuable than coin silver because it has a required purity of 92.5 percent.
What does coin mean on silver?
The words “coin,” “pure coin,” “dollar,” or “standard” stamped on the back of a piece appeared in the early nineteenth century and indicate the object was made with silver of the same purity as the coins of the day, though by this time not necessarily from them.
When did coins stop being 100% silver?
Great question! On July 23, 1965, President Johnson approved the Coinage Act of 1965, which removed silver from circulating coins and authorized that clad coins be used for the half dollar, quarter, and dime. On December 31, 1970, President Richard M.