Silver coins are popular among collectors and investors. The year of a silver coin can be helpful in determining its silver content and potential value.
- Pre-1965: Dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars minted in the US before 1965 contain 90% silver. These are often referred to as “junk silver coins” when purchased in bulk for their silver content, regardless of their numismatic value.
- 1942-1945: Some nickels, known as “war nickels”, were minted with 35% silver to conserve nickel for the war effort.
- 1965-1970: Kennedy half-dollars minted during these years contain 40% silver.
- Post-1970: Most US circulating coins do not contain silver after 1970.
- Bullion coins: These coins, like the American Silver Eagle (first introduced in 1986), are primarily sold to investors and are not intended for circulation. They typically contain 1 troy ounce of pure silver.
- Modern commemorative coins: These coins are minted for collectors and often commemorate historical events or figures.
- Older foreign coins: The silver content of older coins from other countries varies. You might need to research the specific country and year to determine the silver purity.
It’s important to remember that a coin’s condition and rarity, in addition to its silver content, also play a significant role in determining its overall value.
Are all U.S. coins before 1965 silver?
I can help with that. Before 1965, many circulating coins, including dimes and quarters, were struck with 90% fine silver. Today, these coins are struck with a clad composition, meaning they have a core and outer layer made of different metals.
Are all 1965 coins silver?
Like modern quarters, quarters minted in 1965 or later were made from an alloy of inexpensive metals – namely copper and nickel. Although the average 1965 quarter does not contain actual silver, some highly graded 1965 quarters can be quite valuable to collectors.