Most current US dollar coins, such as the Sacagawea and Presidential Dollars, are a type of clad coin. This means they are made of layers of different metals.
Specifically, they have a pure copper core with an outer layer of manganese brass . This manganese brass outer layer is what gives them their distinctive golden color.
The overall composition of these golden dollar coins is:
- 88.5% copper
- 6% zinc
- 3.5% manganese
- 2% nickel
It is important to note that earlier dollar coins, like those produced before 1965, contained silver. The US Mint also produces special collector’s editions and bullion coins made of materials like pure silver or gold. However, the dollar coins in general circulation and currently in production (like the American Innovation and Native American dollars) are made of the copper-manganese brass clad composition described above.
Are $1 coins made of real gold?
Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in gold, silver, and base metal versions. Dollar coins were first minted in the United States in 1794. Dollar coins have almost never been popular in circulation since their inception.