The US dollar coin is currently a clad coin with a distinct golden color. It’s not made of precious metals like gold or silver.
The dollar coin consists of a pure copper core surrounded by an outer layer of manganese brass. The overall composition is:
- 88.5% copper
- 6% zinc
- 3.5% manganese
- 2% nickel
- 1794-1803: The first silver dollars were 90% silver and 10% copper.
- 1971-1978: Eisenhower dollars were copper-nickel clad with a pure copper core. Some collector versions were 40% silver.
- 1979-1981; 1999: Susan B. Anthony dollars were also copper-nickel clad with a pure copper core.
Are $1 coins made of real gold?
Are Gold Dollar Coins Real Gold? Yes! Issued from 1849-1889, the American one dollar gold coin weighed exactly 1.672 grams and contained 1.505 grams of gold.
What are US dollar coins made of?
In 2000, the dollar gained a new golden color. The coins are now made with a mix of manganese, zinc, copper, and nickel metals. The designs have also changed as part of different coin programs, including: Sacagawea Golden Dollar (2000-2008) which showed Sacagawea and her baby, Jean-Baptiste on the obverse.
Is a dollar coin silver or gold?
Great question! US dollar coins can be made from gold, silver or other metals ; though because the first minted dollar coins back in 1794 were made of silver, it’s common to refer to any composition white dollar coin as a ‘silver’ and the golden colored coins as ‘golden dollars.