What US Coins Are 90% Silver?
US coins minted before 1965, specifically dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins, contain 90% silver.
Understanding 90% Silver US Coins
The term "90% silver" serves as a common identifier among investors, collectors, and buyers for specific United States coinage. These coins are highly sought after due to their significant intrinsic value derived from their precious metal content.
Key Characteristics of 90% Silver Coins
- Composition: These coins are made up of 90% pure silver and 10% copper. The addition of copper was essential to enhance the coin's durability, as pure silver is inherently soft and would wear down quickly in circulation.
- Minting Period: The critical defining factor for 90% silver US coins is their mintage date. All major US coins, with specific exceptions, produced before 1965 feature this high silver content. This year marks a pivotal change in the composition of US circulating currency.
- Significance: Beyond their monetary face value, these coins represent both a historical artifact and a tangible asset. They are a remnant of an era when the metallic content of circulating currency directly contributed to its value.
Specific Denominations of 90% Silver Coins
The US coin denominations that uniformly contained 90% silver before the 1965 shift include:
- Dimes: All dimes minted in 1964 and any year prior.
- Quarters: All quarters minted in 1964 and any year prior.
- Half Dollars: All half dollars minted in 1964 and any year prior (it's important to distinguish these from later half dollars, such as the 40% silver Kennedy half dollars minted from 1965 to 1970).
- Dollar Coins: Various silver dollar denominations, such as the Morgan Dollar and Peace Dollar, which were minted before 1965.
It is crucial to remember that nickels and pennies were notably excluded from this 90% silver composition, meaning they did not contain high silver content even before the 1965 change.
Summary Table of 90% Silver US Coins
To provide a clear overview, the table below lists the US coin denominations and their respective periods of 90% silver content:
| Denomination | Period of 90% Silver Content |
|---|---|
| Dime | Pre-1965 (1964 and earlier) |
| Quarter | Pre-1965 (1964 and earlier) |
| Half Dollar | Pre-1965 (1964 and earlier) |
| Dollar | Pre-1965 (various series) |
This table highlights the specific coins and the key timeframe collectors and investors look for when identifying 90% silver US coinage.
