American coin materials by date?

[Kevenater]

Can somebody give the dates in which American coin materials changed from this to that please? I'm new and just curious about the dates of material changes for coins. dime, penny, quarter etc Thanks!

 

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[skierbob]

There were too many changes to speak of. Why don't you buy yourself a Red Book. That will explain all the changes over the years.

 

[Kevenater]

I can't even find hardly any coins so far lol. I was mainly wondering bout a 65 dime I found, the only older one so far. I saw a post yesterday mentioning a 64 silver dime, just wondering is 65 was silver, I haven't even washed the dirt off of it good yet. I'll buy a book though when/if I start finding more old coins. Having alot of trouble fiinding ANY so far. so far just hunting old homeplaces and an old road. Haven't made it to any parks yet. Thanks!!!

 

[skierbob]

Kev,
Sorry I was a little quick with my reply. That 65 dime is copper-nickel. 64 was the last year of circulating 90% silver coins. The half dollars were 40% silver from 1965 through 1970. In 1971 they changed to copper-nickel. Don't worry, you'll find your share of coins, silver and otherwise, if you keep at it. Maybe some of the people on the forum from Alabama can give you some more ideas on places to hunt there. HH
Bob

 

[jernigan00]

You've got a good start with the right detector. I have had nothing but success with my Ace. My brother bought the 150 and does just as well.

Parks with sand lots or wood chips under the playground equipment are by far the easiest places to coin hunt with excellent first timer success. Plenty of clad stuff, even an occasional piece of jewlery once in a while. FOr me when I'm feeling down on my luck and in need of just any find I'll head to an old park up the road from me a ways. I will always atleast find a few cents. Just remember, its not how much money you find....its the fact that the money you find is free and its addictive finding free money with your metal detector, especially the older stuff (pre 1965 silver coins).

Check under the park benches where the parents typically sit and watch their kids. Its amazing the stuff people loose out of their pockets there. By the way, incase you havn't noticed yet with the machine, the closer you get to the metal playground equipment bars the more the machine falsely alerts due to the metal. Compensate by turning the sensitivity way down. You loose some depth but odds are keepers are not that deep anyways.

Lots of luck to you and don't forget to research.

 

[Old Tom]

Most people don't find that much when they first start, and digging the newer (clad coins) is good practice.

Bob is right the last year for 90% silver was 1964. Also FDR made 1933 the last year for gold coins. Except for modern Mint collectibles and Eagles. Midway though 1982 the pennies went from 90% copper to 95% zinc with a copper coating. As for nickles during WWII they put 12% silver to replace the copper Copper was needed for the war effort, that was for 1941 - 1945 nickles.

And like Bob said would be good to get a book and check out coins on-line like Ebay. Also find a good local coin store you can learn a lot just by looking.

Hope this helps

Tom