How do you know what coins are silver?

[lawman0210]

Pardon my ignorance but is there a cut off in years that all coins were silver? How do you know which ones are and which ones aren't

 

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[RON (PA)]

Lawman,

I think the cut off date is 1964. After that, silver content in coins dropped dramatically and in some cases taken out all together. That is the date that I know of. Please somebody with more experience in this matter correct me if I am wrong. I hope this helps and hopefully steers you in the right direction.

 

[Nate in Ohio]

Right, 1964 was the last year of silver for dimes and quarters. "War" nickels were 35% silver from 1942 to 1945. Halves were 90% silver in 1964 but from 1965 to 1970 they had much less silver content.

 

[Gribnitz]

Right, 1964 was the last year of silver for dimes and quarters. "War" nickels were 35% silver from 1942 to 1945. Halves were 90% silver in 1964 but from 1965 to 1970 they had much less silver content.

Yup, 40% from 1965 to 1970 on halves.

 

[CWnut]

Also you can look at the side of a CLAD coin and see the sandwiched laters if it is clean enough and silver has an appearance that you can't mistake once you've seen one

 

[lawman0210]

Isn't a nickle worth more in silver then it is at face value?

 

[6920]

Isn't a nickle worth more in silver then it is at face value?

Yes, The "War" nickles are 35% silver content.

 

[lawman0210]

So what do you do with coins that are worth far more then there face value? I don't think you can melt them down correct?

 

[Stormtrooper154]

I just put them in 2x2's and stick them in the desk. You may find a dealers that will buy them from you for melt.

 

[Ray S ECenFL]

Simple, the silve coins are the ones that I Don' find. The ones that are not sivler are the ones that I DO find. No problem figuring that out......

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

So what do you do with coins that are worth far more then there face value? I don't think you can melt them down correct?

1964. Save your silver, look up the dates, mint mark and condition in a coin book. Some dates are worth much more than the silver content and are sought after by coin collectors. Dont ever melt them down.

 

[COINMANN]

SILVER COINS COME OUT OF THE GROUND A LOT CLEANER THAN CLAD. CLAD DIMES, QUARTERS, AND HALVES WILL TARNISH AND LOOK VERY DIRTY AFTER ONLY A FEW YEARS IN THE GROUND. IF
YOU DIG UP SILVER ITS SO MUCH CLEANER AND IT SHINES IN THE HOLE EVEN AFTER OVER 100 YEARS IN THE GROUND. AFTER A FEW YEARS OF DETECTING YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE "SILVER" B-4 YOU REMOVE IT FROM THE HOLE. IT'S A GREAT FEELING.

1964 AND B-4 COINS
SILVER IS APPROX. $14.00 AND OUNCE.
AT 90 PERCENT SILVER CONTENT :::
SILVER IS WORTH ABOUT 10 TO 1 FACE VALUE.

SILVER DIME ------------$1.00
SILVER QUARTER---------$2.50
SILVER HALF-------------$5.00

1965-1970 KENNEDY HALF 40 % SILVER-----$2.00