What is the silver content of USA coins?

Answer by  Lukeleon (30)

Before 1964 dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars were 90% silver by weight. Kennedy Half Dollars from 1965-70 were 40% silver. Nickels were briefly silver from 1942-5 during World War II. Some mint commemoratives are also made of silver. At silver prices today, 90% coins are worth about 10 times their face value (one silver quarter is worth around $2. 50)

Answer by  BrianSJ (524)

Today's American coins have zero silver content. Before 1965, dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars (when minted) contained 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. From 1965 to 1970, half dollars were minted with 40 percent silver content. During World War II, nickels were minted with 35 percent silver content.

Answer by  lmac (355)

No coins of legal tender in the USA contain silver. The penny is copper coated zinc. The nickel, dime, quarter and half dollar are a mixture of copper and nickel. The dollar coins are a mixture of copper, zinc, manganese and nickel.