The years when US quarters, nickels, and dimes were made of silver are as follows:
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoAll U.S. dimes and quarters dated before 1965 are 90% silver.
The only nickels to ever contain silver are dated 1942-1945. These coins are easily identified by the large mint mark (P, D, or S) over Monticello's dome.
Quarters and dimes used to have silver in them, although they do not nowadays. The years that quarters had silver in them were any years before 1965.
The question is actually "which years" rather than "which year".Nickels:Contrary to popular misunderstanding, nearly all US nickels are made of an alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper. The ONLY nickels that ever contained silver were special "war nickels" minted from late 1942 to 1945. War nickels were made of an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese because nickel metal was needed for the war effort. These coins are distinguished by a large mint mark letter over the dome of Monticello on the back.Dimes and quarters:1964 was the last year for silver dimes and quarters. Starting in 1965, those two denominations were changed to the current cupronickel-clad composition.Half dollars:Until 1964, halves were made of the same 90% silver alloy as dimes and quarters. From 1965 to 1969 they were made of 40% silver. None were minted for circulation in 1970. Starting in 1971, they were changed to the same clad metal used for dimes and quarters.
1964 was the last date for 90% silver quarters and dimes. The composition was changed to copper-nickel in 1965, when the price of silver soared over the face value of the coins. Note that halves were made out of 40% silver for 6 more years. Also, contrary to popular myth, pre-1965 nickels were NOT made of silver, except for the famous war nickels made during 1942-45.
The U.S. stopped minting silver half-dimes in 1873, a few years after the introduction of the nickel. The only nickels that actually contain silver are "war" nickels minted 1942-1945.
Nickels contained about 1/3 silver by weight during the years 1942-45, because nickel was needed for the war effort. Dimes, quarters, and halves were made of 90% silver, 10% copper. Cents were copper; they've NEVER been struck in silver regardless of any rumors. Dollar coins weren't minted in 1945. Those in circulation from 1935 and earlier were the same metal composition as dimes, quarters, and halves.
Quarters and dimes used to have silver in them, although they do not nowadays. The years that quarters had silver in them were any years before 1965.
The question is actually "which years" rather than "which year".Nickels:Contrary to popular misunderstanding, nearly all US nickels are made of an alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper. The ONLY nickels that ever contained silver were special "war nickels" minted from late 1942 to 1945. War nickels were made of an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese because nickel metal was needed for the war effort. These coins are distinguished by a large mint mark letter over the dome of Monticello on the back.Dimes and quarters:1964 was the last year for silver dimes and quarters. Starting in 1965, those two denominations were changed to the current cupronickel-clad composition.Half dollars:Until 1964, halves were made of the same 90% silver alloy as dimes and quarters. From 1965 to 1969 they were made of 40% silver. None were minted for circulation in 1970. Starting in 1971, they were changed to the same clad metal used for dimes and quarters.
The cutoff date for U.S. dimes and quarters is 1965, and 1971 for half dollars. All coins (in the listed denominations) minted before those years contain silver. Then U.S nickels dated 1942-1945 contain a little silver as well. For Canadian quarters, halves, and dollars, those contained silver until 1967 (1968 for dimes).
1964 was the last date for 90% silver quarters and dimes. The composition was changed to copper-nickel in 1965, when the price of silver soared over the face value of the coins. Note that halves were made out of 40% silver for 6 more years. Also, contrary to popular myth, pre-1965 nickels were NOT made of silver, except for the famous war nickels made during 1942-45.
The ridges on the edges of coins are called "reeds". Many years ago when quarters, dimes, and half dollars had silver in them, people would shave the edges, sell the silver, and still use the shaved coin for the face value of the coin. The mint added reeds so it could easily be determined if the coin was shaved or not.
The U.S. stopped minting silver half-dimes in 1873, a few years after the introduction of the nickel. The only nickels that actually contain silver are "war" nickels minted 1942-1945.