U.S. Silver Coin Composition by Year: Complete Guide
Understanding which U.S. coins contain silver and how much is essential for investors, collectors, and anyone who’s inherited old coins. This comprehensive guide provides a year-by-year breakdown of silver content in U.S. coinage.
The Great Silver Transition: 1965
The most important date in junk silver history is 1965. The Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated silver from dimes and quarters, and reduced the silver content in half dollars from 90% to 40%. This change was driven by rising silver prices and coin hoarding that created shortages.
Key Takeaway: For most denominations, look for coins dated 1964 and earlier for 90% silver content.
Silver Content by Denomination
Dimes
| Years | Silver Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1796-1837 | 89.24% silver | Early design variations |
| 1837-1964 | 90% silver | Standard junk silver period |
| 1965-Present | 0% silver | Copper-nickel clad |
Silver weight: 0.0715 troy ounces per coin (1796-1964)
Popular 90% silver dimes include:
- Mercury Dimes (1916-1945)
- Roosevelt Dimes (1946-1964)
- Barber Dimes (1892-1916)
- Seated Liberty Dimes (1837-1891)
Quarters
| Years | Silver Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1796-1838 | 89.24% silver | Draped Bust design |
| 1838-1964 | 90% silver | Standard junk silver period |
| 1965-Present | 0% silver | Copper-nickel clad |
Silver weight: 0.1808 troy ounces per coin (1838-1964)
The Washington Quarter (1932-1964) is the most common 90% silver quarter found in circulation.
Half Dollars
Half dollars have the most complex silver composition history:
| Years | Silver Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1794-1836 | 89.24% silver | Early Flowing Hair and Bust designs |
| 1836-1964 | 90% silver | Standard junk silver period |
| 1965-1970 | 40% silver | Copper-nickel clad with silver core |
| 1971-Present | 0% silver | Copper-nickel clad (not in circulation) |
Silver weight:
- 90% halves (1836-1964): 0.3617 troy ounces
- 40% halves (1965-1970): 0.1479 troy ounces
The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is the most sought-after 90% silver half dollar.
Dollars
Silver dollars are larger and heavier, containing significant silver:
| Years | Silver Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1794-1804 | 89.24% silver | Draped Bust and Flowing Hair |
| 1836-1873 | 90% silver | Seated Liberty |
| 1878-1904 | 90% silver | Morgan Dollars |
| 1921-1935 | 90% silver | Peace Dollars and final Morgans |
| 1971-1978 | 40% silver | Eisenhower Dollars (collector versions only) |
| 1979-Present | 0% silver | Standard clad or collector versions |
Silver weight: 0.7734 troy ounces per coin (1794-1935)
Note: Eisenhower Dollars (1971-1978) minted for circulation contain no silver. Only special collector editions contain 40% silver.
Modern Silver Eagles (1986-present) contain 1 troy ounce of .999 fine silver but are not considered “junk silver” as they command premiums.
Nickels
Most nickels contain no silver, with one important exception:
| Years | Silver Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1866-1942 | 0% silver | Copper-nickel composition |
| 1942-1945 | 35% silver | War Nickels (large mintmark above Monticello) |
| 1946-Present | 0% silver | Copper-nickel composition |
Silver weight: 0.0563 troy ounces per coin (War Nickels only)
Important: Only 1942-1945 nickels with a large P, D, or S mintmark above Monticello contain silver. Regular 1942 nickels without the large mintmark contain no silver.
Special Commemorative Coins
Many modern commemorative coins contain silver:
- 50% silver half dollars (1982-Present): Kennedy Half Dollar special collector editions
- 90% silver commemoratives (Various years): Special mint issues for collectors
- Silver Proof Sets (1992-Present): Modern proof coins in 90% silver
These are not typically considered “junk silver” as they trade at premiums above melt value.
How to Identify Silver Coins
Visual Inspection
- Check the date: Most denominations pre-1965 contain silver
- Look for the edge: Silver coins show solid silver on the edge, while clad coins show a copper stripe
- Check for mintmarks: War Nickels have large P, D, or S above Monticello
- Examine the luster: Silver has a distinct appearance compared to clad coins
Physical Tests
- Weight test: Silver coins are heavier than clad counterparts
- Magnet test: Silver is not magnetic (clad coins may contain magnetic metals)
- Sound test: Silver coins produce a distinct ringing sound when dropped
Use Our Calculator
The easiest way to determine value is to use our junk silver calculator which accounts for current spot prices and silver content.
Silver Content Formula
To calculate the pure silver weight in any coin:
Silver Weight (oz) = Coin Weight × Silver Purity PercentageFor example, a 90% silver quarter:
- Weighs 6.25 grams (0.2009 troy oz total weight)
- Contains 90% silver
- Pure silver weight = 0.2009 × 0.90 = 0.1808 troy ounces
The $1.40 Rule
A helpful rule for quick calculations:
$1.40 in face value of 90% silver coins = approximately 1 troy ounce of pure silver
This applies to any combination of pre-1965 dimes, quarters, half dollars, or dollars.
Complete Composition Reference Table
| Denomination | Years | Silver % | Silver Weight (oz) | Common Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dime | 1837-1964 | 90% | 0.0715 | Junk silver |
| Quarter | 1838-1964 | 90% | 0.1808 | Junk silver |
| Half Dollar | 1836-1964 | 90% | 0.3617 | Junk silver |
| Half Dollar | 1965-1970 | 40% | 0.1479 | 40% Kennedy |
| Dollar | 1794-1935 | 90% | 0.7734 | Morgan/Peace |
| Nickel | 1942-1945* | 35% | 0.0563 | War Nickel |
*Only with large P, D, or S mintmark
Why the Composition Changed
The U.S. government removed silver from coins due to:
- Rising silver prices: Made coins worth more melted than their face value
- Coin hoarding: People kept silver coins out of circulation
- Metal shortages: Not enough silver to meet coinage demands
- Economic pressure: Cheaper to mint clad coins
Learn more about this transition in our article on junk silver history.
Conclusion
For junk silver investors, remember these key dates:
- Pre-1965 dimes, quarters: 90% silver
- Pre-1965 half dollars: 90% silver
- 1965-1970 half dollars: 40% silver
- 1942-1945 nickels (large mintmark): 35% silver
- 1878-1935 dollars: 90% silver
When in doubt, check the date and use the edge test. Any pre-1965 U.S. dime, quarter, half dollar, or dollar (except special cases) contains 90% silver and significant melt value.
Calculate your coins’ worth today using our free junk silver calculator based on current silver spot prices.