are us coins made of silver

[OEthan]

That's an excellent question that gets to the heart of a fascinating shift in United States currency. While the coins you receive as change today are not made of silver, it’s a common misconception because for most of American history, they were. The age of a coin is the most important factor in determining its silver content.

For many decades, U.S. dimes, quarters, half-dollars, and dollar coins were composed of 90% silver. This standard was in place up until 1964. These older coins are what collectors and investors often refer to as "junk silver," not because they are junk, but because their value is tied directly to the weight of the silver they contain rather than any specific numismatic rarity. If you find a quarter or a dime with a date of 1964 or earlier, you're holding a piece of silver.

The United States Mint, the official government body responsible for coin production, switched the composition of its coins in 1965 due to the rising cost of silver. Modern circulating coins are now made of more durable and less expensive metals. Today’s dimes and quarters, for example, are "clad" coins, featuring a core of pure copper with outer layers of a copper and nickel alloy. So, while you won't find silver in your pocket change from the bank, a rich history of silver U.S. coinage is still out there, waiting to be discovered in old collections and coin jars.