what year do coins have silver in them

[OLeonardo]

Hey there! That's a fantastic question, and you've come to the right place. Finding silver coins in your change can be a fun treasure hunt!

As a general rule of thumb for most common U.S. coins, the key year to look for is 1964. Dimes, quarters, and half dollars that were minted in 1964 or earlier are all composed of 90% silver. The same 90% silver content applies to dollar coins made in 1935 and before. After 1964, these coins were generally made from a mix of copper and nickel instead.

There are a couple of interesting exceptions to know about! The Kennedy Half Dollar held on to its silver content for a bit longer than other coins. Half dollars minted from 1965 all the way through 1970 contain 40% silver. Another special case is the "War Nickel." During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, nickels were made with 35% silver to conserve nickel for the war effort.

So, the next time you get some spare change, keep an eye out for anything dated 1964 or earlier, and don't forget to check those special half dollars and nickels