which american coins contain silver

[Tim]

Thinking you might have a tiny treasure rattling around in your pocket? Well, you might be right! The not-so-secret secret to finding silver in American coins is all about checking the date. If you're looking at a dime, quarter, or half dollar, the magic year to look for is 1964.

Generally, any U.S. dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins minted in 1964 or earlier are composed of 90% silver. This is what collectors lovingly refer to as "junk silver," not because it's trash, but because its value comes from the silver content rather than its rarity. So, that old Washington quarter or Roosevelt dime from before 1965 is worth more than its face value.

Of course, there are a few interesting exceptions to the rule. The Kennedy half dollars are a special case; the 1964 version is 90% silver, but those minted between 1965 and 1970 still contain 40% silver. And let's not forget the big boys: classic silver dollars like the Morgan and Peace dollars are also 90% silver. Beyond circulation coins, the U.S. Mint also produces modern silver bullion coins, like the popular American Silver Eagle, which are intentionally made of silver for collectors and investors. So, happy hunting through that change jar