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All US dimes dated 1964 and earlier are made of an alloy of 90% silver and 10% copper.
The only nickels that ever contained silver were the famous "war nickels" minted during WWII when nickel was a strategic metal. These can be identified by a large mint mark letter (P, D, or S) over the dome of Monticello. All other nickels are made of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
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Are US nickels and dimes made of silver?
US dimes were made of an alloy of 90% silver and 10% copper until 1964. Since then, all dimes are made of cupronickel-clad copper, and don't contain any precious metals. All US nickels except special "war nickels" made from late 1942 to 1945 are struck in an alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper. 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.
What are buffalo nickels made of?
Like all US nickels except the famous "war nickels" of 1942-45, buffalo nickels are made of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Regardless of urban legends and internet rumors, the US never made any other silver nickels except those struck during WWII. There were in fact tiny silver 5-cent coins called half-dimes but they were discontinued in 1873 and were never called "nickels".
What are the 1946 and 1947 nickel made of?
From 1946 to date, the coins are made from copper-nickel. Only the "War Nickels" from late 1942-1945 were 35% silver. No other U.S. nickels of any date contain any silver.
What are dimes made of?
US dimes dated 1964 and earlier are made of an alloy of 90% silver and 10% copper.Dimes dated 1965 and later are made of copper-nickel over a copper core. They do not contain any silver.
Do dimes have iron in them?
Dimes are currently made from nickel and copper; they used to be made from silver. They do not have any significant amount of iron in them. (Some minor degree of contamination is always possible.)
Is there any silver in nickels or dimes dated 1965-1969?
No. Nickels from 1866-1942 and 1945-present are 25% nickel and 75% copper. Dimes from 1965-present are made of a copper-nickel "sandwich" composition.
Are US dimes and quarters made of silver?
U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars were made of 90% silver up till 1964. Today those denominations are made of copper-nickel, and dollar coins are made of manganese brass. Note that nickels are also made of copper-nickel. The only nickels that ever had any silver in them were minted from 1942 to 1945.
Are US nickels and dimes made of silver?
US dimes were made of an alloy of 90% silver and 10% copper until 1964. Since then, all dimes are made of cupronickel-clad copper, and don't contain any precious metals. All US nickels except special "war nickels" made from late 1942 to 1945 are struck in an alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper. 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.
Are 1965 dimes and quarters silver?
No they are not silver, only the 1942 through 1945 nickels with large reverse mintmarks are 35% silver. All other US nickels, regardless of date, are made of an alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper.
Are 1941 US nickels made of silver?
US nickels made from 1866 to mid-1942 and from 1946 to the present are made of a copper-nickel alloy, not silver. From mid-1942 to 1945 nickels did contain a small amount of silver because nickel metal was needed for the war effort. Those "war nickels" are the ONLY ones that have any silver in them. Because dimes, quarters, and halves contained silver up till 1964 many people erroneously believe that nickels did, too. But after all, the coin is called a nickel because it's partly made of nickel!
Were there any silver US nickels made in 1964?
No, there were no silver US nickels made in 1964. Prior to 1965, the composition of US nickels included 25% nickel and 75% copper. However, starting in 1965, the composition changed to a mixture of copper and nickel clad.
What are buffalo nickels made of?
Like all US nickels except the famous "war nickels" of 1942-45, buffalo nickels are made of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Regardless of urban legends and internet rumors, the US never made any other silver nickels except those struck during WWII. There were in fact tiny silver 5-cent coins called half-dimes but they were discontinued in 1873 and were never called "nickels".
What years were Nickels made of pure silver?
Never. They're called nickels for a reason. The only U.S. nickels to contain any silver at all, at 35%, were "war" nickels dated 1942-1945. Nothing before or after was made of silver.
How much silver is in the 1923 1924 buffalo nickels?
None. The only nickels with any silver in them were made from 1942 to 1945.
Do 1965 us coins have silver in them?
The only 1965-dated U.S. coins that contain silver are half dollars. They're only 40% silver, as opposed to 90% for dimes, quarters, and halves dated 1964 and earlier. Nickels are made of copper and nickel, not silver. The only nickels that contain any silver at all are the famous "war nickels" from 1942-45. They can be identified by a large mint mark on the back. They contain about 35% silver.
How can you tell if a us coin is silver?
You need to know its date and denomination. Cents have never been made of silver. 1943 "silver pennies" are actually steel. Most nickels have never been made of silver either. Nickels from 1942-1945 with a large letter over the dome of Monticello are 35% silver, however. Dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars struck before 1965 are 90% silver. Half dollars from 1965 to 1969 are 40% silver. Modern dimes, quarters, and halves are made of cupronickel; dollars are made of brass. There are no modern circulating coins that contain any silver at all.
Do 3 silver winged dimes dated 1941 1943 and 1944 have any real value?
== == The WWII years were high production years for U.S. coins. Just about anything from these years -- pennies, nickels, dimes, etc. -- are considered common (to collectors). However, your dimes are made out of silver, so they will always have a value for the silver they contain. As of 10/2008 that value is about 90 cents apiece.
