Certain early United States of America coins have had an estimated 90% silver for years. Denominations start at
3 cents silver (1851 to 1873);
half disme (dime) (1794 to 1873);
5 cents (1942 to 1945);
10 cents up to 1964 and then only in proofs sets;
20 cents (1875 to 1878);
25 cents up to 1964, some San Francisco mint (S) - 1976-S, 1992-S thru 1998-
S, and then only in certain (S mint) proofs sets up to present date;
50 cents up to 1964 (1965 to 1970-D and S have 40% silver); and
1 dollar coins up to 1935, and then only in certain (S mint) proofs sets up to
present date.
In the first sentence I spelled out USA because Mexico also have United States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos).
in order to tell for sure, you would need to take it to a coin specialist. most coins now are a mix of zinc and copper. if your coin truly is silver, it is probably very very old and worth a good amount of money.
I think you would have to be a physicist to do that. It would be easier to identify the coin by nation of origin, date and denomination, and a coin guide book will help do this, and the book will tell you what metal the coin is made from.
Silver dimes, quarters, and half-dollars sound different when dropped than their modern counterparts. Also, if you look at the sides, you will not see any copper on a silver coin, but you will on a modern coin. Another way is to look at the date on the coin.If you are ok with scraping the coin on a testing stone, there is an acid test kit you can get to be sure it's silver.Another trick I've found is to put your coin, and another coin that you know is silver, under a sheet of tissue paper. If both coins "shine through" the tissue equally, then your coin is likely silver. If yours seems dull or dark next to the silver one, then it is likely NOT silver.DanUser:WorkingMan
take your coin to your local coin shop (not pawn shop) For US coins: > dimes, quarters, and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver > $1 coins dated 1935 and earlier are also 90% silver > half dollars dated 1965-1970 are 40% silver > nickels dated 1942-45 with a large mint mark are 35% silver (NO other nickels have silver!) For Canadian coins: > dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars dated 1967 and earlier are 80% silver > some 1968 coins are 50% silver
You can use a magnet to check if a silver dollar is real - real silver is not magnetic, so if the coin is attracted to the magnet, it is not silver. You can also examine the coin for any seams or irregularities in the design that may indicate it is a counterfeit. Finally, have the coin authenticated by a professional numismatist or coin grading service for a conclusive evaluation.
One way to know a coin is not silver is to check it with a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the coin, it is not silver. If the magnet does not stick, it still might not be silver. You can test it, but to do that you need a test kit.
Coin silver Selmer's are stamped on the main body "Coin Silver" Matching serial numbers on all pieces prove they are all solid silver.
The best thing to do is take it to a coin dealer.
in order to tell for sure, you would need to take it to a coin specialist. most coins now are a mix of zinc and copper. if your coin truly is silver, it is probably very very old and worth a good amount of money.
I think you would have to be a physicist to do that. It would be easier to identify the coin by nation of origin, date and denomination, and a coin guide book will help do this, and the book will tell you what metal the coin is made from.
No general circulation British coin contains any silver. If you have any modern British coin with a silver content, it will say so on the packaging it was sold in. This will include the percentage of silver and very possibly, a "certificate of authenticity".
The color is different. The silver is more reflective. If you cover the coin with a Kleenex you can barely see the CN coin but the silver one shows through.
If it is a "Silver" coin, it will say so on the case it came in.
Yes, it can also contain silver. Experts can tell by holding the coin & observing its edge & by its weight. Clad coins are usually lighter
A genuine silver coin produced by the Royal Mint will be in protective packaging indicating what the coin is made from. It should also include a certificate of authenticity.
You can't unless you pay the $20+ to send your coin to NGC/PCGs even under magnification the ordinary person cannot tell the difference between a pf69 and pf70 coin. Of course, it is easy to tell if your coin is uncirculated or proof, a proof silver eagle will have very shiny, mirror like fields that are easy to see yourself in. An uncirculated silver eagle will be shiny, but won't be mirror like. Also, the raised part of the coin will look frosted on a proof coin but not on an uncirculated coin.
The U.S. has made many silver coins. Please be more specific and post new question.