U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted before 1965 are generally 90% silver. Morgan dollars and Peace dollars are also 90% silver, and half-dollars minted between 1965-1970 are 40% silver. For more comprehensive information, try the coin calculators at coinflation.com.
All coins come from a mint. Casino coins are sometimes solid silver.
No British circulating coin has contained any silver since 1946. From 1919/1920 to 1946, all British silver coins contained 50% silver. Prior to 1919/1920, all British silver coins were made from sterling silver or, 92.5% silver.
There were proof sets made in 1974 and 1975 where all 8 of the coins were silver, and proof sets made during those years when none of them were silver. Assuming that your coins are in a set, check the 1 Cent coin - if it looks silver, then all the coins in the set are silver; if it looks bronze, then none of the coins in the set are silver.
Just recently with the advent of bullion coins such as the American Silver Eagle. Coins intended for circulation were never 100% silver because silver is simply too soft of a metal for coinage. They were 90% silver in American coins until 1964 for dimes, quarters and half dollars, but other than bullion coins, no coins are made of 100% silver.
Silver coins are typically shinier and have a higher metallic sound when dropped compared to pewter coins. Silver coins are also heavier than pewter coins due to their higher density. Additionally, silver coins may have distinct markings or engravings indicating their silver content.
Yes they are silver
The only U.S. coins currently made that are silver are American Silver Eagles and other special collectors coins sold by the U.S. Mint. These coins are NOT released for circulation.
You can sell silver coins to a coin collector, jewelry shop ect.
"Pure" silver coins were never minted in Britain. The closest to pure silver used in coins is sterling silver which is 92.5% silver usually alloyed with copper. Sterling silver coins were last issued for general circulation in 1919 and 1920, beyond 1919/1920 the coins were debased to 50% silver. The Royal Mint still produces Proof and bullion coins (not for general circulation) which are made from sterling silver, but this is reflected in the price you pay for them.
With those dates, the coins are Silver Eagle bullion coins that are made from one ounce of silver and value is whatever the spot price of silver is at time of sale.
No British coin has contained any silver since 1946. From about 1919/1920 to 1946, all British silver coins were minted with 50% silver. Prior to 1919/1920, all British silver coins were made from sterling silver (92.5% silver).
All New Zealand silver coins from 1933 to 1946 had a silver content of 50%. From 1947 onwards, all New Zealand "silver" coins were made from a copper-nickel alloy.