Many people believe that US nickels were once made from silver, like dimes and quarters were, however since its introduction in 1866 nearly all US nickels have been made of a copper-nickel alloy; hence the name "nickel".
The nickel did briefly contain a small amount of silver during World War II because nickel was considered a "strategic metal". During this time it was composed of an alloy of copper, silver, and manganese.
1964 was the last year for 90% silver quarters made for everyday use, all quarters from 1965 to the present are copper-nickel.
The only U.S. nickels to contain any silver are dated 1942-1945, and can be identified by the large mint mark above Monticello. All nickels before and after are the same nickel/copper blend still used today.
Dollar coins in the United States stopped being made of silver in 1935. The last silver dollar coins were the Peace dollars, which were produced until that year. After 1935, dollar coins were primarily made of a copper-nickel alloy. The move away from silver was part of a broader shift in U.S. coinage during the Great Depression.
Begging made? 1964 was the last year for silver circulating quarters. 1965 to date are copper-nickel.
1964 was the last year for 90% silver quarters made for everyday use, all quarters from 1965 to the present are copper-nickel.
1964 was the last year for 90% silver quarters made for everyday use, all quarters from 1965 to the present are copper-nickel.
1964
The only U.S. nickels to contain any silver are dated 1942-1945, and can be identified by the large mint mark above Monticello. All nickels before and after are the same nickel/copper blend still used today.
Begging made? 1964 was the last year for silver circulating quarters. 1965 to date are copper-nickel.
1964 was the last year for 90% silver quarters made for everyday use, all quarters from 1965 to the present are copper-nickel.
1935 was the last year for the one dollar silver coin.
The last year for silver U.S. dimes was 1964.
1964 was the last date for 90% silver quarters and dimes. The composition was changed to copper-nickel in 1965, when the price of silver soared over the face value of the coins. Note that halves were made out of 40% silver for 6 more years. Also, contrary to popular myth, pre-1965 nickels were NOT made of silver, except for the famous war nickels made during 1942-45.
In 1965.
1965Minor correctionJFK halves were never pure silver. All "silver" US coins dated 1964 and earlier were struck in an alloy of 90% silver and 10% copper. 1965-1970 halves were struck in 40% silver.1971 and later halves are made of copper-nickel and have no extra value.
1964 was the last year the mint minted Half Dollars in 90% silver. Then from 1965 to 1970 they were struck in 40% silver. Currently Half dollars contain no silver. They are made of a copper-nickel clad composition. Starting in 1992 the mint started making 90% silver proofs. In 1964 dimes, quarters and dollars were also stopped being made in 90% silver.
According to the US Mint website 5 cent coins are still in production. However, between the years 1942 and 1945 it wouldn't have been correct to call them nickles because there wasn't any nickel in them. Nickel was being conserved for the war effort and 5 cent coins were made of silver, copper, and manganese.