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Copper has almost always been used in silver coins, because pure silver wears out faster.

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12y ago

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What is added to make coins minted coins?

ALL coins are "minted" coins because they're made at a mint.They are never pure silver or gold. US silver coins used to be 90% silver with some 10% copper added to make them harder so they wouldn't wear out as quickly.Now coins like quarters or dimes are clad. That means they are like a sandwich. They have a layer of copper and nickel on the top and bottom, and copper in the middle. If you look at the side of a quarter, you can see the copper.


What were the first coins made from?

It depends on what you mean by the "first". The first known coins were Lydian, and made from electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of silver and gold that was further alloyed with added silver and copper. The first US coins were Half Cents & Cents made from solid copper.


Why do older coins weigh more than younger coins?

Older coins were made of different metals, such as silver or copper. Coins that used to be silver are now nickel or nickel-coated copper, and coins that were copper are now copper-coated steel or zinc.


What year did they start putting copper in all of the coins?

All silver coins had 10% copper added to make them harder so they would withstand circulation better. Silver was taken out of circulating US coins in 1965 with the exception of the half-dollar which continued to be minted in 40% silver from 1965 until 1970.


Why aren't coins made entirely out of silver?

The reason silver coins minted for circulation weren't pure silver is because without an added metal, usually copper, the coin would be too soft and would wear out quickly.


How do you determine if an Eisenhower dollar is silver?

Silver coins have a whiter color than copper-nickel alloys, which are grayer. Also you can go by date. The US switched from silver coins to copper-nickel coins in 1965.


What is the silver value of a 1923 gold coin?

Not a meaningful question. Gold coins were made from gold and copper without any silver in them. Silver coins were made from silver and copper without any gold.


Are 1964 Kennedy half dollars 100 percent silver?

No it's 90% silver and 10% copper all 1964 and before US silver coins have this composition.No circulating US coins were ever 100% silver. It's too soft and would wear out too quickly so 10% copper was added to harden the metal.


What cleans copper coins without harming them?

the best way to clean copper or silver coins and jewelry is ashes


How do you tell the difference between a copper nickel coin and a silver one?

In that there are no copper or silver niclle coins the question has no purpose. Copper and silver coins can be distinguished from each other by chemical reactivity, density, appearance (colour), electrical conductivity, mint mars and dates and a numismatic data book.


What is the value of a 1977 silver dollar?

There are no "silver" 1977 coins...they are copper-nickel Eisenhower coins and they are worth $1.00


What is the value of silver dollar 1977?

There are no "silver" 1977 coins...they are copper-nickel Eisenhower coins and they are worth $1.00