Invest in American History. Most coins minted in the United States before 1965 were 90% silver and 10% copper. Silver at the time was a cost-effective way to produce coins that were both durable and attractive. All other U.S. denominations other than pennies and nickels at one time were struck using 90% silver.
Prior to 1965, American Silver Coins were made of 90% silver (and 10% copper). This includes all United States quarters, dimes, half dollars, and silver dollars dated 1964 or earlier.
US dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars were minted in 90% silver until 1964. Produced to save nickel for the war effort, war nickels 1942-1945 are 35% silver (silver nickel production started part way into 1942). Half-dollar coins minted between 1965 and 1970 are 40% silver, but from 1971 on, contain no silver.
All American dimes, quarters, and half dollars that were minted in 1964 or earlier contain 90% silver. However, the United States began to face a silver shortage in the 1960s. As a result, people started hoarding their silver coins, creating a shortage of coins as well as silver.
In 1965, the United States Congress decided to eliminate silver from circulating dimes and quarters. From that point on, those denominations were released in copper-nickel-clad coins.
The best way to determine if your coins are silver is to view the edge of the coin. If the coin has a solid silver stripe, then you can feel confident that it's silver. If you can see a copper stripe, then the coin is clad. A more subdued silver stripe with faint traces of copper could mean that the coin is 40% silver.
On July 23, 1965, President Johnson approved the Coinage Act of 1965, which removed silver from circulating coins and authorized that clad coins be used for the half dollar, quarter, and dime.
Roosevelt and Mercury Dimes, Washington Quarters, and Walking Liberty Franklin and Kennedy Half-Dollars minted in 1964 and earlier are 90% silver. The value of most circulated coins minted in the 1920′s through 1964 is primarily from their silver content.
In 1964 Kennedy half dollars were made from 90% silver and 10% copper. Half dollars made from 1965 through 1970 are composed of two outer layers containing 80% silver and 20% copper with an inner core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper (net composition: 40% silver and 60% copper).
American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins are coins whose weight and purity are guaranteed by the United States Government. They're also allowed in an IRA. Each coin contains a minimum of one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver. The obverse design of the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins is based on Adolph A.
Invest in American History. Most coins minted in the United States before 1965 were 90% silver and 10% copper. Silver at the time was a cost-effective way to produce coins that were both durable and attractive. All other U.S. denominations other than pennies and nickels at one time were struck using 90% silver.
The 1964 nickel was the last 5-cent coin to bear mint marks till 1968. The rare 1964 nickel entails a sharper appearance than previous Jefferson nickels. The proof 1964 nickel portrays the appearance most and can retail for approximately $4 to $7. A specific type of error can make a 1964 nickel rare.
There are two common reasons people like buying silver coins minted prior to 1965: they can be used as a way to invest in physical silver at reasonable prices, or for survival purposes in the event of a monetary collapse; although, these coins offer many other benefits as well.
Pre-1965, 90% Silver coins is an easy and convenient way to add silver bullion to any investment portfolio. Silver coins in the U.S. minted in 1964 or earlier contained 90% silver and 10% copper.
Pre-1965 quarters contain 5.55 grams of silver. That's $4.46 in silver value with spot prices $25.00 per ounce. Some silver dimes and quarters may have additional collectible value depending on mint marks and/or condition making them a great option for those coin collecting.
Why are silver 1965 quarters so rare? Silver 1965 quarters are special because they're transitional error coins. In 1964, quarters were still struck with a 90% silver planchet. In 1965, quarter production changed to a clad composition planchet made of copper and nickel.
Well, most collectors and investors include these silver half dollars in their collection or investment portfolio because these coins, issued by the United States Mint in 1964 and earlier, were composed of 90% silver. After the Coinage Act of 1965, the composition of half dollars dropped from 90% silver to 40% silver.
The Kennedy Silver Half Dollar refers to half dollar coins struck by the United States Mint from 1964-1970, however only the 1964-minted coins were composed of 90% silver. That specific year's strikes each contained . 36169 ounces of the precious metal.
Since each 1964 Kennedy half-dollar contained so much silver, they stood out among other coins. Compared to other metals, silver coins have a higher premium. Due to the sentimental worth of the coins, few people actually spent their half dollars, making them rare.
Junk silver coins are typically referred to as 90% silver dimes, quarters and half dollars minted in 1964 or earlier, but technically they can refer to any government issued silver coins for general circulation that are primarily bought and sold for their silver content.
What is 40% Silver? Between the years 1965 and 1976, two major U.S. coins contained 40% silver. The term “40% silver” is a short way for investors, collectors, and buyers to refer to Kennedy Half-Dollars minted 1965–1970, and 1976, as well as Eisenhower Silver Dollars minted in the years 1971-1974, and 1976.
Older 90 Percent Silver Coins Are Worth at Least Their Face Value. All silver half-dollars, quarters, and dimes made between the 1830s and just prior to 1965 are, at a minimum, 90 percent silver. These coins are often referred to as “junk silver,” but they're hardly junk when it comes to their value.
The United States began producing silver coins in 1794 and for a period of 170 years minted all dimes, quarters, and half dollars with 90% silver content. The last year U.S. coins contained 90% silver was in 1964. Dimes and quarters minted after 1964, unless part of a silver proof set, don't contain any silver content.
Before 1965, US quarters were made of 90 percent silver. That means that due to the silver alone it would be worth about $3.50 (depending on silver prices). After 1964, the quarter is just made of nickel and copper and worth just 25 cents.
The Most Valuable 1970 Washington Quarter: The $35,000 Quarter. The most famous and most expensive 1970 quarter is the 1970-S quarter struck on an 80% silver 1941 Canadian quarter. This unique coin has been appraised at a whopping $35,000!