What Coins Are Silver?
Many U.S. coins were once made with real silver.
Today, most are not.
If you’re trying to figure out whether the coins you have contain silver, the answer usually comes down to one thing: the date.
Start With the Year
For most U.S. coins:
1964 and earlier = 90% silver
1965 and later = not silver
That applies to:
Dimes
Quarters
Half dollars (with one exception)
If you remember one rule, remember the cutoff year.
If you’re unsure about what you’re looking at, you can reach out to Mr. Vann to get a clear answer before making a move.
Common U.S. Silver Coins
Dimes
Roosevelt dimes (1964 and earlier)
Mercury dimes
Both are 90% silver
Quarters
Washington quarters dated 1964 and earlier
90% silver
Half Dollars
1964 Kennedy half dollar → 90% silver
1965–1970 Kennedy half dollars → 40% silver
Franklin half dollars → 90%
Walking Liberty half dollars → 90%
This is one of the few areas where the date range extends beyond 1964.
Silver Dollars
Morgan dollars
Peace dollars
These are larger coins and are made of 90% silver.
Some Eisenhower dollars were made with silver, but only in specific collector versions, not the ones typically found in circulation.
Coins That Are Not Silver
This is where most people get it wrong.
Dimes and quarters 1965 and later
Most half dollars after 1970
Most Eisenhower dollars
Modern coins of any kind
Many coins look silver in color but contain no silver at all.
Appearance is not a reliable indicator.
How to Tell If a Coin Is Silver
There are a few quick ways to check.
1. Look at the Date
This is the fastest method.
1964 and earlier → likely silver
After that → usually not
2. Check the Edge
Look at the side of the coin:
Silver coins → solid silver color
Clad coins → visible copper stripe
This is one of the easiest ways to confirm.
3. Check the Type
Some coins were never made in silver in certain years.
Knowing the type helps eliminate confusion quickly.
Why Silver Coins Matter
Silver coins have value beyond their face value.
They contain a known amount of silver, which moves with the market.
They’re also:
Recognizable
Easy to trade
Widely understood
This is why they’re often grouped together as “junk silver”, not because they’re worthless, but because their value comes from the metal, not rarity.
How Silver Content Is Measured
Silver coins are often discussed by face value.
For example:
$1.00 in 90% silver coins contains approximately 0.715 ounces of silver
That number is used to estimate value based on the current silver price.
You don’t need to calculate it perfectly, but you do need to understand that value is tied to silver content, not the number printed on the coin.
Should You Keep or Sell Silver Coins?
That depends on your situation.
Some people hold silver coins as a way to keep physical assets. Others sell based on market conditions or personal needs.
There’s no single answer.
What matters is knowing what you have before making a decision.
If you’re deciding whether to keep, sell, or trade your coins, it makes sense to speak with Mr. Vann before you decide so you’re working with the full picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year coins are silver?
Most U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars from 1964 and earlier contain silver.
Are all old coins silver?
No. Age alone does not determine silver content.
How can I tell if a coin is silver quickly?
Check the date and the edge of the coin.
Are 1970 coins silver?
Only certain Kennedy half dollars from that period contain 40% silver.