Quick answer
Many coins made before the mid-20th century contain silver, and most circulating coins made since do not. In the United States, dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver. The exact cutoff year differs from country to country, so the date and country of origin are the first things to check.
This guide goes through the main countries, then the modern bullion coins, then the coins people often assume are silver but are not. Figures below are the commonly cited standard compositions. Individual coins can vary, so treat them as a starting point rather than a guarantee.
United States
90% silver coins (1964 and earlier)
The following US coins were struck in a 90% silver, 10% copper alloy:
- Dimes dated 1964 or earlier (Barber, Mercury and early Roosevelt designs)
- Quarters dated 1964 or earlier (Barber, Standing Liberty and Washington designs)
- Half dollars dated 1964 or earlier (Barber, Walking Liberty, Franklin, and the 1964 Kennedy)
- Silver dollars, including Morgan dollars (1878 to 1904, and 1921) and Peace dollars (1921 to 1935)
Coins from this group are often sold by weight as junk silver when they are worn and common.
40% silver coins
- Kennedy half dollars dated 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver. The 1970 issue was only included in mint sets, not released for general circulation.
- Eisenhower dollars struck at San Francisco for collectors in 1971 through 1974, and the 1976 collector issues, are 40% silver. See our page on whether a 1971 Eisenhower dollar is silver.
35% silver war nickels
From 1942 to 1945 the nickel was made with 35% silver to save nickel for the war effort. A large mint mark above the dome of Monticello on the reverse identifies them.
Coins that are not silver
Cents and standard nickels (outside the 1942 to 1945 war issue) never contained silver for general circulation. Dimes and quarters dated 1965 and later are copper-nickel clad, with a visible copper stripe on the edge. So the answer to “are all coins before 1964 silver?” is no, and “are all 1965 coins silver?” is also no. For the dates by denomination, see what year coins stopped containing silver.
Canada
Canadian dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars were generally 80% silver from 1920 until 1966, and 92.5% silver before 1920. In 1967 and 1968 there was a transition, with some dimes and quarters in a 50% silver alloy and then nickel, so coins from that period are worth checking individually. Canadian nickels and cents were not silver in the normal run, although a few wartime nickels used different metals.
United Kingdom
British coins from the denominations of sixpence up to the crown were 92.5% (sterling) silver until 1919, then 50% silver from 1920 to 1946. From 1947 they were struck in cupro-nickel. A British shilling or florin dated 1946 or earlier is therefore likely to contain silver, while one dated 1947 or later usually does not.
Australia
Australia followed a similar pattern. Silver denominations were sterling silver in the earlier period and then 50% silver for a number of years in the mid-20th century. Australia moved to cupro-nickel in 1966 with decimal currency. If you hold an older Australian threepence, sixpence, shilling or florin, check the year and a reference catalogue for the exact alloy.
Other countries
Many other countries used silver in everyday coinage until the early to mid-20th century, and some stamped the fineness on the coin, for example .800, .835, .900 or .925. Dates and fineness marks are the most useful clues. Our guide on how to tell if a foreign coin is silver covers the marks and the simple home checks.
Modern silver bullion coins
Many mints produce modern silver coins meant for collectors and investors, such as the American Silver Eagle (issued since 1986) and the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf. These are typically .999 fine or higher and are sold on the value of their silver plus a premium, rather than being made for circulation.
How to check any coin
- Note the country and date.
- Look for a fineness mark such as .900 or .925.
- Check the edge of a US-style coin for a copper stripe, which indicates a clad coin.
- Weigh the coin and compare with the catalogue weight.
- If the coin is valuable or you are unsure, ask a reputable dealer to test it.
Frequently asked questions
Are all coins before 1964 silver?
No. Only certain denominations were silver. US dimes, quarters, half dollars and silver dollars are the main ones, along with war nickels from 1942 to 1945.
What junk has the most silver?
Per coin, a silver dollar holds the most, followed by the half dollar, quarter and dime. Per dollar of face value, 90% coins hold about the same amount.
How much is $1 in silver coins worth today?
It depends on the current silver price and the dealer premium. Face value of $1 in 90% coins contains about 0.715 troy ounces of silver, which you can multiply by the day’s spot price. See our explanation of junk silver.