Quick summary
- U.S. dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver.
- Kennedy half dollars dated 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver.
- ‘War nickels’ made from 1942 to 1945 contain 35% silver and have a large mint mark above Monticello.
- Silver coins have no copper stripe on the edge, which makes them easy to spot in a stack.
- A silver coin’s value can exceed its face value, and collector value may be higher still.
Until 1964, U.S. dimes, quarters and half dollars were made mostly of silver. Rising silver prices led to a change in the coins’ metal, but older silver coins still occasionally appear in circulation.
Which coins contain silver
| Coin | Dates | Silver content |
|---|---|---|
| Dimes | 1964 and earlier | 90% |
| Quarters | 1964 and earlier | 90% |
| Half dollars | 1964 and earlier | 90% |
| Kennedy half dollars | 1965 to 1970 | 40% |
| “War nickels” | 1942 to 1945 | 35% |
Modern collector versions, such as silver proof sets, are also made in silver, but they’re sold to collectors rather than released into circulation.
Quick ways to identify silver
- Check the date first; it’s the fastest test.
- Look at the edge: modern clad coins show a copper-colored stripe. Silver coins are solid silver-colored all the way through.
- Listen and look: silver coins often have a slightly different color and sound, but date and edge checks are more reliable.
Collector’s tip
When searching coin rolls, look along the edges of a stack. A silver coin stands out as a bright line among copper-striped edges.
War nickels
During World War II, nickel was needed for the war effort, so from 1942 to 1945 the Mint made nickels from an alloy containing 35% silver. They’re marked with a large mint mark above Monticello on the back, including a “P” for Philadelphia, the first time that mint mark appeared on a U.S. coin.
What they’re worth
A silver coin is usually worth more than its face value because of its metal content. The amount changes with the silver price, and dealers pay below full melt value. Coins in excellent condition, or with scarce dates, can be worth much more to collectors; see our guide to coin grading.
Keep them safe
Store silver coins properly to avoid spotting and damage, as our guide to handling and storing coins explains, and never clean them.
Collector questions
Are 1965 quarters silver?
No. From 1965, dimes and quarters were made of copper-nickel clad metal. Only half dollars kept some silver, at 40%, through 1970.
Are all 1942 nickels silver?
No. Silver war nickels started partway through 1942. Look for the large P, D or S mint mark above the building on the back.
What is ‘melt value’?
The value of the metal in a coin, based on the current silver price. It changes daily, and dealers pay less than full melt value.
Are silver dollars found in change?
Rarely. Older silver dollars were mostly removed from circulation long ago, and modern dollar coins don’t contain silver.
Coin values change with demand, condition and metal prices. This guide is general information, not an appraisal or investment advice.
