Shopping for 90% Silver Coins

Prior to 1965, U.S. Silver coins such as dimes, quarters and half dollars were composed of .900 fine Silver; however, their composition changed as a result of the Coinage Act of 1965. Silver prices were on the rise at this time in history, and the U.S. Mint’s supply of Silver was low, creating the need for the act. As a result, quarters and dimes no longer contain any Silver, but are instead composed of layers of Copper-Nickel and pure Copper, and Silver half dollars were reduced to 40% Silver. Coin bags of pre-1965 Silver half dollars, Silver quarters or Silver dimes are known as junk Silver even though they are very valuable because of their Silver content.