Silver vs clad edge
A 90% silver dime, quarter, or half has a solid silver-colored edge. A clad coin shows a copper stripe in the edge sandwich. That stripe is the fastest check if the date is worn.
Decision tree
United States coin in your hand
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What denomination?
Cent (penny), nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, or dollar. If it says ONE DIME it is a dime even if it looks gold-toned.
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What year is on the coin?
Use the table below. The year decides silver vs clad vs copper — not the portrait alone. A Washington quarter can be silver (1964 and earlier) or clad (1965-on).
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Open the matching type
That page shows today’s melt, whether the type usually sells above melt, and what to check before you sell.
US circulating coins — silver or not
| Denomination | Silver years | Not silver | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cent | Never silver. 95% copper through mid-1982. | Zinc cents 1982-on (copper-plated). | Wheat · Memorial copper · Zinc |
| Nickel | 1942–1945 war nickels only (large mintmark on reverse). 35% silver. | All other Jefferson, Buffalo, Liberty, Shield nickels. | War nickel |
| Dime | 1964 and earlier, 90% silver (Barber, Mercury, Roosevelt 90%). | Roosevelt 1965-on clad. | Roosevelt 90% · Mercury |
| Quarter | 1964 and earlier, 90% silver. 1976 silver proofs exist for collectors. | Washington 1965-on clad (except silver proofs). | Washington 90% · Barber |
| Half dollar | 1964 Kennedy and all earlier halves: 90%. 1965–1970 Kennedy: 40% silver. | Kennedy 1971-on clad (except silver proofs). | 1964 90% · 40% · Walker |
| Dollar | Morgan, Peace, Trade, and earlier dollars: 90%. Some Ike dollars 40% silver. Silver Eagles: 1 oz. | Ike clad, SBA, Sacagawea, Presidential dollars. | Morgan · Peace · Silver Eagle |
What to look at on the coin
War nickel mintmark
1942–1945 silver nickels have a large P, D, or S above Monticello on the reverse. A 1942 nickel without that large mark is not the silver wartime alloy.
Kennedy halves
1964 = 90% silver. 1965–1970 = 40% silver (still no copper stripe like later clad). 1971-on business strikes = clad. Proof silver later is a collector strike, not junk silver.
Melt or collector value?
If it is a common worn 1964 quarter in a bag, you are usually in melt territory. If it is a Morgan dollar, an 1883 Hawaii coin, or a proof Silver Eagle, stop and check the date — melt is the floor, not the typical price. Each type page has a plain-English label: usually near melt, often above melt, check dates, or bullion premium.
Need a sold-price check after melt? Sold Comps. Need a photo ID later? Numis Lookup.