Coin Specifications
| Denomination | Cent | Dime |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Copper Plated Zinc 2.5% Cu Balance Zn | Cupro-Nickel 8.33% Ni Balance Cu |
| Weight | 2.500 g | 2.268 g |
| Diameter | 0.750 in. 19.05 mm | 0.705 in. 17.91 mm |
| Thickness | 1.52 mm | 1.35 mm |
What are dimes quarters and half dollars made of?
silver
All dimes, quarters, and half dollars were made for circulation with a 90% silver content up through the year 1964. In 1965, rising silver prices forced the United States Mint to adopt a copper-nickel clad composition for the dime and quarter. The half dollar was changed to a 40% silver clad profile.
What is the composition of coins?
Specifications for Legal Tender Coins in USA
| Denomination | Metal used | Composition (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Cent | Copper -plated Zinc | 2.5 Cu Balance Zn |
| Nickel | Cupro-Nickel | 25 Ni Balance Cu |
| Dime | Cupro-Nickel | 8.33 Ni Balance Cu |
| Quarter Dollar | Cupro-Nickel | 8.33 Ni Balance Cu |
What are quarters and dimes made of?
The quarter, worth 25 cents, is made of the same composition as the current dime: 8.33 percent nickel and the rest copper. In 1932, George Washington’s face debuted on the quarter, and at this time, the quarter comprised 100 percent silver.
What is the composition of a half dollar coin?
Composition of US coins. In addition, the silver content of the half-dollar (previously 90%) was reduced to 40% in 1965 and then eliminated entirely in 1971. All of these coin denominations are now composed of copper-nickel clad with an outer layer of a 75% copper, 25% nickel alloy and a pure copper core.
What kind of silver are dimes made of?
Switching to the .999 fine silver composition for the dime, quarter dollars and half dollar required the U.S. Mint to secure planchet vendors to supply the new standard for those blanks. The Mint has been striking bullion coins made of .999 fine silver for decades.
When was the 90% silver dime minted?
90% Silver Dimes, Quarters, and Half Dollars. Roosevelt and Mercury Dimes, Washington Quarters, and Walking Liberty Franklin and Kennedy Half-Dollars minted in 1964 and earlier are 90% silver.
What kind of metal is a US dollar coin made of?
All of these coin denominations are now composed of copper-nickel clad with an outer layer of a 75% copper, 25% nickel alloy and a pure copper core.
