My husband's aunt died recently & we found a hoard of old coins in jars all over her house. There are alot of halves, quarters & dimes - Walking Liberty, Ben Franklin, Kennedy, Mercury, Roosevelt and a few Eisenhoiwer dollars. How do I know which ones are silver and what the silver content is? I've done some research on coins but I am not a collector. I want to categorize the coins and make some "starter sets" for my grandchildren so any help would be GREATLY appreciated for my little "future coin collectors".
2007-05-06 10:28:52 · 7 answers · asked by blustang04 2 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Are all the coins before 1964 silver and aren't some 40% and some 90% and how do I know which are which? I ask alot of questions but when I hand them over later I want to be sure each collection is as equal as I can get them. Thanks again!
2007-05-06 10:50:39 · update #1
You could go to a coin show and that would give you some ideas of their worth
2007-05-09 14:29:28 · answer #1 · answered by Me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem shows up in the half dollars starting in 1965. Before that date, the dime through the half were 90% silver. Now the 1965 to 1970 Kennedy half dollars are what is called silver clad and are considered 40% silver. There were silver clad Ike dollars, but they were in a special packaging, I don't see anyone taking them out of that special box they came in. They stored quite well the way they came. So I doubt you have any, unless you also have the box. Special sets were made of 40% Bicentennial coins also but again they are in a special box or envelope which states they are silver clad. Also there are silver proof sets made but again the coins are in a special hard case and state they are silver. Hope this takes care of the confusion. The U.S. mints is always keeping us on our toes. If you need further help email me here and I will send my home email where I have more room to write.
2007-05-06 14:44:52 · answer #2 · answered by Taiping 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes because I'm coin collector. I've collected all the Morgan dollars of the 1800s and the Peace dollars of the early 1900s, plus numerous other coins dating back 2000 years. I'd prefer to trade in actual gold and silver instead of coins because coins have a value beyond the metal it's made of that most people wouldn't know.
2016-04-01 11:02:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at the sides of the coins. Slender means a purer silver in some cases. The other thing would be to drop them gently on a hard surface. Silver makes a chiming sound, and I imagine the more silver it has, the more ringing the sound.
This is just my suggestion. I am not a dealer.
2007-05-06 11:00:00 · answer #4 · answered by Jess 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try searching the site I listed as a source- I got a lot of good info from there once, & I'll be checking again tonight since I came across about 5$ worth of silver quarters today, myself :)
2007-05-06 12:45:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
any us coin after 64 is not silver. 64 and before only
2007-05-06 10:37:18 · answer #6 · answered by Father Ted 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have fun and look up their value: http://www.pcgs.com/prices/
2007-05-08 18:50:43 · answer #7 · answered by ambernpeach 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋