• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Coin silver

6 posts in this topic

An alloy consisting of approximately 90% silver and 10% copper.

 

Most US mint issue coins (excepting bullion) are made of this alloy, although they are referred to simply as "silver coins".

 

And I was the first person to post in this new and important forum.

 

acclaim.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Isn't the copper there to give it some stability (almost like a preservative of sorts)... There's a reason why it's not 100% silver -- I forget what it is exactly...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Copper is added for two reasons: to harden the coin metal slightly, because 100% silver is soft (damage prone), and the copper alloying does make the silver more tarnish resistant.

 

Note: Some coins (i.e. Type I, three cent silver) are only 80%, not 90% silver. Additionally, War Nickels are only 35% silver.

Link to comment
Share on other sites