Coin silver

[Jazzy]

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.

 

[HaydenTubbs]

 

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

 

 

 

I'll be nice and give you a *

 

 

 

 

[Allan Ong]

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...

[Oldtrader3]

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.

[MunkyMan95]

They did make Kennedys that were 40% silver... and weren't there some 40% silver Ikes too?

[CurrierVentures]

http://www.cvcardsandcoins.com/silver_in_uscoins.php