1976...Clad or Silver?

RonMan

I just came across a 1976-S Washington thats in a 2 X 2 that does not say if it's a clad proof or a 40% silver proof. I'm assuming its a clad, but is there anyway to tell??

RonMan

Placid

You can usually see some copper on the edge of clad.

clackamas

Look at the edge of the coin. If there are 2 colors (copper and silver) then its a clad. If the edge is solid silver in color its silver.

RonMan

Thanks for the replies.

I was thinking the 40% proof would also show a copper layer around the rim.

Clackamas...I hope you won't mind me stealing(borrowing) your icon as soon as baseball season is over.

jtryka

There is a copper ring on the 40% silver ones, but it is somewhat muted, like looking at the edge of a 90% silver coin but you can see a faint line. The clad ones have a bright reddish ring of copper.

RonMan

Good explanation jtryka...thanks

I thought the only way to tell was by weight (which is probably a way to tell) but it's much easier to just check out the edge.

Just checked...it's a clad proof

supercoin

You're right to wonder about the inner layer on the silver quarter -- it's 80% copper and only 20% silver. But apparently it doesn't take much silver in an alloy to make it silvery looking.

Another cool trick (especially useful when you can't see the edge, e.g. a slabbed coin) is to take a single-ply sheet of white toilet paper and lay it on the coin. A silver proof will look white and a clad proof will look dark.