An alloy is a mixture of metals. The first regular issue silver coin that was alloyed was the 1792 Silver Disme. The U.S. Mint continues to use silver alloy in coins today in special silver proof sets. The alloy has always been with copper as it makes the silver much stronger and wear longer.
The government started making clad coins with no silver in them in 1965 with the dime and quarter. In 1970 they removed all silver from circulating U.S. coins.
Very early coins were often made of a natural alloy called electrum. This was largely the result of the ancients inability to separate the gold and silver. These were generally mostly gold but the small amount of silver in them causes a very whitish color. Alloys were added to coinage materials at very early dates but for a more comprehensive answer you might try posing the question on the World and Ancient Coins Forum.
From what I gather BDP is asking a very simple question...
When did the Mint change from 90% silver coinage for dimes, quarters, and halves?
The answer: 1964 was the last year. In 1965 they went to clad dimes and quarters and a 40% silver clad half dollar. The 40% silver clad composition remained in the half dollar until 1971 when it was replaced with the same clad as the dime and quarter.
BDP: Also, the nickel only has a fairly small percentage of nickel in the alloy. Pure nickel planchets were so hard they would actually break steel dies.
I heard they were making a French version of Medal of Honor. I wonder how many hotkeys it'll have for "surrender."
Our nickels are 25% Nickel 75% Copper. The only coin that still maintains it's original size, weight and alloy since it was first coined is our nickel 5 cent piece.
According to Breen our first nickels were Flying Eagle cents. They were called "nicks" or "nickels" ten years before five or three cent nickel pieces were even minted. The cents were made of 12% nickel and 88% copper and weighed 72 grains.
Technically speaking. The mint issues essentially pure silver coins every year, Silver Eagles which are far more pure than any previous issues at .9993 fine silver.
"Lenin is certainly right. There is no subtler or more severe means of overturning the existing basis of society(destroy capitalism) than to debauch the currency. The process engages all the hidden forces of economic law on the side of destruction, and it does it in a manner which not one man in a million is able to diagnose." John Marnard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1920, page 235ff
<< <i>Our nickels are 25% Nickel 75% Copper. The only coin that still maintains it's original size, weight and alloy since it was first coined is our nickel 5 cent piece. >>
Almost. The shield nickel was slightly thicker and .5 mm smaller in diameter than all of the other nickel five cent piece designs.
BDP
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The government started making clad coins with no silver in them in 1965 with the dime and quarter. In 1970 they removed all silver from circulating U.S. coins.
Tom
I hate it when you see my post before I can edit the spelling.
Always looking for nice type coins
my local dealer
<< <i>I heard gold is as soft as lead without the silver alloy >>
I didn't know it was that soft. I learned something today!!
Mohs' hardness scale:
Lead - 1.5
Gold - 2.5 to 3
Also gold is generally alloyed with copper to give it hardness.
Other metals are used in combination with copper when a different color is desired.
Got quoins?
the result of the ancients inability to separate the gold and silver. These were generally
mostly gold but the small amount of silver in them causes a very whitish color. Alloys
were added to coinage materials at very early dates but for a more comprehensive answer
you might try posing the question on the World and Ancient Coins Forum.
When did the Mint change from 90% silver coinage for dimes, quarters, and halves?
The answer: 1964 was the last year. In 1965 they went to clad dimes and quarters and a 40% silver clad half dollar. The 40% silver clad composition remained in the half dollar until 1971 when it was replaced with the same clad as the dime and quarter.
The Lincoln cent store:
http://www.lincolncent.com
My numismatic art work:
http://www.cdaughtrey.com
USAF veteran, 1986-1996 :: support our troops - the American way.
WNC Coins, LLC
1987-C Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
wnccoins.com
To my knowledge the nickel hasn't changed.It didn't have Silver in it accept for the war years 1942-1945.
Registry 1909-1958 Proof Lincolns
We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.
Got quoins?
1858 Flying Eagle Cent PCGS MS64
Overland Trail Collection Showcase
Dahlonega Type Set-2008 PCGS Best Exhibited Set
<< <i>1 Oz (troy ounce i assume) can be drawn to a length of 43 miles. >>
Drawing into a wire is ductility. Malleability is the ability to be hammered into thin sheets. Gold is both the most malleable and most ductile metal.
John Marnard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1920, page 235ff
<< <i>Our nickels are 25% Nickel 75% Copper. The only coin that still maintains it's original size, weight and alloy since it was first coined is our nickel 5 cent piece. >>
Almost. The shield nickel was slightly thicker and .5 mm smaller in diameter than all of the other nickel five cent piece designs.