JWR,
I did some research after reading the recent “Making Change in a New Precious Metals Economy” article. The following will make it easier to determine the metal value of coins. Thank you for your great blog.
Ounces of silver in pre-1965 coins:
Silver bullion coin = 1 ounce
Pre-1965 silver dollar = .77344 (90% silver, 10% copper)
Pre-1965 silver half dollar = 0.36169 (90% silver, 10% copper)
1965-69 silver half dollar = 0.1479 (40% silver)
Pre-1965 silver quarter = .18084 (90% silver, 10% copper)
Pre-1965 silver dime = 0.0715 (90% silver, 10% copper)
There is no silver in most post-1965 coins, except the aforementioned half dollars, and in some proof sets:
Post-1965 clad dollar = weighs 0.260 troy ounce. (copper 88.5%, zinc 6%, manganese 3.5%, nickel 2%)
Post-1970 clad half dollar = weighs 0.365 troy ounce. (nickel plated copper- 8.33% Ni, 91.67% Cu)
Post-1965 clad quarter = weighs 0.1823 troy ounce. (nickel plated copper- 8.33% Ni, 91.67% Cu)
Post-1965 clad dime = weights 0.0729 troy ounce. (nickel plated copper- 8.33% Ni, 91.67% Cu)
Nickel coins:
Mid-1942 to 1945 (56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese)
1866 to present except 1942-45 weighs 0.1615 troy ounces. (75% copper, 25% nickel)
Penny coins:
1793–1857 (100% copper)
1857–1864 (88% copper, 12% nickel)
1864–1942 (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc)
1943 (zinc-coated steel)
1944–1946 (95% copper, 5% zinc)
1946–1962 (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc)
1962–1982 weighs 0.080 troy ounces. (95% copper, 5% zinc)
1982– present weighs 0.080 troy ounces. (copper-plated zinc- 97.5% Zn, 2.5% Cu)
Base Metal Content Values
(The following are as of February 2010. See www.coinflation.com for updated figures)
Pre-1965 silver dollar = $12.47
1965-69 silver half dollar = $2.38
Pre-1965 silver half dollar = $5.83
Pre-1965 silver quarter = $2.91
Pre-1965 silver dime = $1.16
1971-1978 Eisenhower Dollar = 18 1/2 cents
1979-1981, 1999 Susan B. Anthony Dollar = 6 1/2 cents
2000-2010 Sacagawea Dollar = 5 1/2 cents
2007-2010 Presidential Dollar = 5 1/2 cents
1971 to present half dollar (clad) = 9 cents
Post-1965 quarter (clad) = 4 1/2 cents
Post-1965 dime (clad) = 2 cents
1946-2010 Nickel (except 1942-45)= 5 cents
1942-45 Nickel= 91 cents
1909 to 1981 penny except 1943 = 2 cents (95% copper)
1982 to the present penny = 1/2 cent (97.5% zinc)
JWR Adds: Because it was a transitional year, there were a mix of copper and zinc U.S. pennies minted, but all bore the mark 1981. As I’ve previously noted, it is not worth anyone’s to sort pennies by date.. If you are serious about stockpiling lots of pennies, then buy a Ryedale electric penny sorting machine. But be advised that you will need to sort several thousand dollars worth of pennies to have that machine pay for itself. So my more conservative advice is to stockpile just nickels now. At least for the present time, nearly all of the nickels in circulation are 75% copper and 25% nickel. (There are still a few silver “war nickels” floating around out there, but they are very scarce.) But once a new debased nickel is introduced, then we will have the same sort problem that now exists for pennies. The new nickels will most likely be made of steel. Yes, the American people will be robbed of our valid specie once again–just as we were in 1933 (gold) , 1964 (silver) , and 1981 (copper pennies). But this shouldn’t come as a surprise, since the history of coinage debasement is sordid and lengthy–pre-dating even ancient Rome. You’ve had plenty of warning. Stock up on nickels now, or you’ll kick yourself about it in just a couple of years, especially if inflation returns in earnest.
Also, keep in mind that it is currently illegal to melt or bulk export U.S. pennies and nickels, but that would likely be rescinded, if they are dropped from circulation.