What Years Were Dimes Made of Silver?
Uncover the history of U.S. dimes. Learn which years they were made of silver, why their composition changed, and how to identify them today.
Dimes, the smallest in diameter of all U.S. coins, hold a unique place in American monetary history. For many years, these ten-cent pieces were struck with a significant silver content, reflecting a time when the intrinsic value of a coin was closely tied to its metallic composition. This practice ensured public confidence in the currency. Understanding the transition of dimes from precious metal to base metal offers insight into the evolving economic landscape and currency production.
Silver Dime Production Years
United States dimes were consistently produced with silver for over a century and a half. All dimes minted for general circulation up to and including the year 1964 contain silver. These coins were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, an alloy chosen for its durability and appearance. Before 1837, dimes had a slightly different composition of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper.
Various dime series were part of this silver era. The Draped Bust dimes, first appearing in 1796, followed by Capped Bust and Seated Liberty designs, were all silver. Barber dimes were minted from 1892 to 1916, and the Winged Liberty Head, commonly known as the Mercury dime, produced from 1916 to 1945. The Roosevelt dime, introduced in 1946, also maintained this 90% silver composition until 1964. Each of these silver dimes typically weighs 2.5 grams and contains 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver.
Transition to Clad Coinage
A shift in U.S. coinage occurred with the passage of the Coinage Act of 1965. This legislation marked the end of silver in circulating dimes, quarters, and half dollars. The catalyst for this change was the escalating price of silver. As the market value of silver began to exceed the face value of the coins, people started hoarding them, leading to coin shortages in circulation.
To stabilize the currency and ensure a steady supply of coins for commerce, the U.S. Mint transitioned to a new metal composition. From 1965 onwards, dimes were made from a clad “sandwich” material. This new composition features an inner core of pure copper bonded between outer layers of a copper-nickel alloy, consisting of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This change ensured the intrinsic metal value of the coin remained below its face value, discouraging hoarding and maintaining the flow of currency.
How to Identify a Silver Dime
Determining if a dime is made of silver is straightforward. The most direct method involves checking the coin’s mint date. Dimes dated 1964 or earlier are silver. Dimes minted from 1965 to the present day do not contain silver.
Another practical way to identify a silver dime is by examining its edge. A silver dime will have a solid, uniform silver color along its edge because the silver alloy runs throughout the coin. In contrast, clad dimes minted from 1965 onward will reveal a distinct copper stripe or core visible along their edge. Older silver dime designs, such as those featuring Lady Liberty, are silver.