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COIN COMPOSITION

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COIN HANDLING AND STORAGE

CuproNickel Composition

US Coin Specifications:    http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/?flash=yes&action=coin_specifications

(Weights and Measures and Conversion Units are found on the Reference Page)

SILVER and CLAD Coinage

Dollar Composition

What is a Dollar?

The Dollar of the Republic of the United States of America as established originally by the Constitution of the Republic of the United States of America and first promulgated under the Coinage act of 1792 (Coinage Act) is a weight of silver or gold; simple as that.  Exactly, as provided in the Coinage Act, a Dollar is three hundred and seventy-one grains and four sixteenths parts of a grain of pure silver, or four hundred and sixteen grains of standard silver, exactly the composition of the Spanish milled dollar that circulated at the time and served as the basis on monetary transactions.

The Coinage Act established that a Ten Dollar coin, designated the Eagle, would contain two hundred and forty-seven grains and four eighths of a grain of pure, or two hundred and seventy grains of standard gold. Fractional coins thereof, such as the Half Eagle with a Five Dollar denomination, carried the exact corresponding ratio of gold.  That is, the Half Eagle contained one half of 247/270 grains of gold.

The Dollar was last minted between 1792 and 1935; no Dollars have been made since 1935.

Everything else produced with the word Dollar, or dollar, is either a promissory note, scrip, unit of account, obligation, fiat, tender, or method of settlement.

The Republic of the United States of America ceded authority and responsibility for producing the nations coinage to the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CORPORATION (US) via the 14th Amendment in 1868.  The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CORPORATION continued to produce Dollars via the US Mint as administered by the US Congress until ceding such Authority to the FEDERAL RESERVE CORPORATION on December 23, 1913 via the Federal Reserve Act.  The US Mint continued to produce Dollars as administered by the FEDERAL RESERVE CORPORATION until 1935, at which point the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CORPORATION declared de-facto bankruptcy via re-organization and surrendered the power to create both Constitutional money and legal tender.

DOLLAR    Composition Summary:

Pre-1792

Before the united states began minting its own coinage, the settlers used Spanish Reales, German Thalers and the various British coinage. 

 

1794-1795

The Congress of the Republic of the united states of America authorized the Mint to produce Dollar coins of 416 grains silver at 0.8924 fine.

 

Flowing Hair Dollar

Designer: by Robert Scot.

Weight (grams): 26.96

Weight (grains): 416

Size: 39mm

Composition: Cupro-silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7737

Nicknames: Scrawny Chicken

Varieties:  1795 has two and three leave varieties;

Notes:  The 1794 is a rare and expensive coin in any date.

1792-1935:  The Dollar weighed a standard 26.96 grains

1795-1804

Draped Bust Dollar; small eagle reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 26.96

Weight (grains):416

Size: 39mm

Composition: Cupro-silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7737

 

1798-1804

Draped Bust Dollar; heraldic eagle reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 26.96

Weight (grains): 416

Size: 39mm

Composition: Cupro-silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7737

 

1836-1873

Seated Liberty

 

1836, 1838, 1839

Gobrecht Dollar

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 26.73 –26.92 

Weight (grains):

Size: 39.50 mm

Composition: 89.2% silver, 10.7% copper (1836 issues); 90% silver, 10% copper (1836–1839)

Total Silver Content: 24.06 grams

 

1866-1873

Seated Liberty; reverse without motto

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 26.73

Weight (grains):

Size:  38.1 mm

Composition: 0.9 silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7736

 

1873-1885

Trade Dollars

Designer: William Barber

Weight (grams): 27.22

Weight (grains):

Size:  38.1 mm

Composition: 0.9 silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7878

 

1878-1904, 1921

Morgan Dollar

Designer: George T. Morgan

Weight (grams): 26.73

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition: 0.9 silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7736

 

1921-1935

Peace Dollar

Designer: Anthony De Francisci

Weight (grams): 26.73

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition:0.9 silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7736

1935- 1970: The united states made no Dollars in this time period. The UNITED STATES continued to authorize production of FEDERAL RESERVE NOTES by the FEDERAL RESERVE private bank.

Beginning in 1971, the US Mint began producing a series of various coins with the word Dollar or dollar appearing on them, although none were legal as established by the Constitution of the Republic of the United States of America.  Constitutionally legal united states Dollars were 0.900 fine silver and held a silver content with tolerance between  0.7737  and 0.77344 oz.

1971 -1974, 1977 - 1978

Eisenhower Dollar

Designer: Frank Gasparro

Weight (grams): 22.68

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition: cupro-nickel on copper core

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

 

1976 Bi-Centennial

Eisenhower Dollar

Designer: Frank Gasparro

Weight (grams): 22.68

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition: cupro-nickel on copper core

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

 

1976

Eisenhower dollar (silver)

Designer: Frank Gasparro

Weight (grams): 24.59

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition: 40 percent silver; silver on copper core

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3162

1977 - 1981

 

Susan B. Anthony Dollar

Designer: Frank Gasparro

Weight (grams): 8.1

Weight (grains): 125.02 

Size: 26.50 millimeters

Composition: Outer 75% Copper, 25% Nickel with 100% Copper copper core.

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

 

2000-Current

Sacagawea Dollar

Designer:  Glenna Goodacre (obv), Thomas D. Rogers, Sr. (rev)

Weight (grams): 8.07

Weight (grains):

Size: 26.5 millimeters Composition: Manganese and bronze: 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% magnesium and 2% nickel.

AND

Alloy: 770 copper, .120 zinc, .070 manganese, and .040 nickel.

With the Sacagawea dollar, the alloy layers on each side of the copper core are manganese-bronze, a golden-colored alloy composed of 77 percent copper, 12 percent zinc, 7 percent manganese and 4 percent nickel.
Taking into account the coin's pure copper core, the overall composition of the Sacagawea dollar is 88.5 percent copper, 6 percent zinc, 3.5 percent manganese, and 2 percent nickel.

 

1986 - Current

Silver Eagle

Designer:

Weight (grams):

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition: 99.93% silver and .07% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): 1.0 oz

 

Half Dollar Composition

1794-1795

Flowing Hair Half Dollar

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams):13.48 grams

Weight (grains):208 grains

Size: 32.5 millimeters

Composition: Silver 89.2%, Copper - 10.8%

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3869

 

1796-1797

Draped Bust Half Dollar - Small Eagle Reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams):13.48 grams

Weight (grains):208 grains

Size: 32.5 millimeters

Composition: 89.2%, Copper - 10.8%

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3869

 

1801-1807

Draped Bust Half Dollar - Small Eagle Reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 13.48 grams

Weight (grains): 208 grains

Size: 32.5 millimeters

Composition: 89.2%, Copper - 10.8%

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3869

 

1807-1836

Capped Bust

Designer: John Reich

Weight (grams):13.48

Weight (grains):

Size: 32.5 mm. (varies between 32 and 33 mm)

Composition: 8924 silver, .1076 copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): . 0.3869

 

1836-1839

Capped Bust

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams):13.36

Weight (grains): 208

Size: 30 mm

Composition: 8924 silver, .1076 copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): . 0.3867

 

1839-1853

Seated Liberty

Designer: Thomas Sully and Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams):13.36

Weight (grains): 208

Size: 30 mm

Composition: 8924 silver, .1076 copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): . 0.3867

 

1853-1873

Seated Liberty

Designer: Thomas Sully and Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams):12.44

Weight (grains): 192

Size: 30 mm

Composition: 8924 silver, .1076 copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.36

 

1873-1891

Seated Liberty

Designer: Thomas Sully and Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 12.5

Weight (grains): 193

Size: 30 mm

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): . 0.3618

 

1892-1916

Barber Halves

Designer: Charles Barber.

Weight (grams): 12.5

Weight (grains): 193

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3618

 

1916-1947

Walking Liberty

Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weight (grams): 12.5

Weight (grains): 193

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.36169

 

1948-1963

Franklin Half Dollar

Designer: John R. Sinnock (obverse); John Frederick Lewis (reverse)

Weight (grams): 12.5

Weight (grains): 193

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.):  0.36169

 

1964 (only)

Kennedy Half Dollar

Designer: Gilroy Roberts (obverse); Frank Gasparro (reverse)

Weight (grams): 12.5

Weight (grains): 193

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

(Same composition size and weight as the Franklins with 0.36169 oz Ag per.)

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3618

 

1965-1970

Kennedy Half

Designer: Gilroy Roberts (obverse); Frank Gasparro (reverse)

Weight (grams): 11.5

Weight (grains): 178

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: 40% silver, 60% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1480

 

1965-1970 - .400 fine Half Dollar

Same diameter as 1964 coin, at 11.5 g., 0.400 silver with 0.14792 oz ag per. few 1970s made, @ 2.7 million.

 

1976-S Bicentennial Kennedy Half, Silver

Designer: Gilroy Roberts (obverse); Seth Huntington (reverse)

Weight (grams): 11.5

Weight (grains): 178

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: Outer layers: 80% Silver, 20% Copper
Center: 79% Copper, 21% Silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.148

Nicknames:

Varieties:  Accented Hair.

Notes: 

 

1971- Current [Except 1976 as noted above]

They swamped the market with clad in 1971, over 350 million made.

Designer: Gilroy Roberts (obverse); Frank Gasparro (reverse)

Weight (grams): 11.34

Weight (grains): 175

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: Outer layers: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Center: 100% Copper

There was no Ag in the Kennedy Half after 1976 again until 1992s, and on, in the silver proof set.

Quarter Composition

1796

Draped Bust Quarter; small eagle reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 6.74

Weight (grains): 104

Size: 27.5mm

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1935

Nicknames: Scrawny chicken

Varieties:  There are two types of Browning varieties

Notes: 

 

1804-1807

Draped Bust Quarter; heraldic eagle reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 6.74

Weight (grains): 104

Size: 27.5mm

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1935

 

1815-1828

Liberty Cap Quarter; with motto ' E Pluribus Unum'

Designer: John Reich

Weight (grams): 6.74

Weight (grains): 103

Size: 29 until 1828; 27 mm until 1937 and 1938 when the diameter was reduced to 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1935

 

1828-1838

Liberty Cap Quarter; without motto ' E Pluribus Unum'

Designer: William Kneass

All other diagnostics same as the motto coin.

 

1838-1840

Seated Liberty Quarter, No drapery reverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 6.74

Weight (grains): 103

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1934

Nicknames:

Varieties: 

Notes: 

 

1840-1853

Seated Liberty Quarter, with drapery

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 6.68

Weight (grains): 103

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1934

 

1854-1855

Seated Liberty Quarter, No Rays around eagle

 

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 6.2

Weight (grains): 96

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.18

Nicknames:

Varieties:  1854 large O variety.

Notes: 

 

1856-1866

Seated Liberty Quarter, arrows at date removed.

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 6.22

Weight (grains): 96

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.18

 

1866-1873

Seated Liberty Quarter, 'In God We Trust' added to Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 6.22

Weight (grains): 97

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.18

Nicknames:

Varieties:  1873 open and closed '3' varieties.

Notes:  Only six known 1873 CCs.

 

1873-1874

Seated Liberty Quarter, Arrows at date

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 6.25

Weight (grains): 97

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1808

 

1875-1891

Seated Liberty Quarter, No Arrows at date

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 6.25

Weight (grains):

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1808

 

1892-1916

Barber Quarters

Designer: Charles Barber

Weight (grams): 6.25

Weight (grains): 97

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1809

 

1916-1930

Standing Liberty Quarters

Designer: Hermon MacNeil

Weight (grams): 6.25

Weight (grains): 96

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1809

 

1932-1964

Washington Quarters

Designer: John Flanagan

Weight (grams): 6.255

Weight (grains): 97

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-silver; 89% Ag; 11% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.):  0.1809

 

1965-1998

Washington Quarters

Designer: John Flanagan

Weight (grams): 5.78

Weight (grains): 88

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Cupro-nickel; 75% Cu 25% Nickel

 

State Quarters (1999-present)

http://www.quarterdesigns.com/

Designer: John Flanagan (Obverse); Various (Reverse)

Weight (grams): 5.7 grams

Weight (grains): 88 grains

Size: 24.3 mm.

Composition: Outer layer: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel; Core: 100% Copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

Dime Composition

1796-1797

Draped Bust (Small Eagle Reverse)

Designer: Robert Scot (Obverse), John Eckstein (Reverse)

Weight (grams): 2.7

Weight (grains): 41.6

Size: 19.8 mm

Composition: 0.892 Ag, 0.108 Cu

 

1798-1807

Draped Bust (Heraldic Eagle Reverse)

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 2.7

Weight (grains): 41.6

Size: 19.8 mm

Composition: 0.892 Ag, 0.108 Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.):  0.0775

 

Capped Bust/Liberty Cap

Designer: John Reich

Weight (grams): 2.7

Weight (grains): 41.6

Size: 18.8 mm, 18.5 mm after 1827

Composition: 0.892 Ag, 0.108 Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.):  0.0775

 

1837-1838

Seated Liberty, No Stars

Designer: Thomas Sully (Obverse), Christian Gobrecht (Reverse)

Weight (grams): 2.67

Weight (grains): 41.3

Size: 17.9 mm

Composition: 90% Ag, 10% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0773 oz

 

A post 1837 US 90% silver dime had a total weight of 38.58 grains.

 

1838-1840

Seated Liberty, No Drapery, with Stars

Designer:

Weight (grams): 2.67

Weight (grains): 41.3

Size: 17.9 mm

Composition: 90% Ag, 10% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0773 oz

 

1840-1853

Seated Liberty Dime, Drapery and Stars

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 2.67

Weight (grains): 41.3

Size: 17.9 mm

Composition: 90% Ag, 10% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0773 oz

 

Seated Liberty, Drapery and Stars, Arrows at Date on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 2.4900

Weight (grains): 38.58 grains

Size: 

Composition: 90% Ag, 10% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0721 oz

 

Seated Liberty, Drapery and Stars, Arrows at Date removed on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 2.4900

Weight (grains): 38.58 grains

Size: 

Composition: 90% Ag, 10% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0721 oz

 

Seated Liberty, "United States of America" replaced Stars on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 2.4900

Weight (grains): 38.58 grains

Size: 

Composition: 90% Ag, 10% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0721 oz

 

Seated Liberty, Arrows at Date on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 2.5000

Weight (grains): 38.58 grains

Size: 

Composition: 90% Ag, 10% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0724 oz

 

Seated Liberty, Arrows at Date Removed on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 2.5000

Weight (grains): 38.58 grains

Size: 

Composition: 90% Ag, 10% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0724 oz

 

1892-1916

Barber Dimes

Designer: Charles E. Barber

Weight (grams): ±2.5 grams

Weight (grains):

Size: 17.9 millimeters

Composition: 90% ag; 10% cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.07234

 

1916-1945

Liberty (Mercury) Dimes

Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weight (grams): 2.5

Weight (grains):

Size:  17.9 millimeters

Composition: 90% ag; 10% cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): .07234

 

1946-1964

Roosevelt Dimes

Designer: John R. Sinnock

Weight (grams): 2.50 grams (silver)

Weight (grains):

Size:  17.9 millimeters

Composition: 90% ag; 10% cu (silver)

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.07234

Nicknames: 'Roosies'

Varieties

 

1946-Current

Roosevelt Dimes

Designer: John R. Sinnock

Weight (grams): 2.27 grams (CuNi-clad)

Weight (grains):

Size:  17.9 millimeters

Composition: Outer layers:75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Center: 100% Copper

Half Dime Composition

1794-1795

Flowing Hair Half-Dime

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 1.3500

Weight (grains): 21 

Size: 16.5 millimeters

Composition: 89.20% Ag, 10.80% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0388

 

1796-1797

Draped Bust Half Dime, Small Eagle Reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 1.3500

Weight (grains): 21 

Size: 16.5 millimeters

Composition: 89.20% Ag, 10.80% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0388

 

1800-1805

Draped Bust Half Dime, Heraldic Eagle Reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 1.3500

Weight (grains): 21 

Size: 16.5 millimeters

Composition: 89.20% Ag, 10.80% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0388

 

1829-1837

Liberty Cap Half Dime

Designer: William Kneass

Weight (grams): 1.3500

Weight (grains): 21

Size:

Composition: 89.20% Ag, 10.80% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0388

 

1837-1838

Seated Liberty Half Dime, no Stars Around Rim on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 1.3500

Weight (grains): 21

Size:

Composition: 89.20% Ag, 10.80% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0388

 

1838-1840

Seated Liberty Half Dime, Stars Around, No Drapery on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 1.3500

Weight (grains): 21

Size:

Composition: 89.20% Ag, 10.80% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0388

 

1840-1853

Seated Liberty Half Dime, Drapery added to Liberty's Left Elbow on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 1.3400

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition: 89.20% Ag, 10.80% Cu

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0388

 

1853-1855

Seated Liberty Half Dime, Arrows at Date on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 1.2300

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition:

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0362

1855-1859

Seated Liberty Half Dime, Arrows at Date Removed on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 1.2400

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition:

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0362

 

1860-1873S

Seated Liberty Half Dime, "United States of America" Replaced Stars on Obverse

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 1.2400

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition:

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.0362

Two and Three Cent Composition

1864-1873

Two Cent Copper

Designer: James Barton Longacre

Weight (grams): 6.221

Weight (grains):

Size: 23.00 mm

Composition: 95% Cu 5% Zn and Sn

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

Nicknames:

Varieties:  1864 Small and Large Letter Varieties; 1867 Double Die; 1871/1/1 (KF-3); 1873 closed 3

Notes: 

Further Resources:

 

1851-1873

Three Cent Silver

Designer: James Barton Longacre

Weight (grams): 0.8 g (1851–53); 0.75g (1854–73)

Weight (grains): 12.3 grain (1851-53); 11.6 (1854-73)

Size: 14 mm; 1.5 mm thick

Composition: 75% Ag, 25% Cu (1851–53); 90% Ag, 10% Cu (1854–73)

Total Silver Content (oz.):

1865-1889

Three Cent Nickel

Designer: James Barton Longacre

Weight (grams): 1.94

Weight (grains):

Size: 17.9 mm

Composition: Cu-Ni

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

Nickel Composition

1883-1913

Liberty 'V'  Nickels

Designer: James B. Longacre

Weight (grams): 5.000 Gram

Weight (grains):

Size: 21.2 mm

Composition: Cupro-Nickel

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

 

1913-1938

Buffalo Nickels

Designer: James Earle Fraser

Weight (grams): 5.000 Gram

Weight (grains):

Size: 21.2 mm

Composition: Cupro-Nickel

Total Silver Content (oz.):

 

1938-Current

Jefferson Nickels

Designer: Felix Schlag

Weight (grams): 5.000 Gram

Weight (grains):

Size: 21.2 mm

Composition: Cupro-nickel

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

 

1942-1945

[War Nickels]

Designer: Felix Schlag

Weight (grams): 5.000 Gram

Weight (grains):

Size: 21.2 mm

Composition: 0.350 Silver Cupro-Silver-Manganese

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.05626 oz.Ag

 

Each war time nickel contains 1.75 grams of silver; 18 coins make 1 ounce of silver, a 40 coin roll contains 2.25 ounces of silver.

Cent Composition

What is a 'Penny'?

1856-1858

Flying Eagle Cent

Designer:

Weight (grams): 4.67

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition:  88% Cu, 12% Ni.

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

 

1859-1863

Indian Head Cent

Designer:

Weight (grams):

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition:

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

Nicknames:

Varieties: 

Notes: 

 

 

1864-1909

Indian Head Cent

Designer:

Weight (grams): 3.11

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition: 95% Cu, 5% Sn, Zn

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

Composition:

 

Lincoln Cent

A post 1909 US 95% copper penny had a total weight of 48 grains.

1909-1942: 95% copper and 5% tin/zinc mixture.

1943: Zinc-coated steel; 2.7 grams

1944-1946 (and part of 1942): 95% copper and 5% zinc

1947-1961: 95% copper and 5% tin/zinc mixture.

1962-1982: 95% copper and 5% zinc

1982-Current: 2.5% Copper (Cu); 97.5% Zinc (Zn.) (official);

                        0.8% Copper (Cu); 99.2% Zinc (Zn.) (actual); 2.5 grams

Half Cent Composition

CANADIAN COINAGE

Canadian Dime Composition: Long live the Bluenose!

 

Years

Weight

Diameter

Thickness

Edge

Composition

2000–present

1.75 g

18.03 mm

1.22 mm

Plain

92.0% steel, 5.5% copper, 2.5% nickel plate

1979–1999

2.075 g

18.03 mm

 

 

99.9% nickel

1968–1978

2.07 g

18.03 mm

 

 

99.9% nickel  (*The Canadian Govt. actually paid vending machine operators half the cost of replacing coin mechanisms after this allow change).

1967–1968

2.33 g

18.034 mm

 

 

50% silver, 50% copper (* The 1967 dime was produced in both compositions; 50/50 and 80/20).

1920–1967

2.33 g

18.034 mm

 

 

80% silver, 20% copper

1910–1919

2.33 g

18.034 mm

 

 

92.5% silver, 7.5% copper

1858–1910

2.32 g

18.034 mm

 

 

92.5% silver, 7.5% copper

MEXICAN BULLION COMPOSITION

A Mexican "Ounza" is one troy ounce of gold.

A 50 peso coin is also called a Centenario and weighs 1.3396 troy oz. or 41.6666grams

Actual gold content is 1.2057 troy oz. or37.5gor 37.5 Grains of Gold [Oro in Spanish].

The diameter is 37.08mm with thickness of 2.69mm.

Minted first in 1921 to celebrate Mexico's 100th anniversary of independence, up until 1972. Most are re-truck coins using the date 1947.

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