Are all U.S. Coins Clad?
Almost all current United States coins are clad. Of the current circulating U.S. coins, the only coin which is not clad is the Nickel.
What is a Clad Coin?
Cladding is the act of bonding different metals together. This is done by extruding two metals through a die and pressing sheets together in layers.
Clad coins have multiple layers of silver-colored metals around a metal core of a different metal. Most U.S. coins contain a copper core coated in a mixture of metals like zinc and nickel that have a silver appearance.
When Did American Coinage Become Clad?
The first clad coins the American Mint issued were in 1965. Because of the rising cost of silver, a coin shortage, and the risk of seigniorage, Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1965, and began minting coins using other metals.
This elimination of silver from dimes and quarters led to a reduction of the silver content of the silver half-dollar from 90% to 40%. This would not affect the silver dollar’s composition, but future silver dollars were postponed until 1970 by this act.
What is the Composition of Current U.S. Coins?
The present composition of U.S. coins is as follows:
All dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars are made with a copper core.
Cents, or pennies, are made from a copper plated zinc core. Their composition is 2.5% copper with the balance in zinc.
Nickels are 25% nickel and 75% copper.
Dimes, quarters, and half dollars contain 8.33% nickel and the balance in copper.
Dollar coins have a copper core and are composed of 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel.
No matter what era of rare U.S. coins draws your attention, APMEX has a wide selection to browse today.
