Learn What Metals U.S. Coins are Made of
The change in your pocket could be worth more than you think. U.S. coins have changed their composition considerably from the post-colonial founding to now. They’ve used various alloys or even pure metal compositions. The one thing for sure is that the value of the metals used isn’t what it used to be. Coins must be durable to stand up to being carried around in people’s pockets. They have to be malleable enough to accept the die stamp.
Current U.S. coins are made of similar metals to each other. Each coin has a distinct metallurgic history. The Coinage Act of 1792 initially established percentages, sizes, and designs, and in this crucial document, each minted coin was specified to have a certain amount of valuable metal. That was the basis for its value. From pennies to dollars, they were each a different weight and size. However, the Coinage Act of 1792 has been updated many times, and the metallic content of our coinage continues to change and evolve.
There have been other denominations (including 2 cent, 3 cent, 20 cent and half cent). Still, by and large, the smaller denominations of U.S. coinage have stayed the same: dollar, half dollar, quarter dollar, dime, nickel (or half dime), and penny.
Dollars and Half Dollars
The earliest dollar coins were struck beginning in 1794 and were produced until 1935. For durability, these coins were made of 90% fine silver mixed with 10% copper. Gold dollar coins were struck from 1849 to 1889 and were all comprised of 90% fine gold mixed with 10% copper to improve the life span of the coins by making them more durable. After these coins were produced, there was no circulating dollar coin until 1971, when the Eisenhower dollar was struck.
The Eisenhower was struck from 1971 to 1978, succeeded by the Susan B. Anthony Dollar from 1979 to 1999. Unlike earlier dollar coins, the Eisenhower (in circulating form) and Susan B. Anthony were made from cupro-nickel, a mixture of copper and nickel commonly used in the coinage.
Sacajawea Dollars came after the Susan B. Anthony strike from 2000 to 2008. Newer dollar coins, including the Sacajawea, Native American, Presidential, and American Innovation dollars, were created with copper cores covered in manganese brass. This gave them a shiny metallic look, but the coin wore down faster than expected, and these tend to lose their luster quickly.
The American Innovation Dollar coins were first struck in 2018 and are currently being minted, though they aren’t in circulation. The Native American Dollar series began in 2009 and continues today. The Presidential dollar coins were first struck in 2007. They are currently minted and will continue to be minted into the future after the death of a President.
All dollar coins stopped being minted for circulation in 2011 but are still available for collectors. Sacajawea, Native American, and Presidential dollar coins are not commonly circulated but can occasionally be found in banks or older vending machines and are more common in overseas U.S. territories.
Half dollars were made of similar materials to earlier dollar coins, with silver being the primary metal and copper gradually taking up more of the composition through the Kennedy half dollar, which was entirely cupro-nickel. The earliest half dollars from 1794 through 1836 were struck from roughly 89% fine silver and 11% copper. Beginning in 1837 and continuing through 1964, all half-dollar coins were 90% fine silver and 10% copper.
Quarters
The current quarter comprises a cupro-nickel alloy layered over a copper core. Because of the coin construction, it comes out to about 8.33% nickel, and the rest is copper. You can see the orange wearing through on the edges on well-worn examples of circulating quarters.
Before 1964, all silver-colored coinage in your pocket changed to 90% silver. When the supplies of silver began to run low due to the rise in prices in 1965, the U.S. government had to find an alternative, and it authorized the cupro-nickel blend we see today.
Dimes
Originally called the “disme” in the Coinage Act of 1792, the dime kept its original 90% silver and 10% copper format through 1964. At that point, it became the same 8.33% cupro-nickel alloy from which most other U.S. coinage is made.
Nickels
The original 5-cent coins were called half-dimes and have been around since the original Coinage Act, but they weren’t called “nickels” until they were re-established in 1866 as a base metal coin primarily comprised of nickel. These have a higher nickel concentration than other cupro-nickel coins, a holdover from their initial design, at 25% nickel and the rest copper. Some silver issue nickels from the World War II years contain 35% silver, as nickel was an essential material during the war and was needed for the war effort.
Pennies and Cents
The penny has gone through more different alloys than any other U.S. coin. Originally established as a 100% copper coin, it has seen the proportions of other metals involved change drastically at various times in its history. It was issued in 1943 as a steel coin, again to help the war effort during World War II.
Today’s pennies are almost entirely made of zinc with a light layer of copper on the surface.
Other Coins
$2.50 Quarter Eagle coins, $5.00 Half Eagles, $10.00 Eagles, and $20.00 Double Eagles were gold denominations used at various points in American history until 1933. The Gold Eagle coin’s new version differs in composition and weight from the originals. These new coins were first struck in 1986. The Gold Eagle issues comprise 90% fine gold and 10% copper and have been struck in 1/10 ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1/2 ounce, and 1 ounce denominations and sizes. These are the most popular non-circulating U.S. bullion coinage, but other examples of precious metal coins, including Gold Buffalo and America the Beautiful quarters, are available. Non-circulating coins still have a face value but aren’t used as legal tender due to the spot prices of the metal being far greater than the face value of the coin.
Most modern circulating American coinage is made of cupro-nickel, with the penny’s copper-clad zinc and the higher nickel content of the nickel coin standing apart. These coins are more durable, attractive, and cost-effective than precious metal alternatives.
The Bottom Line
The evolution of U.S. coin composition reflects a dynamic history of metallurgy and economic considerations. From the Coinage Act of 1792 to the present day, the metals used in U.S. coins have undergone significant changes, with various alloys and compositions adapting to durability and economic factors. The journey from precious metals like silver and gold to the current cupro-nickel blends and zinc-coated pennies highlights the nation’s ability to innovate in response to changing circumstances. While the metallic content has shifted, the importance of understanding the materials that make up our coins remains, providing us with a fascinating glimpse into the historical and economic forces shaping the coins in our pockets today.
