can someone tell me the last year that the mints used silver in nickels and dimes?

[robzombie852]

thanks.

[Metalman]

Hi Rob

In the Business strike or coins struck for circulation, 1964 was the last year that silver was used in dimes there composition was this .900 silver .100 copper net weight .07234 oz. pure silver,

Nickels only contained silver for a few years when a shortage of nickel for the war effort caused silver to be added to the coins known as a wartime alloy 56% copper 35% silver and 9% manganese,, the years that these nickels were minted were the later part of 1942 thru 1945 they are easily recognised by the very large mint marks above the dome of monticello on the reverse.

Just as a note of interest these nickels were the first coins to have a P for the philadelphia mint placed on them which indicated the change in alloy to include silver.

Silver dimes are still produced but are only available in the silver proof sets available from the mint .

Rick

[robzombie852]

thnk you. i just realized i could have looked in my redbook.lol