Old Familiar Memories - Photo 147

Silver Coins

Silver coins are possibly the oldest mass-produced form of coinage. Silver has been used as a coinage metal since the times of the Greeks; their silver drachmas were popular trade coins. The ancient Persians used silver coins between 612-330 BC. Silver coins are possibly the oldest mass-produced form of coinage. Silver has been used as a coinage metal since the times of the Greeks; their silver drachmas were popular trade coins. The ancient Persians used silver coins between 612-330 BC. Dimes dated after 1964 are copper-nickel clad and contain no silver. Quarters are also clad, except for the bicentennial commemorative coins with an "S" mint mark that were produced for mint and proof sets. Kennedy half dollars from 1965 to 1970 were 40 percent silver composition. After 1970, all Kennedy halves were clad, except the same "S" bicentennial issue. The U.S. Mint restarted dollar production in 1971. Circulating Eisenhower dollars were clad. The 1971 through 1974 "S" coins were 40 percent silver, as well as a bicentennial "S" version.