What are modern coins made of?

You’ve probably looked at your coins and wondered “what is this made of?” We all know precious metals left our coinage years ago, but what are U.S. coins made of now?

At one time, our coins were made of gold, and silver!

Now it’s a bit different, the United States’ coinage has switched to a composition of different metals.  This was mainly due to the rising costs of precious metals.  The Mint needed to make the cost of producing coins cheaper.

So what metals do they use in coins instead? 

Let’s start with the penny.

What is a Penny Made of?

• 97.5% Zinc and 2.5% Copper.  Weighs 2.5 grams.

The penny has gone through many compositional changes throughout its lifespan. The cent was first produced in 1793, this was the Flowing Hair cent and it caused quite a stir amongst the public.  People felt that this portrayal of Liberty made her look scraggly and frightful. 

These first cents were made of 100% copper until 1837 when the composition changed to bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc).  In 1857, it changed yet again to 88% copper and 12% nickel. From 1864 to 1982 the penny was made from bronze, with the exception of the 1943 penny, which was made of zinc-coated steel. 

And finally, the last change to the one cent piece happened in 1982 and it became the penny we know today, made of copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper). 

What is a Nickel Made of?

• 25% Nickel and 75% Copper.  Weighs 5 grams.

The nickel was first minted in 1792, but it wasn’t called a nickel then, it was called a half disme (actually pronounced “deem”), although most Americans were unsure of how to pronounce the French word and the s was dropped from the word a few years later. They were made of pure silver until 1866 when the nickel as we know it came into existence.

The composition of the modern nickel has stayed mostly the same since 1866 at 25% nickel, and 75% copper.  Despite being made of more copper than nickel, the nickname “nickel” stuck.

Now I said “mostly” the same, that means there are some variants.  You’re probably familiar with them, the silver war nickels.

From 1942-1945, nickel and copper were needed for the war efforts and during this time, the Mint took nickel out of the composition and essentially replaced it with silver!  These nickels are made of 35% pure silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese.  After 1945, the mint resumed producing nickels made of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

What is a Dime Made of?

• 91.67% Copper and 8.33% Nickel.  Weighs 2.268 grams.

The dime was first minted in 1796, these are commonly referred to as the “Draped Bust” dime, it shows a portrayal of Lady Liberty on the obverse (the front), facing right, and an eagle on the reverse of the coin. 

These dimes were made of mainly silver, mixed with some copper as well.  The dime was about 90% silver all the way until 1964!

Unfortunately 1964 is the year all silver in U.S. coinage ended.  Since then, the dime is made of a composition of metals called “cupro-nickel”, this composition is 91.67% copper, and 8.33% nickel.

Some of the more popular silver dimes you probably know of are the Mercury head dimes, and of course any Roosevelt dime before the year 1964.  Not all years are worth numismatic value, but they are at least worth their silver content!

What is a Quarter Made of?

• 91.67% Copper and 8.33% Nickel.   Weighs 5.67 grams.

The quarter was another coin that was first minted in 1796, in the Draped Bust design, just like the dime.  These quarters were also made of silver until 1964.  From 1965 to present day, the quarter is made up of about 92% copper and about 8% nickel.

The Washington quarter was made of 90% silver from its first release in 1932 to 1964, so if you find a quarter from those years, you’ve got a silver coin on your hands!  An easy way to tell if it's a silver coin is the edge will be silver all the way through with no sign of copper color. The modern quarters are made on a copper core so if you look at the edges, you can see the copper.