Five checks for the coin in your hand
- Read the denomination. Is it a dime, quarter, half dollar, dollar, gold denomination, or special collector strike?
- Check the full date. For ordinary U.S. dime and quarter circulation issues, 1964 is the key cutoff for 90% silver. Half dollars have their own 1964 and 1965–1970 rules.
- Locate the mint mark. Its location varies by design. On war nickels, the prominent mark above Monticello is a vital silver-alloy indicator.
- Inspect the edge. Many later clad dimes and quarters show a copper-colored band, but edge inspection alone does not authenticate a coin.
- Compare reliable photographs and measurements. Record weight, diameter and any distinctive design features. Do not clean a potentially valuable piece.
A coin’s date is not always enough: 1976-S, proof, collector, and silver-clad issues can overlap with visually similar non-silver coins. Use the exact issue and finish, not a guess.
What if it looks rare?
Set it aside before using a bulk-metal estimate. Photograph both sides and the edge, document where it came from, and compare it with established numismatic references. Professional appraisal or grading may be worthwhile for rare or disputed examples. This site does not authenticate coins from photos.
Where should I begin?
Search our coin library by year or denomination. If you have an unsorted jar, use the collection calculator only after determining the correct composition for each group.