They stopped making significant amounts of silver in circulating coins around 1946-1947 in the UK, and 1970 in the US, due to rising silver costs, switching to cheaper alloys like cupronickel for regular change, though some commemorative or special issues continued or were reintroduced later.
Before 1965, many circulating coins, including dimes and quarters, were struck with 90% fine silver. Today, these coins are struck with a clad composition, meaning they have a core and outer layer made of different metals.
When did they stop using silver in coins in the UK?
Silver was eliminated altogether in 1947, except for Maundy coinage, which returned to the pre-1920 92.5% silver composition. The 1816 weight/value ratio and size system survived the debasement of silver in 1920, and the adoption of token coins of cupronickel in 1947.
Pre-1947 silver coins (British) are valued primarily for their 50% silver content, making them worth significantly more than their face value, with prices fluctuating with the current silver market, but generally trading around 75-85% of their pure silver melt value, depending on dealer offers and the coin's specific type (crown, half-crown, florin, shilling, etc.). While pre-1920 coins contain higher 92.5% (sterling) silver, the post-1920 to 1946 coins contain 50% silver, with 1947 marking the end of silver in UK coinage.
The minting of silver coinage of the pound sterling ceased completely in 1946 for similar reasons, exacerbated by the costs of the Second World War. New "silver" coinage was instead minted in cupronickel, an alloy of copper and nickel containing no silver at all.
What Year Did the U.S. Mint Stop Putting Silver in Coins?
Why is 1965 quarter so rare?
The 1965 Washington quarter was the first US quarter not made of 90% pure silver. This transition from silver "hard money" to copper coinage resulted in the rare and valuable 1965 silver quarter—one of the most sought-after transitional error coins in American numismatics.
While you may be tempted to polish your coins to make them look shiny and new, proceed with caution. Polishing and/or cleaning coins can reduce their value. Older coins that show deep age coloration are more desirable than coins whose surfaces have been stripped away by improper polishing or cleaning.
L. 89–81, 79 Stat. 254, enacted July 23, 1965, eliminated silver from the circulating United States dime (ten-cent piece) and quarter dollar coins. It also reduced the silver content of the half dollar from 90 percent to 40 percent; silver in the half dollar was subsequently eliminated by a 1970 law.
Based on this assumption, we would pay you £1.51 for a pre-47 sixpence. How much is a pre-1947 shilling worth? A newly minted Shilling weighed 5.65 grams.
The higher a coin's grade, the higher its value is. The coin with the highest grade (MS 70) has no post-production imperfections at all. These days, 1965 quarters in circulated conditions are only worth up to $0.85. However, a mint 1965 quarter can be worth as much as $5,250.
Are silver coins worth selling? Yes, silver coins can be worth far more than their face value, especially if they contain high silver content, are pre-1965, or have collectible appeal. Coins with rare dates, low mintage, or excellent condition can command significant premiums from collectors and investors alike.
The better choice is based, in large part, on your goals. Silver bars tend to win on price efficiency and stacking simplicity. Coins tend to win on recognition, liquidity and resale flexibility. In a market where silver prices and premiums can change quickly, understanding those trade-offs matters.
If you believe your silver coins lack significant value beyond their silver content, selling them for melt value may be a quicker way to liquidate them. Even if a small premium applies to the coin, chasing additional value might not be worthwhile.
The key answer to the question 'why is silver cheaper than gold? ' is scarcity. Gold is much rarer than silver, and this imbalance in supply and demand between the two metals makes up the majority of the difference in their prices. However, both precious metals have significant value.
Coin cleaning is not advised as it can decrease the value of the coin , as it removes the coins patina , the surface of the coin which is sought out by collectors , particularly with ancient coins, as it shows the coins age and history.
Soaking coins in an acidic liquid such as vinegar or lemon juice will clean them, but the acid will also eat away at the coin's surface. Again, this method will reduce the value of collectible coins, so only use it on coins that are valued for their silver content.
The 'Bob' The term 'shilling' might be derived from a Roman coin called a solidus, or the old English term 'scield'. Eventually, it adopted the nickname 'bob', although quite why remains a mystery. There have been attempts to link its name to the famous politician Sir Robert Walpole.
The term "quid" for a British pound likely comes from Latin's "quid pro quo" (something for something/equal exchange), suggesting money as an equivalent, or potentially from Gaelic "mo chuid" (my share/possession), but its exact origin is uncertain, with other theories linking it to a paper mill or even tobacco, though the Latin link remains popular for its fitting meaning of exchange.
The farthing had actually stopped being minted fifteen years earlier in 1956, and it ceased to be legal tender in Britain on the 1st January 1961, but continued to be used in certain overseas territories until 1970.
