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 Replies: 10 / Views: 12,946 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
815 Posts |
I run across this issue from time to time with US and British coins, where two versions of a coin exist, one in silver, one in cupronickel.
Asside from a density test, is there a practical way to tell the difference?
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
for the US: 1964 was the last year for silver coins in circulation, except for half dollars that were 40% silver from 1965-1970.
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
almost forgot about Eisenhower dollars 1971-S through 1976-S had 40% silver and clad versions. Weight is the easiest way to tell between them. Edited by Fuzzy317
09/13/2012 12:42 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
538 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
The easiest way?
comparative ring tone testing.
Silver is denser than copper nickel, and for the same weight, the silver coin needs to be thinner.
In a comparative ring tone test, the silver coin is lower pitched.
If you have a single coin, the easist way is just to look it up in Krause, where the ASW is given for all silver coins.
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Pillar of the Community
Philippines
1156 Posts |
if its new or in EF -it's the sheen of the metal, cupro nickel is dull white while silver has that great sheen if it's uncleaned, really uncleaned as in submerged in salt or river water- silver is the one coated with black residue while the cupro nickel simply corrodes and if its that expensive to buy- best get a krausse or buy a book reference about it, a simple mistake can put you back by $100 if it's a nice silver crown that turns out to be cupro nickel hope that helps  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
For US coins the easiest method is to purchase a copy of the Red Book and just look up the coin. For example on pagee 135, for Nickels, there is a explanation of the content for the Silver Alloy ones. Other explanations are also on pages 135 and 136 for the Copper Nickel ones. Same for all US coins. Much easier than bouncing them, weighing them, etc. |
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Moderator
United States
187690 Posts |
Quote:Search for the tissue test on the forum here. No need to search for it. Just typing " tissue test" will cause the forum to automatically link it.  |
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Valued Member
United States
339 Posts |
when I'm at work I can tell just by looking in my register and moving the coins around quickly to avoid managers thinking I'm planning on stealing.
if I see from the obverse and reverse sides I can usually tell the silver by looking at it.
you can also tell by weight, holding it in your hands if youre used to handling a lot of change youd easily be able to tell the difference.
the silver coins dont have the copper band going around the edge.
you can also tell by the sound they make when you drop them on a table or cling them together with other coins.
i dont know about british coins though
half dollars, quarters, and dimes before 1964 are 90% and with the half dollars 1965-1970 are 40%
world war 2 era nickels are 35% silver
Edited by xAGENTxMULDERx
09/17/2012 8:57 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Concentrated nitric acid will do the trick. Copper nickel coins are eaten away faster. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Concentrated nitric acid will do the trick.
Copper nickel coins are eaten away faster. Although true, you must remember not easily purchased. However, an Arc Welder's Torch will melt the Silver Ones faster. But remember that not all Arc Welders produce the same temperature. Butane torches just don't do the same though. |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 12,946 |
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Posted 09/13/2012 12:32 am
