Silver Content Of World Coins

quote:

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Originally posted by scoutjim99

...I can think of canada used .500. .800..9999. etc. and I think they used other measurement as well .825. I migjht be wrong but you best reference would be Krause.

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Is it a tall order? I thought one could find anything on the Web....
I'm not interested in commems or bullion coins, just circulation pieces.

I don't have Krause, but I have a reference that sites Krause for Canadian currency:

Denomination Fineness ASW (oz)
Canada 10c 1920-67 .800 .06
Canada 25c 1920-67 .800 .15
Canada 50c 1920-67 .800 .30
Canada $1 1935-67 .800 .60
Canada 10c 1967-68 .500 .038
Canada 25c 1967-68 .500 .094

* The 1967 Candadian 10c and 25c were produced in both .800 and .500 fine.

Well, that's one country down. Anyone have the info for the UK, France or Mexico? If there is no web reference, we could make one.

Broadly: 20th century Europe and the Americas.
Most interested in UK, France, Mexico, Greece, and Turkey.

Thanks for your interest. An hour of surfing turned up nada. Key words just too common.

I know for the French coins there is a problem because the exchange was set at 15.5 ounces of silver to one ounce of gold
And at some times this did not fit with the nominal francs nomination on the coins

Ok, thanks...I'll pursue Krause

Some information I found for British coinage:

Silver Content of British Coins
This is intended as a brief answer to a number of frequently asked questions about the silver content of modern British coins, and the dates of change. A more detailed answer will follow.

Sterling
Since 1582, British silver coins have been composed of .925 fine silver, i.e. 925 parts silver per 1000, the balance being copper. this is known as sterling silver. This standard was maintained until 1919. Issues earlier than 1582 varied, and will be the subject of an expanded version of this page at a later date.

1920
In 1920, most British silver coins, the halfcrown, florin, and shilling, were debased to .500 fine, that is 50% silver, and 50% copper. Two denominations, the sixpence and threepence were struck in both alloys for 1920. All four maundy coins were still produced in sterling silver during 1920.

.500 Fine
From 1920 onwards, all British "silver" coins, with the exceptions noted above, were produced in .500 fine silver, that is 50% silver, alloyed with 50% copper, so that from 1921 to 1946 inclusive, they were all .500 fine.

1947 Onwards
From 1947 onwards, all the "silver" coins were reduced to being made in cupro-nickel, an alloy of copper and nickel. Interestingly, the maundy coins, which had been debased to .500 fine from 1921, were increased to sterling silver, and are still struck in this metal even today.

Proof Issues
Since 1972, certain proof issues have been produced in silver for sale at premium prices to collectors.

.999 Fine
The silver proof versions of the 1999 and 2000 millennium crowns were struck in "fine" silver of .999 fineness.

Well, for Turkey there weren't alot but there were some:

25 KURU#350; 19.00 1.10 3.00 Ag 83-Cu 14,5-Ni9-A 16 Reeded-Lettered 1935 1949 25 KURU#350;

50 KURU#350; 24.60 1.48 6.00 Ag 83-Cu 14,5 Ni 2,5 Reeded-Lettered 1935 1949 50 KURU#350;

50 KURU#350; 20.00 1.35 4.00 Ag 60-Cu 40 Reeded-Lettered 1947 1960 50 KURU#350;

100 KURU#350; 29.00 1.86 1.20 Ag 83-Cu 14,5-Ni 2,5 Reeded 1934 1942 100 KURU#350;

1 L#304;RA 25.00 1.50 7.50 Ag 60-Cu 40 Reeded 1947 1960 1 L#304;RA


The dates they were minted and the silver content are listed.

Thanks a lot, this is becoming a good resource :)