How do you know if a coins is made of silver?

Question

Are all old quarters, dimes and nickles made of silver? I want to sell some as scrap silver. How old do that have to be?

Answer 1

If they are made of silver, they might be worth more to a collector as coins, then if they are sold as scrap.  You should take them to a coin shop and have them valued.

Get a coin collectors guide for the values.  They have them at the library.

Answer 2

They have a lighter, tinny sound when dropped on the counter.  You can usually tell if you drop another coin that is newer than the coins you suspect are silver to hear the difference.

Answer 3

They are lighter by weight. And they have a different sound if your drop it on the counter.  They are SILVER

Answer 4

Nickels are made of nickel except for the 1942-1945 which due to the war had a little silver in them 35%. Dimes, quarters and 1/2 dollars from 1964 and before are 90% silver. 1/2 dollars from 1965-1970 are 40% silver. Hope this helps.