Intro to Gold & Silver

Countries around the world all have had their standard iconic coin. For the United States of America we have gone through multiple examples.

They started as silver with the first issue 1794 flowing hair dollar made of 90% silver 10 % copper and weighing 27 grams a recipe that would stay relatively the same give or take some grams on the weight with the Morgan weighing 27.3 grams and the peace dollar coming a little under at 26.73

Then becoming not silver with the later issues of the Eisenhower dollar some being 40% silver but only from mint proof sets and later renditions like Susan b Anthony and Sacagawea being completely clad.


Clad is a term used to refer to a mix of metals not a specific mix of copper nickel iron but that has those elements in layers and clad is never precious metal. It’s purposefully a cheap mix of layers of these elements to make coins like the quarter, dime or penny and modern dollars. Layering these elements together also creates a stronger coin almost impossible to break or bend. This property is directly linked to each element having different melting points and all together an even higher TTR.

Nickels are left out of that equation completely as they are created out of copper and nickel mix referred to as cupronickel. That is why the smell, color and feel is more dense.

Depending on the proportions mixed together (much like with gold chains and jewelry) when something is more copper based it will turn a more brown hue color like rose gold. Adding Nickel or palladium to gold creates a brighter result even a more white gold effect. Palladium is the more expensive option as it is also on the list of desirable precious metals. For strength and color they may also add zinc or copper. 

That is how most coins may have the same composition of elements but will present and look very differently. Different proportions and mixtures create different colors and appearances.