Clad coins are a form of currency comprised of two different metals. The first metal is gold, silver, or platinum, and the second is one of three types; nickel, copper, or zinc. These coins can be used as legal tender in the United States! So what exactly does .999 silver clad mean? Let’s dive into this question and learn more about it:
What Does .999 Silver Clad Mean?
A .999 silver-clad coin is a coin that’s made of a base metal core, usually made of nickel, that has been covered in pure silver. The U.S. Mint used to produce 90% silver content on their Kennedy half-dollars before 1965, but due to the price of silver going up, they decided to make it 40% from 1956-1969. This is one of the reasons why collectors seek silver-clad coins due to their rarity.
Are Silver Clad and Clad Coins the Same?
A clad coin has an outer layer of copper and nickel bonded to its surface, whereas a silver-clad coin has an outer layer of .999 fine silver bonded to its surface. This means that all silver denominations in .999 fine are called “silverclads” or “silver-clad coins.”
What is the Difference Between a Silver Clad and a Clad Coin?
- Sound – A silver-clad coin makes high pitch noises when dropped, while clad coins produce a dull sound when dropped.
- Appearance – Since clad coins are usually made with copper, they tend to be more of a copper color when they age, and silver-clad coins tend to tarnish over time.
- Weight – Silver-clad coins are way heavier than clad coins due to their silver content.
- Edge – Clad coins tend to have different toned edges due to the copper-toned core, while silver-clad coins do not have a different color on their edges.
Are Silver Clad Coins More Valuable than Clad Coins?
Silver coins are much more valuable than clad coins due to their silver content. Since silver coins have a purity of 90% silver, they are much more likely to be more valuable than clad coins. That’s why collectors seek these kinds of coins due to their value.
Where to Buy Silver Clad Coins
- Buy from a reputable seller. Scammers are always on the prowl, so be careful when making online purchases.
- Look for a seller with good ratings and reviews from previous customers. It’s also important that the seller has a good return policy.
- Ask for free shipping on top of competitive pricing options such as coupons/discount codes whenever possible.
Before you go…
Buying silver-clad coins is a simple process. The best place to start is with a reputable coin dealer, like APMEX or Coin World Mints. I hope this article helped you answer your questions on silver-clad coins! Happy collecting!
Check out my next article: “What are Clad Coins? Should You Collect Them?“
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