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How Can I Be Sure My Coin Is Silver?

All United States of America half dollars, quarters and dimes minted in 1964 or earlier were minted in silver. Half dollars minted in 1965 through 1970 were minted using a little less than 50 percent silver. The test to verify that a coin is in fact silver requires you to perform a chemical test. The test is fairly simple but you will have to purchase all of the testing supplies, which will cost approximately $35.

Things You'll Need

Test stone
Silver testing solution
Paper towel
Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

Scratch Coin
- 1
  Firmly grip the coin between your thumb and index finger. Vigorously scratch the edge of the coin on the test stone until you have a silver mark 1 to 2 inches long.
- 2
  Hold the silver testing solution bottle approximately 1 inch above the test stone. Remove the top and turn it over, applying one drop of silver testing solution on the silver mark you scratched on the stone in Step 1.
- 3
  Observe the solution you placed on the scratch mark and note the color. It will turn dark red if your coin is silver because of the chemical reaction of the solution with the silver.
- 4
  Double over the paper towel twice and wipe the silver testing solution off of the stone without letting the solution touch your skin.

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