How to Tell Silver Coins From Nickel Coins

Rub your thumb over a grubby section of the coin. If the coin is made of silver, some of the grubbiness should transfer to your skin because silver oxidizes in the air, creating a loose black residue that is easily dislodged. Nickel tarnishes in a different way; any dirt or discoloration will be ingrained.

Inspect the coin for wear under a jeweler's loupe. Because silver is a soft metal, any wear will manifest itself as a blurring of details such as hair and facial features and the edges of any lettering. By contrast, a worn nickel or cupro-nickel coin will have a pitted appearance.

Find a modern coin of similar size to the one you are examining, bearing in mind that this modern coin will almost certainly be made of base metal. Compare the weights of the two coins in your hand. Silver is heavier than nickel and most other base metals. If both coins feel about the same weight, then they are probably both base metal -- i.e., nickel, copper or a combination of the two. If the coin under investigation feels much heavier, then it is almost certainly made of silver. With very small coins, you might need to carry out this test on a set of scales, but with a dollar-sized coin the difference should be obvious.

Check if the coin bears a date. If that date is prior to World War II, then work on the assumption that the coin is silver, unless steps 1 to 3 suggest otherwise. If the date is post-World War II, expect the coin to be nickel, unless the evidence suggests otherwise. This is not a strict rule, but a useful guide when out in the field.