Are Bicentennial Dollars Silver?
The United States Bicentennial, celebrated in 1976, marked the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. To commemorate this significant milestone, the U.S. government issued a series of coins, including the Bicentennial dollars. Many coin collectors and enthusiasts have often wondered whether these Bicentennial dollars are made of silver. In this article, we will explore the composition of these coins and answer the question once and for all.
The Bicentennial dollars were minted in three different compositions: copper-nickel clad, silver-clad, and 40% silver. The copper-nickel clad coins, which make up the majority of the circulation, consist of a copper core plated with a nickel layer. The silver-clad coins, on the other hand, have a copper core plated with a silver layer. The 40% silver coins are composed of 40% silver and 60% copper.
The 40% silver Bicentennial dollars are the ones that are often referred to as “silver dollars.” These coins contain .7734 ounces of silver, which is more than the .7734 ounces of silver found in the famous Peace Silver Dollar. However, the 40% silver Bicentennial dollars are not as highly valued as the Peace Silver Dollar due to their higher mintage and the fact that they are no longer legal tender.
The silver-clad Bicentennial dollars, which are also known as “silver-plated dollars,” have a silver plating over the copper core. These coins are not made entirely of silver, but they do contain a significant amount of the precious metal. The silver-plated Bicentennial dollars have a thickness of .002 inches of silver, which is more than the .0015 inches of silver found in the silver-clad Kennedy half dollars.
The copper-nickel clad Bicentennial dollars, which are the most common, do not contain any silver. These coins are primarily made of copper and nickel, with a thin layer of copper plated over the nickel core. While they do not contain silver, they are still of interest to collectors and can be worth more than face value due to their rarity and historical significance.
In conclusion, the answer to the question “Are Bicentennial dollars silver?” is yes, but it depends on the specific composition of the coin. The 40% silver Bicentennial dollars are indeed made of silver, while the silver-clad and copper-nickel clad coins contain silver plating or silver composition but are not entirely made of silver. Collectors and enthusiasts should be aware of the different compositions when appraising the value of their Bicentennial dollar collections.
