United States dimes manufactured with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper were produced for general circulation until 1964. This alloy gave these coins a distinct intrinsic value derived from their precious metal content. The presence of silver significantly influenced their collectibility and historical significance.
The decision to eliminate silver from circulating coinage stemmed from rising silver prices in the early 1960s. Continuing to produce coins with a high silver content became economically unsustainable, leading to the Coinage Act of 1965. This legislation authorized the replacement of silver in dimes and quarters with a clad composition of copper and nickel, effectively removing the intrinsic value previously associated with them.