The query concerns the composition of United States five-cent pieces produced in 1964, specifically questioning whether they contain silver. The standard composition of these coins during that period was primarily copper and nickel. As an example, one might ask: “Are these particular coins made of silver, or are they composed of base metals?”
Understanding the metallic content of coinage is important for collectors, investors, and those interested in numismatics. The presence of precious metals like silver significantly increases a coin’s intrinsic value beyond its face value. Historical context reveals that rising silver prices led to the removal of silver from most circulating U.S. coinage after 1964. This change impacts the value and collectibility of coins from that era.