The composition of these coins, minted by the United States, is not uniformly silver across their entire production history. Specifically, those produced before 1965 are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. Dimes produced after this date are made of a clad metal consisting of outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a core of pure copper.
The significance of the pre-1965 coins lies in their intrinsic metal value, which fluctuates with the market price of silver. This aspect makes them attractive to collectors and those interested in precious metal investments. Furthermore, these coins offer a tangible connection to a bygone era when U.S. currency contained a substantial silver component.