The cessation of silver usage in circulating coinage represents a significant shift in monetary policy and material composition. Prior to a specific date, many nations, including the United States, incorporated silver into their dimes, quarters, half dollars, and sometimes dollars, lending them intrinsic value based on the precious metal content.
The decision to eliminate silver from these coins was driven primarily by economic factors. Rising silver prices threatened to make the face value of the coins less than their melt value, leading to potential hoarding and disruption of commerce. The change also facilitated the stabilization of currency and the management of national debt in a changing global market.
