The cessation of silver coinage in common circulation marks a significant shift in monetary history. Specifically, in the United States, the elimination of silver from dimes, quarters, and half dollars occurred in 1965 with the passage of the Coinage Act. Prior to this, these coins were composed of 90% silver, offering inherent intrinsic value based on the precious metal content.
This decision arose due to a confluence of factors, including the increasing price of silver and the government’s need to conserve its silver reserves. Silver was deemed essential for industrial and military applications, and the cost of producing silver coinage was beginning to exceed the face value of the coins themselves, leading to economic impracticality. This transition fundamentally altered the nature of money, moving it further away from tangible commodity-backed currency.
