COIN COLLECTING
Tools, Resources & More
Welcome to CoinCollectingTools.com – Your go-to digital resource for numismatic collecting. Whether you're working on your first album, or tracking down rarities & key dates, our site offers the tools you need to elevate your hobby. Instantly access dates and mintages, printable checklists, guides recommendations and more - all completely free.
This site and all of its content was built by collectors for collectors. Bookmark CoinCollectingTools.com for reliable & accurate information, expert tips, and a connected community on social media. Follow us on YouTube & TikTok @CentsMakeDollars to make sure you never miss a new online resource designed to sharpen your knowledge and collecting strategies.
Which U.S. Coins Are Silver?
Historically, the United States & other countries have produced circulating coinage containing silver. In the U.S. these coins can be identified by their dates and denominations - all half-dollars (50c), quarters (25c) and dimes (10c) produced prior to the year 1965 are made of 90% silver. After discontinuing these higher purity coins, Kennedy half-dollars minted from 1965 - 1970 were made with a 40% silver alloy. Additionally, Jefferson nickels minted from 1942 - 1945, nicknamed ‘wartime nickels’, were made with a 35% silver alloy to save copper for the war efforts. These are all constitutional silver coins, commonly referred to as ‘junk silver’.
For a quick reference, use the chart below to identify the U.S. coins made with silver, sorted by denomination and years of production.
DENOMINATION
Three-Cents
Three-Cents
Nickels
Half-Dimes
Dimes
Twenty-Cents
Quarters
Half-Dollars
Half-Dollars
Dollar Coins
Dollar Coins
YEARS
1851 - 1853
1854 - 1873
1942 - 1945
1792 - 1873
1769 - 1964
1875 - 1878
1796 - 1964
1794 - 1964
1965 - 1970
1794 - 1935
1971 - 1974
SILVER CONTENT
75%
90%
35%
90%
90%
90%
90%
90%
40%
90%
40%
90% Silver
1943 Washington Quarter
Original Vintage Design
40% Silver
1976-S Washington Quarter
Bicentennial Design
In Recent News…
Major announcements, new releases, mintage updates, auction results and more!
The United States Mint will produce 250,000 Semiquincentennial 2026 Declaration of Independence Quarters featuring a special “July 4th" privy mark in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Bearing no mint mark, these unique quarters will be placed randomly into circulation, offering Americans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to discover a piece of history in everyday transactions.
“This is more than a coin; it’s a defining moment in our nation’s story,” said Mint Director Paul Hollis. “We hope Americans enjoy the search for these iconic quarters as they’re meant to be shared, saved, and remembered as part of this historic anniversary.” - “This is more than a coin; it’s a defining moment in our nation’s story,” said Mint Director Paul Hollis. “We hope Americans enjoy the search for these iconic quarters as they’re meant to be shared, saved, and remembered as part of this historic anniversary.” - Source: United States Mint Press Release, June 23, 2026.
Why I Built This Site
Coin collecting is a hobby built on history, patience, and attention to detail. This site and it’s add-ons exist to provide digital resources and tools designed specifically for coin collectors and stackers.
I myself am a lifelong collector, an amateur treasure hunter drawn to shiny things and tangible objects of value. My earliest memories of collectable coins come from my father returning home from work with small handfuls of change from around the world. He worked for a large engineering company with offices all over the globe, and his coworkers would return from international trips saying - “hey Chris, your son collects things right? Would he want these leftover Euro coins?”. I would excitedly receive these gifts and toss them in my treasure chest, with no clue that this was molding my future hobby…Click HERE to read more!
My first true collection where I chased down each date & mint mark for a coin series - Lincoln Wheat Cents.
The first silver dollar I ever purchased - the 1922 Peace Dollar.What is a Type Set?
In coin collecting, a type set is a curated collection that includes one example of each major design or ‘type coin’ rather than collecting every date and mint mark. It’s a fun and rewarding way to explore the history of U.S. coinage without the overwhelming challenge (and cost) of completing full series.
For example, a U.S. one-cent coin type set might include:
A Flying Eagle Cent (1856–1858)
An Indian Head Cent (1859–1909)
A Lincoln Wheat Cent (1909–1958)
A Lincoln Memorial Cent (1959–2008)
A Lincoln Shield Cent (2010–present)
Numismatic collectors build type sets to appreciate the evolution of designs, metal compositions, and minting technology. It’s like watching U.S. history unfold through the changes in our coinage.
Type sets can be as broad or specific as you want:
U.S. Type Set (1793–present): Includes one of each major U.S. coin design.
20th Century Type Set: Focuses only on coins issued from 1900–1999.
Building a type set encourages learning about rare transitions, short-lived issues, and design changes you might otherwise overlook. It’s also a more approachable goal for new collectors who want variety without needing to chase dozens of mint mark / date combinations.
At CoinCollectingTools.com, we support type set collectors with a variety of printable checklists, completely for FREE.
Coin Collecting Is Still Growing in 2026
Coin collecting is far from a dying hobby — in fact, it’s entering a new phase of growth. Auction records are repetitively shattered, mainstream news is covering major error coins, and long-time collectors are taking to social media to share their treasures & knowledge.
Many people inherit collections which are tucked into drawers, forgotten about — or worse, taken to the bank and cashed in for face value. Collectible coins are slipping through the cracks simply because people don’t recognize their worth.
That’s where modern guides — like the ones offered here — are making a difference. Younger collectors, armed with smartphones and curiosity, are discovering the thrill of the hunt: checking change, searching rolls, identifying mint marks, and watching auction sales skyrocket for coins once thought ordinary.
Coin collecting isn’t just about old men with magnifying glasses anymore. It’s about storytelling, history, economics, and sharp observation. It’s a hobby that builds real-world knowledge and long-term goals.
At CoinCollectingTools.com, we believe the next generation will carry this tradition forward — not just by preserving coins, but by understanding them.