Historic Coin Production | Mint
Apr 22, 2021 · In 1962 tin was eliminated, and in 1982 the penny became primarily zinc with only % copper. Silver coins (half dime, dime, quarter, half dollar, dollar) originally consisted of a fineness of .8924, changing to .900 in 1837. In 1866, the new fivecent coin became the first to eliminate silver with a new composition of copper and nickel.