German silver: This silver-colored metal actually contains no silver at all. It is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc. It will not polish to the high shine possible with silver alloys. Marks include German Silver and E.P.N.S (electroplated nickel silver).
None. Please don't assume that all pre-1965 coins contained silver. Except during WWII, US nickels never contained silver - they've always been 75% copper alloyed with 25% nickel. From 1942 to 1945 special "war nickels" were made that contained about a gram of silver, because nickel was needed for the war effort. A 1964 U.S. nickel contains 0% silver. Only nickels issued from 1942 thru 1945 (known collectively as 'war nickels' and distinguished by their large mint marks, hovering over Monticello on the reverse) contained any silver, 35% by weight.
Both silver and nickel 5-cent pieces were made in 1942. The ones that contain silver have a large P or S mint mark over the dome of Monticello. Please post new question with the location of the letters you see.
None. Please don't assume that all pre-1965 coins contained silver. Except during WWII, US nickels never contained silver - they've always been 75% copper alloyed with 25% nickel. From 1942 to 1945 special "war nickels" were made that contained about a gram of silver, because nickel was needed for the war effort. A 1964 U.S. nickel contains 0% silver. Only nickels issued from 1942 thru 1945 (known collectively as 'war nickels' and distinguished by their large mint marks, hovering over Monticello on the reverse) contained any silver, 35% by weight.
No. The only U.S. nickels that contain any silver are those dated 1942-1945, as nickel (the metal) was needed for the war effort. They are distinguished by the large mint marks on the reverse side, above Monticello. All nickels before and after contain a blend of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
Nickels minted before 1965 contained 35% silver and 56% copper, so they have some silver content. However, they are not made entirely of silver like dimes, quarters, and half dollars from that era which were 90% silver.
All circulation-strike quarters dated 1965 and later are made of copper-nickel, not silver. 1967 quarters don't have mint marks and there are no major varieties, so anything that you find in change will only be worth 25¢.
Real sterling silver should be stamped with a hallmark such as "925" or "Sterling" to indicate its purity. You can also use a magnet to test its authenticity, as sterling silver is not magnetic. Additionally, rubbing a white cloth against the metal should leave black marks, called tarnish, which is a sign of genuine silver.
No. If you're referring to proof coins 1968-present, no cent or nickels have any silver. Then with dimes, quarters, and half dollars, look at the edge of the coin. A copper/nickel clad proof coin will show a ring of copper, same as any P or D versions. A silver proof won't have that, and it will also be heavier. Meanwhile, all dimes, quarters, halves, and dollars before 1965 contain silver, for all mint marks.
There can't be a 1966-S nickel because the Mint didn't use any mint marks from 1965 to 1967.
5 Pfennig coins are small and made of brass-clad iron or of bronze; five Mark coins are big and made either of silver or cupro-nickel.
25 cents. Mint marks weren't put on any US coins struck during 1965-67 due to the changeover from silver to copper-nickel composition.