Silver dimes were first minted in the United States in 1796 and remained in circulation until the mid-1960s. During this time, millions of silver dimes were produced, and they are still popular among collectors and investors today due to their silver content.
To determine how many silver dimes it takes to make an ounce of silver, we first need to understand the silver content of these coins. Silver dimes minted between 1796 and 1837 contain 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper, while those minted between 1837 and 1964 contain 90% silver and 10% copper. This means that each silver dime contains approximately 0.0723 ounces of silver for coins minted between 1796 and 1837, and 0.07234 ounces of silver for coins minted between 1837 and 1964.
To determine the number of silver dimes required to make an ounce of silver, we need to divide the weight of an ounce of silver by the weight of each silver dime. An ounce of silver weighs approximately 28.35 grams, or 0.9115 troy ounces. Therefore, for silver dimes minted between 1796 and 1837, it would take approximately 12.39 silver dimes to make an ounce of silver, while for silver dimes minted between 1837 and 1964, it would take approximately 13.74 silver dimes to make an ounce of silver.
It’s important to note that the above calculations are based on the assumption that each silver dime is in perfect condition and has not been worn down over time. In reality, most silver dimes that have been in circulation will have lost some of their silver content due to wear and tear. This means that more silver dimes would be required to make an ounce of silver if the coins are not in perfect condition.
In addition to wear and tear, there are other factors that can affect the silver content of silver dimes. For example, some silver dimes may have been cleaned or polished, which can remove some of the silver from the coin’s surface. It’s also possible for silver dimes to be counterfeited, with some counterfeit coins containing little to no silver at all.
Overall, while it is possible to calculate how many silver dimes it takes to make an ounce of silver, the answer will depend on a number of factors, including the condition of the coins, the purity of the silver content, and any external factors that may have affected the coins over time. As such, it’s always important to carefully evaluate the silver content of any silver dimes you may be considering purchasing or investing in.