The Coinage Act of 1965, Pub. L. 89 -- 81, 79 Stat. 254, enacted July 23, 1965, eliminated silver from the circulating United States dime (ten - cent piece) and quarter dollar coins. It also reduced the silver content of the half dollar from 90 percent to 40 percent; silver in the half dollar was subsequently eliminated by a 1970 law.
when did the us government stop using silver in coins
July 23, 1965 1970