Why not 90% silver anymore?

Why does the mint no longer use 90% silver in their silver offerings?

Would any of you prefer 90% silver over the current .999? Why or why not?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Would you prefer 85% "gasoline" fuel, with the remaining 25% corn syrup?

Savvy?

 

Purists would likely say they prefer the 90% as it was the purity used in classical U.S. coinage. With the outrageous prices the mint is charging now, I am glad that they moved to the .999 purity. At least you are getting more precious metal content. I do think the mint used the increased purity to justify raising their prices.

 

Nobody else in the world uses 0.900 fine. It is actually cheaper - even with the extra silver content - to use 0.999 fine.

 

I have no idea. But for old coinage, maybe it's better that it was only 90% silver. The other 10% copper might have given it a longer shelf life through circulation? I don't know, maybe the experts can answer that one.

 

That's what I remember reading at the time. It was getting tougher for the Mint to source the 90% stock. And with today's astronomical premiums over melt for silver and gold issues, it's not like they're going to lose money as a result.

 

The remaining would be 15%, arithmetic major.

 

I will reply to your thought, which I avoid doing for many years.

YOU MISSED THE ENTIRE POINT (as you usually do) .... THE"MATH" ERROR THAT ISNT.....

Dyno got it immediately.

 

Oh, then forgive me. I just thought you were stupid.

 

Let me assist you...Brazil... and for years other SA locations, use E 25...i.e. TWENTY-FIVE %.

This started in the 70s, because of an oil import "shortage".

It continues to rely on biofuels, with imported ethanol being tariffed 16-18%, as a "solution" to fossil fuel. There is consideration on the table to expand to 70%, and heavy tarriffs on U.S. imported corn syrup and/or fossil fuel. One wonders why... (that is satire, btw).

Every and any Mechanic in the world knows you do not buy any vehicle of any nature that has done service in Brazil, unless you own a successful scrapyard for autos.

I am extending you the courtesy of free education, this one time, because I know stuff, and enjoy sharing.

Answer or not, I can accept you having the last word. I will revert to not responding to your Posts or replies.

PS: How bout' dem Lions?

 

I wish the mint would adopt that .999 policy for all their gold offerings.

 

It would be way too soft and get beat up before it ever made it to a holder or slab.

 

Gold COIN alloy is fixed by law as 0.900. Not the mint's choice. 1/10th 1/4 1/2 and 1 ounce "Eagles" (American Gold Eagle, AGE).

AND they have authority to mint BULLION, which is 0.999 and can choose designs.

 

91.67% (22 karat), right?

 

The Mint already makes some of its gold coins in .999. The gold Buffalo, for instance.

 

This is where some of my thought was going. Wasn't sure if it was more strike-friendly, etc. The proof coins of the 50's and 60's just have a different look to me. Maybe it just has to do with methods and processes used then compared to now.

That makes sense.

I know that the modern gold coins are 90 ish percent so the coins aren't uber-soft.

 

No

0.900 fine.

For example, the Greatest Generation coin act (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1057):

 

Based on your Congressional citation of H.R.1057 above, the Secretary of the Mint is granted the authority to mint the $5 gold coin in any purity above .900 (90%). It does not state the purity must be precisely 0.900 fine.

 

I love Science....

 

Ditto Love on the Clear Comprehension of the written word.