What is 900 Silver (Meaning and Definition)? What is its Value and is it Worth Anything?

What is 900 silver?

What does 900 stamp mean and is 900 silver worth anything?

Does 900 silver magnetize and and corrode and is there jewelry made from this silver alloy?

Find our right below!

• What is 900 Silver (Meaning and Definition)?
• How Much is 900 Silver Worth per Gram?
• How to Test for 900 Silver?
• Is 900 Silver Magnetic?
• Is 900 Silver Hypoallergenic?
• What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and Sterling Silver?
• What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and 999 Silver?
• What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and 958 Silver?
• What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and 500 Silver?
• What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and Silver Argentium?
• What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and Nickel Silver?
• What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and Silver Decoplata?
• What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and Silver 875?
• Is There Bullion (Coins and Bars) of 900 Silver?

Here’s an awesome quiz on the topic of 900 silver. Take it after you’ve read my guide below.

What is 900 Silver (Meaning and Definition)?

900 silver (also known as coin silver) is a silver alloy that contains 90% silver and 10% other metals, typically copper. 900 silver is called “coin silver” because it was historically used to make coins.

Nowadays 900 silver is no longer used in coinage and this silver alloy can only be found in older coins, vintage jewelry, antique items, and some European silver jewelry.

How Much is 900 Silver Worth per Gram?

The worth of 900 silver per gram depends on the current spot price of pure silver. Let’s say a gram of pure silver is worth $1. 900 silver, which is 90% pure silver and 10% other metals, would be worth 90% of that, or $0.9 per gram.

How to Test for 900 Silver?

The best and easiest way to test for 900 silver is to use an eraser.

• Step #1- get both the 900 silver item you wish to test and an eraser;
• Step #2- gently rub the eraser over a small area of your 900 silver item.
• Step #3- see if the eraser has a slight black mark developed from rubbing.

Real 900 silver will leave a slight black mark on the eraser because it reacts with friction.

Is 900 Silver Magnetic?

No, 900 silver isn’t magnetic. 900 silver is composed of 90% pure silver and 10% copper. Pure silver doesn’t magnetize, and copper is diamagnetic (copper is weakly repelled by a magnetic field).

Is 900 Silver Hypoallergenic?

Yes, 900 silver is hypoallergenic because it’s composed of 90% pure silver and 20% copper.

Pure silver is hypoallergenic to everyone except a small group of people with silver allergies.

Copper is hypoallergenic to most people although a small percentage of people in the world is allergic to this metal.

You’ll be allergic to 900 silver jewelry or coins if you’re allergic to copper or silver, or both.

What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and Sterling Silver?

The main difference between 900 silver and sterling silver (925) lies in their silver purity and resulting properties.

900 silver is composed of 90% pure silver and 10% copper. Sterling silver is composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. In both silver alloys copper is used to increase the alloy’s strength and durability.

Both 900 silver and sterling silver are commonly used in jewelry design, though sterling silver is far more popular nowadays.

What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and 999 Silver?

The main difference between 900 silver and 999 silver lies in their purity. 900 silver is an alloy containing 80% silver and 10% other metals, while 999 silver (other names are fine silver and three nines fine) is 99.9% pure silver.

900 silver is known as “coin silver” because it was used for coinage in the United States from 1792 to 1964 when it was replaced with coinage made with cheaper materials.

999 silver is the purest silver form and is used to create bullion for investing purposes. Silver IRA-approved coins and bars come from 999 silver and you can include them as part of your silver IRA account.

You can buy IRA-eligible silver over at Augusta Precious Metals, one of the best gold IRA company in the USA. Augusta’s gold IRA fees are very affordable and as a new customer upon your request you get all fees waived for 10 years.

Get your free precious metal investment guide here!

What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and 958 Silver?

The main difference between 900 silver and 958 silver lies in their silver purity. 900 silver is a silver alloy that contains 90% silver and 10% other metals, while 958 silver (also known as Britannia silver) is a silver alloy of 95.8% pure silver and 4.2% other metals, mostly copper.

958 silver is more valuable than 900 silver because it has more pure silver within its alloy (95.8:90%).

958 silver is also slightly more resistant to tarnishing and corrosion than 900 silver and is less hypoallergenic as it contains less copper than 900 silver.

958 silver is a common standard, especially in Great Britain, and is often used in coinage and antique silver objects. It’s also often used for flatware and tableware.

What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and 500 Silver?

The main difference between 900 silver and 500 silver lies in their silver purity. 900 silver is a silver alloy containing 90% silver and 10% other metals. 500 silver (also known as half-silver) is an alloy of 50% pure silver and 50% other metals (copper, zinc, nickel, lead…).

500 silver is less common than 900 silver and is primarily found in older British coins and cutlery.

500 silver is more allergenic compared to 900 silver and is also more prone to tarnishing due to higher amount of non-silver content.

Here’s an example of some old pre decimal British coins made from 500 silver.

What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and Silver Argentium?

The main difference between 900 silver and Silver Argentium lies in their composition and resulting properties.

900 silver is an alloy containing 80% silver and 10% other metals. Silver Argentium is a modern silver alloy with a higher silver content (93.5%, 94%, or 96%) that includes germanium, a metalloid that replaces some of the copper.

Germanium as a copper replacement in Silver Argentium helps increase hardness and durability and increase tarnish resistance.
Silver Argentium is often used in jewelry, particularly for heirloom pieces and items where durability and tarnish resistance are necessary.

What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and Nickel Silver?

The difference between 900 silver and nickel silver is that they’re not the same class of metals. 900 Silver is an alloy of silver containing 90% silver and 10% other metals (most often copper).

Nickel Silver, (also known as German Silver), is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc without a trace of real silver. Nickel silver is a misnomer because the alloy has no silver but looks a lot like it visually.

900 silver was used in the past in coinage and also for jewelry and cutlery production. But nowadays it’s been supplanted by sterling silver as a superior alloy.

Nickel Silver is used in a wide range of applications due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and silvery appearance. It’s often used as a base metal for silver-plated items, in musical instruments, for jewelry, and in industrial applications like plumbing fixtures and marine fittings.

What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and Silver Decoplata?

The main difference between 900 silver and Silver Decoplata lies in their silver purity. 900 silver is a silver alloy that contains 90% silver and 10% other metals, while Silver Decoplata (also known as 720 silver) is an alloy of 72% pure silver and 28% copper.

Decoplata is less valuable than 900 silver because it has significantly lower silver content. It’s also more allergenic because of highe rcopper content and isn’t magnetic, the same as 900 silver.

Silver Decoplata is primarily associated with coinage, particularly in Netherlands and Mexico during the mid-20th century, where it was used as a coin debasement measure to reduce the silver content in coins while maintaining their size.

What’s the Difference Between 900 Silver and Silver 875?

The main difference between 900 silver and silver 875 lies in their silver purity. 900 silver is a silver alloy that contains 90% silver and 10% other metals (mostly copper with trace amounts of other metals).

Silver 875 (also known as zolotnik Russian silver) is an alloy of 87.5% pure silver and 12.5% other metals.

This silver alloy contains slightly less pure silver than 900 silver and slightly more copper. Because of higher copper amount  silver 875 is more allergenic than 900 silver. Both silver alloys are hypoallergenic.

Is There Bullion (Coins and Bars) of 900 Silver?

Yes, there’re coins made of 900 silver.

Many U.S. coins minted before 1965, specifically dimes, quarters, and half dollars, are made of a 90% silver alloy.

Examples include Roosevelt dimes, Washington quarters, and Walking Liberty half dollars.

Specific examples of .900 silver coins include:

• Roosevelt Dimes: Dated 1964 or earlier.
• Washington Quarters: Dated 1964 or earlier.
• Walking Liberty Half Dollars: Minted from 1916 to 1947.
• Franklin Half Dollars: Minted from 1947 to 1954.
• Mercury Dimes: Minted from 1916 to 1945.
• Morgan Silver Dollars: Minted from 1878 to 1904 and 1921.
• Peace Silver Dollars: Minted from 1921 to 1935.
• Seated Liberty Half Dimes: Minted from 1837 to 1853.
• Barber Dimes: Minted from 1892 to 1911.
• Standing Liberty Quarters: Minted from 1917 to 1930.
• Seated Liberty Dollars: Minted from 1840 to 1873.

900 silver bars also exist, but are pretty rare and definitely not mass produced.

Here’s an example of a 900 silver bar.

What is 900 Silver (Meaning and Definition)? What is its Value and is it Worth Anything? Conclusion

900 silver is a silver alloy that contains 90% pure silver and 10% other metals (typically copper). 900 silver is historically known as “coin silver” because it was used in U.S. coinage from 1792-1964. Its value equals 90% of pure silver’s current spot price.

900 silver is non-magnetic, hypoallergenic (unless allergic to copper/silver), and can be tested using an eraser which leaves black marks when rubbed against genuine 900 silver. While less pure than sterling silver (92.5%), it’s more valuable than lower-grade alloys like 500 silver. Today, 900 silver is found mainly in vintage coins, antique jewelry, and some European pieces.

References:

• Is 900 silver worth more or less than 925 silver?-  https://www.answers.com/other-math/Is_900_siver_worth_more_or_less_than_925_silver
• 900 Silver Guide- https://www.silverrecyclers.com/blog/900-silver.aspx
• What Does an 900 Stamp Mean on Silver Jewelry?- https://www.nobbier.com/blogs/editorial/what-does-an-900-stamp-mean-on-silver-jewelry/
• Rings stamped both 900 and 925- https://www.reddit.com/r/JewelryIdentification/comments/1e5502z/rings_stamped_both_900_and_925/
• I have an old silver bracelet stamped with 900 and a very small crown on something squiggly. I would like to know where- https://www.justanswer.com/appraisals/g5vek-old-silver-bracelet-stamped-900.html