I'm new at this, can someone tell me why coins are referred to as clad??

[Kat]

n/t

 

[labeachbum]

all modern coins are called clad, As older coins all have different names like Merc dimes walking liberty's Barb quarters and so on.

Is the ground thaw yet?

 

[Kat]

Thanks for the info.

 

[cubfan64]

The word "clad" implies that something is composed of different layers of metals. For example clad cookware will often have stainless steel layered with aluminum or even copper.

"modern" coins (most people consider that 1965+) are considered "clad" for that same reason - they are different layers of metal. Pre-1965 coins (except pennies and nickels) have a large amount of silver in them and are generally referred to by different "nicknames" (as labeachbum mentioned above). Merc (mercury dime), Barbers (barber quarters and halves), etc... - or they are just referred to as "silver" in general.

Pennies before a certain year (I don't recall when) were almost exclusively copper, so I guess technically they are not really "clad," but I think people still will call them that.

I'm probably not exactly correct in my explanation, but I think it's pretty close.