by 
The Curious Bag
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The U.S. Mint stopped using silver in most coins in the mid-1960s, but it's still present in some issues. The amount contained in a coin depends on its age, series, and origin.
Background
Dimes and quarters issues prior to 1964 by the U.S. Mint all contain some silver. The dimes contain 7.2 percent silver per ounce, and the quarters 18 percent silver per ounce.
Special issues
The Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollar contained 80 percent silver and 20 percent copper. Antique coins such as the 1796 Draped Bust Silver Dollar and 1862 Liberty Seated Dollar contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. Special issue coins such as the American Silver Eagle Dollar contain 99.9 percent silver.
Mint proofs
Sometimes silver coins are part of a set of official proofs the United States Mint have issued for coin collectors. These proofs are 90 percent silver clad.
International coins
Other countries around the world use silver in their coinage depending on the issuance year. New Zealand, for example, used 50 percent silver in their 3 pence and 6 pence coins between the years 1933 and 1946.
Fun Fact
The Franklin Institute devised a student experiment to determine if a coin is made with silver. You can find more information at fi.edu/pieces/knox/mustardtrick.htm
Source:
United States Mint - Coin Composition
Lynn Coins Silver Content Chart
The Franklin Institute - Mustard Mystery Experiment
Resource:
U.S. Mint Coin Image Library
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