Johnson changed the course of American coinage. Instead of spending their pocket change, people were stockpiling it. The spot price of silver was just too close to the denomination of the coins being produced. It would be the final year 90 percent silver coins were minted. Mint decided that it was no longer economically feasible to continue issuing American coinage with a silver content of up to 90%. Thanks to an increasing demand for silver and changing economic conditions, these silver coins were highly desired! So much so that people began hoarding everyday pocket change with the hopes of turning a profit. When you pulled out a few quarters to pay for a soda, you were paying with real silver coins made from 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
From the 1920’s to 1964, the jingle jangle of pocket change sounded different in America.