Understanding Silver Toning: Causes, Effects, and Cleaning and Value

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One of the more mysterious properties of silver is that it is prone to tarnishing when exposed to air. The oxidation of sulfur-containing compounds in the air.

The process can occur rapidly, such as with artificially toned coins, or gradually, with some beautifully naturally toned numismatic silver coins selling for much higher premiums than cleaned coins.

Silver is prone to tarnishing and many investors of silver bullion, coins, and sterling silver antiques often have questions and want to learn more.

The tarnish that forms on the surface of silver is a layer of corrosion that can affect the appearance and luster of the shiny metal.

Why does silver tarnish?

Tarnish and toning are caused by a chemical reaction that occurs naturally when silver is exposed to air and moisture. The chemical reaction occurs when the environment contains trace amounts of sulfur substances.

The reaction produces a dark compound that forms on the surface called silver sulfide. This reaction can occur faster in humid environments or when silver is exposed to other chemicals such as chlorine.

Silver-sulfide is an inorganic chemical compound that is a dense black solid. The compound has a variety of uses, such as an ingredient in anti-microbial and anti-bacterial agents and as a photosynthesizer in photography.

It is a normal and natural process that occurs even in environments deprived of oxygen such as those found from shipwrecks like the SS Gairsoppa.

Some modern collectors prefer to buy toned silver coins because of the colorful beauty and history.

Artificial toning is becoming more common as stackers experiment by sealing silver coins in airtight containers with sulfur-containing foods like eggs.

It’s important to have silver coins evaluated and appraised by an expert to determine if there is added numismatic value.

Other factors can contribute to the formation of tarnish in unique patterns such as with tab-toned coins which are from long-term contact with rubber bands, cardboard templates and tape.

Physical contact with items containing large concentrations of sulfur-rich compounds can cause silver to tarnish at a faster pace.

A common question amongst new investors comes from strange tarnish patterns that happen from storing silver coins in soft plastic “coin flips”. The soft plastic contains PVC compounds that interact with the silver oxidation process and can produce black marks that are unsightly.

It is common to clean silver bullion coins and rounds that have no numismatic value. It will not effect the value. Silver bullion coins will always retain their intrinsic value whether they are tarnished or cleaned. Some investors prefer cleaning silver bullion coins to maintain the alluring luster.

E-Z-Est is a product widely used by both numismatists and bullion investors alike that can quickly restore the luster to silver coins. It is easily available from Amazon.com or from most local coin stores.

UV rays from sunlight have also been shown to speed up oxidation. Simply leaving a silver coin in the window can accelerate toning.

Toning vs. Tarnish?

Toning is natural as the silver reacts with various environmental factors, such as air, humidity, and light and can result in a wide range of colors on the surface. Some numismatic collectibles like Rainbow-Toned Morgan Silver Dollars show an incredible range of blue, green, purple, and gold hues that add significant numismatic premium. Natural toning is desirable in antiques and collectible silver coins as many see it as an enhancement to the beauty and value.

Artificial Toning

Artificial toning is achieved through various methods such as excessive exposure to sulfur, heat, and UV light from the sun or artificial sources.

There are a variety of tutorials online that demonstrate the use of commonly available chemicals such as potassium sulfide and liver of sulfur to create some unique and colorful toning that looks amazing.

Anodization is a process that uses electrolytic chemistry to accelerate the thickening of the silver-sulfide layer. Some collectors may use toning solutions or sprays to tone their silver items artificially.

While artificial toning can create an attractive appearance, these methods do not add numismatic value and are often considered by some collectors to be damaged coins.

As such, it is important to be cautious when purchasing toned silver items and to only buy from reputable dealers who can verify the authenticity of the toning when you are shopping for numismatic coins.

Whether toning increases or decreases the value of silver depends on the item and the market. In some cases, tarnish is seen as a patina that shows the authenticity and provenance, which can add significant premiums to historical coins and antiques.

Cleaning Tarnish from Junk Silver Coins

Circulated junk silver coins commonly show patina that can be unsightly in appearance. There may also be ugly gunk that builds over the many decades of circulation.

Junk silver has no numismatic value and cleaning it won’t harm the intrinsic value. Though most investors prefer to buy 90% silver coins with the original patina and may be skeptical when it comes to buying cleaned coins. Which could make it more difficult to sell.

It is common to come across BU condition 1964 silver quarters among 90% silver lots. The shine really stands out and there are some methods to clean junk silver in ways that won’t effect the underlying intrinsic value.

There are some readily available silver coin cleaning solutions such as E-Z-Est and polishing creams. These work best for small amounts.

One of the easiest at home methods uses only hot water, baking soda and aluminum foil and takes just a few minutes.

Silver Toning

Natural toning is highly desirable collectible coins and for antique silver items. It can enhance the beauty and value of silver. However, toning can also be a concern for those investing in bullion or coins.

In general, toned Silver can increase in value over time. A natural silver tarnish is considered good as it can enhance the uniqueness, rarity and desirability of silver.

Researching and seeking reputable dealers who can provide you with authentic, naturally toned silver items is important.

Understanding the causes and effects of silver tarnish is essential for those who invest in silver bullion, coins, and antiques. The main cause of tarnish is exposure to elements which leads to a chemical reaction producing silver sulfide.

Other factors, such as contact with certain materials and exposure to sunlight can also cause tarnish to form. While tarnishing can detract from the shiny appearance, many investors see it as an enhancement to the beauty and value of silver.

December 31, 2022February 1, 2023

Survival: Prepping with Silver

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Not too long ago, the idea of prepping, and having the tools to survive in the event of a disaster seamed pretty far fetched.

These days, it’s wise to be planning ahead as even the CEO of Chase has offered only dire predictions for the coming year.

The conditions we saw at the start of the pandemic with empty store shelves and limited supplies of basic necessities are likely to return.

Liquidity in both the stock and crypto markets continues to suffer while more companies announce layoffs following a year of record profits.

A new survey, published in January 2023, shows that more than 56% of households are unable to cover a one-time $1,000 emergency expense from their savings.

The amount of emergency savings needed by each person depends a lot of their expenses and emergency expectations. LifeHacker recommends that to calculate what you might need, you can estimate a week’s worth of expenses for food, bottled water, medications and any other necessities for your family.

Silver Preps

Having some money saved in the event of difficult financial times is practical and common sense. Stagnant wages and high inflation have already been making things difficult.

One of the first notions that comes to mind is to having fractional silver on hand for bartering.

“Junk Silver” is the best option for having fractional silver at home. It’s readily available and easy to authenticate. Most importantly, it’s affordable and easy to make regular purchases on a budget.

The coins in everyday circulation minted prior to 1965 were made from 90% pure silver mixed with some copper for durability.

These are coins that are of little interest to most collectors since most will show some wear and tear from circulation .

Each silver half dollar, quarter and dime minted before 1965 has known and verifiable amounts of pure silver and a small amount of copper.

Bag full of Junk Silver Quarters — Pile of junk silver quarters

During the time when silver was still circulating, the coin had real intrinsic value.

Buying 90% junk silver coins is the most practical fractional silver to stack that is hard to counterfeit and simple to authenticate.

Identifying 90% Silver Coins

Visually, you can identify junk silver pretty easily by looking at the rim of the coin. Coin roll hunters often use this trick when searching through boxes of bank rolls.

Weighing the coins is also a simple method to determine genuine junk silver. You will need a scale that measures in either troy ounces or grams.

Most kitchen scales or the herb scale you can get at the local gas station or from Amazon is often sufficient.

The table below shows how many grams of silver contained in each denomination of 90% junk silver:

Denomination	Face Value	Gross Weight	ASW
Half Dollar	50 cents	11.34 grams	10.206 grams (.328 ozt)
Quarter	25 cents	6.25 grams	5.625 grams (.1808 ozt)
Dime	10 cents	2.5 grams	2.25 grams (0.0723 ozt)

Each $1 USD of face value yields approximately .715 ozt of silver. So, a $10 Face Value roll of silver quarters has roughly 7.15 troy ounces of pure silver.

Holding onto even a small stack of silver helps to understand the intrinsic value and why it has been used as real money for hundreds of years. We’ve seen in the wake of hurricanes and other natural disasters that debit cards, Apple Pay and ATM machines don’t work when the power grid goes out.

Junk silver is the most logical starting point when it comes to financial prepping with precious metals.

It fits all of the characteristics that are important in a SHTF scenario.
It is naturally fractional.
It is easy to authenticate in the field.
It is difficult to counterfeit.

40% and 35% Silver Coins

From 1964 until 1970, the Kennedy half-dollar coin was minted with an alloy that contains 40% silver. Not long ago many investors overlooked these coins because of the reduced silver content. Though 40% Kennedy half dollars can often be found with much lower premiums.

The war nickel was minted during World War II. From 1942 until 1945, nickel was a critical metal needed for the production of tanks and armor for vehicles. The metal used for the coins was reformulated to an alloy containing 35% silver.

1 oz Silver Coins and Rounds

After building a stack of junk silver, the most practical .999 fine silver options are typically 1 oz silver coins, rounds or bars. This weight is very common to find available from online bullion dealers and marketplaces or local coin shops.

As the recession takes hold, one ounce silver coins and rounds have become a popular way to hold an investment in silver.

Many people have similar questions when prepping with precious metals.

What is the difference between a coin and a round?

There is only one single characteristic that distinguishes a silver coin from a silver round.

Coins are minted by governments and are designated as legal tender.

This provides a guarantee that the weight and purity of each coin is minted to the exact specifications as outlined in the law.

For example, the face value on bullion coins such as the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, is one Canadian dollar ($1 CAD). But the intrinsic value is based on silver spot price.

Silver rounds are similar to coins in shape, composition and dimension. They are designed to mimic the feel of coins and have the similar composition and silver purity.

The distinguishing factor is that silver rounds are produced and distributed by private mints and have no legal tender face value. One ounce silver coins and rounds share the exact same intrinsic silver value.

Premiums on silver rounds are lower than coins because of the face value and they have the backing of a trusted sovereign government.

Silver rounds from private mints will typically be less expensive than coins.

August 29, 2022November 21, 2023

Beginning the Dollar Debasement in the mid-20th century

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After the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913, the US economy continued a slow debasement that coincided with the introduction of fiat paper currency. After the gold confiscation in 1933 by Roosevelt, the amount of currency in circulation began to increase exponentially.

According to data from the St Louis Fed, the amount of USD circulating during the 1920s remained steady at around $4.5 billion. During the 1930s, the number of dollars in circulation began to steadily increase, before skyrocketing during World War II to over $27 billion.

Prior to 1965, most of the coins that circulated throughout the United States were minted from an alloy of .900 pure fine silver. Historically, this alloy is known as “coin silver” and it was regularly found in colonial America for use in utensils, serving ware and other household items. In 1837, the US Mint began to issue various denominations in a 90% silver alloy.

Today, it’s difficult to believe and even harder to quantify that billions of silver coins were minted on behalf of the Treasury and circulating throughout the economy prior to the debasement of the dollar during the 20th century.

Junk silver is the simple term given to circulated silver coins from this era that have little to no numismatic value to collectors. These coins maintain their intrinsic value due to their silver content.

Circulated 90% silver coins can be purchased at most local coin shops, pawn brokers and some antique stores. Investors looking for the lowest premiums on junk silver are stacking large quantities of circulated coins. It’s not junk at all and is very easy to identify and authenticate with some basic information.

Despite these coins being readily available from local suppliers, still the most popular option is to make regular purchases from the lowest priced online bullion dealers and having bags of coins shipped directly to your door or stash location.

Coinage Act of 1965

Debasement continued on June 3, 1965, when Lyndon Johnson sent a special message to Congress requesting immediate legislation to remove silver from dime, quarter coins and to reduce the silver content in half-dollar coins.

The Coinage Act of 1965 was introduced by Senator Absalom Robertson, a Democrat from Virginia who staunchly opposed Civil Rights. He was also the father of televangelist Pat Robertson.

The composition of the half-dollar coin was reduced to 40% and a new coin was designed around a structure core, encapsulated by a silver alloy cladding.

The core alloy at the center of the coin would be minted of an alloy containing 21% silver mixed with base metal. The surrounding face cladding of the coin would be minted with an alloy containing 80% silver for a smooth and durable finish that could better withstand wear and tear that occurs with circulation.

This legislation helped to keep the silver prices artificially low by eliminating the use of silver in circulating coinage and dumping additional silver onto the market. The era of this price manipulation continued until silver hit a low of $12.08 in May 1967. Within one year, the price of silver has rise to $21.67 an ounce.

The Coinage Act of 1965 transferred millions of tons of silver from the US economy into industry.

At the time, silver was being consumed in mass amount by technological advances in photographic film on both the consumer level and in medical and industrial imaging. As the industrial consumption of silver continued to grow, so did silver prices.

During this period, Kodak had become an important innovator of photographic films and other imaging technologies. These advancements led to the mass consumer adoption of cameras and photography, in addition to be used by the military and intelligence agencies.

Photographic and X-Ray films included silver halide grains and crystals sandwiched in an acetate film. The more time that silver halide crystals are exposed to light, a chemical reaction occurs that creates the dark shades and contrasting shadows that are made from the familiar black and white film.

Under the leadership of William Vaughn, Kodak invented and manufactured high-resolution, grain-dense photographic films for CIA that were used in imaging systems like those in the SR-71 Blackbird, U2 spy planes, and other aerial intelligence aircraft that were used during the Cold War. The use of film in reconnaissance activity until the advancement of digital satellite imaging.

Silver is also consumed by medical devices and button-sized and smaller batteries were invented for use in things like hearing aids and other common assistive medical devices.

November 20, 2021May 1, 2023

Is it legal to own Precious Metals?

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For over 40 years, from 1933 until 1974, the US government made it illegal for citizens to own gold.

Thanks to President Gerald Ford, it is legal for everyone to own gold, silver and other precious metals since 1974.

History of Precious Metals Prohibition

In the early 20th century paper currency was far less common than today. Paper bills were often only available in large denominations commercial and interbank transactions. Much of the currency in circulation was coinage minted of silver and gold alloys.

Economies were still based on the gold-standard. The coins in circulation were minted of 21k gold, which is a mixture of 90% gold and 10% copper for strength and wear resistance during everyday circulation.

Gold coins before 1933 were minted in denominations that include the $2.50 (quarter eagle), $5.00 (half eagle), $10 (eagle) and $20 (double eagle).

In 1921, following the end of the first World War, the Morgan Silver Dollar was replaced with the Peace Silver Dollar. Both coins were composed of an alloy containing a mix of 90% silver and 10% copper. The amount of pure silver in each $1 USD coin being 0.7734 troy ounces.

Also during that time smaller denominations of coins, including the dime, quarter and half-dollar, we also minted from the same silver and copper mixture. The US Mint continued to issue 90% silver coins through 1964.

When clad coins began to circulate in 1965, some citizens remembered the gold seizure that happened thirty-two years early.

The roaring 20’s led to the Great Depression. Wall Street Banks, along with regional banks under purview of the young Federal Reserve system were happy to give out margin loans, unsecured credit in fiat currency.

During the economic hardship many people lost faith in the banking system. Instead of depositing cash into banks, many people turned to hoarding cash at home in the form of gold and silver coins.

During the Great Depression, Roosevelt used an obscure and obsolete piece of legislation meant to prevent the German government to profit from patents in the United States during the World War I as justification for his numerous Executive Orders to confiscate gold coins from the economy.

On April 5, 1933, after enduring several years of the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 6102.

With the swipe of his pen, Roosevelt made it a crime for any US citizen to own gold coins, gold bullion or even gold certificates, which were a form of gold-backed fiat currency that was exchangeable for gold. In exchange, the government offered citizens $20.67 in fiat for each ounce of gold that was surrendered.

All gold was ordered to be surrendered to the government. Within the first thirty days the Treasury was able to collect roughly one third of the $1,400,000,000 in gold that was in circulation.

Any person who failed to comply with the presidential order faced imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000. Many private citizens and investors were put on a list, targeted, arrested, prosecuted, fined, imprisoned and had their gold seized.

The order did exempt some items. Such as jewelry, numismatic collectibles, items used by industry, some professions and artists.

In defiance to the order, people drilled holes or attached hasps to the coins to convert coins into pendants to hang on a chain to meet the minimum standard of jewelry.

The seizures, arrests and prosecutions of those who did not surrender their gold continued for most of 1933. Roosevelt signed additional Executive Orders throughout the year.

One of which gave the Justice Department the authority to build a list of citizens suspected to be ‘gold hoarders’. Essentially acting as a government backed gestapo.

During the summer of 1933, agents from the Justice Department visited the homes of “known hoarders of gold” to confiscate more than $38,901,009 worth of gold.

The Emergency Banking Act of 1933 was supposed to help restore faith in the banking system and the economy after the Federal Reserve led the country into the Great Depression.

The prohibition on private ownership of gold continued for 41 years.

Nixon Shock

During the early 1970s, Nixon was facing rising unemployment, high inflation, the looming oil crisis and political foes. In August of 1971, the President called together top economic advisors for a secret meeting at Camp David.

Notable participants in the meeting included Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur Burns and Treasury Secretary John Connally. Also present, then Undersecretary for International Monetary Affairs and future Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker.

Following this meeting Richard Nixon authorized then Treasury Secretary John Connally to break the Bretton Woods Agreement that had defined the rules of international trade amongst many countries following World War II.

Without consulting any international leaders, the actions included the immediate suspension of the “gold standard”.

Nixon directed the Treasury Secretary to abolish the convertibility of dollars into gold through the London Gold Pool. This also removed the fixed price of gold from $35 an ounce to a market based system.

By 1973, the US gold standard that was established by Bretton Woods had been replaced. The new system based on free floating exchange of fiat currencies.

Following the resignation of Nixon, one of the first laws signed by President Ford included a bill which reversed Roosevelt’s Executive Orders.

The bill authorized expansion of the World Bank and included provisions that legalized citizens full authority to purchase, hold, sell, or otherwise deal with gold in the United States or abroad. It has been legal for anyone to own, hoard, buy and sell gold in the United States since December 1, 1974.

The gold bull run that followed culminated in a price peak of $850 USD per ounce in January 1980.

Sovereign Gold Bullion Market

The Gold Krugerrand was the first gold bullion coins to be sold to investors when it debuted in 1967.

At the time, apartheid sanctions against South Africa made it difficult to invest in Gold Krugerrands. The top gold coins of the day included the Gold 100 Corona from Austria and the Mexican 50 Pesos Gold Coin. These vintage gold coins have maintained their popularity with investors.

In 1979, the Royal Canadian Mint introduced the first mintage of the Maple Leaf 1 oz Gold Coin.

The basic design of the Canadian Maple Leaf 1 oz Gold Coin has remained largely unchanged since its creation.

The US Mint made several failed attempts during the early 1980s to woo precious metals investors. One notable attempt is the American Arts Commemorative Series Medallions.

There are ten medallions that are part of the American Arts Commemorative Series that were minted from 1980 through 1984.

The larger medallions are minted 1 troy ounce of pure gold. While the smaller medallions contain 1/2 troy ounce of pure gold. At the time of release, the medallions were poorly received by collectors, the public and investors.

These medallions were struck from an alloy containing .900 fine gold. Today, these medallions are popular with gold stackers and investors and can are often on sale in the secondary market very close to spot price.

While the series was a commercial failure, it paved the way for Congress to create and establish the guidelines for the American Eagle series of coins from the US Mint.

Gold American Eagle

The American Eagle series premiered in 1986. It continues to be one of the most popular precious metal investment vehicles in the world.

It has been more than 52 years since the Nixon Shock moved off the United States off the gold standard.

Private ownership of gold, silver and other precious metals remains legal throughout the United States today.

Demand from investors continues to grow as more people continue to lose faith in the banking system, traditional investments like stocks and bonds as well as the federal government’s ability to manage and regulate effectively given the massive amount of corruption plaguing Washington.

As of 2023, more than 47 million ounces of gold have been used in minting of four denominations of American Gold Eagle coins. Investor demand for American Gold Eagle coins remains strong after 37 years.

July 24, 2019January 12, 2024

Silver Quarters

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Silver quarters in the United States were minted from 1796 until 1964. Starting in 1965, due to rising silver prices, the composition was changed to a copper-nickel clad alloy that we are most familiar with today.

Collectible Silver Quarters

The earliest design is known as the Draped Bust Quarter. The Draped Bust design was created by artist Gilbert Stuart and engraved by Robert Scot. The obverse features a profile portrait of Lady Liberty with flowing hair and a draped bust, while the reverse initially depicted a small eagle (1796) and was later replaced with a heraldic eagle design (starting in 1804). The first year of issue, 1796, is particularly notable for coin collectors.

Draped Bust Quarters are highly valuable today, especially for numismatists and collectors of early American coinage. Their value depends on several factors including rarity, condition, year of minting, and any unique historical significance.

The Capped Bust Quarter was minted from 1815 until 1838 and was created by Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, John Reich. The obverse features Lady Liberty with a capped bust, facing left, and the reverse depicts an eagle with outstretched wings. Owning one of these coins is a valuable addition for collectors due to its age, historical context, and artistic design. While most surviving coins are in worn and heavily circulated condition, those in finer states of preservation or with rare variations are particularly valuable.

The Seated Liberty quarter was a United States coin minted from 1838 to 1891. It is part of the broader Seated Liberty series, which included various denominations. The design of the Seated Liberty quarter, created by the U.S. Mint’s Chief Engraver, Christian Gobrecht, is significant for its embodiment of 19th-century American coinage.

Over its more than 50-year production period, the Seated Liberty quarter underwent several design modifications, including changes to the surroundings of the seated figure and the addition of various mottoes such as “In God We Trust.”

Certain years and mint marks are particularly rare and sought after. For example, the 1870-S Seated Liberty quarter is extremely rare and valuable.

The coin’s obverse features the figure of Lady Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole with a Phrygian cap on top in one hand and a shield with the word “Liberty” inscribed on it in the other. The reverse depicts an eagle.

The Barber Quarter was issued by the US Mint from 1892 until 1916. Named after its designer, Charles E. Barber. The obverse of the Barber Quarter features the head of Liberty facing right, wearing a Phrygian cap, a laurel wreath with a ribbon, and a headband inscribed with the word “LIBERTY”. The reverse showcases an eagle with outstretched wings holding arrows and an olive branch, a design that is emblematic of the United States.

Barber Quarters are made of 90% silver and are highly collectible and have many will carry numismatic value, especially in higher grades or with rare mint marks, in addition to the intrinsic silver value. The value of a Barber Quarter depends on its condition, year, mint mark, and rarity.

The most common conditions found for Barber Quarters range from heavily worn (where many details are smoothed out) to well-preserved states. Coins in mint condition (uncirculated) or in higher grades are rarer and thus more valuable.

The Standing Liberty quarter was minted from 1916 until 1930. The obverse of Standing Liberty quarters features a full-length image of Lady Liberty standing in a gateway, holding a shield in her left hand for protection and an olive branch in her right hand as a symbol of peace. This design was created by sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil.

The Standing Liberty design underwent a few changes during its minting period, most notably in 1917 when the chainmail covering Lady Liberty’s chest was added, and in 1925 when the date was recessed to reduce wear.

The Washington Quarter was introduced to commemorate George Washington’s 200th Birthday in 1932 and was minted with a 90% silver planchet until 1964. This design features a profile of the first President that was designed by sculptor John Flanagan. This design remains so popular that its use has continued for nearly 100 years and is still used today in the copper-nickel clad era, albeit with modifications.

Junk Silver Quarters

Circulated coins that were minted prior to 1965 have little to no collector or numismatic value. These are coins that are often referred to as “Junk Silver”.

Buying Junk Silver Quarters is a popular way for precious metals investors to acquire silver for a very low premium over melt value. These silver quarters are also in high demand with “preppers” because they are fractional silver coins that are widely recognizable for their intrinsic value and can easily be used as a means of bartering if or when the economy as we know it collapses. However unlikely that is to occur, it’s entirely possible.

The most common Junk Silver items that investors and preppers flock towards are Washington Silver Quarters in $10 face value bank rolls and bags.

The Washington Quarter was produced in 90% silver for 32 years. During that time, mint records show that 3,776,126,601 Washington Quarters were minted. That’s more than 3.75 billion coins. Even though a sizable amount of these coins were melted down and repurposed, Washington Silver Quarters account for the vast majority of Junk Silver that is available in the secondary bullion market today.

Each Silver Washington Quarter weighs 6.25 grams. The alloy is 90% silver and 10% copper. This means that each quarter contains 5.616 grams of silver and .634 grams of copper. There will be some weight reduction due to circulation and wear and tear over time. In general the amount that is lost will be pretty small, typically only fractions of a gram.

Quick Facts about Washington Silver Quarters

Each $1 Face Value (4 quarters) contains roughly .715 troy ounces of silver.
One $10 Face Value Roll (40 quarters) contains roughly 7.15 troy ounces of silver.
One $50 Face Value Bag (200 quarters) contains roughly 35.75 troy ounces of silver.
One $100 Face Value Bag (400 quarters) contains roughly 71.5 troy ounces of silver.

Where to Buy Washington Silver Quarters?

Silver Washington Quarters can usually be found at most pawn shops, local coin shops, eBay and other online bullion dealers. The vast majority of Washington Quarters have no numismatic value and you should buy them as close to spot or melt price as possible.

Many online bullion dealers sell Junk Silver Washington Quarters by number of dollars face value. It is common to see product listings on dealer websites showing $10 Face Value of Circulated Pre-1964 Washington Quarters. One typical bank roll of quarters is $10 Face Value, which is 40 quarters.

Modern Silver Quarters

Modern silver proof quarters, such as the 50 State Quarters issue and later the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, have been popular among collectors and investors since their introduction. The 50 State Quarters series, which ran from 1999 to 2008, featured unique designs for each of the 50 U.S. states. The America the Beautiful series, which began in 2010, features national parks and notable sites.

While circulating quarters are made of a copper-nickel clad, the U.S. Mint also issued silver proof versions of these coins. These proof quarters are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, the same alloy as pre-1965 silver quarters.

Proof silver coins are struck with special dies and treated planchets to create a mirror-like finish. Silver proofs are more valuable than regular circulating coins due to their intrinsic value, higher quality, limited mintage, and they also appeal to collectors. As collector’s items, their value can exceed the mere silver value, depending on the demand for specific designs or sets.

How to Calculate the Melt Value of Silver Quarters

To calculate the melt value of Silver Quarters, you can take the weight of each quarter, which is roughly .179 troy ounces. Multiply the weight by .90, which is the amount of pure silver contained in the alloy to get the approximate silver weight. This is around .161 troy ounces. Then, multiply that by the current spot price of 1 troy ounce of silver. So, if the current spot price for silver is $20.00, each Silver Washington Quarter has a melt value of around $3.22.

February 27, 2019July 17, 2023

Peace Dollar Silver Coin Values and Prices

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The Comstock Lode was discovered in 1859. At the time it was the largest silver mine in the world. Thousands of people flocked to region, quickly leading to the Nevada Silver Rush. The ease and accessibility of high purity silver ore close to the surface led to a huge amount of silver saturating the markets.

During this time, the Coinage Act of 1873, or the Crime of 1873, moved the economy off a bi-metalic standard to a pure gold standard, effectively de-monetizing silver. This dealt a significant blow to silver miners and the economies of silver-producing states like Nevada.

After a tremendous lobbying effort by miners and others in the silver industry, the Bland-Allison Act was signed into law in 1878, returning the economy to a bi-metalic standard. The Bland-Allison required the Treasury to purchase a certain amount of silver each month to be coined into silver dollars. This created an immediate demand for silver and stimulating the economy of states where mining was active.

Throughout this era the Treasury had minted millions of Morgan silver dollars and had still stockpiled an overwhelming amount of raw material. The minting of the Morgan was halted in 1904.

How Much is a Peace Silver Dollar (1921-1935) Worth?

The US Congress passed The Pittman Act after the end of the first World War which authorized reestablishing a one dollar coin. Initially, the US Mint began minting the Morgan Dollar in 1921 which had not been minted since 1904.

During this time many in Congress and the Treasury were interested in replacing the design of the Morgan Dollar with one that was more symbolic of the peace reached at the end of World War I. In 1921, then Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, approved the design of the Peace Dollar.

The minting of the Peace Dollar coin began in 1921 and ended in 1935. The coins were struck at all three primary US Mint facilities, Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. The mintage numbers from each facility were varying each year.

Peace Dollar Design

The Peace Dollar was designed by Italian-American sculpture Anthony (Antonio) de Francisci. At only 34 years old at the time of the design competition, de Francisci was the youngest of all of the sculptures competing.

The obverse of the Peace Dollar features the head and neck of the Goddess Liberty. Her profile depicts flowing hair with a radiant crown on her head. The coin’s obverse also features the phrase “In God We Trust” and the word “LIBERTY” across the top edge with the year of minting being inscribed below.

The reverse of the Peace Dollar features a sitting eagle at rest, symbolic of the strength and influence of the United States throughout the world, clutching an olive branch, a recognized symbol of peace. The bald eagle is high atop a perch with rays of sunlight radiating in the background. The word “Peace” is inscribed on the lower edge of the reverse, with the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E. PLURIBUS UNUM” along the top edge, and the phrase “ONE DOLLAR” stretching on either side of the center of the coin.

Peace Dollar Mint Marks

The mint mark on the Peace Dollar is on the coin’s reverse located above tip of eagle’s wings. Coins which were produced by the Philadelphia Mint lack an identifiable mint mark. Coins produced at the Denver Mint will show a “D”. While Peace Dollars minted at the San Francisco Mint will show an “S” mint mark.

Peace Dollar Popularity Amongst Collectors and Investors

The Peace Dollar is popular with both collectors and investors for a variety of reasons.

Collectors see the coin with historical significance given when it was released and the reasons and symbolism inherent with it’s design. The earliest versions of the Peace Dollar are nearly 100 years old.

Investors see both the intrinsic value of the composition of the Peace Dollar, which is compromised of 90% Silver. Investors also see the historical significance to the collectors which helps to keep the secondary market premiums for Peace Dollars higher than just their melt value.

It’s common to buy circulated silver coins that were minted prior to 1965 for a small premium over their melt value. However, Peace Dollars and other 90% silver dollar coins are often sold at a higher premium, even for coins that are in cull condition.

December 5, 2018April 14, 2023

eBay Bucks 10% in eBay Bucks on every qualifying item of $50 or more, 8% in eBay Bucks on every qualifying item of $25 or more

FindBullionPrices.com

The Promotion starts at 5:00AM PT on December 5, 2018 and ends at 11:59PM PT on December 6, 2018 (the “Promotion Period”). The Promotion applies to any qualifying items purchased during the Promotion Period that meet the minimum purchase requirement. You must activate the offer to qualify.

Gold:

Napolean III 20 Francs for below melt

Random 1/2 oz Canada Gold Proof Coins below melt

Random 1/2 oz First Wives Gold coins below melt

$20 Liberty Double Eagle (cleaned) below melt

Random US Mint Commemorative 1 oz gold coins below melt

Mexican 50 peso gold coins below melt

Silver:

MCM has 2018 Silver Eagle Tubes of 20 that net for around $16.25 per coin

Bullion Exchanges has lot of 5 RMC silver rounds

2018 5 oz Proof Libertad

5 oz Englehard Australia Cast Bars

Bullion Exchanges 10 oz Silver Bars (Various listings)

A few lots of 10 1 oz silver rounds

Here’s a list of more eBay Bucks eligible bullion items:

https://findbullionprices.com/ebay-bucks-bullion-deals.php?discount=10

September 4, 2018April 14, 2023

eBay Bucks Bonus Promotion earn 10% 9/4-9/5

FindBullionPrices.com

eBay launched another eBay Bucks Bonus promotion this morning. This time around the eBay Bucks Bonus amount is raised to 10% on purchases over $100.

Even though gold and silver prices are down dealer premiums have remained steady or increased slightly. The usual net cost gold coins below spot price deals that can often be found during eBay Bucks promotions on Gold Francs and Gold Sovereigns don’t seem to be available this time around.

There are some good deals on American Silver Eagle rolls, 10 oz lots of silver rounds or bars, and a lot of deals on 40% and 90% Junk Silver around spot price. A couple even net below silver spot price when factoring in the eBay Bucks Bonus.

August 13, 2018April 14, 2023

eBay Bucks and Bullion Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FindBullionPrices.com

eBay Bucks and Bullion Frequently Asked Questions

What is eBay Bucks?

eBay Bucks is a rewards loyalty cash-back type program run by eBay that gives a 1% credit on eligible purchases that can be used towards future purchases.

eBay Bucks credits are earned throughout the financial quarter up to a maximum of $500 in eBay Bucks per quarter. eBay Bucks are available to spend on eBay at the beginning of the quarter after they are earned. Earned eBay Bucks must be spent during the first month of the quarter after they are earned.

Periodically throughout the year eBay runs promotions that increase the earnings amounts of eBay Bucks. Typical promotions have increased the eBay Bucks earnings to 8%, 10% or 15% above the base amount of 1%.

Items listed in certain categories, including the Bullion category and subcategories are ineligible for earning eBay Bucks. However, many of the trusted and reputable dealers that sell bullion products on eBay will list bullion products for sale in alternate categories that do earn eBay Bucks.

How can I earn eBay Bucks when buying Bullion?

The base 1% reward can be earned by buying bullion that is listed outside the Bullion category, including those listed as Silver Bullion or Gold Bullion. Items in those categories are not eligible for earning eBay Bucks.

That being the case, there are lots of bullion products that are listed in alternate eBay categories including other subcategories in Coins & Paper Money.

Not all items are eligible. Sometimes items that are cross-listed in multiple categories that includes the Bullion categories.

The best way to determine if an item is eligible for earning eBay Bucks is to look at the item page. In most cases, an eligible item will display the amount of eBay Bucks that you can earn, similar to this:

Notice at the bottom of the image you can see the green “Bucks” logo with the earning amount.

How often are eBay Bucks promotions run?

Historically, eBay Bucks promotions are run several times throughout each financial quarter. They are sometimes run several times each month. There’s no set schedule for when an eBay Bucks promotion is run. Nor is there any schedule for how much of a bonus will be offered on top of regular earnings. The promotions are offered at the sole discretion of eBay.

How do I sign up for eBay Bucks?

If you already have an eBay Account you can sign up for eBay Bucks by visiting the eBay Bucks signup page. If you do not already have an eBay account, you must first create an eBay account then signup separately for eBay Bucks.

How can I find bullion items that are eligible for eBay Bucks?

We maintain an ongoing list of popular bullion items that are eligible for earning eBay Bucks. Our list of eBay Bucks eligible bullion items includes gold bullion, silver bullion and junk silver items.

Sometimes sellers will change an item’s category after the listing has posted. Be sure to look for the eBay Bucks earning amount on the listing to be sure an item is eligible.

Can I spend my eBay Bucks on bullion?

Yes. eBay Bucks can be spent on any bullion listings on eBay.

How can I avoid counterfeit bullion on eBay?

Always buy bullion on eBay from trusted and reputable dealers. There are certain things to look for that are red flags that an item could be counterfeit. Don’t risk it and stick with known sellers with high feedback and recent activity.

May 31, 2018September 11, 2018

Quick Glance Compare Silver Prices chart

FindBullionPrices.com

Some users have suggested that we provide a quick one page summary of some of the top silver bullion items. Based on users’ feedback we built a one page quick glance compare silver prices chart.

The chart features some of the most sought after and top searched silver bullion items.

Across the top of the chart we have the silver bullion items. The items displayed are based on the popularity of a wide variety of products here on the site. Those products are:

American Silver Eagle coins, both random year and 2018
Generic Silver 1 oz rounds
Random year Silver Canadian Maple Leaf coins
Random year Austria Philharmonic coins
$10 Face Value Junk circulated coinage
Generic 5 troy ounce silver bars
and generic 10 troy ounce silver bars

This page consolidates 8 of our top products into a single page that allows you to find the lowest price for any of these items at a quick glance. The lowest price across 12 reputable and trusted dealers is highlighted in green making it easy to find.

The dealers in the list carry most of the top products with a couple small exceptions, and when items are out of stock a price will not be displayed.

The list of dealers includes:

APMEX
BOLD Precious Metals
Monument Metals
Golden Eagle Coins
BGASC
Bullion Exchanges
SD Bullion
Provident Metals
Silver Gold Bull
JM Bullion
Silver.com
and Money Metals Exchange

Check out the quick glance compare silver prices page and let us know what you think.

Don’t forget to check out the current silver at spot price deals that are available as well.