The America the Beautiful series, an ambitious project by the US Mint, was conceived as a continuation of the popular state quarters program that was launched in 2010. Each year, five new designs were released, featuring national parks, forests, and historical sites from each state, territory, and the District of Columbia. The complete series included 56 quarters by its conclusion in 2021, offering a numismatic journey through the country’s most cherished and significant locations.
The coin designs featuring a variety of locations that were chosen for their cultural, historical, and natural significance, making each release a snapshot of American heritage. This series not only appeals to collectors but also educates the public about the nation’s diverse landscapes and storied past.
The 90% silver proof quarters offer a blend of traditional coinage and collectible appeal, while the 5 oz silver bullion coins provide a substantial and striking option for collectors and investors alike.
The proof versions of the America the Beautiful quarters are particularly sought after. Struck in 90% silver, these quarters harken back to the era when silver was a standard in everyday coinage. The proof coins are distinguished by their sharp, detailed designs and mirror-like finish, making them a standout in any collection.
These silver quarters are often considered the best value for buying ‘junk silver’ – a term used for older US coins with silver content. Unlike regular circulated coins, these proof quarters come in superior quality and have never been used in transactions, preserving not only their condition and aesthetic appeal, but also their full intrinsic value. The intrinsic value of their silver content, combined with their numismatic appeal, makes them an excellent choice for both collectors and investors seeking silver with historical and collectible significance. Each 90% Silver Proof Quarter is minted with 6.25 grams of pure silver.
The Allure of American The Beautiful 5 oz Silver Bullion Coins
The 5 oz silver bullion coins in the America the Beautiful series are a numismatist’s delight. These coins are unique not only for their large size but also for their detailed and artistic renderings of America’s natural and historical sites. Each coin contains five troy ounces of .999 fine silver, making them substantial in both weight and value.
Their large size allows for more intricate and prominent designs, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of the US Mint.
These coins are also available in both a highly collectible limited mintage proof variant, as well as a bullion version that was offered based on sales demand from investors. Some of these 5 oz silver bullion coins saw extremely high mintage levels during some years. While others saw very little demand, particularly during the early years of the series.
Additionally, their hefty silver content makes them an excellent store of value and a solid addition to any stack or investment portfolio. Oftentimes, these coins end up being sold back to local coin stores and bullion dealers, who often resell them in the secondary market rather than being melted down by a refiner. These secondary market America the Beautiful 5 oz Silver coins are often the cheapest way to acquire these coins at the best price. These will often contain a random selection of coins that were available throughout various years and are a great way to buy US Mint 5 oz silver coins.
US dimes that were minted before 1965 contain silver. These silver dimes were struck with an alloy that contains 90% silver. The melt value for each silver dime is over $1.60 today.
The Mercury Silver Dime was continuously minted by the US Mint from 1916 until 1945. These coins feature Lady Liberty on the obverse wearing a phrygian cap, often mistaken for the Greek God Mercury due to the winged hat.
The Roosevelt Silver Dime was introduced in 1946 and was minted with a 90% silver alloy until 1964.
Silver dimes, like all 90% silver US coinage are sometimes referred to as “junk silver”. This is a common term adopted from the coin collecting industry for coins that have little to no numismatic value. Their value lies strictly in the silver content.
Junk silver dimes are a great way to start investing in silver. They are fractional and you can buy them close to spot price.
Silver Dimes in Circulation
There are still some silver dimes in everyday circulation alongside modern clad coins. The Roosevelt Dime was introduced in 1946. Billions of silver dimes were minted up until the debasement began in 1965. While many have been melted down over the years, there are still plenty available in the wild.
The easiest way to tell if you have a silver dime is by looking at the date. All dimes that were minted prior to 1965 contain 90% silver content. If your dime is from 1964 or earlier, then it is a silver dime.
Silver Dime Values
At the very minimum, a silver dime is worth its weight in silver. A 90% silver dime has an overall gross weight around 2.5 grams. Therefore, it has roughly .0715 ozt of silver. Based on the spot price, the intrinsic value of the silver is worth far more than the face value, which is the primary reason that the government stopped the use of silver and made the switch to clad coins.
An easy way to estimate the value of your silver dimes is that each $1.00 Face Value, or ten silver dimes, contains .715 troy ounces of silver. This is a commonly accepted weight that takes into consideration that there may be some wear and tear from circulation.
For more information about which silver dimes may be key dates and have some numismatic value you can check out the page on coinflation.com.
You can easily compare online dealer prices for 90% silver dimes:
Cleaning old coins is a topic that often divides coin collectors and numismatists. Generally, experts advise against cleaning coins, as doing so not only removes the patina, it can also scratch their surface and will most likely diminish their value, especially for collectible or antique coins.
Coin collectors and numismatists prefer coins with their original, uncleaned surfaces.
However, if you have circulated 90% junk silver coins that you wish to clean for personal enjoyment and are not concerned about their collectible value, there are a variety of gentle methods you can use.
The simplest and least invasive method is to use soap and warm water. Soak the coins in warm water with a mild dish soap like Dawn and then gently rub them with your fingers or a soft cloth. Avoid using any abrasive materials that can scratch the coin.
For coins with heavy buildup, an olive oil soak can sometimes loosen grime over time. Place the coins in a container filled with olive oil and leave them for a week or longer. This method is very slow and can take quite a while to show results.
Vinegar and Salt can be used for cleaning base metal coins such as common modern pennies. Mix vinegar with a teaspoon of salt and soak the coins in the solution for a few minutes before rinsing them thoroughly with distilled water. Be aware that this can potentially damage the coin’s surface and is not recommended for valuable or antique coins.
Electrolysis is often used by professionals and involves passing an electric current through a solution with the coin as an electrode. It can be effective but also risky, and should not be attempted without proper knowledge and equipment.
There are a variety of commercial products in the form of liquids, foams and creams specifically designed for silver cleaning. For really grimy 90% junk silver, cleaning creams like Wrights Silver Cleaner, available from Amazon, often produce excellent results when used with a soft cloth. If you decide to use one of these, follow the instructions carefully.
If you have old coins that may collectible value, it’s best to consult a professional before attempting any cleaning. Professional conservation involves techniques and substances that are not readily available to the public and is performed by experts with an understanding of the chemistry of coins and the effects of various cleaning methods.
Always test any cleaning method on a coin of little or no value before attempting it on anything more valuable. And remember, if a coin is valuable or if you’re unsure of its value, it’s best to leave the cleaning to the professionals.
Until 1965, U.S. dimes were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. However, because of rising silver prices, the U.S. Mint decided to continue debasement of coinage by changing the composition of dimes to a copper-nickel alloy, starting with the clad coin production in 1965. The US Mint not longer issues silver dimes, instead, today’s dimes are of an alloy that is 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel.
Silver dimes are ten-cent coins that were minted from 1796 to 1964, made from an alloy called “coin silver.”
Six different styles of silver dimes had been issued by the US Mint before 1965. Those include the Draped Bust, Capped Bust, Seated Liberty, Barber, Mercury, and Roosevelt designs.
Until 1965, U.S. dimes were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. However, because of rising silver prices, the U.S. Mint decided to continue debasement of coinage by changing the composition of dimes to a copper-nickel alloy, starting with the clad coin production in 1965. Today’s dimes are of an alloy that is 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel.
Silver Dime Variations
Roosevelt Silver Dimes (1946-1964): These feature a portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse side.
Mercury Dimes (1916-1945): Despite the name, these actually depict a young Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap, which was mistaken for Mercury, the Roman messenger god.
Barber Dimes (1892-1916): Named after their designer, Charles E. Barber, these dimes feature the head of Liberty on the obverse.
Seated Liberty Dimes (1837-1891): These depict Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield in one hand and an olive branch in the other.
Capped Bust Dimes (1809-1837): These feature a portrait of Liberty wearing a cap, along with an eagle on the reverse.
Draped Bust Dimes (1796-1807): These feature a portrait of Liberty with flowing hair and draped bust.
Collectors seek out silver dimes for their historical and numismatic value, while investors purchase them for their silver content as a hedge against economic instability or inflation. The industry refers to this as “junk silver,” although the term doesn’t reflect on the condition or value of the coin but rather means that its value comes primarily from its metal content rather than its rarity or collectibility.
Face Value Bags of Junk Silver
Online bullion dealers typically offer 90% silver dimes based on the face value that each contains. For example, each $5 Face Value standard bank roll of silver dimes has fifty individual pieces minted Pre-1965. Each circulated silver dime contains approximately .0715 troy ounces, with each standard $5 Bank Roll of silver dimes having a total of 3.575 troy ounces ASW.
Buying $100 Face Value bags of silver dimes provides one thousand individual dimes. These face value bags a popular way for new collectors to better understand the many rare dates, die variations, mint marks and error coins that are available. The intrinsic value of this bag is much higher than the face value due to the silver content of the coins.
Books About Silver Dimes
Pre-made Ten-Cent Coin Albums from Dansco and Whitman are an easy way for collectors to keep things organized and are available from Amazon and other retailers.
As a reference guide, many coin dealers use the spiral bound Guide Book of United States Coins, typically referred to as the “Red Book”, to help with pricing of collectible coins. The publish updates the guidebook each year making it one of the most common guidebook for collectors and investors alike.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Precious metals coins have been found by archaeologists and historians that date back thousands of years.
Historians and archaeologists from around the world have unearthed precious metal coins from cultures that vanished long ago. Many notable examples from China, India, Ancient Greece and Egypt are on display in museums.
Silver, Gold and other precious metals are found in natural deposits throughout the world. Coins minted from silver and gold have been valued, exchanged as the purest form of money since ancient civilizations.
The earliest known was the Lydians, an ancient Mediterranean civilization that has been discovered in part of modern day Turkey.
The Lydians are the first known culture to create coins from gold and silver. The earliest coins discovered were minted of an alloy similar to electrum. Electrum is a naturally occurring alloy containing gold and silver that also contains trace amounts of copper and other metals.
The Lydian stater coins have often been reported to be struck from this naturally-occurring alloy. However, modern analysis has shown that many were actually made from a specific and rather consistent alloy. A mixture of approximately 55% gold, 45% silver, and a small balance of copper.
In Ancient Greece, the silver drachma was the standard used for hundreds of years even into the early Roman Empire. Each drachma was minted with 4.3 grams of silver. the largest know, the Decadrachm contained 43 grams of silver.
Colonial times and long ocean voyages to the new world helped to establish a new routes for international trade. The economies of the Europe were funded by exploits gained through colonial expansion. Ships returning to Europe brought goods like sugar, corn and tobacco. The New World was also filled with treasures made from gold and silver.
Locally struck coins dating to as early as 1497 have been discovered at early settlements in the Caribbean.
The Spanish were the first to establish a mint in the New World in what is today in Mexico City. La Casa de Moneda was built by Spanish Colonial settlers in 1536 by order of King Charles I of Spain.
La Casa de Moneda has operated continuously as the oldest operating mint in North America. The flagship bullion coin is the Mexican Libertad Silver Coins which are minted on an annual basis.
Silver coins were also struck in mints established throughout the British colonies. The US Mint was established in Philadelphia in 1792 following the American Revolution.
Everyday Americans carried and used silver coins in everyday life for more than 173 years. Coins minted from alloys of silver were in circulation up until the 1960s.
Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1965. The passage of this act led to further debasement and ushered in the transitioned the dollar away from a gold-standard.
Prior to 1965, all dimes, quarters, half-dollar and dollar coins were 90% silver. Half dollar coins were debased to 40% silver in 1965. The final 40% silver coins intended for circulation were minted in 1970.
The debasement of the dollar and removal from the gold standard continued during Nixon’s first term as president.
Today, these old circulated silver coins are referred to as Junk Silver. They are bought, sold, traded by investors, stackers, preppers, collectors. Having a few rolls or stacks of old silver coins provides some additional financial security. It’s easy to buy
The price of silver was driven up to over $50 per ounce on January 18, 1980. At the time the Hunt Brothers were reported to have been holding over 100 million physical ounces at the time.
In response, COMEX created a new trading rule called the “Silver Rule 7”. The new rule suddenly forced the brothers into covering debt borrowed to finance futures contracts. The abrupt change of rules caused the price of silver to drop bymore than 50% in just four days.
The law established that the first coins were to be released the following year meeting specifications for composition. The US Mint debuted the 1986 American Eagle, minted from .999 fine silver with a design that remained for 35 years.
In 2021, the US Mint updated the reverse with a new design that was introduced part-way into year. There are two distinct reverse designs for the 2021 American Silver Eagle.
During the first part of the year, the coins continued to be minted using the existing design. The coins featuring the new reverse that shows an eagle grasping an olive branch with both talons.
Type 2 – Silver Eagle Design
Today, American Silver Eagle investment coins are considered to be the most widely trusted and recognized silver bullion coin worldwide.
The number of coins manufactured each year varies on demand from investors. The coins are minted based on sales. This helps the US Mint to implement a business model that allows for flexibility in scaling capacity.
Silver bullion coins are sold only to Authorized Purchasers who are approved US Mint. The wholesalers acquire freshly minted silver eagle coins from the mint at a fixed premium over spot price. The premium from the mint to wholesalers is $2.35 over theLMBA silver spot price.
The list of Authorized Purchasers includes investment banks and online bullion dealers APMEX and A-Mark. A-Mark is the parent company of well-known online bullion dealers including JM Bullion, Silver.com, Provident Metals and BGASC.
This year, it has been widely reported that the US Mint has been unable to keep up with investor demand. This is the first time in the 36 year history of minting bullion coins. High premiums at retail have led to some investors to buy generic silver bullion.
Manufacturing delays of planchets from private refineries forced the mint to cancel several eagerly anticipated releases.
The American Silver Eagle coin is only available in a one troy ounce denomination which has a $1 USD face value legal tender designation.
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.
1806 Draped Bust Quarter
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.
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.
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On June 12th, eBay launched another promotion to earn a 10% eBay Bucks bonus on qualified purchases.
As usual, items listed in the bullion categories are ineligible to earn eBay Bucks.
However, there are some ways to earn eBay Bucks when you buy bullion on eBay. When you buy bullion on eBay when they are running a bonus Bucks promotion it helps to reduce your overall dollar cost average. When factoring in the eBay Bucks bonus into the net cost of the bullion, it’s possible to buy bullion below spot price.
The first thing to note is that items listed in the bullion categories are ineligible for earning eBay Bucks. This rule has been in place for a long time as it’s always listed in the fine print whenever eBay has a special promotion like the one running today.
The second thing to note is that many times sellers will cross list bullion items in other somewhat related categories that are eligible for earning eBay Bucks. Often times this means searching for items you’d normally find in the bullion categories in related categories, such as coins and currency.
Online bullion dealers will do this because they are aware of the promotions and want to encourage people to purchase because of the promotion. eBay charges dealers a higher fee when listing in other categories so the items may be a slightly higher cost. When factoring in the eBay Bucks earned via the promotion this is often times not even a factor.
To help you find the best deals we keep track of gold, silver and junk bullion items that are eligible for earning eBay Bucks on bullion. The list includes a variety of Pre-1933 gold coins, silver bars and rounds, American Silver Eagles, and plenty of Pre-1965 junk coinage. The items on this page are all eligible to earn eBay Bucks and any promotional bonuses that are offered.
