What is Junk Silver Currency?

The term Junk Silver is broad term that includes any government issued coinage that was in circulation containing silver that has no numismatic value to coin collectors. It is collected only for the silver content that it contains.In the United States, coinage that contained 90% silver was in circulation prior to 1965. Coins containing 90% Silver were minted by the US Mint. The coinage included dimes, quarters, half-dollars and one-dollar coins. During World War 2, some nickels were minted with 35% silver alloy as well.

How much silver is in a silver dime?

Mercury dimes were all produced with 90% silver content. Roosevelt dimes produced before 1965 also contained 90% silver.Each 90% silver dime contains 2.25 grams of silver (.072 troy ounces). The net weight of a silver dime is roughly 2.5 grams, including the copper alloy.

How much silver is in a silver quarter?

Silver quarters, including silver Washington Quarters that were produced before 1965 each contain 90% silver.Each 90% silver quarter contains 5.625 grams of silver (.181 troy ounces). The net weight of a silver quarter is roughly 6.25 grams, including the copper alloy.

How much silver is in a silver half dollar?

Silver half dollars that were minted before 1965 each contain 90% silver. Silver half dollars that were minted from 1965 to 1970 are made from an alloy containing 40% silver.Each 90% silver half dollar contains 11.25 grams of silver (.362 troy ounces). The net weight of a 90% silver half dollar is roughly 12.5 grams, including the copper alloy.Each 40% silver half dollar contains 5 grams of silver (.148 troy ounces). The net weight of a 40% silver half dollar is roughly 12.5 grams, including the copper alloy.

How much silver is in a silver half dollar?

Silver half dollars that were minted before 1965 each contain 90% silver. Silver half dollars that were minted from 1965 to 1970 are made from an alloy containing 40% silver.Each 90% silver half dollar contains 11.25 grams of silver (.362 troy ounces). The net weight of a 90% silver half dollar is roughly 12.5 grams, including the copper alloy.Each 40% silver half dollar contains 5 grams of silver (.148 troy ounces). The net weight of a 40% silver half dollar is roughly 12.5 grams, including the copper alloy.

How much are silver coins worth?

The value of silver coins is based on the amount of silver each coin contains.Silver dimes each contain 2.25 grams of silver. Silver quarters each contain 5.625 grams of silver. 90% Silver half-dollars each contain 11.25 grams of silver.Each 40% silver half dollar contains 5 grams of silver.

Junk Silver Coins

Q: Where to buy Junk Silver?

Silver investors flock to junk silver because it is often available at or close to silver spot price and can be found with little to no premium. Silver half-dollars, quarters and dimes comprise the majority of junk silver and it is easy to buy from online bullion dealers and marketplaces like eBay. Additionally, there are a variety of well established buy/sell communities and groups on Facebook, Reddit, Instagram and other social media and community forums. Locally, you can usually find junk silver at pawn shops, We Buy Gold stores, local coin shops and some antique stores.

90% Junk Silver Coins

The US Government issued 90% silver, 10% copper in most of their circulated coins in 1964 and before. To save money, the US Mint was ordered to use only 40% silver, 60% copper in their coins. Then, in 1971, the US Mint produced the nickel-clad...

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Junk Silver Coins Product Categories

Circulated Silver Dimes
Circluated Silver Quarters
Mixed Lots Circulated Silver Coins
Circulated Silver Half Dollars

$1 Face Value 80% Canada Junk Silver

Best Price: $17.67

Canada Junk Silver Dollar

Best Price: $18.07

$1 Face Value 90% Silver Coins

Best Price: $25.98

Circulated Peace Dollar Culls

Best Price: $28.50

Random Year Peace Dollar Silver Coin

Best Price: $29.00

$1 Face Value - 35% SILVER WAR NICKELS - 20 Coins

Best Price: $30.15

Mercury Dimes $1 FV

Best Price: $31.31

1878-1904 Morgan Silver Dollars (Random Years)

Best Price: $32.00

1921 Morgan Dollar - Average Circulation

Best Price: $33.99

1921 Morgan Silver Dollar - BU Condition

Best Price: $35.00

Mexican Silver 5 Pesos 1947-1948 Cuauhtemoc

Best Price: $49.78

$2 Face Value - 35% SILVER WAR NICKELS - 40 Coins

Best Price: $56.62

$10 Face Value Kennedy Half Dollars 40% Silver 20-Coin Roll

Best Price: $76.14

$5 Face Value Roosevelt 90% Silver Dimes Roll

Best Price: $119.99

Mercury Dimes - 90% Silver - $5 Face Value

Best Price: $135.14

$10 Face Value 90% Silver

Best Price: $205.75

90% Silver 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar 20-Coin Roll

Best Price: $240.00

$10 Face Value Franklin Half Dollars 90% Silver

Best Price: $241.99

$10 Face Value Standing Liberty Quarters 90% Silver

Best Price: $242.99

Walking Liberty Half Dollars - $10 Face Value 90% Silver

Best Price: $246.97

Starter Portfolio Gold & Silver

Best Price: $576.82

Kennedy 40% Silver Half Dollars - $100 Face Value

Best Price: $760.81

$50 Face Value Junk Silver

Best Price: $1279.85

$100 Face-Value 90% Silver Coins

Best Price: $1888.54

$1000 Face Value - 90% Circulated Silver Coins

Best Price: $24878.07

Quick Facts About Junk Silver Coins

Junk Silver is a commonly used name for coins minted before 1965. These coins were minted with an alloy that contains a mix of 90% silver (Ag) and the remaining 10% is copper (cu). Buying Junk Silver continues to be one of the best and most affordable ways to grow your investment in precious metals.

The alloy is often referred to as "coin silver". In addition to being used to mint silver U.S. coins, it is also found amongst early-American antiques.

These coins have no numismatic value to collectors. Junk silver is traded for the intrinsic value of the silver content that it contains.

When the United States changed the composition of the coins to clad in 1965 many people began to hoard the 90% silver coins for the metal value. These are typically early coins such as Barber and Mercury Dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters and Walking Liberty Halves.

For a brief time during World War 2, the nickels were minted with an alloy containing 35% silver.

90% Silver for Investment

Utilizing 90% silver as a store of wealth is one of the most practical investments anyone can make. It is easy to stack and can be easily stored in paper bank rolls or canvas bags.

It is common to find junk silver being sold in popular face value denominations.

Making bulk purchases of circulated silver coins is the most effective way to get the lowest premium.

Junk silver is widely recognized and very simple to authenticate without any special tools or chemicals. The silver coins have a slightly different appearance than modern clad coins and can usually be identified with visual examination of certain characteristics that help them stand out.

The first and most obvious thing to look for is the date. The minting of silver in everyday coins ended in 1964. Quarters and dimes minted in 1965 and after are modern copper clad coins.

In addition to the date, the reeded edge on Pre-1965 coins is entirely silver. With modern clad coins, the copper core is visible through the coin edge.

Another way to identify junk silver coins is by the sound the coin makes when it's dropped onto a solid surface. Silver is a dense material. The "Ping Test" is easily recognizable for experienced preppers and stackers. Apps are available for mobile phones that can help new investors to help distinguish genuine 90% silver.

Stacking Junk Silver

Junk Silver is an informal term used for any silver coin which has been circulated and has little to no numismatic or collectible value. The intrinsic value of the silver is the major appeal of these coin.

The condition of each coin in a bag of junk silver can range from cull condition all that way up to brilliant uncirculated. Older coins will typically have more signs of wear and tear.

Standing Liberty quarters were first minted over 100 years ago and it is common to encounter them with the dates entirely worn away. It is common to find Barber coins in cull or slick condition. While you may find a 1964 Washington Quarter that looks as shiny as the day it was minted.

Investing in circulated silver coins is extremely popular with people buy at regular intervals. It's easy to buy junk silver in $1 Face Value increments.

Franklin half-dollar coins were minted from 1948 until 1963. The Franklin half-dollar coin was replaced by the Kennedy half-dollar coin. The Kennedy half-dollar coin was minted in 90% silver only in 1964. From 1965-1969 Kennedy half-dollar coins were minted with 40% silver content.

The Washington quarter was introduced into circulation in 1932. The Washington Quarters were 90% silver until 1964. Starting in 1965, Washington Quarters were minted as a copper/nickel alloy.

All Mercury dimes were minted with silver. As did Roosevelt dimes minted before 1965.

Any combination of 90-percent silver halves, quarters and dimes that adds up to face value of US$1.00 contains 0.715 troy ounces of pure silver. Vintage silver dollar coins, such as the Morgan and Peace dollars were minted with .7736 troy ounces of silver.

How to get Junk Silver at or Below Spot Price

Silver investors flock to junk silver because during times of lesser demand you can often buy junk silver close to spot price. Historically, junk silver has one of the lowest dealer premiums.

It has been almost 60 years since these coins have been minted. During that time, most of these coins have been removed from circulation by savvy savers and coin roll hunters. Millions of circulated coins were melted down for the value of the silver during the early 1980s.

Coin roll hunting continues to be a popular way for stackers to find free silver coins inside coin rolls and bank boxes. Though you might have better luck taking a look at the Coinstar reject tray the next time you're at the store.

Where to Buy Junk Silver

Junk Silver continues to be an affordable and accessible way to begin buying and holding silver and other precious metals as a store of value and wealth.

Silver half-dollars, quarters and dimes comprise the majority of junk silver and it is easy to buy from online bullion dealers and marketplaces like eBay.

Additionally, there are a variety of well established "buy/sell" communities and groups on Facebook, Reddit, Instagram and other social media and community forums.

Locally, you can usually find junk silver at pawn shops, We Buy Gold stores, local coin shops and some antique stores.

In some areas of the country it's possible to find easy opportunities to buy, sell and trade using silver gold for both products and services.

Online bullion dealers typically sell junk silver in lots based on the total face value of all denomination.

Each $1 face value of junk silver in any combination dimes, quarters or half-dollars contains roughly .715 troy ounces of pure silver.

Coin	Years Minted	Silver Content	Total Weight	Silver Weight
90% Silver Dimes
Liberty Head "Barber Dime"	1892-1916	.90	2.5	2.25 grams (.072 troy ounces)
Winged Liberty "Mercury Dime"	1916-1945	.90	2.5	2.25 grams (.072 troy ounces)
Roosevelt Dime	1946-1964	.90	2.5	2.25 grams (.072 troy ounces)
90% Silver Quarters
Liberty Head "Barber Quarter"	1892-1916	.90	6.25	5.625 grams (.181 troy ounces)
Standing Liberty Quarter	1916-1930	.90	6.25	5.625 grams (.181 troy ounces)
Washington Quarter	1932-1964	.90	6.25	5.625 grams (.181 troy ounces)
90% Silver Half Dollars
Walking Liberty	1916-1947	.90	12.5	11.25 grams (.362 troy ounces)
Franklin	1948-1963	.90	12.5	11.25 grams (.362 troy ounces)
Kennedy	1964	.90	12.5	11.25 grams (.362 troy ounces)
Kennedy	1964-1969	.40	12.5	5 grams (.148 troy ounces)
90% Silver Dollars
Morgan Dollar	1878-1921	.90	26.73	24.06 grams (.773 troy ounces)
Peace Dollar	1921-1935	.90	26.73	24.06 grams (.773 troy ounces)
35% Silver Nickels
Jefferson "War Nickels"	1942-1945	35%	5 grams	1.75 grams (0.0563 troy ounces)

How to buy the cheapest Junk Silver Coins

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