Junk Silver Coins

Until 1964, 90% silver coins were in everyday circulation

Junk Silver Coins Categories

Silver Dimes
Silver Quarters
Mixed Lots Circulated Silver Coins
Silver Half Dollars
Morgan Silver Dollars
Peace Silver Dollars

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

Best Price: $1.77

35% Silver War Nickels ($1 FV)

Best Price: $1.77

$1 Face Value US Mint 40% Pure Silver Coins

Best Price: $9.53

Canada Junk Silver Dollar

Best Price: $19.53

$1 Face Value 80% Canada Junk Silver

Best Price: $19.60

$1 Face Value 90% Silver Coins

Best Price: $23.16

$1 Face Value 90% Silver Roosevelt Dimes

Best Price: $23.16

Mercury Dimes $1 FV

Best Price: $23.72

Circulated Peace Dollar Culls

Best Price: $27.06

Morgan Silver Dollars (1878-1904)

Best Price: $27.74

1921 Morgan Dollar - Average Circulation

Best Price: $28.99

Peace Dollar Silver Coin (Random Year)

Best Price: $29.71

1921 Morgan Silver Dollar - BU Condition

Best Price: $37.40

5 Pesetas Spanish Silver Coin

Best Price: $41.75

1922-D Peace Dollar Silver Coin

Best Price: $42.00

Bahamas $2 Flamingo

Best Price: $47.67

Mexican Silver 5 Pesos 1947-1948 Cuauhtemoc

Best Price: $54.10

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

Best Price: $85.00

1894-O Morgan Silver Dollar XF

Best Price: $85.49

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

Best Price: $93.57

$5 Face Value Roosevelt 90% Silver Dimes Roll

Best Price: $117.72

Mercury Dimes - 90% Silver - $5 Face Value

Best Price: $119.33

$5 Face - 90% Barber Silver Dimes

Best Price: $158.99

$10 Face Value 90% Silver Standing Liberty Quarters

Best Price: $233.72

$10 Face Value Franklin Half Dollars 90% Silver

Best Price: $234.38

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

Best Price: $234.38

90% Silver 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar 20-Coin Roll

Best Price: $234.73

$10 Face Value 90% Silver

Best Price: $235.09

$10 Face Value 90% Washington Silver Quarters

Best Price: $235.45

$10 Face Value 90% Modern Quarters - Statehood/ATB Proofs

Best Price: $254.64

$10 FV 90% Silver Barber Half Dollars

Best Price: $278.00

$10 FV 90% US Barber Silver Quarters

Best Price: $290.81

Kennedy 40% Silver Half Dollars - $100 Face Value

Best Price: $933.01

$50 Face Value Junk Silver

Best Price: $1171.89

90% Junk Silver Quarters, $100 FV Bag

Best Price: $2297.29

90% Silver Half Dollars, $100 FV

Best Price: $2304.44

$100 Face-Value 90% Silver Coins

Best Price: $2348.78

$500 FV 90% Silver Washington Quarters

Best Price: $11647.35

$1000 Face Value - 90% Circulated Silver Coins

Best Price: $23223.20

Learn More About Junk Silver Coins

Junk Silver is an informal term used for any silver coin that has been circulated and has little numismatic or collectible value but is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This applies to dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted through 1964. The intrinsic value of the silver is the primary appeal of these coins.

Today, 90% silver is a favorite among investors, preppers, and collectors due to its low price, recognizability, and liquidity.

This is still recognized as U.S. coinage, though the intrinsic value is worth far beyond the face value.

90% Silver Coins

Utilizing 90% silver coins as a store of wealth is one of the most practical investments one can make. It is affordable, easy to stack, and can be stored in normal bankrolls or bags.

Each $1 face value contains roughly .715 troy ounces or 22.23 grams of silver. Morgan and Peace's dollars contain slightly more, with .7734 troy ounces. These are the typical weights used by dealers when calculating the value of 90% silver.

Roosevelt and Mercury dimes, Washington quarters, Franklin, Kennedy, and Walking Liberty half dollars are all common examples of coins found with junk silver.

All Mercury dimes were minted with silver and Roosevelt dimes minted before 1965.

The Washington Quarter was introduced in 1932 and minted with 90% silver until 1964. Since then, Washington Quarters have been minted as a copper/nickel alloy, except for silver-proof quarters and other special issues.

Franklin half-dollars were minted from 1948 until 1963. The Kennedy half-dollar replaced the Franklin half-dollar. The 90% Kennedy silver half-dollar was minted only in 1964.

Mixed junk silver in standard face-value denominations can often be the cheapest option for investors looking to add weight to their holdings.

Making bulk purchases of circulated silver coins is the most effective way to pay the cheapest price and get a low premium. Junk silver is widely recognized and simple to authenticate without special tools or chemicals.

40% Silver Coins

U.S. Mint 40% Silver Coins were produced during the debasement period in the 1960s when the government transitioned away from minting 90% silver coins.

From 1965 to 1969, Kennedy half-dollar coins were minted with 40% silver before switching to base metals in 1971.

While 40% of silver coins contain less silver than their 90% counterparts, they offer an affordable way for silver investors and collectors to own a piece of U.S. coinage history.

The Kennedy Half Dollars, Eisenhower Silver Dollars, and unique Bicentennial coins are notable examples from this era.

35% Silver Coins

35% Silver Coins primarily refer to Wartime Jefferson Nickels, minted from 1942 to 1945 during World War II.

These coins were issued temporarily during WWII when the U.S. government needed to preserve nickel for military use. Silver was a practical solution to maintain coinage while conserving strategic materials.

Each wartime nickel contains about 0.05626 troy ounces of pure silver. Despite their relatively low silver content, they are still collected and traded primarily for their silver bullion value.

These coins are notable for having an oversized mint mark on the reverse, above the dome of Monticello, indicating that they contain silver.

Identifying Junk Silver Coins

These silver coins have a slightly different appearance than modern clad issues. They can be identified with a simple visual examination, looking for specific characteristics that stand out.

The first and most obvious thing to look for is the date. Silver was last minted in everyday coins in 1964. Quarters and dimes minted in 1965 and after are modern copper-clad coins.

The reeded edge on pre-1965 coins is entirely silver, along with the date. With modern clad coins, the copper core is visible through the coin edge.

Another way to identify silver coins is by their sound when dropped onto a solid surface, such as a countertop or a table.

The "Ping Test" is easily recognizable for experienced stackers and preppers. Also, Apps are available for mobile phones that help investors distinguish between authentic 90% silver and clad.

Buying Junk Silver

Junk Silver continues to be one of the cheapest and most affordable ways to begin buying silver as a store of value and wealth.

The majority of junk silver is comprised of silver half-dollar, quarter, and dime coins, which are easy to buy from online bullion dealers and marketplaces like eBay.

Additionally, various well-established "buy/sell" communities and groups exist 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, it's possible to find accessible opportunities to buy, sell, and trade using silver gold for products and services. Online bullion dealers typically sell junk silver in lots based on the total face value of all denominations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is junk silver?

Junk silver refers to pre-1965 U.S. coins (and some coins from other countries) that contain a significant amount of silver but have no collectible or numismatic value. Rather than condition or rarity, these coins derive their value from their silver content.

What types of coins are considered junk silver?

In the U.S., junk silver typically includes:

Dimes (10 cents): Mercury dimes (1916–1945) and Roosevelt dimes (1946–1964) 0.07234 troy ounces of silver.
Quarters (25 cents): Washington quarters (1932–1964) 0.18084 troy ounces of silver.
Half dollars (50 cents): Walking Liberty half dollars (1916–1947), Franklin half dollars (1948–1963), Kennedy half dollars (1964) 0.36169 troy ounces of silver.
Dollars ($1): Morgan dollars (1878–1921) and Peace dollars (1921–1935) may also be considered junk silver. 0.77344 troy ounces of silver.

These coins are 90% silver and 10% copper.

Is junk silver a good investment?

For many investors, junk silver is considered a good investment due to its low premiums over the spot price of silver. It's also useful for fractional silver investments since dimes, quarters, and half dollars are more diminutive than silver bullion coins.

How is junk silver valued?

Junk silver is valued based on the current spot price. The value of a junk silver coin is determined by its weight in troy ounces of silver and the prevailing spot price, with a slight premium added by dealers.

Can I still find junk silver in circulation?

While it is rare, junk silver can still be found in circulation. Coins dated 1964 or earlier (specifically dimes, quarters, and half dollars) can sometimes be seen while coin roll hunting rolls of change from banks, but this is uncommon due to their value as silver bullion.

Where do I buy junk silver?

You can buy junk silver from:

Online bullion dealers
Local coin shops
Coin shows and auctions
Flea markets, some antique stores
Private sellers or markets

It is typically sold in face-value increments, such as $1, $10, or $100 face-value bags of coins.

What is a "face value" bag of junk silver?

A face value bag refers to the total face value of the junk silver coins. For example:

A $100 face-value bag of junk silver quarters would contain 400 quarters (each with a face value of $0.25).
A $1,000 face value bag typically contains 715 troy ounces of silver, including $1,000 worth of dimes, quarters, or half dollars made before 1965.

What is "constitutional silver"?

The term constitutional silver is another name for junk silver. It refers to the fact that these coins were once part of the U.S. currency system, circulating as legal tender before silver was removed from coinage.

Where to buy the cheapest Junk Silver Coins

We help find the best prices for the cheapest Junk Silver Coins when you're ready to buy.

FindBullionPrices.com compares precious metals prices from trusted and reputable online bullion dealers to help you find the lowest prices on Junk Silver Coins. The prices on our site are updated hourly and adjusted for spot silver price. This gives you the tools to compare silver prices.