Is junk silver cheaper than rounds or bars?

Often yes. In normal markets premiums can be lower than sovereign coins and similar to generic rounds/bars. Always compare $/ozt.

Junk Silver Coins

Q: What is “junk silver” vs. “constitutional silver”?

Both refer to pre-1965 U.S. coins that are 90% silver (dimes, quarters, halves). The silver content is identical; 'constitutional' is a friendlier term.

Q: How many troy ounces are in $100 face value of 90% silver?

About 71.5 troy ounces of fine silver (rule of thumb: $1 FV ≈ 0.715 ozt for circulated mixed coinage).

Q: Is it legal to melt junk silver?

Yes. Current U.S. restrictions apply to pennies and nickels, not silver coinage. Laws can change—check current guidance.

90% silver coins were in everyday circulation prior to 1965

Junk Silver Coins Categories

Silver Dimes

Silver Quarters

Silver Half Dollars

Morgan Silver Dollars

Peace Silver Dollars

Silver Dollar Coins

$1 Face Value US Mint 40% Pure Silver Coins

Best Price: $12.66

1971-1976 40% Silver Eisenhower Dollars (Circulated)

Best Price: $13.49

1971-1976 40% Silver Eisenhower Dollar Proof Coin - Random Year

Best Price: $16.49

Canada Junk Silver Dollar

Best Price: $25.39

$1 Face Value 80% Canada Junk Silver

Best Price: $26.17

$1 Face Value 90% Silver Roosevelt Dimes

Best Price: $30.22

$1 Face Value 90% Silver Coins (Junk)

Best Price: $30.24

Mercury Dimes $1 FV

Best Price: $30.42

Peace Dollar Silver Coin (Random Year)

Best Price: $31.73

Circulated Peace Dollar Culls

Best Price: $32.41

Morgan Silver Dollars (Random Year)

Best Price: $32.49

$1 Face Value 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars

Best Price: $33.12

$1 Face Value 90% Silver Standing Liberty Quarters - Worn Dates

Best Price: $33.99

1921 Morgan Dollar - Average Circulation

Best Price: $34.99

Washington 90% Silver Quarters $1 FV

Best Price: $35.23

90% Silver Barber Half Dollars - Average Circulated - $1 Face Value

Best Price: $37.42

$1 Face Value Roosevelt 90% Silver Dimes

Best Price: $38.49

1921 Morgan Silver Dollar - BU Condition

Best Price: $39.02

1922-D Peace Dollar Silver Coin

Best Price: $40.50

5 Pesetas Spanish Silver Coin

Best Price: $45.00

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

Best Price: $46.32

35% Silver War Nickels ($1 FV)

Best Price: $47.31

$10 FV 90% Silver Barber Half Dollars

Best Price: $48.86

Mexican Silver 5 Pesos 1947-1948 Cuauhtemoc

Best Price: $56.30

1922 MS-62 Peace Dollar Silver Coin

Best Price: $59.99

Pre-1921 PCGS MS-62 Morgan Silver Dollar

Best Price: $62.99

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

Best Price: $99.95

1894-O Morgan Silver Dollar XF

Best Price: $100.00

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

Best Price: $120.71

Mercury Dimes – $5 Face Value

Best Price: $148.97

$5 Face Value Roosevelt 90% Silver Dimes Roll

Best Price: $151.97

$5 Face - 90% Barber Silver Dimes

Best Price: $152.01

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

Best Price: $298.66

1964 Kennedy Half Dollar (90% Silver, $10 FV)

Best Price: $299.01

$10 Face Value Franklin Half Dollars 90% Silver

Best Price: $299.01

$10 Face Value 90% Silver Standing Liberty Quarters

Best Price: $302.23

$10 Face Value 90% Silver Coins

Best Price: $303.37

$10 Face Value 90% Washington Silver Quarters

Best Price: $303.66

$10 FV 90% US Barber Silver Quarters

Best Price: $318.24

$10 FV Franklin Half Dollars AU

Best Price: $319.99

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

Best Price: $321.82

1882-1884-CC Morgan Silver Dollar GSA - Random Year

Best Price: $339.99

2004-S Texas Statehood Silver Proof Quarter 40-Coin Roll

Best Price: $359.99

Roll of 20 Random Year 1878-1904 $1 Cull Morgan Silver Dollars Full Dates

Best Price: $695.00

Kennedy 40% Silver Half Dollars - $100 Face Value

Best Price: $1207.14

$50 Face Value Junk Silver

Best Price: $1520.09

90% Junk Silver Quarters, $100 FV Bag

Best Price: $2949.38

90% Silver Half Dollars, $100 FV

Best Price: $2963.68

$100 Face-Value 90% Silver Coins

Best Price: $3038.75

$500 FV 90% Silver Washington Quarters

Best Price: $15197.20

$1000 Face Value - 90% Circulated Silver Coins

Best Price: $30308.85

Junk Silver (90% “Constitutional Silver”) — Compare Live Dealer Prices

Buying junk silver coins—pre-1965 U.S. dimes, quarters and half dollars minted in 90% silver—is one of the lowest-premium ways to stack physical silver. This page tracks real-time offers across trusted online dealers so you can comparison-shop premiums and quickly spot the cheapest price per troy ounce.

Why Investors Like Junk Silver Right Now

Tight spreads & high liquidity: common denominations (dimes/quarters/halves) trade everywhere and resell easily.
Fractional flexibility: face-value lots ($1, $5, $10, $100 FV) break down into small, spendable units.
Historical trust: legal-tender U.S. coinage with transparent fine-silver content (e.g., dime ≈ 0.0715 ozt; quarter ≈ 0.1787 ozt; half dollar ≈ 0.3575 ozt).
Low Premiums: circulated junk silver typically has a lower premium per ounce than newly minted bullion.

What you’ll find on this page

A live list of current lowest prices for popular lots ($1, $5, $10, $50, $100 Face Value), with links to each price-comparison detail page.
Mixes by type (Roosevelt/Mercury dimes, Washington quarters, Walking Liberty/Franklin/Kennedy halves) and by condition (circulated “dealer mix,” VG–XF, BU when offered).
Occasional 40% silver (1965–1970 halves), silver dollars (Morgan/Peace, usually higher premiums), and bag deals.

Tip: Premiums on junk silver often run ~$0.99–$2.49/oz over spot in calm markets and can compress further in competitive conditions. Use the filters and sort by $/ozt to zero in on the best deal.

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

Quick Reference: Fine Silver Per Coin

Dime (pre-1965): ~0.0715 ozt
Quarter (pre-1965): ~0.1787 ozt
Half dollar (pre-1965): ~0.3575 ozt
40% Kennedy half (1965–1970): ~0.1479 ozt
Morgan/Peace dollar: 0.7735 ozt (numismatic premiums may apply)

Want exact melt? Our calculators convert face value → troy ounces and $/ozt → lot price in one step.

FAQ

What is “junk silver” vs. “constitutional silver”?

Both terms refer to pre-1965 U.S. circulation coins that are 90% silver (dimes, quarters, halves). “Constitutional” is a friendlier term many stackers use; the silver content is identical.

How many troy ounces are in $100 face value of 90% silver?

Approx. 71.5 ozt of fine silver (rule of thumb: $1 FV ≈ 0.715 ozt for mixed 90% coinage in circulated condition).

Is junk silver cheaper than 1 oz rounds or bars?

Often, yes. In normal markets, junk silver premiums can be lower than sovereign coins and close to generic rounds/bars. During retail shortages, premiums can widen—compare $/ozt before you buy.

Is it legal to melt junk silver?

Yes. Current U.S. restrictions apply to melting pennies and nickels, not silver coinage. Laws can change—check current guidance if you plan to refine.

What about 40% silver coins?

1965–1970 Kennedy halves are 40% silver (~0.1479 ozt each). They often carry lower premiums but also lower silver per coin; compare $/ozt across both.

During the early 1960s, the increased use of silver in manufacturing things like photographic film and other consumer goods caused the price of silver to rise.

Beginning in 1965, the US Mint introduced the cupronickel-clad coins that we are most familiar with today. 90% silver coins were once used as regular everyday coinage until people began to hoard the them due to their intrinsic value.

By 1971, the US Mint shifted the half-dollars to the nickel-clad alloy coins that are now well-known, saving 90% silver for proofs and unique commemorative coins.

Compare Prices of Junk Silver Coins

When buying Junk Silver Coins as a store of value, FindBullionPrices.com can help you find the lowest premiums from an assortment of trusted and reputable online bullion dealers. The prices on our site are updated every hour and adjusted for silver spot price. This gives you the tools to compare silver prices.