How Much Is 1 Ounce of Silver Worth?
One troy ounce (31.1035 grams) of .999 fine silver is worth the current spot price. This is the base unit for silver pricing worldwide.
1oz silver bars and coins are the most popular investment size due to their affordability and easy divisibility.
1 oz Silver Bars & Coins: What to Know
The 1 troy ounce silver bar is the single most liquid silver product on the secondary market. Dealers buy and sell them at near-spot prices, and their size makes them easy to store, ship, and trade. Popular minted products — such as the American Silver Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and Austrian Philharmonic — all weigh exactly 1 troy ounce (31.1035 g) and carry a .999 or .9999 fine silver content.
When calculating scrap or melt value, the key variable is always the current spot price. Because a 1 oz silver coin is 100% silver (for .999 fine), its theoretical melt value equals spot. In practice, dealers pay 90–97% of spot for most generic rounds, while numismatic coins with collector premiums can sell above spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a 1 oz silver coin worth spot price? For .999 fine coins, melt value equals spot. Dealer buyback is typically spot minus a 3–10% spread.
- How do I weigh a 1 oz silver coin? Use a digital scale accurate to 0.01 g. A genuine 1 oz coin should weigh 31.10 ± 0.05 g.
- What is the difference between troy and avoirdupois ounce? A troy ounce (31.1035 g) is about 10% heavier than a standard US ounce (28.35 g). Always use troy weight for silver.
How to Sell a 1 oz Silver Coin or Bar
The best venues for selling 1 oz silver depend on how quickly you need to sell and how close to spot price you want. Local coin shops offer immediate cash but typically pay 90–95% of spot. Online dealers like APMEX, JM Bullion, and Kitco often post buyback prices within 1–3% of spot and ship is straightforward for small quantities. Peer-to-peer platforms (eBay, Facebook Marketplace) can yield spot or better but require more effort and carry counterparty risk.
For maximum value, sell during periods of elevated silver prices, avoid rush selling when spot is near a local low, and present coins or bars in their original packaging with any certificates of authenticity.