900 Silver Price Today Coin Silver & Junk Silver Melt Value
900 silver — also called "coin silver" or "junk silver" — is the 90% pure silver alloy used in all US silver coins minted before 1965. This page shows the live melt value per gram and per ounce, plus an individual coin calculator for Morgan dollars, Peace dollars, Kennedy halves, quarters, and dimes — updated hourly from global commodity markets.
What Is 900 Silver (Coin Silver)? — 90% Pure and the Backbone of US Junk Silver
900 silver — universally known as "coin silver" in the precious metals market — is a 90% silver, 10% copper alloy that was the official composition of virtually all US silver coins from 1837 through 1964. This includes Morgan dollars, Peace dollars, Walking Liberty and Franklin half-dollars, Standing Liberty and Washington quarters, Mercury and Roosevelt dimes, and the early Barber series coins. The Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated silver from US dimes and quarters entirely (and reduced half-dollars to 40% silver), making pre-1965 coins the primary source of 900-grade silver on the market today.
The term "junk silver" refers specifically to these coins when they carry no meaningful numismatic (collector) premium above their silver melt value. Despite the unflattering name, junk silver is one of the most liquid and widely traded forms of physical silver, prized by investors for its divisibility, recognizability, and government-backed face value. A bag of $1,000 face value in junk silver dimes, quarters, or halves contains approximately 723.4 troy ounces of pure silver — a standard unit in precious metals trading.
Coin-by-Coin Melt Value Calculator
Select a coin type and enter your quantity. The calculator applies each coin's exact silver weight to give you the live melt value. These weights are certified by the US Mint — they don't change, only the spot price does.
Select Coin & Quantity
Silver Weight Per Coin (Certified by US Mint)
| Coin | Pure Ag (g) | Melt Value |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan / Peace Dollar | 24.06g | $— |
| Kennedy / Franklin / Walking Liberty ½ | 11.25g | $— |
| Washington / Standing Liberty Quarter | 5.625g | $— |
| Roosevelt / Mercury Dime | 2.25g | $— |
| $1 face value (any mix) | 22.50g | $— |
| $100 face value (junk bag) | 2,250g | $— |
Melt Value vs. Numismatic Value — Should You Sell for Silver or as a Collectible?
The single biggest mistake coin sellers make is scrapping a coin worth far more than its silver content. Before selling any 90% silver coin, always check its numismatic (collector) value. The rule of thumb: common-date coins sell near melt; key-date or high-grade coins can sell for many multiples of melt.
Sell for Melt Value
Common-date coins in heavily circulated condition (Good to Fine grade) have minimal collector premium. These are genuinely "junk silver" — their value comes entirely from silver content. Selling to a coin dealer or junk silver buyer at 90–98% of melt value is the right move for these coins.
- →1964 Roosevelt dimes (any quantity)
- →1964 Washington quarters (heavily worn)
- →Common-date Morgan dollars (G–VG grade)
- →1964 Kennedy halves in any condition
Consider Numismatic Value
Certain dates, mint marks, and condition levels push a coin's value well beyond silver content. A coin with significant numismatic value sold to a scrap buyer is money left on the table. Always check the PCGS Price Guide or NGC price list before selling any Morgan dollar, early dime, or unusual-looking piece.
- →Morgan dollars (all dates — many are valuable)
- →Peace dollars (1921, 1925-S, 1934-S)
- →Mercury dimes with full split bands
- →Any coin with full original luster (MS grade)
Key Dates Worth More Than Melt
The following coins are examples of why you should always look before you scrap. Each contains the same ~24g of silver as a common Morgan dollar — but the rarity of their date or mint makes them worth vastly more to collectors. This is not an exhaustive list; always check every coin you plan to sell.
- !1893-S Morgan — $500–$50,000+ depending on grade
- !1889-CC Morgan — $500–$1,500 in typical grades
- !1916 Mercury Dime — $25–$150 in worn grades
- !1921 Peace Dollar — $75–$300+ in circulated grades
How to Identify 900 Silver Coins — Dates, Mint Marks & Tests
Not every old coin is silver, and not every silver-looking coin is 90% pure. Here's how to quickly verify whether your coins are genuine 900-grade silver and understand what you're looking at.
Date Cutoffs by Coin Type
The easiest way to know if a US coin is 90% silver is its date. Congress removed silver from dimes and quarters after 1964, and from half-dollars after 1970. Memorizing these cutoffs lets you quickly sort silver from clad in any pile of loose change or estate coins.
- →Dimes & Quarters: 1964 and earlier = 90% silver
- →Half Dollars: 1964 and earlier = 90% silver
- →1965–1970 Halves: 40% silver (Kennedy only)
- →Dollars: Morgan (1878–1921), Peace (1921–1935) = 90%
Mint Marks & Their Locations
The mint mark on a silver coin tells you where it was struck. Location varies by coin type and era, but generally appears on the reverse (back) of the coin near the bottom. The letter code corresponds to one of four operating US Mints from the silver era.
- PPhiladelphia — no mint mark on most coins
- DDenver — generally common, lower premiums
- SSan Francisco — often scarcer, higher premiums
- CCCarson City — rare, significant numismatic value
Quick Tests to Confirm Silver
If you're not sure whether a coin is genuine 90% silver (versus a modern clad copy, a cleaned base metal fake, or a modern commemorative), these tests help you verify quickly. The edge test is especially reliable for telling silver quarters from modern copper-nickel clad quarters.
- →Edge test: Silver quarters and dimes show a solid silver edge. Clad coins have a visible copper stripe on the edge.
- →Ring test: Drop a silver coin on a hard surface — it produces a clear, high-pitched ring. Clad coins make a dull thud.
- →Magnet test: Silver is not magnetic. If the coin sticks to a magnet, it is not genuine silver.
- →Weight test: Morgan dollar = 26.73g, Quarter = 6.25g, Dime = 2.50g. Off-weight means possibly counterfeit.
Where to Sell 90% Silver Coins for the Best Price
The junk silver market is one of the most liquid in precious metals. Buyers know exactly what they're getting — the silver weight is standardized — which means prices are competitive. Here's where to sell and what to expect.
Coin Dealers & Bullion Shops
Local coin dealers and precious metals shops are the best buyers for junk silver. They understand the market, can assess numismatic value on the spot, and typically pay 92–98% of melt value for common-date 90% silver coins. Always get quotes from at least two dealers — even $1/oz difference on a $1,000 bag is $723 in your pocket.
- ✓Highest payout for bulk silver coin lots
- ✓Can identify key dates and upgrade your offer
- ✓Cash or check, same day
Auction Houses & Online Sales
If you have Morgan dollars, Peace dollars, or other coins that might have numismatic value above melt, consider eBay, Heritage Auctions, or Stack's Bowers. Getting your coins graded by PCGS or NGC before selling unlocks the collector premium — a $30 grading fee can turn a $25 melt coin into a $150+ certified collectible.
- ✓Maximum value for rare or high-grade pieces
- ✓PCGS/NGC certification increases buyer confidence
- ✓Global buyer pool on eBay and Heritage
Pawn Shops & General Scrap Buyers
Pawn shops and general precious metals scrap buyers often lack the expertise to identify numismatic coins and deliberately lowball on junk silver to protect their margins. They typically offer only 60–75% of melt value — a significant discount compared to what coin dealers offer. Use them only if convenience is your top priority.
- ✗Will not recognize numismatic value in coins
- ✗Pay 60–75% of melt on common-date coins
- →Only useful for immediate cash in an emergency
Read our complete guide on where to sell silver coins and get the best deal
Complete Guide: How to Sell Silver →Need to Identify What You Have?
Our silver identification guide covers US coin types, date ranges, mint marks, and how to tell silver from silver-plated — so you know exactly what you're holding before you sell.
Frequently Asked Questions — 900 Coin Silver
Common questions from coin collectors, estate sellers, and silver investors about 90% US silver coins.
What is the melt value of a Morgan silver dollar today?
A Morgan silver dollar contains 24.06 grams of pure silver. At a spot price of $28/oz (troy), the melt value is approximately $21.66 per coin. The live figure is shown in our coin calculator above and updates hourly. Note: many Morgan dollars are worth significantly more than melt due to collector demand — always check the date and mint mark first.
What does 900 silver mean?
900 silver means the alloy is 90% pure silver and 10% copper — 900 parts silver per 1,000. This is the standard composition for US silver coins minted between 1837 and 1964. The same standard was also used for some European coins and the Canadian dollar prior to 1967. It is sometimes hallmarked "900" on silver coins, medals, and flatware from non-US mints.
What is junk silver and is it the same as 900 silver?
Yes — "junk silver" specifically refers to pre-1965 US 90% silver coins with no significant numismatic premium above their melt value. The term is a precious metals trading designation, not a quality judgment. These coins are bought and sold by the bag (usually $100 or $1,000 in face value) purely for their silver weight. A $1,000 face value bag contains 723.4 troy ounces of pure silver.
How much silver is in a pre-1965 US quarter?
A pre-1965 US silver quarter (Washington or Standing Liberty type) contains 5.625 grams of pure silver. At $28/oz spot price, each quarter has a melt value of approximately $5.06. Four silver quarters = one dollar of face value = 22.5g pure silver = ~$20.25 melt value. A roll of 40 silver quarters contains 225g of pure silver.
Should I sell my junk silver coins for melt or hold them?
For common-date circulated coins (1964 Roosevelt dimes, Washington quarters, Kennedy halves), selling near melt is the right decision — their collector premium is minimal. Always check key dates first: certain Morgan dollar dates, 1916 Mercury dimes, and early Peace dollars can be worth 10–100× melt value. Never scrap any coin without checking its date and mint mark.
What is the face value of $1 in silver coins worth today?
One dollar of face value in pre-1965 US 90% silver coins contains 0.7234 troy ounces of pure silver (22.50g). At a spot price of $28/oz, that equals approximately $20.25 in melt value per dollar of face value. This ratio (spot price × 0.7234) is the standard formula used by all coin dealers to price junk silver bags and rolls.
Are 90% silver coins a good investment?
Junk silver coins are a popular investment vehicle for several reasons: they trade close to spot price, they're government-issued with face value backing, they're highly divisible (useful in barter scenarios), and they're universally recognized. The main downside is a modest premium over pure 999 bullion. Most investors hold junk silver alongside 999 bars and coins for portfolio diversification.