What Is Junk Silver?
"Junk silver" describes United States coins minted in 1964 or earlier that contain 90% silver. The term "junk" is a misnomer — it simply means the coins have no numismatic (collectible) premium, not that they are worthless. They are highly sought after by investors for their intrinsic precious metal content.
In 1965, the US Mint switched to copper-nickel "clad" coins. Because the 1964 silver coins were worth more than their face value, they quickly disappeared from circulation — a classic example of Gresham's Law: "Bad money drives out good." Today, finding a silver quarter in pocket change is a rare event.
Common Junk Silver Coins & Their Silver Content
- Dimes (Mercury & Roosevelt, pre-1965) — 0.0723 troy oz pure silver each
- Quarters (Washington, pre-1965) — 0.1808 troy oz pure silver each
- Half Dollars (Franklin & Kennedy, pre-1965) — 0.3617 troy oz pure silver each
- Morgan & Peace Dollars — 0.7734 troy oz pure silver each
- War Nickels (1942–1945) — 0.0563 troy oz (35% silver)
- Kennedy Half (1965–1970) — 0.1479 troy oz (40% silver)
The $1.00 Face Value Rule
$1.40 in face value of pre-1965 coins (e.g. 14 dimes, or 5 quarters + 1 dime) contains approximately one troy ounce of pure silver. This shortcut lets you quickly estimate large collections without a scale.
Why Invest in Junk Silver?
Junk silver is government-issued, immediately recognizable, and comes in small, divisible units. Unlike a 100 oz bar, you can sell a single dime if you only need a small amount of cash. Their supply is finite, adding scarcity to intrinsic value, and they typically carry a lower premium than modern bullion coins like American Silver Eagles.
How to Use This Calculator
Select your coin type from the dropdown, enter the quantity you have, then press Calculate Silver Value. The result shows total melt value based on the live silver spot price, value per coin, and total troy ounces of silver. The reference table below updates automatically with the current spot price.