Silver content of US coins
| Coin | Years | Silver | Pure silver (ozt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| War nickel (Jefferson) | 1942–1945 | 35% | 0.05626 |
| Dime (Barber, Mercury, Roosevelt) | 1892–1964 | 90% | 0.07234 |
| Quarter (Barber, Standing Liberty, Washington) | 1892–1964 | 90% | 0.18084 |
| Half dollar (Barber, Walking Liberty, Franklin, Kennedy) | 1892–1964 | 90% | 0.36169 |
| Kennedy half dollar | 1965–1970 | 40% | 0.14792 |
| Morgan and Peace dollars | 1878–1935 | 90% | 0.77344 |
| Eisenhower dollar (silver, S mint) | 1971–1976 | 40% | 0.31625 |
| American Silver Eagle | 1986–today | 99.9% | 1.00000 |
Example: a pre-1965 Washington quarter weighs 6.25 grams and is 90% silver, so it contains 5.625 grams, or 0.1808 ozt, of pure silver. If silver were $50 per ounce, one quarter would have a melt value of about $9.04.
How to spot silver coins
- Check the date. Dimes, quarters and halves dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver. Kennedy halves from 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver.
- Look at the edge. Silver coins have a solid silver-colored edge. Modern clad coins show a copper stripe.
- War nickels from 1942 to 1945 have a large mint mark (P, D or S) above Monticello on the reverse. Nickels without it are not silver.
- Proofs and silver proof sets from 1992 onward include 90% or 99.9% silver dimes, quarters and halves, even though they look like circulating coins.
US gold coin melt values
| Coin | Gold content (ozt) |
|---|---|
| $2.50 Quarter Eagle (pre-1933) | 0.12094 |
| $5 Half Eagle (pre-1933) | 0.24187 |
| $10 Eagle (pre-1933) | 0.48375 |
| $20 Double Eagle (pre-1933) | 0.96750 |
| American Gold Eagle, 1 oz | 1.00000 |
Pre-1933 gold coins are 90% gold. Many trade at a premium over melt, and some dates are rare and worth far more.
Melt value isn't always the whole story
Melt value is the floor for a silver or gold coin, not the ceiling. Key dates, mint marks, errors and high-grade coins can be worth many times their metal content. Before selling coins as junk silver, check the dates against a coin guide. Melting US coins is legal for silver and gold issues; it's restricted only for current pennies and nickels. For loose 90% silver by weight, use the coin silver calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much silver is in a pre-1965 quarter?
A pre-1965 quarter contains 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver (6.25 grams at 90% silver).
How much silver is in a pre-1965 dime?
A 90% silver dime contains 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver. Ten dimes hold the same silver as four quarters or two half dollars.
Are war nickels silver?
Yes. Jefferson nickels struck from mid-1942 through 1945 are 35% silver and contain 0.05626 troy ounces of silver each. Look for the large mint mark above Monticello.
How much is $1 face value of junk silver worth?
$1 face value of 90% silver dimes, quarters or halves contains 0.7234 troy ounces of silver. Many dealers use 0.715 ozt to allow for wear. Multiply by the silver spot price to get the melt value.
Are 1965 quarters silver?
No. Starting in 1965, US dimes and quarters are copper-nickel clad with no silver. Half dollars from 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver.
Do dealers pay melt value for silver coins?
Junk silver coins often sell close to melt value, and dealers sometimes pay near or even slightly above it when demand is high, while others pay below. Prices change daily.