How To Calculate Silver Dollar Values And Other Junk Silver Coin Prices

Junk silver coins are old US coins that contain silver. Up until 1965, US coins were minted with a 90% silver content. They are a great way to invest in silver but you should know a little about the different coins before buying them. This information below should help you also calculate Silver Dollar Coin Values and other Junk Silver Prices

Junk Silver Coin    – Silver Content (ounces)
Dimes
Seated Liberty 1837-1852     0.07726
Seated Liberty 1853-1873     0.07205
Seated Liberty 1873-1891     0.07234
Barber Dime 1892-1916     0.07234
Mercury Dime 1916 to 1945    0.07234
Roosevelt Dime 1946-1964     0.07234

Quarters
Barber Quarters 1892-1916     0.18084
Standing Liberty Quarters 1916-1930    0.18084
Washington Quarters 1932-1964    0.18084

Half Dollars
Barber Half Dollar 1892-1915    0.36169
Walking Liberty Half 1916-1947    0.36169
Franklin Half Dollar 1948-1963    0.36169
Kennedy Half Dollar 1964     0.36169
Kennedy Half Dollar 1965-1969    0.14789

Silver Dollars
Trade Dollar 1873-1885    0.78761
Morgan Dollar 1878-1921    0.77343
Peace Dollar 1921-1935    0.77343

To calculate the value of each coin get the current silver price from the website linked below and then multiply that by the silver content in each coin. So for example if the Silver Price is $16 then the value of a Morgan Silver Dollar is 16×0.77343=$12.37.

Remember that when you go and buy these coins the dealer may quote the price in terms of “face” (i.e. face values) in the above example he might quote you 12.3 times face. It is always handy to know the spot price of any coin before buying it so you know how much premium you are paying. For these kind of coins in small amounts it is not unreasonable to pay up to 20% and this premium will get less the more you buy.

The advantage of junk silver coins over buying one ounce silver rounds is that junk silver coins are lower denomination – they are smaller amounts of silver meaning 1) you can start investing in silver for much less (a silver dime will cost you under $2) 2) for those people who see buying silver as a good hedge against financial collaspe. The low denomination of junk silver coins makes them an ideal bartering tool. Yes I am sure someone will give you a loaf of bread for your ounce of silver but it was a very expensive loaf!!!