What Is Junk Silver? Pre-1964 Coins and Their Value

The label "junk silver" undersells it, because there is nothing junky about the metal. It just means common U.S. silver coins valued for their content rather than as collectibles. If you have a jar of old change, it can add up fast.

This guide explains which coins count and how the value is worked out.

Which coins count

Most U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver. The mint switched dimes and quarters to copper-nickel in 1965, so the date is an easy first filter.

Roosevelt and Mercury dimes dated 1964 or earlier
Washington quarters dated 1964 or earlier
Walking Liberty, Franklin, and 1964 Kennedy halves
Barber dimes, quarters, and halves
Kennedy halves from 1965 to 1970, which are 40% silver

How it is priced

Junk silver is paid as a share of its melt value, starting from the coin’s silver weight times the live spot price. Dealers often speak in terms of "face value," since a known amount of 90% silver holds a predictable amount of metal.

Bigger, sorted lots generally earn a closer rate to spot than a loose handful, though there is no minimum to sell.

When "junk" is not junk

Every so often a coin in a junk pile turns out to be a better date or a higher grade worth more than metal. That is exactly why a buyer should look through the coins rather than just weighing them, and why you should never sort or clean them yourself.

Key takeaways

Junk silver means everyday pre-1965 U.S. 90% silver coins.
The value is the coin’s silver weight against live spot.
1965 to 1970 Kennedy halves are 40% silver, in a class of their own.
Have someone scan the coins for a better date before selling.

FAQ

Common questions

Which coin years are silver?

U.S. dimes and quarters dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver. Halves are 90% through 1964 and 40% from 1965 to 1970. Starting in 1965, dimes and quarters turned to copper-nickel.

How much is a bag of junk silver worth?

It follows the total silver content times live spot, scaled by quantity. Bring it by and we weigh it, quote against the market, and scan it for any better dates.

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