If you have a jar of old coins, a roll of pre-1965 dimes, or a bag of mixed silver coins, you have something valuable. Pre-1965 U.S. dimes, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars are 90% pure silver, and at today's silver prices, they are worth many times their face value.
Here is everything you need to know about 90% silver coins, what they are, what they are worth, and where to sell them for the best price.
What Is "Junk Silver"?
"Junk silver" is a term used in the precious metals industry for circulated U.S. coins that have no significant numismatic (collector) premium above their silver content. The term is misleading because these coins are not junk at all. They are a convenient, recognizable, and highly liquid form of physical silver.
Which U.S. Coins Are 90% Silver?
Dimes (10 cents)
- Barber Dimes: 1892–1916
- Mercury Dimes: 1916–1945
- Roosevelt Dimes: 1946–1964
Quarters (25 cents)
- Barber Quarters: 1892–1916
- Standing Liberty Quarters: 1916–1930
- Washington Quarters: 1932–1964
Half Dollars (50 cents)
- Barber Half Dollars: 1892–1915
- Walking Liberty Half Dollars: 1916–1947
- Franklin Half Dollars: 1948–1963
- Kennedy Half Dollars: 1964 only (1965–1970 Kennedy halves are 40% silver)
Silver Dollars
- Morgan Dollars: 1878–1904, 1921
- Peace Dollars: 1921–1935
Important: After 1964, the U.S. Mint switched to clad (copper-nickel) composition for dimes and quarters. 1964 and earlier are silver, 1965 and later are not.
How Much Silver Is in Each Coin?
| Coin | Silver Content (troy oz) |
|---|---|
| Dime (10¢) | 0.07234 oz |
| Quarter (25¢) | 0.18084 oz |
| Half Dollar (50¢) | 0.36169 oz |
| Silver Dollar | 0.77344 oz |
What Is Your 90% Silver Worth Today?
If silver is trading at $60 per troy ounce:
- One 90% silver dime = $4.34
- One 90% silver quarter = $10.85
- One 90% silver half dollar = $21.70
- One Morgan or Peace dollar = $46.40
Check the current silver spot price at Kitco.com.
A quick rule of thumb: $1 face value in 90% silver coins contains approximately 0.715 troy ounces of silver. So a roll of 40 pre-1965 quarters ($10 face value) contains about 7.15 troy ounces of silver, worth approximately $429 at $60/oz silver.
When Junk Silver Is Worth More Than Melt Value
Not all 90% silver coins are equal. Some have significant numismatic value above their silver content:
- Key date coins: certain dates and mint marks are rare and worth multiples of melt value
- High-grade examples: uncirculated or near-uncirculated coins command premiums
- Original rolls: bank-wrapped rolls of silver coins are worth more than loose coins
Before selling any 90% silver coins, have them evaluated by an expert. You may have key dates mixed in with common coins.
What We Pay for 90% Silver
At Clemson Coins, we pay based on the live silver spot price: updated throughout the day. We pay a strong percentage of melt value, consistently more than any other dealer, coin shop, or pawn shop in Upstate South Carolina.
We also identify and pay full numismatic premiums for any key dates or high-grade examples. We will not pay you melt value for a coin that is worth ten times melt as a collectible.
We buy any quantity, from a single coin to a 55-gallon drum of junk silver.
Come See Us in Pendleton
Located in Pendleton, South Carolina, 30–35 minutes from Greenville, 20 minutes from Anderson, and convenient to all of Upstate SC, Western NC, Northeast GA, and East Tennessee.
Walk in any time Tuesday through Saturday, 10am–5pm. No appointment needed. Call ahead for large quantities: 864-502-0100.
Clemson Coins, Currency and Bullion Pendleton, South Carolina
We Pay More, Always.