How Much Is 90% “junk” silver Worth?
How much is 90% “junk” silver worth?
90% “junk” silver is 90% pure, so its melt value is the silver spot price multiplied by the item’s weight in troy ounces, then by 0.9. In other words, 90% “junk” silver is worth about 90% as much per gram as fine silver. We don’t post a live price here — enter today’s spot in our melt value calculator for an exact figure.
Whether you’re selling a piece or just curious, the value of 90% “junk” silver comes down to its purity and weight against the live spot price — not what it cost new. Here’s how to work it out and what a buyer will actually pay.
What 90% “junk” silver is
90% “junk” silver contains 90% silver by weight; the rest is alloy metals added for durability and color. You’ll usually see it stamped pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, half dollars. It’s typically used for pre-1965 US circulating coins, sold for their silver content. Because value tracks the metal content, a heavier or higher-purity piece is worth more — design and brand rarely add resale value unless the piece is a recognized bullion product or a signed designer item.
How to calculate 90% “junk” silver melt value
Take the spot price per troy ounce, multiply by the weight in troy ounces (1 troy oz = 31.1035 g), and multiply by the purity (0.9). For example, at an illustrative spot of $30/oz, a 10-gram piece of 90% “junk” silver holds about 0.289 troy oz of silver, for a melt value near $9. At that same illustrative spot, 90% “junk” silver runs about $0.87 per gram of metal value. Spot moves constantly, so treat these as examples and use the calculator with the current price.
What you’ll actually be paid
Melt value is the ceiling for scrap and jewelry, not the offer. Buyers pay a percentage of melt to cover refining and margin: refiners and top buyers around 90–95%, local jewelers and coin shops roughly 70–90%, and pawn shops the least. See who pays the most and how to sell without getting ripped off before you accept an offer.
| Grade | Purity | Value vs pure, per gram |
|---|---|---|
| Sterling silver | 92.5% | 92% |
| 90% “junk” silver (this page) | 90% | 90% |
Selling or buying it
If you’re selling, identify the stamp, weigh it, and know the melt value before you talk to a buyer; read selling gold jewelry and the hallmark guide. If a piece is only marked GF, GP, or plated, it’s not solid silver and has little melt value.
How much is 90% “junk” silver worth per gram?
At an illustrative spot of $30 per troy ounce, 90% “junk” silver is worth about $0.87 per gram of metal (90% of the pure-metal price). The live figure moves with spot — use our melt value calculator.
What does the pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, half dollars stamp mean?
It marks 90% purity — that's 90% “junk” silver. Use it to confirm what you have before estimating melt value.
Is 90% “junk” silver worth selling as scrap?
Yes, for its metal content — but you'll be paid a percentage of melt, not full melt. Recognized bullion sells closest to spot; jewelry and scrap sell below melt, so get multiple quotes.