Junk Silver Calculator
Straight answer
“Junk silver” is pre-1965 US coinage that’s 90% silver, valued for its metal, not rarity. Each coin holds a known amount of silver — a 90% dime ≈ 0.0723 troy oz, a quarter ≈ 0.1808 oz, a half ≈ 0.3617 oz. Pick the coin and quantity; with today’s silver spot filled in, this shows the total silver content and melt value.
Junk silver trades close to its melt value, so the math is simple once you know each coin’s silver weight. Enter what you have and see what the silver is worth.
Based on standard actual silver weight (ASW) for circulated coins; heavily worn coins hold slightly less. Junk silver usually sells near melt — a small premium when demand is high. Dealers buy back below spot.
How much silver is in junk coins?
| Coin | Composition | Silver content |
|---|---|---|
| Dime (pre-1965) | 90% | 0.0723 troy oz |
| Quarter (pre-1965) | 90% | 0.1808 troy oz |
| Half dollar (pre-1965) | 90% | 0.3617 troy oz |
| Morgan / Peace dollar | 90% | 0.7734 troy oz |
| Kennedy half 1965–70 | 40% | 0.1479 troy oz |
| War nickel 1942–45 | 35% | 0.0563 troy oz |
A common shortcut: $1 of face value in 90% dimes/quarters/halves holds about 0.715 troy oz of silver (circulated). So a $100 face “bag” is roughly 71.5 oz of silver.
Buying and selling junk silver
Junk silver is a low-premium way to own recognizable, divisible silver — handy for small trades. It usually sells close to melt, though premiums rise in shortages. When selling, you’ll get a bit below spot from a dealer; see junk silver value and best silver coins to buy.
How much silver is in a pre-1965 quarter?
About 0.1808 troy ounces. A pre-1965 dime holds ~0.0723 oz and a half dollar ~0.3617 oz — all 90% silver.
What is the “0.715” rule for junk silver?
Every $1 of face value in 90% silver dimes, quarters, and half dollars contains roughly 0.715 troy oz of silver in circulated condition. Multiply face value by 0.715, then by the silver spot price.
Does junk silver sell for melt value?
Close to it. It trades near melt with a small premium that rises when silver demand is high; dealers buy it back slightly below spot. It has no numismatic premium in circulated grades.