What Are Silver Coins Worth?

What determines the value of silver coins

Silver content is the foundation. United States dimes, quarters, and half dollars struck in 1964 and earlier are 90 percent silver, a composition collectors and dealers call junk silver even though there is nothing junk about the metal. Each of those coins holds a known amount of silver, so a roll or a jar of them carries melt value that rises and falls with the live silver spot price on the global market.

Not every silver coin is 90 percent, and knowing the exact composition is part of the evaluation. Jefferson war nickels minted from 1942 through 1945 are 35 percent silver, struck that way to conserve nickel during the war. Kennedy half dollars from 1965 through 1970 are 40 percent silver, a lower content than the 90 percent halves that came before them. Sorting coins by their true silver content is the first step in reading melt value accurately.

Numismatic value sits on top of melt for certain coins. Key dates, scarce mint marks, low-mintage issues, and coins in exceptional preserved condition can be worth more to collectors than their silver alone, sometimes considerably more. A common-date worn coin is valued mainly on its metal, while a sought-after date in sharp condition is valued as a collectible. That is why we look at each coin rather than treating a collection as a single pile of metal.

Why we look beyond melt

Treating every silver coin as scrap risks overlooking the pieces that carry collector demand. A coin that looks ordinary can turn out to be a key date, and a well-preserved example of a common coin can still draw collector interest. Our approach is to separate the coins that are worth their melt from the coins that are worth more as numismatic pieces, so nothing valuable is missed.

How we evaluate it at Cash 4 Gold Trading Post

We sort your coins by composition first, separating the 90 percent silver pre-1965 issues from the 35 percent war nickels and the 40 percent Kennedy halves, so each group is read against its correct silver content. The melt side is figured against the live silver spot price, and the certified scale and weight are shown to you as we go. We then look through the collection for key dates, mint marks, and high-grade coins that carry numismatic value above their metal, and those are set apart and assessed as collectibles.

The whole evaluation is free and carries no obligation. We have been a family-owned New Jersey buyer since 2012, and our Millstone location is the chain's flagship for inherited coin collections, though any of our six stores can handle silver coins. If you accept the offer, you leave with same-day cash, and if you would rather keep the coins, they go home with you. Bring whatever you have, from a single coin to inherited albums and rolls.

What to bring and where to go

Walk-ins are welcome with no appointment at all. Stop in Monday through Saturday with your coins in whatever holders, folders, or jars they live in, along with a valid photo ID, which New Jersey requires for these transactions. You do not need to clean the coins, and in fact you should not, since cleaning can reduce collector value. While every store in our chain handles coins, the Manalapan counter at 356 US-9 Unit 6 is the default contact location for first-time questions. Call (732) 483-4145 with questions first.

Frequently asked questions about silver coin value

How do I know if my coins are silver?

For United States coins, the date is the quickest clue. Dimes, quarters, and half dollars dated 1964 or earlier are 90 percent silver, while quarters and dimes from 1965 onward are not. We confirm composition for you when you bring the coins in, so you do not have to be certain before you arrive.

Are war nickels really silver?

Yes. Jefferson nickels minted from 1942 through 1945 were struck with 35 percent silver to conserve nickel for the war effort. They are identifiable by a large mint mark above Monticello, and we sort them out and value them on their own silver content.

Do you only pay melt value, or do collectible coins count?

Both. Common-date worn coins are valued mainly on their silver melt against the live spot, but we also look for key dates, scarce mint marks, and high-grade coins that carry numismatic value above their metal, and those are assessed as collectibles.

Should I clean my old silver coins before selling?

No. Please leave them as they are. Cleaning can scratch the surface and reduce a coin's collector value, so an original, untouched coin is preferable. We evaluate coins in whatever condition they arrive.