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Common U.S. Silver Coins (Pre-1965)

You will find valuable buying/selling information on 12 popular U.S. coins in my book The Last US 90 Percent Silver Coins. Available in both paperback and eBook formats. Preview first part for free.

In 1965, the United States stopped producing coins containing 90 percent silver (specifically, coins produced for general circulation). They must have seen the proverbial "handwriting on the wall". When silver topped out at about $50 per ounce in 1980, the silver content of these coins far outweighed their face value. That still holds true today (a silver dime contains over $1.00's worth of silver).

In this article, I provide information on the silver content (purity) of mostly pre-1965 common (and not-so-common) U.S. silver coins. Since there is a difference in the silver content of circulated and uncirculated silver coins, I will cover both.

How You Can Use This Information
If you are considering selling or buying U.S. silver coins, you can use this information to determine the value of each coin's silver content based on the current spot price of silver. Then shop various dealers to see who gives you the best (and fairest) price.

United States War Nickels

Silver U. S. War NickelFrom 1942-1945, the normal alloy of .750 copper and .250 nickel for U. S. nickels was changed because nickel was too valuable to the war effort. During these war years, U. S. nickels were minted using .560 copper, .350 silver and .090 manganese. This 35% silver content amounted to .0563 Troy ounces of pure silver. They're easy to spot as they are the only nickels with a mint mark of P, S or D above the dome of Monticello on the reverse. In 1946, U. S. nickels went back to their pre-war content.

United States 90% Silver Dimes

Silver Barber Dime.Silver Mercury Dime.Silver Roosevelt Dime.This information applies to the: Barber (or Liberty Head) Dime minted from 1892-1916; Mercury (or Winged Liberty Head) Dime minted from 1916-1945; and Roosevelt Dime minted from 1946-1964. From 1965 to present, the Roosevelt dime has been minted containing .750 copper and .250 nickel.

Circulated Silver Dimes: Silver content=.0715 Troy ounces; Silver fineness=.9000 (the other .1000 is copper); Gross weight=.079 Troy ounces (2.471 grams); Net (silver) weight=.0715 Troy ounces (2.2239 grams).

Uncirculated Silver Dimes: Silver content=.0723 Troy ounces; Silver fineness=.9000; Gross weight=.080 Troy ounces (2.500 grams); Net (silver) weight=.0723 Troy ounces (2.2500 grams).


To determine the silver (melt) value of a circulated dime, multiply the current spot price of silver times .0715. For example: $25.00 x .0715 = $1.7875



United States 90% Silver Quarters

Silver Barber Quarter.Standing Liberty Silver Quarter.Silver Washington Quarter.

This information applies to the: Barber (or Liberty Head) Quarter minted from 1892-1916; Standing Liberty Quarter minted from 1916-1930; and the Washington Quarter minted from 1932-1964. From 1965 to present, the Washington quarter has been minted containing .750 copper and .250 nickel.

Circulated Silver Quarters: Silver content=.1788 Troy ounces; Silver fineness=.9000 (the other .1000 is copper); Gross weight=.198 Troy ounces (6.178 grams); Net (silver) weight=.1788 Troy ounces (5.5597 grams).

Uncirculated Silver Quarters: Silver content=.1808 Troy ounces; Silver fineness=.9000; Gross weight=.201 Troy ounces (6.250 grams); Net (silver) weight=.1808 Troy ounces (5.6250 grams).

To determine the silver (melt) value of a circulated quarter, multiply the current spot price of silver times .1788. Example: .1788 x $25.00 = $4.47.

United States 90% Half-Dollars

Silver Barber Half Dollar.Walking Liberty Silver Half DollarFranklin Silver Half Dollar.1964 Kennedy Silver Half Dollar.

This information applies to the: Barber (or Liberty Head) Half-Dollar minted from 1892-1915; Walking Liberty Half-Dollar minted from 1916-1947; Benjamin Franklin Half-Dollar minted from 1948-1963; and the 1964 Kennedy Half-Dollar.

Circulated Silver Half-Dollars: Silver content=.3575 Troy ounces; Silver fineness= .9000 (the other .1000 is copper); Gross weight=.397 Troy ounces (12.355 grams); Net (silver) weight=.3575 Troy ounces (11.1195 grams).

Uncirculated Silver Half-Dollars: Silver content=.3617 Troy ounces; Silver fineness=.9000; Gross weight=.401 Troy ounces (12.500 grams); Net (silver) weight=.3617 Troy ounces (11.2501 grams).


To determine the silver (melt) value of a circulated half-dollar, multiply .3575 times the current spot price of silver. Example: .3575 x $25.00 = $8.9375.



United States 40% Silver Half-Dollars

This information applies to the: Kennedy Half-Dollar minted from 1965-1970. This coin consists of an outer layer of .800 silver and .200 copper bonded to an inner core of .209 silver and .791 copper. From 1971 to date, the common Kennedy Half-Dollar consists of .750 copper and .250 nickel.


Circulated 40% Silver Half-Dollars: Silver content=.1475 Troy ounces; Silver fineness= .4000 (the other .6000 is copper); Gross weight=.368 Troy ounces (11.469 grams); Net (silver) weight=.1475 Troy ounces (4.5878 grams).

Uncirculated 40% Silver Half-Dollars: Same as circulated 40% half-dollars.

To determine the silver (melt) value of a 40% silver half-dollar, multiply .1475 times the current spot price of silver. Example: .1475 x $25.00 = $3.6875

United States 90% Silver Dollars

Morgan Silver DollarPeace Silver Dollar

This information applies to the: Morgan Silver Dollar minted from 1878-1921; and the Peace Silver Dollar from 1921-1935.


Circulated Silver Dollars: Silver content=.7650 Troy ounces; Silver fineness= .9000 (the other .1000 is copper); Gross weight=.850 Troy ounces (26.438 grams); Net (silver) weight=.7650 Troy ounces (23.7941 grams).

Uncirculated Silver Dollars: Silver content=.7734 Troy ounces; Silver fineness=.9000; Gross weight=.859 Troy ounces (26.728 grams); Net (silver) weight=.7734 Troy ounces (24.0566 grams).


To determine the silver (melt) value of a circulated dollar, multiply .7650 times the current spot price of silver. Example: .7650 x $25.00 = $19.125


If you are ready to shop for coins after reading the above material, click on this Amazon link Buying Coins and choose which coins you are interested in on the left side of the site. For instance if you are interested in 90% silver quarters, check the 1940 to 1960 box under Year, the quarter box under Denomination and silver under Metal to see what is available.  Be aware I receive a small compensation if you buy through this site which does not result in you paying more. 



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