That jar of old change in the closet might be worth a lot more than its face value. Until 1965, the U.S. Mint made dimes, quarters and half dollars out of real silver. Each one is now worth many times what’s stamped on it, and most people have no idea which coins they’re holding.
Here’s how to tell if your coins are silver, roughly what they’re worth, and when a coin might be worth more than its silver.
Which U.S. coins contain silver?
The rule of thumb is simple: dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver. In 1965 the Mint switched to the copper-nickel “clad” coins we use today. A few exceptions are worth knowing:
- Kennedy half dollars from 1965 to 1970 still contain 40% silver.
- “War nickels” from 1942 to 1945 contain 35% silver. Look for a large mintmark (P, D or S) above the building on the back.
- Morgan and Peace silver dollars (the large dollars made before 1936) are 90% silver.
- Nickels and pennies outside those war years contain no silver.
The quick edge test: look at the edge of a dime or quarter. A silver coin’s edge is solid silver all the way through. A modern clad coin shows a copper-colored stripe.
How much silver is in each coin?
| Coin | Silver | Silver content | Melt value at $50/oz silver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dime, 1964 or earlier | 90% | 0.0723 oz | about $3.62 |
| Quarter, 1964 or earlier | 90% | 0.1808 oz | about $9.04 |
| Half dollar, 1964 or earlier | 90% | 0.3617 oz | about $18.09 |
| Kennedy half, 1965–1970 | 40% | 0.1479 oz | about $7.40 |
| War nickel, 1942–1945 | 35% | 0.0563 oz | about $2.82 |
| Morgan or Peace dollar | 90% | 0.7734 oz | about $38.67 |
The $50 figure is only an example; silver prices move every day. To estimate your own coins, multiply the silver content by today’s silver price. You’ll find the live spot price on our homepage.
A handy shortcut: every $1 in face value of 90% silver dimes, quarters or halves holds about 0.72 ounces of silver. So $10 face value in old dimes holds over 7 ounces.
Melt value vs. what a buyer pays
Melt value is the value of the silver inside the coin. Any dealer, including us, pays somewhat below melt, because coins have to be sorted, handled and resold. What matters is that the buyer bases the offer on that day’s silver price and shows you the math. If someone won’t explain how they reached their number, that’s a red flag. Our guide to fair cash-for-gold prices explains how honest offers work, and the same principles apply to silver.
When a coin is worth more than its silver
Most circulated silver coins are valued for their silver alone. Dealers call these “junk silver”, which only means they have no extra collector premium.
Some coins are worth far more because of their date, mintmark, condition or rarity. Well-known examples include the 1916-D Mercury dime, the 1932-D and 1932-S Washington quarters, and the 1893-S Morgan dollar. Uncirculated coins, proof coins and complete mint sets can also carry a premium.
Before you sell a collection, have it looked over coin by coin. We check dates and mintmarks so a valuable coin doesn’t get lumped in with the rest. The same idea applies to gold; see melt value vs. collector value for gold coins.
Tips before you sell
- Don’t clean your coins. Polishing or scrubbing can destroy a collectible coin’s value, and it doesn’t raise the silver value.
- Sort by type if you can. Separate dimes, quarters, halves and dollars, and set aside anything that looks unusual or very old.
- Keep coin sets in their original packaging. Proof and mint sets are worth more when they’re complete.
- Bring a valid photo ID. Texas law requires it for precious metal purchases.
Selling silver coins in Fort Worth
At Alliance Gold and Silver Exchange, there’s no appointment needed. Bring in your coins and we’ll sort them, check for any with collector value, and make a cash offer based on that day’s silver price. There’s never an obligation to sell.
We’re at 2901 Western Center Blvd #120, just off I-35W in Fort Worth. We’re open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 682-316-4221 with any questions, or see how it works.