Pre-1965 U.S. Silver Coins | Morgan, Peace & 90% Silver (2024)

FAQs

Are 90 percent silver coins worth anything? ›

The currency “face value” of a 90% Silver U.S. Coin Bag is guaranteed to be $1000 U.S. Dollars. However, silver junk bags are worth close to their intrinsic metal value. General shortage or surpluses of silver coins in the marketplace can affect their worth as related to pure investment grade bullion.

Roosevelt and Mercury Dimes, Washington Quarters, and Walking Liberty Franklin and Kennedy Half-Dollars minted in 1964 and earlier are 90% silver. The value of most circulated coins minted in the 1920′s through 1964 is primarily from their silver content.

Most coins minted in the United States before 1965 were 90% silver and 10% copper. Silver at the time was a cost-effective way to produce coins that were both durable and attractive. All other U.S. denominations other than pennies and nickels at one time were struck using 90% silver.

Typically these coins are not considered for their numismatic value, and they are often traded for their silver bullion content in $100, $500, and $1000 face value rolls or bags.

Since the silver market is measured by weight, you can look at the current price of silver and use that to determine your coin's value based on how much your coins weigh. Silver is measured in troy ounces, which is a special unit of measurement for gold and silver.

Silver 1965 quarters are special because they're transitional error coins. In 1964, quarters were still struck with a 90% silver planchet. In 1965, quarter production changed to a clad composition planchet made of copper and nickel.

Over 1.8 billion 1965 US quarters were minted, and none carry mint marks. In average circulated condition they're only worth 25¢.

Until 1964, all the quarters were made of 90% silver. This changed after 1965. The new clad quarters were made of a clad composition of copper and nickel. However, rare error coins containing 90% silver can still be found, and they can be worth over $5,000 if in mint state.

One Georgia state quarter has been estimated to be worth over $7,000 due to a particular production error. The rare coin was minted in 1999, when the US Treasury began the state quarters program.

Which quarter is worth $35000? ›

The 1941 quarter has at least six doubled-die errors plus the Large-S and Small-S mint mark varieties, according to Coin Value Lookup. All these errors make these quarters worth big paychecks. Regarding finding a quarter worth $35,000, the coin sold had the Canadian “1941” imprint behind the U.S. “DOLLAR.”

There's a 1965 quarter with no mint mark worth $7,000 because it was made on the wrong metal (silver instead of copper-nickel clad).

You have several options, including local coin shops, online precious metals dealers, online marketplaces, and direct sales to collectors. Rare coins are best sold direct to collectors who may pay a healthy premium.

To add up to an ounce of silver, it takes three pre-1965 half dollars, six quarters, or 14 dimes.

Divisibility – The 90% silver dime contains only 1/14th of an ounce of silver. Smaller units of silver are more convenient to sell when necessary. The small size of 90% silver coins also make them ideal for customers that purchase small amounts of silver periodically.

How can I tell if my coin is 90% or 40% Silver? Coins minted before 1965 are 90% Silver, while half dollars minted between 1965 and 1970 are 40% Silver. If you're unsure, you can check the coin's date or consult a coin dealer or expert.

A 90% silver quarter contains 0.1808479 of an ounce of silver, so 5.5 of them adds up to one troy ounce. Since you can't have half of a coin, rounding up means it takes six silver quarters to make more than a troy ounce.