Junk Silver


Examples of Junk Silver Coins
Junk silver coins refer to silver coins minted for currency whose silver content make them more valuable than their ‘numismatic’ value.

Silver coins minted for circulating currency are not pure silver.  In general silver is considered to be too soft to for functional items.  Sterling silver is an alloy, usually silver and copper, with a minimum of 92.5% silver by weight to be considered ‘sterling silver’.  Most US silver coins minted before 1964 are 90% silver by weight and are either ‘numismatic’ or junk silver coins.


More Junk Silvers

Silver coins which had been minted for use as currency will never fall below their stated value i.e. a silver dollar is worth $1.00, a dime $0.10, etc… and they spend as such.  However when sold as collectible,  The silver content (which is subject to current market price) is compared to its market value which is based on what other collectors are currently willing to pay for it.  This separates “Junk” silver coins from “Numismatic” silver coins.  A numismatic silver coin’s value depends on many factors some of which are: when and where they were minted, and the condition of the silver coin.


Coin  Weight (g)              Composition

$1 Face         25               90% silver, 10% copper

$5 Face        125               90% silver, 10% copper

$10 Face      250                   90% silver, 10% copper

$20 Face      500               90% silver, 10% copper


Coin Weight (g)             Composition

1/2 lbs. 226.796               90% silver, 10% copper

1 lbs. 453.59               90% silver, 10% copper

5 lbs. 2267.96               90% silver, 10% copper

10 lbs. 4535.92               90% silver, 10% copper





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