Anything made from precious metal is always a desirable collectible item among collectors. Especially, when the collectible item is a coin. Numismatics all over the world understand why silver and gold coins are so valuable.
Nowadays, all “gold” and “silver” coins are made from substitution-clad compositions that only reminisce precious metals and do not contain any of them in composition. Real golden and silver coins can be sold on the market for a small fortune if you are lucky enough to own an example that is rare and in great condition.
Luckily for you, in this article, we will talk about pre-1965 silver coins value, what is their worth, which ones are the most sought-after, and how to recognize them.
Short History Of 90% Silver Coins
The US Mint began producing silver coins in 1794. For the following 170 years, all minted coins contained 90% silver. These coins include dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars. The last series of 90% silver coins was produced in 1964. All silver dimes and quarters minted after 1964, (unless part of a silver proof set), don’t contain any silver.
Instead, the coins were produced from a combination of nickel and copper, and this is what we call clad coins. Before 1965, silver served as the ideal option because it was affordable, and the cost of production was also under its face value.
However, 1965 stands out as a landmark year for the US Mint, since by law from that year, silver coins were made with only 40% silver content. A few years after, in 1970, most coins stopped containing any silver at all. The reason was the rising cost of precious metals.
This change in cost made producing coins impractical. Nowadays, most 90% silver coins are valuable because of their silver content and rarity.
Most popular pre-1965 silver coins
The US Mint produced large quantities of dimes, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars for years. Due to the high mintage, these coins aren’t typically very valuable, the exception are Morgan and Peace silver dollars.
However, some silver coins do have great historic value and are a must-have in the coin collection of every coin enthusiast. Here is the list of the most popular 90% silver coins you should look for.
Peace Dollar
This is one of the rarest coins. These coins were minted in total for 10 years in two different sets. The first set was from 1921 to 1928, while the other set was from 1934 until 1935. Series of coins that were minted in 1921, 1928, 1934, and 1935 have a special value to collectors which is logical.
The Peace Dollar weighs 26.73 grams, of which 24.057 grams are from silver. The value of silver Peace Dollars besides a large amount of silver is also determined by its rarity.
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Morgan Dollar
Morgan Dollars were produced from 1878 until 1904, and also in a short period of time during 1921. Just like Peace Dollar this coin as well worth much more than others. Especially the series that was minted in Carson City in 1881 and 1885. The weight of the coins is 26.73 grams, of which 24 grams comes from silver.
Also, you should pay attention to the series from 1878. This edition is not exceedingly rare, however, some coins feature a reverse side with an eagle that has eight tail feathers. The original design includes an eagle with only seven tail feathers.
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Kennedy Half Dollar
These coins have a special historical value besides the silver content value. The US Mint started minting these coins in 1964, just a few months after the assassination of President Kennedy.
The 12.5-gram 50-cent coins were minted only for a few months before the silver content was reduced in 1965, so this gives them extra value for collectors. Depending on the condition and the origin the value of these coins vary widely.
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Walking Liberty Half Dollar
The Walking Liberty Half Dollar coin is very sought-after among collectors for its silver content as much as its beautiful design. These coins were minted from 1916 until 1947, and they contain approximately 12 grams of silver. Coins that remained in good condition are worth more than their weight in silver.
Also Read: 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value (The Most Expensive 1942 Half Dollar Costs Uo To $30,000)?
Franklin Half Dollar
Franklin Half Dollars were minted from 1948 until 1963. In fact, these coins replaced the Walking Liberty Half Dollar coins, and these coins were replaced by the Kennedy Half Dollars. They contain around 12 grams of silver each, however, their value is not determined by the content of silver only, condition and age are crucial as well.
These coins also have a historical value, since they were the first circulated coins in U.S. history that featured an image of a well-known American who was not a president.
Also Read: Franklin Half Dollar Value Chart (An Ms-67+ One Sold For Over $80,000)
Washington Quarter
Washington Quarters were minted from 1932 until 1964. These coins have a historical value considering they were produced as the commemorative coin in honor of George Washington’s 200th birthday. Also, what adds to the values is the fact that this is the last series of 90% silver quarters.
Each 90% silver Washington Quarter weighs 6.25 grams, of which 5.625 grams comes from silver. Uncirculated Washington Quarters from the early years of production with a Denver or San Francisco mint mark are much more valuable than others.
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Barber Quarter
The Barber Quarters were minted from 1892 until 1916. However, these coins are considered the least collectible silver coins of all, but they still hold some numismatic value. Just like Washington Quarters, these coins weigh 6.25 grams each, of which 5.625 grams come from silver.
However, what adds to the value is their antiquity since the first coins were minted in 1892. Some of the first editions of Barber Quarters, especially those minted in San Francisco, will cost a couple of hundred dollars at least.
Also Read: Barber Quarter Value Chart (Most Expensive Sold For $550,000!)
Mercury Dime
These ten-cent coins were minted from 1916 until 1945 approximately at the same time when the US Mint was minting Walking Liberty Half Dollars. They aren’t as valuable in terms of silver content as other coins, due to the fact that each coin weighs 2.5 grams and has approximately 1.98 grams of silver.
However, some Mercury Dimes holds a greater value for collectors, especially series that were minted in Denver. These include the 1916-D and 1921-D series.
Also Read:
Barber Dime
The US Mint produced Barber Dimes from 1892 until 1916. Meaning that these coins were predecessors of the Mercury Dimes. They are made with 90% silver and 10% copper. Just like Mercury Dimes, they weigh 2.5 grams each, of which 1.98 grams come from silver.
Their numismatic value is not determined only by the value of their silver content. The interesting fact is that most Barber Dimes have sharp strike quality which is attractive among collectors. Pay attention to the Barber Dimes minted in 1894 in San Francisco, since they are the rarest ones. There are only 24 1984-S dimes minted and 9 of them survived until today.
To make sure you understand how valuable these coins are, an 1894-S dime can go for more than a million dollars!
Also Read: Barber Dime Value Chart (Most Valuable Sold For $1,997,500!)
Most valuable pre-1965 silver coins
| Name and year | Mintage and varieties | Metal composition | Diameter and weight | Price |
| 1894-S 10C Barber Dimes Branch Mint PR66 PCGS Secure. CAC | 24 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.9 mm
2.5 grams |
$1,997,500 |
| 1894-S 10C Barber Dimes Branch Mint PR66 PCGS Secure. CAC | 24 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.9 mm
2.5 grams
|
$1,500,000 |
| 1894-S 10C Barber Dimes Branch Mint PR65 PCGS Secure. CAC | 24 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.9 mm
2.5 grams
|
$1,035,000 |
| 1895-O $1 Morgan Dollar MS67 PCGS | 450,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$575,000 |
| 1892-S $1 Morgan Dollar MS67+ PCGS. CAC. | 1,200,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper |
38.1 mm
26.73 grams |
$552,000 |
| 1893-S $1 Morgan Dollar MS67 NGC | 100,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$546,250 |
| 1889-CC $1 Morgan Dollar MS68 PCGS | 350,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$531,875 |
| 1892-S $1 Morgan Dollar MS67 PCGS | 1,200,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$460,000 |
| 1896-S $1 Morgan Dollar MS69 PCGS | 5,000,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$402,500 |
| 1893-S $1 Morgan Dollar MS64 NGC. | 100,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$372,000 |
| 1896-O $1 Morgan Dollar MS66 PCGS. | 4,900,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$345,000 |
| 1922-P High Relief Matte PR67 Peace Dollar | 35,401 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$329,000 |
| 1892-S $1 Morgan Dollar MS68 PCGS | 1,200,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$322,000 |
| 1919-D 50C Walking Liberty Half Dollar MS66 PCGS | 1,165,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
30.6 mm
12.5 grams |
$270,250 |
| 1901-S 25C Barber Quarter, MS67 | 72,664 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
24.3 mm
6.25 grams |
$258,500 |
| 1921-P $1 Morgan Dollar Chapman PR67 PCGS | 44,690,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$240,000 |
| 1895-P $1 Morgan Dollar Proof Only PR68 Cameo PCGS. CAC | 880 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$234,000 |
| 1893-S $1 Morgan Dollar MS63 NGC | 100,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$210,000 |
| 1922-P $1 Low Relief Matte Peace Dollar PR65 NGC | 51,737,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$199,750 |
| 1893-S $1 Morgan Dollar MS64 NGC | 100,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$198,375 |
| 1916-D 10C Mercury Dimes MS67 Full Bands PCGS. CAC | 264,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.9 mm
2.5 grams |
$195,500 |
| 1922-P $1 High Relief, Peace Dollar, Sandblasted Antique Finish, Judd-2018, R.8, SP64 PCGS Secure | 35,401 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$192,000 |
| 1921-S 50C Walking Liberty Half Dollar MS66 NGC | 548,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
30.6 mm
12.5 grams |
$188,000 |
| 1884-CC $1 Morgan Dollar Branch Mint PR66 Cameo NGC | 1,136,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$184,000 |
| 1879-O $1 Morgan DOllar PR64BM PCGS | 2,887,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$176,250 |
| 1913-S 25C Barber Quarter MS68 PCGS.
|
40,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
24.3 mm
6.25 grams |
$172,500 |
| 1921-D 50C Walking Liberty Half Dollar MS66 PCGS Secure. CAC | 208,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
30.6 mm
12.5 grams |
$168,000 |
| 1917-S 50C Walking Liberty Half Dollar Obverse MS67 PCGS. CAC | 5,554,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
30.6 mm
12.5 grams
|
$152,750 |
| 1901-S 25C Barber Quarter MS67 PCGS | 72,664 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
24.3 mm
6.25 grams |
$149,500 |
| 1925-S $1 Peace Dollar MS65+ PCGS. CAC | 1,610,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$132,000 |
| 1916-D 10C Mercury Dimes MS67 Full Bands PCGS. CAC | 264,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.9 mm
2.5 grams |
$128,800 |
| 1923-D $1 Peace Dollar MS67 PCGS | 6,811,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$120,000 |
| 1926-P $1 Peace Dollar MS67 PCGS
|
1,939,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
38.1 mm
26.73 grams
|
$120,000 |
| 1964-P 50C Kennedy Half Dollar SMS SP67 PCGS | 277,254,766 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
30.6 mm
12.5 grams
|
$108,000 |
| 1911-P 25C Barber Quarter PR69 Deep Cameo PCGS | 3,720,543 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
24.3 mm
6.25 grams |
$102,000 |
| 1899-P 25C Barber Quarter PR69 Deep Cameo PCGS | 12,624,846 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
24.3 mm
6.25 grams
|
$90,000 |
| 1932-D 25C Washington Quarter MS66 PCGS | 436,800 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
24.3 mm
6.25 grams |
$89,125 |
| 1951-P 50C Franklin Half Dollar PR67+ Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC | 16,859,602 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
30.6 mm
12.5 grams
|
$82,250 |
| 1900-P 10C Barber Dimes PR68+ Cameo PCGS. CAC | 17,600,912 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.3 mm
2.5 grams |
$66,000 |
| 1953-P 50C Franklin Half Dollar PR68 Ultra Cameo NGC | 2,796,920 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
30.6 mm
12.5 grams
|
$63,250 |
| 1893-S 10C Barber Dimes MS67 PCGS. | 2,491,401 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.3 mm
2.5 grams |
$63,250 |
| 1895-O 10C Barber Dimes MS67 PCGS | 440,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.3 mm
2.5 grams
|
$58,755 |
| 1964 50C Kennedy Half Dollar SMS SP67+ PCGS | 277,254,766 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
30.6 mm
12.5 grams
|
$48,000 |
| 1932-P 25C Washington Quarters MS67 PCGS | 5,404,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
24.3 mm
6.25 grams
|
$40,250 |
| 1894-O 10C Barber Dimes MS67 NGC. CAC | 720,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.3 mm
2.5 grams |
$37,600 |
| 1898 10C Barber Dimes PR68 Cameo NGC | N/A | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.3 mm
2.5 grams
|
$36,800 |
| 1932-S 25C Washington Quarters MS66 PCGS Secure. CAC | 408,000 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
24.3 mm
6.25 grams |
$35,250 |
| 1905-P 10C Barber Dimes PR68 NGC. CAC | 14,552,350 | 90% Silver
10% Copper
|
17.3 mm
2.5 grams
|
$30,550 |
How To Determine The Value Of Silver Coins?
Figuring out the numismatic value of your silver coin requires more research and expertise than you might think. Just because your coin is old and made from silver does not mean it is valuable. In the worst-case scenario, your silver coin will be worth its weight in silver. However, there are three factors that influence the value of silver collectible coins:
- Condition – Coins that are in better condition will achieve higher prices. Of course, when we talk about large groups of coins like now, the age of the coin is taken into consideration as well. As you can see in the table above a dime from 1894 is the most valuable silver coin out of all even though it is not the best in overall condition.
- Demand – High demand always means high price. If your coin is popular among collectors but there aren’t many specimens on the coin market, this situation will add value.
- Rarity – What impacts the demand is a rarity. The fewer specimens in circulation, the more attractive the coin. This is why you should always hunt for low-mintage years.
However, most coins are worth only their weight. Therefore, you need to know how to calculate their worth in terms of currency. For measuring precious metals, you’ll need to use a unit of measurement called a troy ounce. This measure is very close to a regular ounce, and it weighs around 1.097 traditional ounces.
After you calculate the total troy ounces of silver in your collection, then you multiply that amount by the price of silver to figure out the total worth of your collection.
Naturally, the value of silver varies over time, you should check Nasdaq for the most accurate prices on a daily basis.
Here is the list of silver content per coin size:
- Silver Dimes –0715 troy ounces of silver
- Silver Washington Quarters –17875 troy ounces of silver
- Silver Half Dollar – 3575 troy ounces of silver
Where Should I Look For Pre-1965 Silver Coins?
Finding a rare and valuable silver coin might seem an easy task, but in reality, this is not the case. There are a lot of silver coins mined before 1965. Many of them do not have any numismatic value. However, if you have a silver coin you are already at an advantage considering you can sell them for the melt value, which always overcomes the face value.
Therefore, if you own a silver coin that originates before 1965 and you aren’t sure how rare and valuable it is, the best you can do is take it for professional grading and see what the expert says. In case your silver coin is rare, it is time to focus on finding the best dealer on the market.
As always, we will recommend you to think this through. Your first option should always be a reliable auction house such as Heritage Auctions, PCGS, Coins For Sale, or Littleton Coin Company.
When you are selling it is always good to explore places like eBay, Etsy, and LiveAuctioneers to get information about the particular coin such as demand among collectors, and the price ranges.
We don’t recommend buying valuable coins here, since no one can guarantee you authenticity of the collectible items. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fake coins circulating here so if you must trade here look for a proven seller. Check for feedback and recommendation, and make sure you always consult with a specialist before investing.
FAQ
Why some pre-1965 silver coins are called Junk Silver?
In most cases, collectors use the term Junk Silver to describe a silver coin that has limited value. It is a great option as an investment coin, however, at the same time, it has no value as a numismatic piece, due to its high mintage.
These so-called junk silver coins are more valuable as scrap metal than as collectible coins, due to the high 90% content of silver. A junk silver coin is generally bought only as an investment since it can be bought for cheap prices and in time sold as scrap silver.
How can you tell if a coin is junk silver?
As we already said pre-1965 silver coins are what coin collectors call “junk silver.” You can easily distinguish them from lower silver-content coins by their appearance. High-content silver coins have an edge that will not show the telltale copper streak. Instead, it will appear silver all the way through. Logically, minting dates are the other tip-off.
What does Melt Value mean?
Usually, when it comes to coins made from precious metals you will often hear the phrase melt value. This term is used to describe the calculated value of the amount of precious metal that is contained in the coin according to the current silver or gold spot price.
Investing Money In Silver Coins – Yes Or No?
If you ask us, we will say yes. When a person is just getting started with investing in silver the first thing they wonder is how much money they can make. While investing in silver .999 bars is great, the more affordable and smarter choice is to make money on silver money.
If you think this is nonsense you are wrong. First of all, if you go through your piggy bank or your pocket change jar we can bet you’ll come across a few silver coins that are worth more than its face value. Most older American coins are largely composed of some amount of silver so don’t waste your free money.
Hopefully, this article answered some of the questions and helped you figure out how to handle your precious coins. In case you know some information that we didn’t mention here, please do not hesitate to share your opinions and advice in the comment section below.
