Stack Value guide
US junk silver: what's it worth?
Updated November 2026 · Melt values below are live, in your chosen currency.
"Junk silver" is the dealer's name for common, worn US silver coins that are bought and sold for their silver rather than as collectibles. There's nothing junky about them: they are some of the most popular ways to own small amounts of silver.
Which US coins are silver?
- Dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 or earlier: 90% silver.
- Kennedy half dollars dated 1965 to 1970: 40% silver.
- Nickels dated 1942 to 1945 with a large mint mark above Monticello: 35% silver.
- Morgan (1878–1921) and Peace (1921–1935) dollars: 90% silver, but they usually sell above melt as collectibles.
- Everything else in your pocket change: no silver. Dimes and quarters from 1965 on and half dollars from 1971 on are copper-nickel clad.
90% silver: dimes, quarters and halves
| Coin | Purity | Pure metal | Melt each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 cents 1892–1964 | .900 | 0.0723 oz | — |
| 25 cents 1892–1964 | .900 | 0.1809 oz | — |
| 50 cents 1892–1964 | .900 | 0.3617 oz | — |
The "$1 face value" rule
Junk silver is often traded by face value. Ten dimes, four quarters or two half dollars (one dollar of face value) contain about 0.7234 troy ounces of silver when new. Worn coins weigh a little less, so many dealers figure about 0.715 ounces per dollar of face value.
| Melt value of $1 face value in 90% silver | — |
|---|---|
| Melt value of $10 face value | — |
40% silver Kennedy halves, 1965 to 1970
In 1965 the US Mint dropped silver from dimes and quarters, but kept some in the half dollar for six more years. These halves have silver-rich outer layers over a lower-silver core.
| Coin | Purity | Pure metal | Melt each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 cents 1965–1970 | .400 | 0.1479 oz | — |
| 1 dollar 1971–1974 and 1976 | .400 | 0.3161 oz | — |
Only the San Francisco (S) collector versions of the Eisenhower dollar contain silver; everyday Ikes are clad.
War nickels, 1942 to 1945
During the Second World War, nickel was saved for the war effort and five-cent pieces were made with 35% silver instead. You can spot them by the large P, D or S mint mark above Monticello on the back. Some 1942 nickels were made the old way and have no silver.
| Coin | Purity | Pure metal | Melt each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 cents 1942–1945 | .350 | 0.0563 oz | — |
Silver dollars
| Coin | Purity | Pure metal | Melt each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 dollar 1878–1904 and 1921 | .900 | 0.7734 oz | — |
| 1 dollar 1921–1928 and 1934–1935 | .900 | 0.7734 oz | — |
Morgan and Peace dollars contain about three quarters of an ounce of silver each, but collectors pay a premium even for worn common dates, so they rarely trade at melt.
How to spot clad coins
Look at the edge. Clad coins from 1965 on show a copper-coloured stripe. Silver coins have a solid silver-grey edge. See our guide on how to spot silver and gold coinsfor more tests.