Somewhere in a junk drawer near you, there's a jar of old change that's worth a lot more than it says on the coins. Frank calls it "Earth's best-kept secret." Collectors call it junk silver: circulated US coins made with real silver, worth more for their metal than their face value.
Which coins are silver?
| Coin | Years | Silver | Silver per coin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimes (Mercury, Roosevelt) | 1964 and earlier | 90% | 0.0723 oz |
| Quarters (Washington, older types) | 1964 and earlier | 90% | 0.1808 oz |
| Half dollars (Walking Liberty, Franklin, Kennedy) | 1964 and earlier | 90% | 0.3617 oz |
| Kennedy half dollars | 1965–1970 | 40% | 0.1479 oz |
| "War nickels" (Jefferson) | 1942–1945 | 35% | 0.0563 oz |
Ounces are troy ounces at full mint weight. Worn coins hold a little less, which is why dealers often figure about 0.715 oz of silver per $1 face value of 90% coins.
Quick ways to spot them: look at the date first. On dimes and quarters, check the edge: 90% silver coins show a solid silver edge, while modern clad coins show a copper stripe. War nickels have a big mintmark above Monticello on the back.
Calculator: what's my stash worth?
Enter the face value you have of each type. Add today's silver spot price for a melt value (grab it from our live spot chart).
Enter your coins above.
Is junk silver worth collecting?
Plenty of stackers love it. It comes in small, recognizable pieces, it's real US coinage, and it's a fun way to hold silver with history attached. Before you melt anything down in your head, though, check for key dates and rare mintmarks: some old coins are worth far more to collectors than their silver.
Quick answers
What years are US coins 90% silver?
Dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver. Kennedy halves from 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver.
How much silver is in $1 face value of junk silver?
About 0.723 troy ounces at full weight. Because of wear, dealers usually figure about 0.715 ounces per $1 face value.
Are war nickels silver?
Yes. Jefferson nickels from 1942 to 1945 are 35% silver. Look for the large mintmark above Monticello.
How can I tell if a quarter is silver?
Check the date (1964 or earlier) and the edge. Silver quarters have a solid silver edge with no copper stripe.
Your move, invader
Run the calculator and drop your number in the Discord. Biggest junk-drawer haul gets bragging rights.
- Join the Discord and tell the crew
- Play the Invader Challenge: free giveaway points every Saturday show
- Get on Frank's Transmission List for show alerts and first look at new drops
- Follow us on Whatnot so you never miss a live drop
