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Silver coin value calculator
Pre-1965 US dimes, quarters and half dollars are 90% silver, so they're worth far more than face value. At today's silver price of $52.44 an ounce, a silver dime is worth $3.79, a quarter $9.48, a half dollar $18.97 and a Morgan or Peace dollar $40.56.
Silver price: live from gold-api.com when your browser can reach it, otherwise the spot price on November 11, 2026. Values are metal content only. Dealers buy at a little under melt for worn "junk silver" and sell above it.
Silver value of every US silver coin
| Coin | Pure silver | Worth now |
|---|---|---|
| Dime, 90% (1964 and earlier) | 0.07234 oz | $3.79 |
| Quarter, 90% (1964 and earlier) | 0.18084 oz | $9.48 |
| Half dollar, 90% (1964 and earlier) | 0.36169 oz | $18.97 |
| Kennedy half, 40% (1965 to 1970) | 0.14792 oz | $7.76 |
| Morgan or Peace dollar, 90% (1878 to 1935) | 0.77344 oz | $40.56 |
| Eisenhower dollar, 40% (S mint, 1971 to 1976) | 0.31625 oz | $16.58 |
| Bicentennial 40% silver (S, quarter) | 0.0739 oz | $3.88 |
| War nickel, 35% (1942 to 1945) | 0.05626 oz | $2.95 |
| American Silver Eagle (1 oz) | 1 oz | $52.44 |
Which coins are silver?
- Dimes and quarters dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver. From 1965 they're copper-nickel clad (except special collector issues).
- Half dollars dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver. 1965 to 1970 Kennedy halves are 40% silver.
- Dollars dated 1935 or earlier (Morgan and Peace) are 90% silver. Circulating Eisenhower dollars are clad; only S-mint collector coins are 40% silver.
- Jefferson nickels from 1942 to 1945 with a large mint mark above Monticello are 35% silver.
The edge test
Look at the edge of a dime, quarter or half. A solid silver-gray edge means silver. A copper stripe means clad. It's the fastest way to sort a jar.
Melt value vs what a coin sells for
Melt value is the floor, not the price. Worn common-date silver coins ("junk silver") trade near melt. Coins in nice condition, scarce dates and errors sell for more, sometimes much more. Check the coin pages, like the 1964 quarter and 1964 Kennedy half, before selling anything for melt.
Junk silver by face value
Dealers often price 90% coins by face value. $1 face value of 90% silver (ten dimes, four quarters or two halves) contains 0.7234 oz of silver when new, worth $37.94 now. Dealers commonly figure about 0.715 oz for worn coins.
Questions
How much is a silver quarter worth?
A 90% silver quarter (1964 or earlier) contains 0.18084 oz of silver. Its melt value updates live at the top of this page. Scarce dates and nice condition are worth more.
What years are quarters silver?
Circulating quarters dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver. Bicentennial S-mint quarters from collector sets are 40% silver.
Is it legal to melt US coins?
Melting cents and nickels is restricted by federal rules, but silver dimes, quarters, halves and dollars are routinely bought and sold for their metal. Selling them to a dealer is the usual route.