Pre-1965 U.S. Silver Coins

From 1794 to 1964, most circulating U.S. dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars were struck using 90% silver and 10% copper—a composition prized for both durability and intrinsic value. These coins are no longer minted today, but they remain highly sought after by investors, collectors, and silver stackers for their metal content and historical significance.

In 1965, the U.S. government passed Public Law 88-36, which reduced the silver content of half dollars to 40% and removed silver entirely from dimes and quarters. By 1970, all circulating silver coinage had been discontinued. As a result, pre-1965 U.S. silver coins now carry intrinsic value based on their silver weight—often far above face value.

The melt value of silver coins refers to the value of the actual silver content, calculated using the spot price of silver. Most 90% silver coins (excluding silver dollars) contain 0.715 troy ounces per $1 face value. The formula:

Melt Value (MV)= Spot Price x Silver Content x Face Value

Example:
For a Morgan Silver Dollar, which contains 0.7734 troy ounces of silver, and assuming a spot price of $32.53:

$32.53 x 0.7734 x $1= $25.16

The Morgan Silver Dollar, named after its designer George T. Morgan was the first silver dollar minted after the demonetization of silver set by Congress in the Coinage Act of 1873. Because of its size and silver content, the Morgan Silver Dollar is the most valuable silver coin minted in the United States in the late nineteenth century and early part of the twentieth century.

The obverse features a left-facing Lady Liberty while the reverse depicts a majestic eagle holding arrows and an olive branch. Each Morgan Dollar contains .7734 Troy ounces of silver with a diameter of an inch and a half.

Add a piece of U.S. History to your collection with these beautiful vintage silver coins. 

The Peace Dollar was only minted for a total of ten years. The Pittman Act in 1918 required the U.S. Mint to strike millions of silver dollars beginning in 1921. The Peace Silver Dollar design was the result of government official advocating for a design that was more reflective of the peace that followed World War I. The coin was first struck on December 28, 1921, thus only about a million were coined with the 1921 date.

Designed by Anthony de Francisci, the obverse features the facial profile of the Goddess of Liberty while the reverse depicts a bald eagle grasping an olive branch above "PEACE." The obverse of all coins features "IN GOD WE TRVST," the Latin spelling of "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Each Peace dollar contains .7734 Troy ounces of silver.

Add a piece of U.S. History to your collection with these beautiful vintage silver coins. 

The term Junk Silver refers to silver coins which have no numismatic or collectible value above the silver bullion value of the coin. Junk Silver is any combination of 90% silver U.S. coins containing .715 Troy ounces of 99.9 percent silver for every $1 face value. The Morgan Silver Dollar and Peace Silver Dollar are excluded from Junk Silver because they contain .7734 Troy ounces of silver per $1 face value.

Honor a new era of peace with this powerful silver symbol.