1. What is 90% Junk Silver?

"Junk silver" refers to circulated U.S. coins minted before 1965 that contain 90% silver. These coins have no numismatic value but are valued for their silver content. Common examples include dimes, quarters, and half dollars.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• Weight — Total weight of silver coins in troy ounces
• 0.9 — Represents the 90% silver content
• Spot Price — Current market price of silver per troy ounce

Explanation: The equation calculates the actual silver value by accounting for the 90% purity of the coins.

3. Importance of Melt Value Calculation

Details: Knowing the melt value helps investors and collectors determine the intrinsic value of their silver coins, especially when buying or selling in bulk.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total weight of your silver coins in troy ounces and the current spot price of silver. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What coins are considered 90% junk silver?
A: U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted before 1965. This includes Mercury and Roosevelt dimes, Washington quarters, and Walking Liberty or Franklin half dollars.

Q2: How do I determine the weight of my coins?
A: You can weigh them yourself or use standard weights (e.g., a silver dime weighs 2.5 grams or ~0.0723 troy oz).

Q3: Why multiply by 0.9?
A: The coins are 90% silver and 10% copper, so only 90% of the total weight is pure silver.

Q4: Where can I find the current spot price?
A: Check financial websites or precious metals dealers for live silver prices.

Q5: Is melt value the same as selling price?
A: No, dealers typically pay slightly less than melt value to account for their profit margin and processing costs.