1. What is 90% Junk Silver?

"Junk silver" refers to pre-1965 U.S. coins (dimes, quarters, half dollars) that contain 90% silver. Despite the name "junk," these coins have significant silver value based on their metal content rather than collectible value.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( Face\ Value \) — The total face value of your coins ($1 = one dollar face value)
• \( 0.715 \) — Ounces of pure silver per $1 face value of 90% silver coins
• \( Silver\ Spot\ Price \) — Current price of silver per troy ounce

Explanation: The 0.715 factor accounts for the fact that $1 face value of 90% silver coins contains 0.715 troy ounces of pure silver.

3. Importance of Silver Valuation

Details: Knowing the melt value of your silver coins helps you understand their intrinsic value, make informed buying/selling decisions, and track your precious metal investments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total face value of your coins (e.g., $1 for 4 quarters) and the current silver spot price per ounce. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Which coins are considered 90% junk silver?
A: U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted before 1965 (except for the 1942-1945 war nickels which are 35% silver).

Q2: Why is the factor 0.715?
A: This represents the 0.7234 oz of silver per $1 face value, minus about 1% for wear on circulated coins.

Q3: Where can I find the current silver spot price?
A: Check financial websites, precious metal dealers, or commodities exchanges for the most up-to-date silver price.

Q4: Does this calculator work for other silver coins?
A: No, this is specific to 90% silver U.S. coins. Other coins have different silver content and require different calculations.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate for circulated coins. For uncirculated coins, you might use 0.7234 oz instead of 0.715 oz.