The Constitutional Silver Coins
90% Silver Coins (The Primary Category)
| Coin | Years | Silver Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dime (Mercury) | 1916-1945 | 90% | .072338 oz silver each |
| Dime (Roosevelt) | 1946-1964 | 90% | .072338 oz silver each |
| Quarter (Washington) | 1932-1964 | 90% | .18084 oz silver each |
| Half-Dollar (Walking Liberty) | 1916-1947 | 90% | .36169 oz silver each |
| Half-Dollar (Franklin) | 1948-1963 | 90% | .36169 oz silver each |
| Half-Dollar (Kennedy) | 1964 only | 90% | .36169 oz silver each |
| Dollar (Peace) | 1921-1935 | 90% | .77344 oz silver each |
| Dollar (Morgan) | 1878-1921 | 90% | .77344 oz silver each |
40% Silver Coins (Secondary Category)
| Coin | Years | Silver Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-Dollar (Kennedy) | 1965-1970 | 40% | .14792 oz silver each |
| Dollar (Eisenhower) | 1971-1976 | 40% | Bicentennial issues only; not all Ike dollars are silver |
Modern Silver Coins (Not Constitutional but Widely Held)
| Coin | Years | Silver Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Silver Eagle | 1986-present | .999 silver | 1 troy oz each; legal tender $1; widely recognized |
| American Silver Eagle | Various | .999 silver | Proof versions — numismatic premium; buy for metal not collectible value |
The Silver Content Calculation
Standard formula: Face value × 0.715 = approximate troy ounces of silver
| Face Value | Coin Examples | Approx. Silver (oz) | At $30/oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10 | 1 dime | 0.0715 oz | ~$2.15 |
| $0.25 | 1 quarter | 0.179 oz | ~$5.37 |
| $0.50 | 1 half-dollar | 0.358 oz | ~$10.74 |
| $1.00 | 1 Morgan/Peace dollar | 0.773 oz | ~$23.19 |
| $1.00 face mixed | 14 dimes, or 4 quarters, etc. | 0.715 oz | ~$21.45 |
| $10.00 face mixed | 1 roll of dimes (50 coins) | 7.15 oz | ~$214.50 |
At $35/oz silver, multiply by 35 instead of 30.
Standard Dealer Units
Constitutional silver is commonly sold in these denominations:
| Unit | Content | Face Value | Silver (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll of dimes | 50 dimes | $5.00 | 3.575 oz |
| Roll of quarters | 40 quarters | $10.00 | 7.15 oz |
| Roll of half-dollars | 20 halves | $10.00 | 7.15 oz |
| $100 face bag (dimes) | 1,000 dimes | $100.00 | 71.5 oz |
| $100 face bag (quarters) | 400 quarters | $100.00 | 71.5 oz |
| $100 face bag (halves) | 200 halves | $100.00 | 71.5 oz |
| $1,000 face bag | Mixed | $1,000 | 715 oz |
A $100 face bag of constitutional silver contains approximately 71.5 oz of silver. At $30/oz, that's approximately $2,145 in silver value for a $100 face bag. The dealer premium varies but is typically 5-15% over spot value.
Where to Buy
Local coin dealers: Best option for beginners. You can see what you're buying, ask questions, and avoid shipping. Price should be spot plus a modest premium (5-12%). US Coin dealers are listed in the American Numismatic Association dealer directory.
Online dealers (established): APMEX, JM Bullion, SD Bullion, Kitco Metals. Larger inventory, potentially slightly lower premiums on volume. Shipping adds $5-20 per order. Order minimums vary.
Coin shows: Often good pricing from multiple competing dealers in one location. Great for learning and comparing prices.
Private sales (eBay, local marketplace): Lower premiums possible but requires authentication capability. Appropriate for experienced buyers; risk for beginners.
Avoid: Any deal significantly below current spot price — this is a counterfeit risk signal. Premiums that seem unusually high for common constitutional coins.
Authentication
Constitutional coins are among the most counterfeit-resistant forms of silver because:
- They're small denomination (not worth faking a dime for $2 of silver)
- They have specific visual characteristics that counterfeiters must replicate
- They're widely known by coin dealers who can authenticate quickly
Basic field authentication:
Date check: Verify the year is within the silver range for that coin type. A 1966 dime or quarter has no silver.
Magnet test: Silver is not magnetic. Hold a rare earth magnet near the coin; it should not stick or show attraction. If it sticks, it's not silver.
Visual inspection: Constitutional coins have specific toning patterns, edge characteristics, and strike quality that experienced handlers recognize. Base metal coins look "off" to someone who has handled genuine constitutional silver.
Ring test: Drop on a hard surface. Silver produces a clear, ringing tone; base metals produce a dull thud or flat sound.
Practical Preparedness Notes
Why constitutional silver over rounds for exchange: Pre-1965 US coins are recognizable to anyone familiar with American coinage. The denomination is stamped on the face. The silver years are verifiable by the date. A trading partner unfamiliar with bullion can verify a 1964 quarter more easily than they can verify a "1 oz .999 silver" round from an unknown mint.
Starting quantity: For a basic preparedness metals position, a $50-$100 face value of mixed constitutional silver (approximately $1,500-$3,000 at current silver prices) provides practical exchange capability. This buys roughly 35-70 oz of silver in recognizable, divisible denominations.
Storage: Constitutional coins don't require special storage. A canvas bank bag (coin dealers often provide these), a metal box, or any secure container works. Avoid storing in direct humidity; some toning (darkening) is normal and doesn't affect silver content or value.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called 'constitutional silver' or 'junk silver'?
'Constitutional silver' refers to pre-1965 US coinage that contained silver per the original Coinage Act. 'Junk silver' is a dealer term for circulated coins with no numismatic (collector) value beyond their silver content — they're valuable for the metal, not as collectibles. The terms are used interchangeably in preparedness and coin communities.
How much silver is in a $1 face value of 90% silver coins?
Approximately 0.715 troy ounces. This is the standard calculation: $1 face value of 90% silver coins = 0.715 oz silver. So a $1 silver dime roll (10 dimes, $1 face value) = 0.715 oz silver. Multiply face value by 0.715 to get approximate silver ounce equivalent.
What years are 90% silver?
Dimes: 1892-1964 (Mercury dimes through 1945, Roosevelt dimes 1946-1964). Quarters: 1932-1964 (Washington quarters). Half-dollars: 1916-1964 (Walking Liberty through 1947, Franklin halves 1948-1963, Kennedy halves 1964 only for 90%). After 1964, the Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated silver from dimes and quarters; Kennedy half-dollars shifted to 40% silver 1965-1970, then clad.
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