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Whether you’re considering investing in silver or selling silver coins you already own, knowing the current value of silver coins is essential.
The spot price of silver fluctuates frequently, and you want to choose a strategic time to sell your coins. Additionally, collectible silver coins have value outside of their silver content.
We’ve created this guide to break down the current silver value in 2022 and other information you need to know about investing in silver coins. Read on to learn silver coin values in 2022.
Why Are Silver Coins Valuable?
Silver coins are coins made with at least a small amount of silver. You can find several different types of silver coins across the market, including bullion coins, collectible coins, junk silver coins, and more.
Silver coins typically have value in two different ways:
- Melt values: The value of the actual metal content within the coin if you were to melt it down (sometimes called bullion value)
- Collector values: The value from the coin’s rarity and desirability among collectors
Additionally, if your silver coins are legal tender in the U.S., they will have face value— the amount they’re worth as currency. However, the actual value of silver coins is often higher than their face value.
You may also have a “junk” silver coin that does not have collectible value. In this case, the silver coin melt value or bullion value will be the most significant factor indicating its overall worth.
The Value of Silver Coins in 2022
Collectible silver coin values depend on the coin’s rarity, grade, and desirability to coin collectors. You can take your coin to a coin dealer to learn its current prices in the market.
Meanwhile, silver’s spot price is the price investors pay for silver per ounce for immediate delivery. The spot price of gold, silver, and other precious metals is always measured in Troy ounces instead of actual ounces. Troy ounces are equal to 31.10 grams.
At the time of writing, the spot price of silver is $19.63 per ounce, but this amount fluctuates frequently.
Valuable Silver Coins to Collect
In terms of collectible value, silver coins can range from a few dollars apiece to a few hundred dollars. Here are a few examples of valuable U.S. silver coinage:
- Canadian Silver Maple Leaf
- Silver Canadian Arctic Fox
- Silver North American Bald eagle
- America the Beautiful Silver Coin
- American Silver Eagle coins
These coins are highly collectible and have steep coin values beyond the silver within them. Notably, American Silver Eagle coins are some of the most popular collectible coins in the U.S.
Factors Affecting Silver Coins’ Price
Several factors can affect silver coin values, including the following:
- Bullion value: How much silver is actually in the coin and how much that silver is currently worth in the precious metals market
- Rarity: The number of that specific coin within the market
- Condition: The coin’s preservation, color, luster, and attractiveness, with mint state condition being the most valuable
- Age: The year the coin was produced
- Design: The image and words depicted on the silver coin
- Desirability: The appeal to coin buyers and coin collectors
What Are Junk Silver Coins?
Junk silver coins are coins that do not have collectible value. Instead, investors purchase these coins purely for their melt value.
Junk coins are typically 90% silver, although some are 40% silver. These coins are easy to buy and sell, as you do not need to find a collector. They’re also challenging to counterfeit and easy to recognize, making them ideal for many silver investors.
Even though junk coins do not have collectible values, they are often still common within coin collecting. However, because these coins were mass-produced, their values reflect their silver content instead of their rarity.
Many junk silver coins also have face value, but their true silver value is usually higher than the prices indicated on their faces.
List of Junk Silver Coins
Here are a few examples of junk silver quarters, dimes, half dollars, and dollars:
Silver Roosevelt Dimes
Silver Roosevelt dimes are a type of dime that was in circulation from the United States mint between 1946 and 1964. These silver dimes are relatively common and are worth between $1.50 and $3 in the collector market today.
Mercury Dimes
Mercury dimes were in circulation between 1916 and 1945. These dimes depict Lady Liberty in a winged cap.
In circulated condition, most mercury dimes are worth between $2 and $4. However, the 1916-D dime is worth between $850 and $1,000 in grades G-4 and above.
Silver Washington Quarters
Silver Washington quarters were made with 90% silver composition between 1932 and 1964. Today, these coins are worth between $4 and $7.
Standing Liberty Quarter
The Standing Liberty quarter was minted between 1916 and 1930 and typically ranges between $4 and $10.
Walking Liberty Half Dollars
The U.S. mint manufactured the Walking Liberty half dollar coins between 1916 and 1947. They depict a beautiful scene of Lady Liberty in front of a beaming sun.
The Walking Liberty half dollar coins are worth between $5 and $10, depending on their weights.
Franklin Half Dollars
The U.S. mint manufactured the Franklin half dollar coins between 1948 and 1963. These coins honor Benjamin Franklin, the political philosopher, inventor, writer, scientist, and diplomat.
These silver half dollars are usually worth $7 to $10 apiece.
Barber Dimes, Quarters, and Half Dollars
Barber dimes, quarters, and half dollars all depict the same design but have slightly different weights. These coins often range from $5 to $25 each.
Silver Kennedy Half Dollars
Silver Kennedy half dollars were minted in the weeks after John F. Kennedy’s assassination. They initially had a 90% silver composition, but later coins include only 40% silver.
These coins are worth between $3 and $15 each, depending on the composition.
Morgan Silver Dollars
The Morgan silver dollar is one of the most widely recognized silver coins. These coins were minted between 1878 and 1904 and again in 1921.
Because these silver coins are highly desired, millions exist across the U.S. Still, the Morgan silver dollar coin sells for between $18 and $25.
Peace Dollars
The U.S. mint created peace dollars in the months following World War I, and today, these silver dollar coins are some of the most popular among casual coin collectors. They are worth between $17 to $25, depending on the current silver price.
Trade Dollars
Trade silver dollars were minted between 1873 and 1885 and are 90% silver. These U.S. silver coins weigh more than some other junk coins on our list, making them more valuable. You can typically sell trade dollars for $25 or more.
Silver Eisenhower Dollars
The Silver Eisenhower dollar depicts Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States. The Mint began creating these coins soon after Eisenhower died in 1969. Today, they are worth between $5 and $10 each, depending on the current silver values.
Is Your Junk Silver Coin Valuable?
The value of a junk silver coin depends on its weight, its composition, and the current silver price. Silver coin values can fluctuate, but the heavier your coin is, the more it will be worth.
How to Calculate the Value of Junk Silver Coins
One of the easiest ways to calculate junk silver coin values is to determine its silver composition. All silver dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars minted in 1964 and before are 90% silver. Meanwhile, those minted after this year are often 40% silver.
You can also review the typical weights of your type of coin. For example, a silver dime weighs 1.61 dwt, while a silver dollar weighs 17.5 dwt.
Final Thoughts
Altogether, understanding silver coin values is essential to being a knowledgeable silver investor. Whether you choose to invest in bullion coins, junk silver, or highly collectible coins, you can use these coins to hedge against inflation and diversify your investment portfolio.
