What you should actually expect to be offered
Silver discounts run deeper than gold — lower value density means handling costs eat a bigger share. Pre-1965 US coins usually beat flatware at the same weight; consolidated lots get better percentages.
The 0.715 troy-ounce shortcut
A circulated $1 face-value mix of pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, and half dollars is conventionally estimated at 0.715 troy ounce of silver. Multiply face value by 0.715 and silver spot for melt value.
Worked example
$10 face value of circulated pre-1965 dimes, quarters, or halves contains an estimated 7.15 troy ounces of silver. Multiply 10 × 0.715 × the live spot price; the calculator performs that exact calculation and then shows realistic buyer offers.
Check dates before selling by weight
The shortcut is for common circulated 90% silver coins. Key dates, scarce mint marks, and better-condition coins can carry collector value far above melt, so inspect them first.
Silver coin melt-value table
These rows use contained silver only; collector value can be higher. Values update with the same live silver price as the calculator.
| Coin or face value | Silver (ozt) | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt/Mercury dime | 0.07150 | $4.15 |
| Washington quarter | 0.17875 | $10.37 |
| Kennedy/Franklin/Walking Liberty half | 0.35750 | $20.73 |
| $1 face mix | 0.71500 | $41.47 |
| Morgan or Peace dollar | 0.77344 | $44.86 |
Frequently asked questions
what is melt value
Melt value is the market value of a coin's contained metal before dealer spreads, refining costs, or collector premiums. It is a pricing yardstick, not a guaranteed buyer offer.
what is melt value of silver coins
A silver coin's melt value is its contained silver in troy ounces multiplied by the live silver spot price. Use the live table and calculator for common US 90% silver coins.
how to calculate melt value of silver coins
Calculate silver-coin melt value by multiplying actual silver weight in troy ounces by the live spot price. For circulated pre-1965 dimes, quarters, and halves, face value × 0.715 × spot is the standard shortcut; use this calculator to run it.
will pawn shops pay melt value
Pawn shops usually do not pay full melt value for silver coins. The offer bars above show the typical pawn range, while coin dealers may pay more for recognized, readily resold coins.
what is the melt value of a silver quarter / dime / morgan dollar
The melt value is live silver spot multiplied by 0.17875 ozt for a circulated 90% quarter, 0.0715 ozt for a dime, or 0.77344 ozt for a Morgan dollar. Use the live table above, and check collector value before selling.
what is the melt value of a copper penny
At the current baked copper benchmark, a pre-1982 US cent's contained-metal value is about 4.21 cents. The formula is 3.11 grams × 95% × copper price per pound; use the copper calculator for a newer benchmark, but keep the coin intact because 31 CFR Part 82 restricts melting cents for metal recovery.
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