All guides
Silver Coins
Melt value guides and calculators for US 90%, 40%, and 35% silver coins.
90% vs. 40% Silver Coins: Which Is Better?
90% silver coins contain 0.715 ozt ASW per $1 face; 40% coins contain about 0.295 ozt. For most stackers, 90% offers better liquidity and dealer recognition.
Constitutional Silver Explained
Constitutional silver means pre-1965 US coins minted in 90% silver as legal currency. The standard measure is 0.715 ozt of silver per $1 of face value.
How Much Is a Bag of Junk Silver Worth?
A $1,000 face value bag of 90% junk silver contains about 715 troy oz of silver. At October 7, 2026 prices ($60.73/ozt), that bag's melt value is approximately $43,422.
Kennedy Half Dollar Silver Content by Year
1964 Kennedy halves are 90% silver (0.3617 ozt). 1965–1970 are 40% silver (0.1479 ozt). 1971 and later are clad with no silver. Full year-by-year breakdown.
Morgan Dollar Silver Content and Melt Value
A Morgan dollar contains 0.7734 troy ounces of silver (26.73 g, 90% pure). At October 7, 2026 spot prices of $60.73/ozt, melt value is $46.97.
Peace Dollar Silver Content and Melt Value
A Peace dollar contains 0.7734 troy ounces of silver (26.73 g, 90%). At October 7, 2026 spot prices of $60.73/ozt, the silver melt value is $46.97.
Silver Dollar Melt Value Chart: Morgan, Peace, and Eisenhower 40%
Morgan and Peace dollars contain 0.7734 ozt silver ($46.97 melt at Oct 7, 2026). Eisenhower 40% S-mint: 0.3161 ozt ($19.20 melt). Full chart and worked examples inside.
What Is Junk Silver? The Complete Guide
Junk silver is 90% silver US coins (pre-1965) bought for metal content, not rarity. A $1 face value holds 0.7234 ozt of silver — worth $43.92 at October 2026 spot.
Which Dimes Are Silver?
US dimes dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver. Roosevelt dimes 1946–1964, Mercury dimes 1916–1945, and Barber dimes 1892–1916 all contain 0.0723 ozt silver.
Which Half Dollars Are Silver?
Half dollars dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver. Kennedy halves 1965–1970 are 40% silver. 1971 and later are clad with no silver — know before you sell.
Which Nickels Are Silver?
Only war nickels (1942–1945) contain silver — 35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese. All other nickels are copper-nickel alloy with no silver content.
Which Quarters Are Silver?
US quarters dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver. Washington quarters 1932–1964, Standing Liberty 1916–1930, and Barber 1892–1916 all qualify.
Gold Coins
Gold content, melt value, and identification guides for gold bullion and pre-1933 coins.
Gold Eagle vs. Gold Buffalo: Which Should You Buy?
Both contain exactly 1 troy oz of pure gold. Eagles are 22k with fractional sizes and lower premiums. Buffalos are 24k (.9999 fine) but only available in 1 oz.
How Much Gold Is in a Krugerrand?
A 1 oz Krugerrand contains exactly 1 troy ounce of gold (31.103 g) at 22K (91.67% gold). At October 2026 spot prices, the melt value is $4,134.80. See all sizes.
Pre-1933 Gold Coins: Melt Value and What They're Worth
Pre-1933 US gold coins are 90% gold. A $20 Double Eagle contains 0.9675 ozt of gold — worth $4,000 at October 2026 prices. Most are worth more as collectibles.
Pennies & Nickels
Copper penny and nickel melt value — with the legal note on melting US coins.
1943 Steel Penny Value
Most 1943 steel pennies are worth $0.10–$3 in circulated grades. Uncirculated examples bring $5–$50+. A genuine 1943 copper error penny can exceed $100,000.
Copper vs. Zinc Penny Weight
A copper penny (pre-1982) weighs 3.11 g. A zinc penny (post-1982) weighs 2.5 g. The 0.61 g difference is enough to sort them with a postal scale.
Is It Illegal to Melt Pennies?
Yes. Federal law (31 CFR Part 82) prohibits melting or exporting US pennies and nickels. Penalties can reach $10,000 and five years in prison.
Which Pennies Are Copper? (Pre-1982 vs Zinc)
Cents dated 1981 and earlier are 95% copper (3.11g). 1983 and later are 97.5% zinc (2.5g). 1982 includes both types — weigh to sort. Melting pennies is illegal.
Scrap Gold & Silver
Scrap gold by karat and sterling silver calculators. Know your metal before you sell.
Dental Gold Value: What Your Crown or Bridge Is Worth
Dental gold value depends on alloy class, weight, and gold spot. High-noble crowns (40–88% gold) yield the most. Only a melt-and-assay gives an accurate figure.
Gold Karats Explained: 10K, 14K, 18K, 24K
Karat measures gold purity in parts per 24. 24K = 99.99%, 18K = 75%, 14K = 58.33%, 10K = 41.67%. Includes scrap value table, hallmark guide, and FTC marking rules.
How Much Is Scrap Gold Worth?
Scrap gold melt value depends on karat and weight. At October 7, 2026 spot prices, 14K gold is worth $77.77/g; buyers pay 70–90% of melt. See the full table.
How to Read Jewelry Hallmarks: Stamps, Numbers, and Codes
Decode stamps on gold and silver jewelry: 925 means sterling, 585 means 14K gold, 750 means 18K. Learn where to look and what every common mark means.
How to Sell Scrap Gold: A Step-by-Step Guide
Sell scrap gold for the best price by knowing your karat, weighing your pieces, comparing at least three buyers, and understanding payout percentages vs. melt value.
How to Test Gold at Home: 6 Methods That Work
Test gold at home with a magnet, acid kit, ceramic streak, or density check. Each method has limits — learn which to use and when to trust a refiner's assay.
How to Test Silver at Home: 5 Reliable Methods
Test silver at home using a magnet, ice, acid, or density check. Sterling is 92.5% pure silver. Learn which tests confirm real silver and which only hint at it.
Sterling Silver vs. Silver Plated: How to Tell the Difference
Sterling silver is 92.5% solid silver throughout; silver-plated is a base metal core with a thin silver skin. Learn the stamps, tests, and value difference.
Bullion
Spot price calculators and guides for silver and gold bullion bars and rounds.
Bullion Premiums Explained
A bullion premium is the price above spot you pay for a coin or bar. It covers minting and dealer costs. Smaller products carry higher per-ounce premiums.
How Much Is a Pound of Silver Worth?
An avoirdupois pound of silver contains 14.583 troy oz. At $60.73/ozt (Oct 7, 2026 spot), that is $885.64. A troy pound (12 troy oz) is worth $728.76.
Silver Eagle vs. Generic Silver Rounds
Both hold 1 troy oz of .999 silver. American Silver Eagles carry a $5–$10 premium over generic rounds due to government backing and stronger resale demand.
Troy Ounce vs Regular Ounce: What's the Difference?
1 troy oz = 31.1035 g. 1 avoirdupois oz = 28.3495 g. Troy ounces are heavier. All silver and gold prices are per troy ounce — using the wrong unit causes a 10% error.
What Is Spot Price? Precious Metals Explained
Spot price is the live market price for immediate delivery of one troy ounce of a precious metal, set by futures trading on COMEX. It changes every second.
Guides
Plain-language explainers on melt value, spot prices, and how dealers price silver.
Coin Grading Basics: The Sheldon Scale, PCGS, and NGC Explained
Coin grading uses the Sheldon 1–70 scale. MS-60 to MS-70 is uncirculated; AU-50 to AU-58 shows slight wear; PO-1 is barely identifiable. PCGS and NGC explained.
How Coin Dealers Price Silver: Spreads, Premiums, and What to Expect
Dealers buy silver at spot minus a percentage and sell above spot. Learn the bid-ask spread, what factors raise or lower their offer, and how to get a fair price.
How to Calculate Coin Melt Value
Melt value = metal content (troy oz) × spot price. Step-by-step formula, worked examples for silver coins and gold jewelry, and common calculation mistakes.
How to Store Silver and Gold at Home: Tarnish, Humidity, and Security
Store silver in PVC-free holders below 50% humidity and away from sulfur sources. Gold needs less care but still benefits from stable conditions. Full guide inside.
How to Weigh Coins Accurately: Scale Types, Grams vs. Troy Ounces
You need a digital scale reading to 0.01 g to weigh coins accurately. Learn which scales work, how to convert grams to troy ounces, and when weight matters most.
Melt Value vs. Numismatic Value: Which Price Applies to Your Coin?
Melt value is a coin's metal worth; numismatic value is what collectors pay above that. Learn which applies to your coin and how to avoid leaving money on the table.
The Silver-to-Gold Ratio Explained
The silver-to-gold ratio is gold's spot price divided by silver's. At October 7, 2026 prices it stands at about 68:1. Learn what it means and how investors use it.
Where to Sell Silver Coins: Local Shops, Online Dealers, and Auctions
The best place to sell silver coins depends on what you have and how fast you need cash. Compare local coin shops, online bullion dealers, auctions, and peer-to-peer.