One avoirdupois pound of pure silver is worth $885.64 at silver spot prices of October 7, 2026 ($60.73/ozt). That figure comes from the fact that one avoirdupois pound contains 14.5833 troy ounces — the unit precious metals are priced in. If someone asks about a “troy pound” of silver, the answer is $728.76 (12 troy oz × $60.73). The two numbers are frequently confused, so it matters which pound you mean.
Use the silver value calculator to apply today’s live spot price to any weight in any unit.
The Key Conversion: Avoirdupois Pound to Troy Ounces
Silver spot price is always quoted per troy ounce. A pound of silver is weighed in avoirdupois (standard) pounds. To bridge the two:
- 1 avoirdupois pound = 453.59237 grams
- 1 troy ounce = 31.1034768 grams
- 1 avoirdupois pound = 453.59237 ÷ 31.1034768 = 14.5833 troy ounces
This conversion is exact and derived from defined SI values. See troy ounce vs. ounce for the full unit table.
Worked Example: Melt Value at October 7, 2026 Prices
Silver spot: $60.73 per troy ounce (source: gold-api.com, 2026-10-07 07:29 UTC)
| “Pound” type | Troy oz contained | Value at $60.73/ozt |
|---|---|---|
| Avoirdupois pound (standard) | 14.5833 ozt | $885.64 |
| Troy pound (12 troy oz) | 12.0000 ozt | $728.76 |
Math check for avoirdupois pound:
- 14.5833 × $60.73 = 14 × $60.73 + 0.5833 × $60.73
- = $850.22 + $35.42
- = $885.64
Prices move daily. Check the silver value calculator for today’s number.
A Pound of Silver Is Not a Troy Pound
This distinction catches many buyers off guard. The silver market — and everyone who quotes “spot price per ounce” — uses the troy system. But silver bars, coins, and scrap are often weighed on standard scales that read in avoirdupois ounces and pounds.
When a scrap dealer says “I’ll pay you $X per pound for your silverware,” that is per avoirdupois pound. When COMEX quotes silver at $60.73/ozt, that is per troy ounce. You need the 14.5833 conversion to translate between them.
A troy pound is only 12 troy ounces (373.24 g) — lighter than an avoirdupois pound (453.59 g). No one in the bullion trade sells silver by the troy pound today; it is a historical unit. All modern silver products are quoted in troy ounces.
A Pound of Different Silver Products
Not all silver objects are 100% pure silver. The melt value of a pound depends on the actual silver content:
| Item | Silver content | Troy oz per avdp lb | Value per lb at $60.73/ozt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure silver (.999 fine) | 99.9% | 14.568 ozt | $884.77 |
| Sterling silver (.925) | 92.5% | 13.489 ozt | $819.02 |
| 90% junk silver coins | 90% | 13.125 ozt | $796.82 |
| 40% Kennedy halves (1965–1970) | 40% | 5.833 ozt | $354.26 |
| Silver-plated items | ~0–5% | Negligible | Near $0 melt |
For sterling silverware or jewelry, use the sterling silver calculator to compute the melt value from the weight.
Worked Example: A Box of 90% Silver Dimes
You have a 1-pound bag of pre-1965 Roosevelt dimes.
- 1 avoirdupois pound = 14.5833 troy oz total weight
- 90% silver content: 14.5833 × 0.90 = 13.125 troy oz silver
- Value: 13.125 × $60.73 = $796.82
Alternatively, use the standard junk silver formula: a $1 face value of 90% dimes contains 0.7234 troy oz silver. A pound of dimes at 2.268 g each has 200 dimes = $20 face value. So: 20 × 0.7234 = 14.468 troy oz — but that slightly overstates because the junk formula assumes full coins; worn coins weigh slightly less.
The junk silver calculator handles this automatically for any mix of 90% coins.
What a Pound of Silver Costs to Buy
The melt value ($885.64 for an avoirdupois pound of pure silver at October 7, 2026 prices) is what the metal is worth at spot. To acquire a pound of silver in coin or bar form, you pay melt plus a premium:
- 100 oz silver bar (6.25 lb): trades at 2–4% over spot — approximately $898–$921 per pound of silver
- 10 oz silver bars: 4–6% over spot — roughly $921–$939 per pound of silver content
- American Silver Eagles: 8–12% over spot — roughly $954–$992 per pound of silver content
- 90% junk silver: often 3–8% over melt — roughly $820–$860 per pound at today’s rates
See bullion premiums explained for why these premiums exist and how to evaluate them.
How Dealers Quote Per-Pound Prices
Some scrap buyers, especially for sterling silver flatware and old silver plate, quote prices per ounce or per pound of total item weight — not per troy ounce of pure silver. Always clarify:
- Is the quote per avoirdupois ounce or per troy ounce?
- Is the quote based on the total weight of the item or the silver content?
A quick check: multiply the item’s silver content percentage by 14.5833 (troy oz per avdp lb) × spot price. If the dealer’s quote is significantly below that, ask them to explain their buy formula. The dealer payout calculator lets you enter any quoted price and see what percentage of spot it represents.
Common Mistakes
- Using 16 (avdp oz per pound) instead of 14.5833 (troy oz per pound) in melt calculations. This underestimates the silver content by about 10%.
- Thinking a “troy pound” is heavier than an avoirdupois pound. It is lighter — 373 g vs. 454 g. The troy ounce is heavier than the avoirdupois ounce, but the troy pound has fewer ounces in it.
- Forgetting that silver-plated items have almost no silver melt value. A thick silverware piece may weigh half a pound but contain only a few grams of silver electroplate over base metal. Test with a silver testing kit or consult a dealer before assuming significant melt value.