1. What is Junk Silver?

"Junk silver" refers to circulated coins that have no numismatic value but contain precious metals. In the U.S., this typically means pre-1965 dimes, quarters, and half dollars that are 90% silver.

2. How the Calculator Works

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• Weight — Total troy ounces of your silver coins
• 0.9 — Represents the 90% silver content
• Spot Price — Current market price of silver per troy ounce

3. Importance of Melt Value

Details: Knowing the melt value helps investors determine the intrinsic metal value of their junk silver coins, which is particularly important when buying or selling in bulk.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total weight of your silver coins in troy ounces and the current spot price of silver. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between troy oz and regular oz?
A: Troy ounces (31.1g) are used for precious metals, while avoirdupois ounces (28.35g) are standard. There are 12 troy oz in a troy pound vs. 16 regular oz.

Q2: Where can I find the current spot price?
A: Spot prices are available from commodities exchanges like COMEX or financial news websites like Kitco or Bloomberg.

Q3: How do I weigh my silver coins?
A: Use a precise digital scale that measures in troy ounces or grams (1 troy oz = 31.1 grams).

Q4: Does this calculator work for other silver purity levels?
A: No, this is specifically for 90% silver. For other purities (like 40% or 99.9%), you would need to adjust the multiplier.

Q5: Why is it called "junk" silver?
A: The term "junk" refers to the coins having no collectible value, not the quality of the silver itself.