US Coin Melt Value Calculator
Enter quantities to calculate the melt value of US circulating and historic coins using live spot prices. Covers junk silver, Morgan dollars, Peace dollars, and pre-1933 US gold coins.
| Item | Melt Value | Qty | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Jefferson "War" Nickel 1942-1945 35% Silver (5.00g) | $1.7991 | $0.00 | |
Roosevelt Dime (Silver) 1946-1964 90% Silver | $2.2817 | $0.00 | |
Mercury Dime 1916-1945 90% Silver | $2.2817 | $0.00 | |
Barber Dime 1892-1916 90% Silver | $2.2817 | $0.00 | |
Washington Quarter (Silver) 1932-1964 90% Silver | $5.7014 | $0.00 | |
Standing Liberty Quarter 1916-1930 90% Silver | $5.7014 | $0.00 | |
Barber Quarter 1892-1916 90% Silver | $5.7014 | $0.00 | |
Kennedy Half Dollar (1964) 1964 90% Silver | $11.4056 | $0.00 | |
Kennedy Half Dollar (40%) 1965-1970 40% Silver | $4.7229 | $0.00 | |
Franklin Half Dollar 1948-1963 90% Silver | $11.4056 | $0.00 | |
Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1916-1947 90% Silver | $11.4056 | $0.00 | |
Barber Half Dollar 1892-1915 90% Silver | $11.4056 | $0.00 | |
Trade Dollar 1873-1885 90% Silver (27.22g) | $24.8346 | $0.00 | |
Morgan Silver Dollar 1878-1921 90% Silver | $24.3890 | $0.00 | |
Peace Silver Dollar 1921-1935 90% Silver | $24.3890 | $0.00 | |
Eisenhower Dollar (Silver) 1971-1976 40% Silver (Blue/Brown Ike) | $10.1241 | $0.00 | |
| Total: | $0.00 | ||
Grand Total — All Tabs
Coins + Boxes + Rolls combined
What Is Coin Melt Value?
Melt value is the intrinsic metal value of a coin — what the raw metal content is worth at current spot prices, ignoring any collector or numismatic premium. For silver coins it's calculated from the actual silver weight. For gold coins from the fine gold content. For copper pennies from the copper weight.
Melt value is the floor price for any metal coin. A coin can be worth more than melt due to rarity, grade, or collector demand — but it can never rationally trade for less than its metal content on a sustained basis. Knowing melt value is essential for evaluating any coin purchase, estate sale find, or collection appraisal.
US Silver Coins — Melt Value Guide
The United States produced 90% silver coins for circulation from the early 1800s until 1964. Every dime, quarter, half dollar, and dollar coin dated 1964 or earlier contains substantial silver. Here are the key series and their silver content:
Pre-1933 US Gold Coins
The United States circulated gold coins from 1795 until 1933 when President Roosevelt banned private gold ownership. These pre-1933 gold coins are now legal to own and are collected both for their gold content and historical significance. Major series include:
$20 Double Eagle
Contains 0.9675 troy oz of gold. Two major designs: Liberty Head (1850–1907) and Saint-Gaudens (1907–1933). The Saint-Gaudens is widely considered the most beautiful US coin ever made. Common dates trade at modest premiums over gold melt.
$10 Eagle & $5 Half Eagle
The $10 Eagle contains 0.48375 oz gold and the $5 Half Eagle contains 0.24188 oz gold. Both struck in Liberty and Indian Head designs. Small denomination pre-33 gold ($1, $2.50, $3) commands high numismatic premiums due to scarcity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do copper pennies have significant melt value?
Pre-1982 pennies are 95% copper and their melt value exceeds face value when copper prices are above roughly $3.00/lb. However, it is illegal to melt US pennies and nickels for their metal content under current US law. The melt value shown is informational — these coins are often saved as a copper hedge rather than actually melted.
How do I know if a coin is silver or clad?
The easiest method for dimes and quarters: look at the edge. Silver coins have a solid silver edge. Clad coins (1965+) show a visible copper stripe on the edge. For half dollars, 1964 and earlier are 90% silver, 1965–1970 are 40% silver (no copper stripe but lighter in color than pure silver), and 1971+ are copper-nickel clad.
What is the best way to find silver coins in circulation?
Coin roll hunting — ordering boxes of coins from the bank and searching through them — is how most collectors find silver in circulation. Half dollars are the most productive to search since fewer people check them. Dimes and quarters still occasionally turn up silver pieces. The older the venue (rural bank, small town) the better the odds.