90% Silver Quarters or Silver Dimes; Pre-1965 Junk Silver Coins

Buy Junk Silver Bags of Silver Quarters or Dimes

Important Note: 90%-silver coins are counted into bags by machine and your order will include either dimes or quarters, not both.

What is junk silver?The term “junk silver” refers to heavily circulated U.S. silver coins minted before 1965 that are commonly composed of 90% silver. Most junk silver coins are bought, collected, traded, and sold strictly for their silver content and melt value as a hedge against the dollar.

Investing in silver currency or products as a hedge is a way to build a personal store of value. Other people in the world may have their own "junk silver," such as the British, Canadian, and Australian mints or markets.

Specific U.S. denominations of junk silver coins typically consist of 90% silver composition, 10% copper, and dates pre-1965, dimes, quarters, and half dollars. Some other silver coinage denominations such as War Nickels and silver dollars, and varying silver percentages, such as 40% silver and 35% silver coins, are occasionally added to lists of junk silver coins.

Pennies and nickels are less common for collectors and investors since they tend not to have any silver. The United States Mint stopped using silver in dimes and quarters in 1965 with the passing of The Coinage Act of 1965, signed by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson.

This is why people search for and buy dimes, quarters, and half dollars that are from 1964 and earlier with their fiat cash. These coins’ silver content value, or melt value, is often worth significantly greater than their face value (FV) pricing, no matter the particular series. 

Junk silver coins are referred to as being “junk” because they contain no numismatic or collectible value. Coins that have been heavily circulated tend to be extremely tarnished, have a loss of silver, and are flattened over the years, making them unfit for circulation. 

These poor-condition coins are then labeled as cull, i.e. “junk,” meant for bank discarding. Banks tend to trade out the older coins for new ones. However, there is still plenty of supply and demand for junk silver collection today. Of course, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure! 

What are the benefits of silver dimes and quarters?

Junk silver coins, like pre-1965 U.S. silver dimes and quarters, are a type of fractional silver bullion. Fractional means there is less than 1 troy ounce of silver in each coin (one troy ounce is 31.1034768 grams). Bullion means these coins are principally bought for their melt value as opposed to their priced face value or collected for numismatic value. 

Junk silver fractional coins come in smaller sizes compared to silver bars, and there is less upfront cost required to get started investing. Since junk silver coins are also low maintenance, they tend to have lower premiums, making them a low barrier to entry for the vast majority of the market. 

In short, pre-1965 U.S. “junk silver” dimes and quarters are an affordable, low-cost, means of buying and stacking silver. If you want to get started investing in silver, to hedge against the failing U.S. dollar, begin with junk silver dimes and quarters. 

Are silver dimes and quarters a good investment?

Pre-1965 U.S. junk silver dimes and quarters are an excellent investment if you are looking to save money getting started investing in precious metals. They are low-maintenance, easy to stow and transport, and a low-cost way of buying silver. Junk silver dimes and quarters tend to have lower premiums than other silver investment options. Junk silver dimes and quarters are a good way to increase your stored savings for cashing out later. 

What is the difference between a silver dime and a silver quarter?

Although pre-1965 dimes and quarters tend to be 90% silver, there is a difference in face value of USD $0.15 (fifteen cents), and silver ounce content with the quarter having 0.10846 more troy ounces of silver. The industry standard for calculating a bag of pre-1965 junk silver change, dimes and quarters, places the silver content at 0.715. Bags of junk silver are primarily sold with either dimes or quarters, not both, and it is strictly measured by the precious metal silver content and weight as opposed to the mere face value of the coins. 

How much is a silver dime or quarter worth?

Pre-1965 Junk Silver Dimes (Roosevelt)

In 1964, a U.S. Roosevelt silver dime had a face value of ten cents (USD $0.10) and was comprised of 0.07234 a troy ounce of silver, or about 2.25 grams of silver. In 1964, at a rate of $1.30 per ounce, a silver dime was worth around $0.09 (nine cents) in melt value. 

Today, at a rate of $23.50 per ounce, that same 1964 silver dime uncirculated would be worth around $1.70 in melt value. 

A pre-1965 dime circulated junk silver price would be calculated as: (0.715 x $0.10 x Spot $23.50) + Premium = $1.68 +/-. 

When purchasing junk silver dimes, you will likely pay more than the melt value, and when selling them you will typically receive less than the melt value.    

When you purchase junk silver dimes from Money Metals Exchange, it is possible to find a variety of cull Barber dimes and Mercury dimes, formally known as Winged Liberty Head dimes, mixed with your cull Roosevelt dimes. 

Pre-1965 Junk Silver Quarters (Washington)

In 1964, a U.S. Washington silver quarter had a face value of twenty-five cents (USD $0.25) and was comprised of 0.1808 a troy ounce of silver, or 5.624 grams of silver. 

In 1964, at a rate of $1.30 per ounce, a silver quarter was worth around $0.24 (twenty-four cents) in melt value. 

Today, at a rate of $23.50 per ounce, that same 1964 silver quarter uncirculated would be worth around $4.25 in melt value. 

A pre-1965 quarter circulated junk silver price would be calculated as: (0.715 x $0.25 x Spot $23.50) + Premium = $4.20 +/-. 

When purchasing junk silver quarters, you will likely pay more than the melt value, and when selling them you will typically receive less than the melt value.    

When you purchase junk silver quarters from Money Metals Exchange, it is possible to find a variety of cull Barber quarters mixed with your cull Washington quarters.

Who designed the silver dimes and quarters?

The Barber dime and quarter were designed in 1891 by the United States Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber. The Mercury dime, formally known as the Winged Liberty Head dime, was designed in 1916 by sculptor Adolph Weinman. The Roosevelt dime was designed in 1946 by Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock. The Washington quarter was designed in 1932 by sculptor John Flanagan. 

Where can I sell silver dimes and quarters? 

You’re in the right place! Not only does Money Metals Exchange sell silver dimes and quarters, but we also buy your silver dimes and quarters. Money Metals Exchange has been in business since 2010 and maintains a superb rating of A+ with the BBB. 

To get an estimate on how much you will receive for your junk silver dimes and quarters, before shipping them to us, go to the respective product page, and under the main product’s image is a button that says Click Here To Sell To Us. Following this link will enable you to calculate your estimated return on investment and payment for your silver dimes and quarters. 

You can also call Money Metals Exchange directly at 1-800-800-1865 between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Mountain Time) Monday - Friday. Or between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Saturday, speak with one of our customer service representatives or friendly experts to help you with your transactions! We are also happy to help answer any questions or provide you with details and information to assist with your purchases and overall experience. There's no need for an appointment to give us a call and discuss your silver items and their respective values.

Silver Content per Coin Size:

• Silver Dimes uncirculated contain 0.07234 troy ounces of silver

• Silver Washington Quarters uncirculated contain 0.1808 troy ounces of silver

We are buying this item back daily, and we pay you promptly!

Our current buy pricing is $15.19 per $1 face value and we will buy up to 7,150 ounces at this price. Simply call us on any weekday to lock pricing at 1-800-800-1865.

Learn more about the process for selling to us here.