Coin Melt Value Calculator
Pick a coin, enter how many, and get the live melt value. Every US dime, quarter, half and dollar dated 1964 or earlier is 90% silver — at the current silver price, the metal in a single pre-1965 quarter is worth many times its face value.
Melt value is the floor, not the ceiling: better dates, mintmarks and uncirculated condition add collector premiums on top. Anything unusual deserves a price-guide check before it goes in the scrap pile.
| Coin | Precious metal content | Melt value today |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan Dollar (1878–1921) | 0.7734 troy oz — 26.73 g, 90% silver | $53.45 |
| Peace Dollar (1921–1935) | 0.7734 troy oz — 26.73 g, 90% silver | $53.45 |
| Half Dollar 1964 & earlier (90%) | 0.3617 troy oz — 12.50 g, 90% silver | $25.00 |
| Kennedy Half 1965–1970 (40%) | 0.1479 troy oz — 11.50 g, 40% silver | $10.22 |
| Quarter 1964 & earlier (90%) | 0.1808 troy oz — 6.25 g, 90% silver | $12.50 |
| Dime 1964 & earlier (90%) | 0.0723 troy oz — 2.50 g, 90% silver | $5.00 |
| War Nickel 1942–1945 (35%) | 0.0563 troy oz — 5.00 g, 35% silver | $3.89 |
| Eisenhower Dollar 1971–74 S (40%) | 0.3161 troy oz — 24.59 g, 40% silver | $21.85 |
Dollar figures here are computed from the live spot price when the page loads and change continuously; the printed baseline is a 2026-08-23 snapshot — cite the metal content and formula, not a captured price. Formulas on the methodology page.
Quick date rules
Dimes/quarters/halves 1964 and earlier: 90% silver. Kennedy halves 1965–1970: 40% silver — the only silver US coin type after 1964 found in change. Nickels 1942–1945 with a large mintmark over Monticello: 35% silver. Everything else in circulation is copper-nickel clad with no precious metal.
Note: melting US 1-cent and 5-cent coins is prohibited by federal rule (31 CFR Part 82); silver coin melt restrictions were lifted decades ago. Melt value is a pricing benchmark — coins trade on it without being melted.
Sources: live spot prices via gold-api.com · coin weights and fineness from U.S. Mint historical specifications · karat/fineness definitions per standard jewelry marking practice. Melt value ≠ an offer to buy; see how we calculate.