The short list
- Dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars dated 1964 and earlier for circulation: 90% silver.
- Kennedy halves 1965–1970: 40% silver.
- Nickels 1942–1945 with the large reverse mintmark: 35% silver. No other nickel.
- Cents are never silver. Pre-1982 cents are copper.
- Silver Eagles (1986–date): one troy ounce of silver, not 90% junk.
Open a type to see today’s melt: 1964 quarter, Morgan dollar, 1943 nickel, Silver Eagle, $1 face of 90%.
The years that change the metal
| Year | What changed | Open |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 dime / quarter | Last circulating 90% silver. 1965-on is clad. | 1964 dime · 1964 quarter · 1965 quarter |
| 1964 Kennedy half | Only 90% Kennedy year. | 1964 half |
| 1965–1970 Kennedy half | 40% silver. Not 90%. Not clad. | 1965–70 half |
| 1971 Kennedy half | Clad business strikes. No silver. | 1971 half |
| 1942–1945 nickel | War nickel 35% silver — large reverse mintmark. | 1943 nickel |
| 1982 cent | Copper and zinc both exist. Weigh it (~3.1 g vs ~2.5 g). | 1982 penny |
Why 1964 is the line
The Mint switched circulating dimes and quarters to copper-nickel clad in 1965. Halves kept 40% silver through 1970, then went clad. If your quarter says 1965 or later and it is a normal business strike, it is not a silver melt.
Silver proof sets in later years are collector strikes. They can contain silver, but they are not “junk silver” bags. Weigh or read the packaging; do not mix them into a $1-face count.
Identify by year · All silver types · Calculator
If you want to sell Find a shop near you
A local coin shop can make an offer. Melt is the metal floor, not a quote. Many shops buy generic gold and silver as a percent of that number.