People who happen to find coins in their pockets sometimes stop and wonder, "How much is a silver coin worth?"
It's a simple question, and yet there is no definite answer.
Why?
Coins minted between the 1930s and 1960s are 90% silver and are very popular with collectors and investors.
As you read on, you will learn all about the different types of coins and their true value.
How It All Began: Introducing Washington's Neighborhood
The Washington Quarter is the first silver commemorative coin. The coin was created in 1931 when the Treasury wanted to honor George Washington. Washington's own portrait is depicted on the face of the coin.
The coin design was the result of John Flanagan, a famous mint engraver. The first coins were made in the USA in 1932. However, due to the Great Depression, the United States Mint decided in 1933 to stop producing coins. The following year the demand for coins increased again, so he continued to use the large George Washington design. Today we use the same model.
How do you calculate the value of a US silver coin?
Would you like to know how much a silver coin is worth? You can calculate the value of any silver coin by multiplying the silver content by thecurrent silver price in the market. Each 90% silver quart contains 0.18084 troy ounces of fine silver. An ounce of silver equals 5.5. silver room. If you have an antique room (minted before 1930) you will probably get a higher value.
What do experts mean by fine silver?
The method used to classify the purity of silver is referred to as thousandths of fineness and is expressed in decimals. AnySilver coin used for trade or investmentmust be 99.9% pure or 0.999. Pure investment grade silver is approved with authentication that confirms its purity.
silver coinsthat are manufactured for general use contain silver with a purity between 80-90%.
Each silver quarter has a different value. The price depends on the purity of the silver and the year the coin was minted. Before 1965, all dimes in the US were 90% silver and 10% copper. In 1965 the Coinage Act changed the structure to reduce silver grades. The coins were replaced with a composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
When people talk about silver quarters, they're referring to George Washington's quarters, which were minted between 1932 and 1964. These quarters are 8000% higher compared to current versions of silver coins.
In addition to the Washington Silver Quarter, there are two other types of high value coins.
The "Barber" or Liberty Head Quarter was first introduced in 1892 along with the entire Barber coin series. The designs for all the coins were created by then chief engraver Charles Barber. The coins feature the iconic Liberty Head and the inscription "United States of America". The quarter coin weighs 6.25 grams and has a silver content of 0.179 troy ounces.
The Standing Liberty is another valuable silver coin minted between 1916 and 1930. It was intended to replace the Barber coin and remained in production until 1930. The inscription "United States of America" is at the top of the coin. On the reverse, the coin depicts a flying eagle. The coin has the same size and weight specifications as the "Barber" coin. It is 90% silver and contains 0.179 ounces of silver.
What are error (transitional) coins?
The last batch of silver coins (90% pure) was made in 1964. After that, manufacturers began producing quarter, copper, and nickel coins. All coins from the 1965 lot were supposed to contain copper-nickel, but some of them (a few) were still minted with 90% silver. The coins that resulted from this mix-up are rare or faulty coins that are now worth thousands of dollars.
Today, the quarter silver (1965) is worth over $4,000 while the 1965 silver coin fetched $7,050 at auction.
These are some of the errors that can occur during the embossing process:
- double reverse stamp- Examine the coin and look closely at the "quarter dollar" letters. When minted twice, the coin ranges in value from $25 to $175.
- Double matrix reversed- The letters "Freedom" and "In God we trust" must be duplicated. In 1965 the duplication was not evident. If you catch this mistake, the silver quarter is worth between $450 and $1,100.
- double whammy– Multiple hits or double hits occur when the coin is hit more than once. Coins with this type of flaw sell for $400.
- Outside the center– If the coin is not well centered, this will result in a deformation of the circular shape. The higher the leakage percentage, the more expensive the room. Rarity makes one coin more valuable than others, so you can expect to sell this type of coin for a few hundred dollars.
- double tail– When the two sides of the coin are reversed, it is called a two-sided coin. So far, only three of the double-tailed quarters have been discovered. A double-tailed bug coin sells for tens of thousands of dollars.
Identification of rare and valuable silver coins
Is there a way to identify a rare 1964 silver quarter?
Yes, and it's pretty easy to do. All you have to do is weigh your old quarter on a gram scale.
All Washington quarters weigh 6.25g (with minor differences), while copper and nickel coins weigh 5.67g. If you have a coin that weighs more than 6g, it's worth checking the value.
To determine if a quarter is 90% silver:
- Check the year of issue
- Check for color (90% silver specific luster confirms metal content)
- Look at the edge (the edge of the coin should be completely silver)
What are Bicentennial Quarters and how much are they worth?
Bicentennial quarters are those made between 1776 and 1976. They are worth between $5 and $10 at Mint State. The price is determined by the place of manufacture and the condition of the coin. The Bicentennial Rooms were produced in honor of the United States' 200th anniversary.
Not all bicentennial quarters contain silver. Coins with an "S" mintmark mean they were minted at the San Francisco Mint and contain 40% silver each, or a total of 0.739 troy ounces.
How to qualify silver coins
The most valuable silver quarters are the Washington quarters. In order to determine the value of your coin and calculate its value, it is important to learn how to classify the different coins.
Issmall silver coinsare in "good condition", the higher quality rooms in "unused condition". The "uncirculated condition" can be determined by examining the design and details. The most obvious feature is an opaque finish.
If the coin is slightly worn, it is considered to be in "excellent" condition. You can notice signs of abrasion in the center of the coin.
"Fine" is still an acceptable condition for silver coins. In this case, the design and details of the coin wear out to the point of confusion. If all the important features are visible, but the letters are beginning to mix, the coin is in "good" condition.
How to use a quarter silver melting point calculator?
Using a silver quarter melting value calculator will help you determine the total coin value of your Washington, Standing Liberty, or Barber quarter. You can charge by weight, face value, quarter rolls, or piece count. The calculator determines the silver value in your room and does not take into account the base metal value.
Would you like to find out more?
If you would like more information on Silver Quarter Value, please do not hesitate to contact Oxford Gold Group Partners at (833) 600-GOLD.