This calculator multiplies the number of each coin type by its Actual Silver Weight (ASW) in troy ounces, then multiplies the total silver weight by the current spot price. Pre-1965 dimes, quarters, and half dollars are 90% silver. Kennedy halves from 1965–1970 are 40% silver. War Nickels (1942–1945) are 35% silver. American Silver Eagles contain exactly 1 troy ounce of .999 fine silver. The ⭐ Special & Collector Editions section includes proof coins, commemorative issues, and anniversary editions — these are collector coins, not intended for circulation.
Circulated vs. Uncirculated: Circulated coins have slight wear, reducing their silver weight by about 1%. The circulated weight is used by default for a more conservative estimate. Toggle to uncirculated weights if your coins are in mint condition.
Rule of thumb: $1.00 face value of 90% silver coins contains approximately 0.715 troy ounces of pure silver. That means roughly $1.40 face value equals one troy ounce.
Pre-1965 U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars that are 90% silver. Called "junk" not because they're worthless, but because they have no numismatic value beyond their silver content.
A 1964 Washington Quarter contains 0.1808 troy oz of pure silver (0.1788 oz circulated). Multiply by the current silver spot price to get melt value.
ASW stands for Actual Silver Weight — the troy ounces of pure silver in a coin, measured to mint specifications.
One full troy ounce of .999 fine silver. American Silver Eagles (1986–present) contain exactly 1.0000 troy oz of pure silver.
U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted before 1965 that contain 90% silver. The term comes from their silver content being defined by the U.S. Constitution.
Multiply the number of coins by the ASW (Actual Silver Weight) in troy ounces, then multiply the total by the current silver spot price per ounce.
1964 Kennedy halves are 90% silver. 1965–1970 Kennedy halves are 40% silver. 1971 and later contain no silver (copper-nickel clad).
The GSR is the price of gold divided by the price of silver. It tells you how many ounces of silver one ounce of gold can buy. Historically it has ranged from about 40:1 to over 100:1.
Krugerrands are 22 karat (91.67% gold), but contain exactly 1 troy ounce of pure gold per full-size coin. The remaining 8.33% is copper, making them more durable than 24k coins.
Approximately 0.715 troy ounces of pure silver per $1.00 face value for 90% silver coins. Multiply by spot price for current melt value.
The melt value of any coin is determined by a straightforward formula: Melt Value = Number of Coins × ASW (or AGW) × Spot Price. ASW stands for Actual Silver Weight — the troy ounces of pure silver a coin contains. AGW stands for Actual Gold Weight — the troy ounces of pure gold. For example, a pre-1965 Washington Quarter has an ASW of 0.1808 troy oz. If you have 10 such quarters and silver is trading at $30 per ounce, the melt value is 10 × 0.1808 × $30 = $54.24. This calculator does the math for you instantly, pulling live spot prices so your valuations are always current.
U.S. silver coins come in several purity levels. 90% silver (0.900 fine) includes dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted before 1965 — often called constitutional silver or junk silver. 40% silver (0.400 fine) includes Kennedy half dollars from 1965–1970 and Eisenhower dollar specials. 35% silver (0.350 fine) refers to wartime Jefferson nickels minted from 1942–1945. 99.9% silver (.999 fine) is the purity of modern bullion coins like the American Silver Eagle and Canadian Silver Maple Leaf. Each purity level has a different ASW for the same denomination, so it's critical to select the correct coin type when calculating melt value.
Coins that have been in circulation suffer from wear — metal is literally worn away through decades of handling. A circulated pre-1965 quarter has an ASW of approximately 0.1788 troy oz, compared to the uncirculated mint specification of 0.1808 troy oz. That slight difference adds up: a full $1,000 face-value bag of circulated 90% silver holds about 715 troy oz instead of the uncirculated 723 troy oz. This calculator includes both circulated and uncirculated weight options so you can choose the value that best matches your coins' condition.
Gold coin melt values work the same way as silver — multiply AGW (Actual Gold Weight) by the gold spot price. Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins include the $20 Double Eagle (0.9675 troy oz AGW), $10 Eagle (0.4838 oz), $5 Half Eagle (0.2419 oz), and smaller denominations. These are 90% gold (21.6 karat). Modern bullion coins like the 1 oz Gold Eagle (91.67% gold, but containing a full 1 oz of pure gold), the Gold Buffalo (99.99% gold), the Krugerrand (91.67% gold with 1 oz pure gold), and the Gold Maple Leaf (99.99% gold) all contain exactly 1 troy ounce of pure gold per full-size coin, though their total weight differs due to alloy content. The gold/silver ratio — the price of gold divided by the price of silver — is a key metric for stackers deciding when to trade between the two metals.
For precious metals stackers, melt value is the floor — the minimum a coin is worth based on its metal content alone. When you buy constitutional silver at or near melt, you're acquiring silver at one of the lowest premiums possible. Knowing the exact melt value helps you spot deals, avoid overpaying, and track your portfolio's metal content accurately. This is especially useful for junk silver, which often trades at a small premium over spot. By calculating melt value, you can compare the premium you'd pay on coins versus bars or rounds, and make informed decisions about which form of silver or gold gives you the most metal for your money. The gold/silver ratio also helps stackers time exchanges between gold and silver based on historical norms.
What junk silver is, which coins qualify, and the $1 face = 0.715 oz rule.
Pre-1965 U.S. silver coins — how to identify them and why stackers prefer them.
How much an American Silver Eagle is worth — melt value, premiums, and bullion vs. proof.
Gold Krugerrand specs, melt value calculation, and comparison to other gold coins.
The formula, worked examples, ASW reference table, and common mistakes to avoid.