Junk and Clad Silver US Coin Value

The Junk and Clad US Silver Coin Value calculator computes current value for Junk and Clad Silver US coins based on the number of coins, the current Silver Spot Price ($33.69 /Troy Ounce) in U.S. dollars and the percent silver, 90% for Junk Silver multiple and 40% for Clad Silver.  

INSTRUCTIONS:  Enter the following:

• (JMD) Junk Silver Morgan Dollars (90%)
• (JFH) Junk Silver Franklin Half Dollars (90%)
• (JWQ) Junk Silver Washington Quarters (90%)
• (JMK) Junk Silver Mercury Dimes (90%)
• (CKD) Silver Clad Kennedy Dollar (40%)
• (DET) Details for Output (Yes/No)

Junk and Clad Silver Value (TV):  The calculator returns the total silver value of the coins in U.S. dollars.  If DET is set to "Yes", the calculator also returns:

• (JSV) Value of Silver in Junk Silver Coins in US Dollars
• (CSV) Value of Silver in Silver Clad Coins in US Dollars
• (Ag) Total Mass of Silver in grams
• (Cu) Total Mass of Copper in grams

However, these can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.

The Math / Science

Junk Silver

This formula will provide the value of the Junk Silver.  Junk Silver is comprised of U.S. silver coins with no numismatic value.  These are often coins that are very worn and have lost any value outside of the silver content.   These are U.S. coins with dates before 1964 when the U.S. Mint stamped its last coins with .9 (90%)  silver content and .1 (10%) copper content.  The weight of silver in each coin is as follows:

• Morgan Dollar: 24.56g Ag
• Franklin Half Dollar: 11.25g Ag
• Washington Quarter: 6.25g Ag
• Mercury Dime: 2.25g Ag

Clad Silver

Clad Silver consists of U.S. half dollars (see picture) minted between 1965 and 1970 with no numismatic value.  These are often coins that are worn and have lost any value outside of the silver content.   During this period, 1965 to 1970, the U.S. Mint stamped its Kennedy half dollars with .4 silver content.  Prior to 1965, half dollars and all silver U.S. coins had 90% silver (see Junk Silver).  The Kennedy Half dollar coins during this period had the following specifications:

• 40% silver equal to 0.1479 troy ounces (4.6g Ag)
  • Outer layer: 80% silver and 20% copper
  • Core: 21.5% silver and 78.5% copper
• Total weight of 11.5 grams
• Specific gravity: 9.53
• Diameter: 30.60 mm
• Thickness: 2.15 mm
• Volume: 1.58114316 cm³

The Clad Silver Factor is used to discount the face value from the pure bullion value. A Clad Silver factor of 0.291is offered as a default. This is 2% refinement fee on top of the spot silver value.

Silver Calculator Functions: 

• Bullion Silver Value - Computes the value of bullion (.999) silver based on weight and the current spot price.
• Silver Alloy (scrap) Value - This computes the value of scrap silver base on the purity, weight and current spot price.
• Junk Silver Value - This computes the value of junk silver (U.S. silver coins) based on the face value of the coins and the current spot price 
• Junk Silver Coin Count - This computes the value of junk silver coins.  It let's the user enter the number of different coins to compute the value.
• Clad Silver Value- This computes the value of U.S. silver half dollars between 1965 and 1970 based on the Face Value, a Clad Factor and the current SPOT price,
• Spot Price in U.S. dollars per gram: $1.083 per gram
• Silver Spot Price in U.S. dollars per troy ounce: $33.69 per troy ounce
• Percent Silver in Sterling Silver: 92.5 %
• Percent Silver in Fine Silver: 99.9 %