Finding Junk Silver “In The Wild”

“Junk” silver, or circulated coins valued for their silver content rather than face value, are increasingly sought-after. Because junk silver is  recognizable, affordable and has convenient silver content, they are a good choice for survival silver collectors and investors of all kinds.

There is a difference between silver bullion coins and rounds and junk silver. Junk silver is government-issued silver coins that are valued predominantly for the amount of silver they contain. Before the 1970s, governments including the United States and United Kingdom issued coinage containing a percentage of silver.

Because of the inherent silver value, the term “junk silver” is a misnomer — and they can be worth quite a lot!

Some collectors prefer to buy junk silver, but some can still be found “in the wild” with a little looking. Common junk silver pieces are:

• Dimes – Pre-1965 U.S. Dimes containing 90% silver (Liberty Head, Mercury, Roosevelt designs)
• Quarters – Pre-1965 U.S. Quarters containing 90% silver (Liberty Head, Standing Liberty, Washington designs)
• Half-Dollars – Pre-1965 U.S. Half-Dollars containing 90% silver (Liberty Head, Walking Liberty, Franklin, Kennedy)
• Dollars – Morgan and Peace designs containing 90% silver, minted from 1878 to 1935
• Kennedy Half Dollars (1965-1970, 1976) and War Nickels (1942-1945) – 40% and 35% silver, respectively.

If you’re looking for a lower-cost way to stack silver, these coins are a great way to get started. They’re also good pieces to have on hand in the event of an economic crisis, because they would be easier to trade than a large pure silver bar. You can also buy them from other collectors, your local coin shop, or online dealers.

Do you invest in junk silver? What do you recommend?

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