Junk silver is valued for its affordability, accessibility, and — of course — silver content. It can be purchased in bulk from a vendor, or, sometimes, found “in the wild.” But some coins bear an extra value, above and beyond their silver content. Keep an eye out for these significant quarters.
- Barber Quarters 1900– There’s no mint mark on this 90% silver coin. Finding a rare proof coin would be especially valuable; only 912 were made.
- Barber Quarter 1913S– These are the rarest Barber Quarters ever issued. The mint mark “S” will be located on the reverse just above the words “quarter” and “dollar.” It will either be centered or slightly closer to the “s” than the “d” in dollar. Additionally, this coin was unevenly struck, so look for a less pronounced rim on the left-hand side of the coin.
- Barber Quarter 1914S– These coins are the rarest coins of the 1914 Barber Quarters. Look below the eagle’s tail to find the mint mark.
- Standing Liberty Quarter, dates before 1925– Any Standing Liberty Quarter created before 1925 will be worth more than melt. Those with a “D” or “S” mint mark have an additional value. Look at the base of the gate near Liberty’s feet to find the mark.
- Standing Liberty Quarter 1927D– Only 6% of the 1927 Standing Liberty Quarters were minted in Denver. Look for the “D” mint mark in the bottom left of the gate.
- Standing Liberty Quarter 1927S– These are the rarest and therefore most valuable quarters produced in 1927. The “S” is located to the left of Liberty at the bottom of the gate.
- Washington Quarter 1932D or S – Even in poor condition, these coins are worth more than $150. Look for the mint mark on the reverse, below the olive branch and above the “R” in “quarter.”
- Washington Quarter 1930-1940s – Condition matters on these coins. All dates in this period hold some value, but coins in uncirculated or extremely fine condition will be better discoveries.
Unlike junk silver owned purely for the value of the silver content, the grade of coins with a numismatic value will affect the price you can get when you sell. Avoid using cleaning products that may damage your coin and consider having it professionally graded. A coin with few scuffs or discolorations will receive a higher price.
Do you search through your junk silver collection to look for these key dates? Have you ever found some?
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