Junk Silver Coins – Pre-1964 Silver Quarter, Half, Dime and Dollar
In times of economic uncertainty, people often seek to protect their nest egg by investing in precious metals. Precious metals historically rise when the value of a fiat currency falls. In today’s market, pre-1964 US junk silver coins like the 1964 silver quarter the twenty five cent piece, 1964 silver half fifty cent piece, 1964 silver dime ten cent piece and 1964 silver dollar hundred cent piece U.S.A these coins all contain 90% silver provide an affordable and liquid silver investment opportunity.
These coins like the silver quarter were in general circulation until 1964 and contained 90% silver volume per coin. Because they were circulated coins, they can still be used as currency in a survival situation, saved to reap the benefits of a rise in silver price, or used as a hedge against inflation. Although coin collectors call them “junk” coins, they are far from what the nick name may imply. Junk silver coins are good investment in my mind.
Originally a junk silver bag of coins equalled a $1000 face. Today, bags are typically sold by dealers in junk bags of $1000, $500, $250, and $100 dollar face-value lots. Remember, these are face value, not actual value, bags. Pre-1964 US silver quarter coins can also be bought in rolls, making it quite easy and affordable to invest no matter how much money you have to work with.
Originally, a junk silver bag of $1000 face value would contain 723 oz of silver. Because of wear and tear from circulation, these previously circulated coins generally contain around 715 oz, while weighing a total of around 55 lbs. To find the price per ounce, simply divide the price of your junk silver bag quarters by 715.
Usually a bag of 1964 junk silver dimes will be made up of mostly Roosevelt dimes minted from 1946 to 1964. It is not uncommon to also find Mercury/Winged Head silver dimes (1916-1945) as well. Because of their earlier mint date, Mercury dimes will be more worn than Roosevelt’s. If you want a bag of only Mercury dimes, you will typically be charged extra.
If you order bags of silver dimes, you may sometimes find some Barber dimes (1892-1916). Older dimes, such as the Seated Liberty (1837-1891), Capped Bust (1809-1837), or Draped Bust (1796-1807) will rarely be found in a bag, but keep a sharp eye out for these rare coins.
A junk bag of pre-1964 silver quarters can contain Washington quarters (1932-1964), Standing Liberty’s (1916-1930), or possibly a few Barbers (1892-1916). Barbers and Standing Liberty’s are usually quite worn and very rare, but they can still be found in a bag of quarters. Seated Liberty’s (1838-1891) are much rarer, and you’ll likely never see these in bags of “junk” quarters.
Kennedy (1964) and Franklin (1948-1963) half-dollars appear with equal frequency in bags of silver half-dollars. Occasionally, Walking Liberty’s (1916-1947) and even Barbers (1892-1915) can be found as well. Always pay attention to special promotions from coin dealers to detect price rises early. Seated Liberty’s are much rarer, and you will not likely see these in your silver junk bags of coins.
Because more quarters and dimes were originally minted, half-dollars usually carry a higher sell price because of their relative rarity and popularity. In fact, the Kennedy half is the most popular of pre-1964 US silver coins. And bags with all the same type of half-dollars are priced higher for obvious reasons. Half-dollars tend to have less wear and tear than the other coins as well.
These circulated junk silver coins are easy to liquidate in an emergency. Bags can be separated into smaller quantities, and the coins can also be sold individually. In dire times, you could even use them as currency at your local grocery store. This, combined with their relatively cheap price, makes these so-called” “junk” coins an attractive investment as a safe-haven.
Do to the fast moving silver market I do not give personal investment advice.
