Common Coins that are Made of Silver (including Dimes & Quarters)
Updated: April 10, 2026
Most modern coins are made from metals with very little intrinsic value. But that was not always the case. Before the mid-1960s, many U.S. coins were made with real silver, and today they can be worth far more than their face value.
With silver at $75 per ounce as of April 2026, old coins tucked away in jars, drawers, and boxes may be worth a surprising amount. If you have older U.S. coins, it is worth taking a closer look before spending them or cashing them in at face value.
If you have a pile of old coins sitting around, some of them may be worth much more than what is stamped on them. Coins made with silver should be separated out and evaluated based on both their silver content and, in some cases, their collectible value.
At Express Gold Cash, we buy gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals, including many common U.S. silver coins. If you are not sure what you have, you can request a free appraisal kit and send your items in for evaluation.
Common U.S. Silver Coins to Look For
The most common silver coins people find in the U.S. include:
- Morgan Silver Dollars
- Peace Silver Dollars
- Walking Liberty Half Dollars
- Franklin Half Dollars
- Kennedy Half Dollars from 1964 to 1970
- Washington Quarters from 1964 and earlier
- Roosevelt Dimes from 1964 and earlier
- Mercury Dimes
- War Nickels from 1942 to 1945
While there are many earlier U.S. silver coins as well, the coins above are some of the most common types people still come across in inherited collections, old change jars, and estate cleanouts. Or, if you’ve been collecting coins for years and want to take advantage of high silver prices, now might be the time to cash in!
Silver Dollars
Silver dollars are not commonly seen in circulation today, but they remain one of the best-known U.S. silver coins. Two of the most common types are Morgan Silver Dollars and Peace Silver Dollars.
Both Morgan and Peace Dollars contain 90% silver and 10% copper and weigh 26.73 grams, or about 0.859 troy ounces. Their actual silver content is about 0.773 troy ounces. They are very popular among collectors and investors.
Morgan Silver Dollars
Morgan Silver Dollars were minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. They are highly collectible, and some dates and mintmarks are worth much more than their silver value alone.
Approximate intrinsic silver value:
0.859 (weight) × 0.90 0.90 (purity) × $75 (price of silver) = $57.98
That means a common Morgan Silver Dollar is worth about $58 for silver alone, before any collector premium is considered.
Some Morgan Dollars are especially desirable to collectors, so year, mintmark, and condition matter. A coin that looks ordinary at first glance may be worth much more than melt value. That said, most of the common Morgan Dollars are essentially worth their silver weight.
Peace Silver Dollars
Peace Dollars were minted from 1921 to 1928, and then again from 1934 to 1935. They were issued to commemorate peace after World War I and share the same silver composition and weight as Morgan Dollars.
Approximate intrinsic silver value:
0.859 (weight) × 0.90 (purity) × $75 (price of silver) = $57.98
As with Morgan Dollars, Peace Dollars often carry collector premiums depending on the date, mintmark, and condition.
Silver Half Dollars
Half dollars made in 1970 and earlier may contain silver. Some are 90% silver, while others, specifically Kennedy Half Dollars from 1965 to 1970, contain 40% silver.
Walking Liberty Half Dollars
Walking Liberty Half Dollars were minted from 1916 to 1947. They are widely admired for their design and are popular with collectors.
These coins weigh 12.5 grams, or 0.3617 troy ounces, and are 90% silver.
Approximate intrinsic silver value:
0.3617 × 0.90 × $75 = $24.41
So a common Walking Liberty Half Dollar has about $24.40 in silver value, before any collectible premium.
Franklin Half Dollars
Franklin Half Dollars were minted from 1948 to 1963. They feature Benjamin Franklin on the front and the Liberty Bell on the reverse.
They have the same weight and silver purity as Walking Liberty Half Dollars.
Approximate intrinsic silver value:
0.3617 × 0.90 × $75 = $24.41
Kennedy Half Dollars
Kennedy Half Dollars began in 1964 and are still produced today, but only certain years contain silver.
1964 Kennedy Half Dollars
The first-year 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar was made from 90% silver.
Approximate intrinsic silver value:
0.3617 × 0.90 × $75 = $24.41
1965 to 1970 Kennedy Half Dollars
From 1965 through 1970, Kennedy Half Dollars were made with a reduced silver content of 40%.
Approximate intrinsic silver value:
0.3617 × 0.40 × $75 = $10.85
Even at 40% silver, these coins are still worth far more than their 50-cent face value.
1971 to Present Kennedy Half Dollars
Most regular-issue Kennedy Half Dollars from 1971 onward do not contain silver. They are typically made from copper and nickel. However, some proof and special collector issues were struck in silver, so certain later examples may still have precious metal value.
Silver Quarters
U.S. quarters minted in 1964 and earlier were generally made from 90% silver. While there are several older quarter designs, the most common silver quarter people find is the Washington Quarter.
Washington Quarters
Washington Quarters were first issued in 1932. Coins dated 1932 to 1964 are 90% silver.
A silver Washington Quarter weighs 6.25 grams, or about 0.2009 troy ounces. Its actual silver content is approximately 0.1808 troy ounces.
Approximate intrinsic silver value:
0.1808 × $75 = $13.56
That means a common silver quarter is worth about $13.50 for silver alone.
Quarters dated 1965 and later are generally copper-nickel clad and do not contain silver, aside from certain special collector issues.
Silver Dimes
Dimes dated 1964 and earlier were generally struck in 90% silver. The most common silver dimes people encounter are Mercury Dimes and Roosevelt Dimes.
Mercury Dimes
Mercury Dimes were minted from 1916 to 1945. They are popular with collectors and easy to spot because they look noticeably different from modern dimes.
These coins weigh 2.5 grams, or about 0.0804 troy ounces. Their actual silver content is approximately 0.0723 troy ounces.
Approximate intrinsic silver value:
0.0723 × $75 = $5.42
Roosevelt Dimes
Roosevelt Dimes were introduced in 1946. Coins dated 1946 to 1964 are 90% silver, while those dated 1965 and later are generally clad.
Roosevelt silver dimes have the same silver content as Mercury Dimes.
Approximate intrinsic silver value:
0.0723 × $75 = $5.42
Because pre-1965 Roosevelt Dimes look very similar to modern dimes, they are one of the easier silver coins to miss.
War Nickels
One commonly overlooked U.S. silver coin is the War Nickel. These Jefferson Nickels were minted from 1942 to 1945 and contain 35% silver.
War Nickels were produced during World War II when nickel metal was needed for the war effort, so the U.S. Mint changed the composition.
These coins weigh 5 grams, or about 0.1608 troy ounces total, with actual silver content of approximately 0.0563 troy ounces × 35% = 0.0197 troy ounces.
Approximate intrinsic silver value:
0.0197 × $75 = $1.48
That means each War Nickel is worth roughly $1.50 for silver content alone.
You can often identify them by the large mintmark above Monticello on the reverse.
What About Other Silver Coins?
There are many other U.S. coins made from silver, including older Seated Liberty, Barber, Standing Liberty, and other historic issues. However, those are less commonly found in everyday situations and are often worth more as collector coins.
For most people in the U.S., the major common silver coins to watch for are:
- Morgan Silver Dollars
- Peace Silver Dollars
- Walking Liberty Half Dollars
- Franklin Half Dollars
- Kennedy Half Dollars from 1964 to 1970
- Washington Quarters from 1932 to 1964
- Mercury Dimes
- Roosevelt Dimes from 1946 to 1964
- War Nickels from 1942 to 1945
Quick Silver Coin Value Reference (April 2026)
| Coin Type | Silver Content | Approximate Silver Value |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan / Peace Dollar | 0.773 troy oz | $57.98 |
| 90% Half Dollar | 0.3255 troy oz | $24.41 |
| 40% Kennedy Half Dollar | 0.1447 troy oz | $10.85 |
| 90% Quarter | 0.1808 troy oz | $13.56 |
| 90% Dime | 0.0723 troy oz | $5.42 |
| 35% War Nickel | 0.0197 troy oz | $1.48 |
At Express Gold Cash, we pay up to 98% of the silver value for coins and bullion. It depends on some factors, like condition and quantity, but coins and bullion tend to hold their intrinsic value much better than items that need to be refined, like silverware and jewelry.
Final Thoughts
Old U.S. silver coins can be worth far more than their face value, especially with silver at elevated prices. Even small denominations like dimes and quarters can add up quickly.
If you have older coins, it is smart to sort them by date and denomination before spending or selling them. In many cases, a coin that looks ordinary may contain real silver and be worth much more than you think.
If you want to sell silver coins, jewelry, flatware, or other precious metals, Express Gold Cash makes it easy. Request a free appraisal kit, send your items in securely, and get an expert evaluation.
