Guides
Silver math, junk silver calculations, and what separates a fair price from an overpriced roll.
Why this page exists
Silver content online is dominated by dealer advertising and stacker forums that assume you already know the lingo. The 0.715 figure gets cited everywhere but almost never explained.
This page explains the math from scratch: where the 0.715 ASW figure comes from, how to calculate melt value on any bag of junk silver, and when paying above melt is rational (and when it isn't). No pitch to buy from any specific dealer.
Plain note about money. Links below go to eBay searches with an affiliate tag. If you buy through one, a small commission comes to this site. Your price is unchanged. The searches are ones we'd actually run.
Silver coins worth searching on eBay
Modern bullion and constitutional silver with established markets. We earn a small commission on qualifying sales; your price is unchanged. Full disclosure.
American Silver Eagle 1 oz
0.9993 fine silver, US Mint sovereign issue since 1986. The most recognized silver coin in North America. Premium varies but typically $3–5 above spot at retail.
90% junk silver coins
Pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, half dollars. 0.715 troy oz ASW per $1 face value. The most efficient way to acquire silver near melt value when bags trade at modest premium.
Morgan silver dollar
0.7734 troy oz ASW. Minted 1878–1904 and 1921. Common dates (1881-S, 1884-O, 1886) available at modest numismatic premium; key dates command significant collector premium.
1 oz silver round
Generic 0.999 fine rounds from private mints. Lowest premium route to owning 1 oz of silver — less recognized than Eagle but weighs the same.
Constitutional silver half dollar
Pre-1965 Walking Liberty, Franklin, and Kennedy halves. 0.3617 troy oz ASW each. Often available in rolls of 20 ($10 face), yielding ~7.23 troy oz ASW per roll.