Why 90% Silver Halves, Quarters, and Dimes Are Bought and Sold by Face Value
From Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers – Amarillo’s Local Precious Metals Experts
If you're holding on to old U.S. silver coins and wondering what they’re worth, one term you’ve likely heard is “junk silver.” At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we buy 90% silver coins daily—and one of the most common questions we answer is why these coins are bought and sold by face value, not by their weight.
Let’s explore what this means and how it can help you get top dollar for your silver coins right here in Amarillo, Texas.
What Is “Junk Silver” and What Coins Are Included?
The term "junk silver" refers to U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted in 1964 or earlier that contain 90% silver and 10% copper. They’re not “junk” because they’re worthless—far from it. They’re simply not rare or collectible, so they are valued primarily for their silver bullion content.
Common examples of 90% silver “junk silver” coins include:
Why Dealers Use Face Value, Not Weight
At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we base our offers on the face value of your coins, not the total weight. Here's why:
✅ Uniform Silver Content
Every $1 face value of 90% silver coins contains approximately ~0.715 troy ounces of silver, with only very minor deviations from wear over the years. Although if weighed, an offer by weight would definitely be less than an offer on the total face value amount.
✅ Speed and Accuracy
Face value pricing allows us to provide fast, fair offers without having to weigh each coin individually.
✅ Industry Standard
Dealers, refiners, and investors nationwide use face value as the benchmark for pricing junk silver—it’s the most efficient, consistent method.
How We Calculate Value at Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers
Here’s our simple formula for determining your payout:
Face Value × 0.715 × Our Current Silver Offer Price = Your Payout
Why Amarillo Residents and Surrounding areas in the Texas Panhandle Trust Us for Silver Sales In Amarillo, TX,
It is very common to come across old coin collections—often inherited or passed down over generations. Many locals are surprised to find that a bag of old “change” can be worth thousands of dollars in silver.
We’re proud to be Amarillo’s local experts when it comes to silver coins, and we’re always happy to explain the process, show you how we calculate your payout, and make sure you leave feeling confident, informed and happy with your payout.
⚠️ Watch Out for Low Offers: If someone tries to buy your 90% silver coins based only on their weight or without mentioning face value or silver content, you may not be getting a fair deal.
We Buy More Than Just 90% Silver Coins
In addition to junk silver, we also buy:
Visit Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers in Amarillo
Ready to turn your old coins into cash? We make it easy.
📍 Stop by or learn more at:
👉 www.LoneStarGoldandSilverBuyers.com
We're open five days a week and always offer free, no-pressure evaluations. Get the most for your silver--locally, honestly, and confidently.
From Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers – Amarillo’s Local Precious Metals Experts
If you're holding on to old U.S. silver coins and wondering what they’re worth, one term you’ve likely heard is “junk silver.” At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we buy 90% silver coins daily—and one of the most common questions we answer is why these coins are bought and sold by face value, not by their weight.
Let’s explore what this means and how it can help you get top dollar for your silver coins right here in Amarillo, Texas.
What Is “Junk Silver” and What Coins Are Included?
The term "junk silver" refers to U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted in 1964 or earlier that contain 90% silver and 10% copper. They’re not “junk” because they’re worthless—far from it. They’re simply not rare or collectible, so they are valued primarily for their silver bullion content.
Common examples of 90% silver “junk silver” coins include:
- Dateless Barber Dimes, Quarters, and Half Dollars (1892–1916)
- Mercury Dimes (1916–1945)
- Roosevelt Dimes (1946–1964)
- Washington Quarters (1932–1964)
- Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916–1947)
- Franklin Half Dollars (1948–1963)
- 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars (only that year)
Why Dealers Use Face Value, Not Weight
At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we base our offers on the face value of your coins, not the total weight. Here's why:
✅ Uniform Silver Content
Every $1 face value of 90% silver coins contains approximately ~0.715 troy ounces of silver, with only very minor deviations from wear over the years. Although if weighed, an offer by weight would definitely be less than an offer on the total face value amount.
✅ Speed and Accuracy
Face value pricing allows us to provide fast, fair offers without having to weigh each coin individually.
✅ Industry Standard
Dealers, refiners, and investors nationwide use face value as the benchmark for pricing junk silver—it’s the most efficient, consistent method.
How We Calculate Value at Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers
Here’s our simple formula for determining your payout:
Face Value × 0.715 × Our Current Silver Offer Price = Your Payout
Why Amarillo Residents and Surrounding areas in the Texas Panhandle Trust Us for Silver Sales In Amarillo, TX,
It is very common to come across old coin collections—often inherited or passed down over generations. Many locals are surprised to find that a bag of old “change” can be worth thousands of dollars in silver.
We’re proud to be Amarillo’s local experts when it comes to silver coins, and we’re always happy to explain the process, show you how we calculate your payout, and make sure you leave feeling confident, informed and happy with your payout.
⚠️ Watch Out for Low Offers: If someone tries to buy your 90% silver coins based only on their weight or without mentioning face value or silver content, you may not be getting a fair deal.
We Buy More Than Just 90% Silver Coins
In addition to junk silver, we also buy:
- Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium Bullion
- Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium Coins
- Gold, Silver, and Platinum Jewelry (broken or whole)
- Gold scrap and dental gold
- Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium Coin collections and estate lots
Visit Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers in Amarillo
Ready to turn your old coins into cash? We make it easy.
📍 Stop by or learn more at:
👉 www.LoneStarGoldandSilverBuyers.com
We're open five days a week and always offer free, no-pressure evaluations. Get the most for your silver--locally, honestly, and confidently.
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