How to Find Silver Coins in Circulation
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Nowadays everyone wants in on the silver and gold boom, but how can you get a share without having to pay spot prices? The answer is easy, look no further than your pocket change! Although they are becoming harder and harder to find, valuable silver coins can still be found in circulation. Throughout the history of the United States, our very own Mint has produced many denomenations with silver in coins. The percentage of silver in the total composition will determine the value of silver coins. In order to maximize your ability to find silver coins in circulation, you'll first need to know what to look for!
Silver in Coins
As mentioned before, there is still a great opportunity to obtain silver through finding and collecting silver coins. The United States mint has produced many coins that contain silver. The downside is that there are relatively few silver coins that can be still found in circulation. I'll cover the silver coins that you'll have a chance at finding. The first step to finding silver coins in circulation is to know what you're looking for!
1942-1945 Silver Jefferson Nickel
If you're looking for silver in circulation, the Silver Jefferson Nickel is your best chance for success!
- Jefferson Nickel Silver Composition: 35%
- Jefferson Nickel Silver Coin Spot Value: ~$2.05
Pre 1965 Roosevelt Dime
Dimes easily slip through transactions unnoticed so there is a decent amount of silver dimes that can be found in circulation.
- Silver Roosevelt Dime Mintage Years: 1946-1964
- Roosevelt Dime Silver Composition: 90%
- Roosevelt Dime Silver Coin Spot Value: ~$2.63
Pre 1965 Washington Quarter
Although these are becoming exceedingly rare, you'll never know what kind of surprise you may stumble upon! They're taken so frequently from circulation because of their unmistakable "clink" against other coins.
· Silver Washington Quarter Mintage Years: 1932-1964
· Washington Quarter Silver Composition: 90%
· Washington Quarter Silver Coin Spot Value: $6.59
Pre 1965 Half Dollars
Half dollars never circulated at a rate near other common denominations; they were either hoarded by collectors or left in banks. Increasingly rare, these can be seen in eBay auctions pulling premium prices.
· Silver Half Dollar Mintage Years: 1948-1964 (Franklin Half Dollar 1948-1963 & Kennedy Half Dollar 1964)
· Half Dollar Silver Composition: 90%
· Half Dollar Silver Coin Spot Value: ~$13.18
Kennedy Half Dollars 1965-1970
These half dollars won't pull in as much silver value as their Pre 1965 half dollars, but they still contain a decent amount of silver!
- Kennedy Half Dollar Silver Composition: 40%
- Kennedy Half Dollar Silver Coin Spot Value: $5.38
Finding Silver Coins in Circulation:
It’s called "coin roll hunting" and its time consuming! The best way to maximize your chances of finding silver coins in circulation is to buy roll of coins from the bank. Searching through coins does take some time, but it does pay off! Good luck in your silver coin explorations!
Love More than Just Silver Coins?
- Key Dates for Wheat Pennies
If you're a beginner coin collector, you'll for sure want to read this article on valuable Key Date Wheat Pennies!
CommentsLoading...
Very helpful hub and full of good information. My oldest son collects coins, so I will let him know. : ) Thanks for sharing this with us. Voted up!
Thanks for the heads up. I shall keep my eyes peeled for silver coins. In this dark economy they will be worth finding.










TruBird LeeMartin 10 months ago
Nice job. I like the information on the composition. Don't forget maybe for another article, still more types of coins occasionally (if rarely) available in circulation. Like the Mercury head dime, for example. 90% silver and I've seen quite a few passed around.
Working in retail is a great way to notice coin. Banking, obviously, as well. I've traded my drawer for anything from half-dollars, to mercury dimes, to "walking liberty" silver dollars.