Are Your Coins Silver? A Gentle Guide for Inherited Coin Collections
Article by Adam Zimmerman, Estate & Antique Expert
06.19.2025
If you’ve just inherited a coin collection—or found a few jars tucked away in your parents’ attic—you might be feeling one of two things: curiosity… or overwhelm.
You’re not alone. Many of my clients have found themselves staring at stacks of old dimes, quarters, and half dollars, wondering, Are any of these actually worth something? Or worse: Am I about to throw away something valuable?
Today, I want to help ease that uncertainty.
Let’s talk about silver coins—what to look for, how to quickly spot the ones with value, and how to avoid wasting hours sifting through pocket change that might be, well, just pocket change.
A Common (and Understandable) Misconception
When I visit clients who’ve inherited coin collections, I hear this a lot:
“I was told these were worth a lot.”
Or: “My father said to hang onto these—they’re silver!”
But not all old coins are created equal. And just because a coin looks old doesn’t mean it holds real value.
In this post, I’m focusing on silver content—not numismatic value (which is based on rarity or condition). That means we’re looking strictly at the value of the metal inside the coin, based on
Which Coins Are Silver? Here's the Simple Rule
If you’re sorting through U.S. coins, focus on these:
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Dimes, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars minted in 1964 or earlier are 90% silver.
That includes:-
Roosevelt dimes
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Washington quarters
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Franklin and early Kennedy half dollars
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Morgan and Peace silver dollars
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Here’s what that can mean in today’s market:
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A silver dime (pre-1964) is worth roughly $2
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A silver quarter? Around $6
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A half dollar? $12
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And a silver dollar? Approximately $24
Not a bad return for what might otherwise be tossed in a change jar.
Want more information — including photos — of these coins?
Most Common Silver Coins
The Easiest Way to Tell—Without a Magnifying Glass
I know going through coins one by one can be tedious. So here’s a trick I often teach my clients to speed things up:
Look at the edge of the coin.
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If you see white or silver all the way through, there’s a strong chance it’s silver.
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If you see copper or a brownish strip, it’s likely a later coin with no silver content.
So if you have a stack of quarters, line them up and look at the sides. The ones with a white edge? Set those aside—you’re likely holding onto something with real metal value.
This trick alone has saved my clients hours of unnecessary sorting.
Don’t Overlook These: The 40% Silver Coins
Most people know about the 1964 rule—but here’s something a lot of people miss:
Kennedy half dollars from 1965 to 1970 are made of 40% silver.
They’re not as valuable as earlier coins, but they’re still worth about $5 today—much more than their face value.
So don’t toss those just yet.
What About Rarity or Collector Value?
If you’re wondering whether your coins are worth more than just their silver content—meaning they might be collectible or rare—there are two coins in particular to take a closer look at:
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Morgan Silver Dollars
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Peace Silver Dollars
These coins, especially in good condition, have the best chance of carrying numismatic value beyond their weight in silver. They’re both large, heavy, and have a classic beauty that makes them enduring favorites among collectors.
If you think you have either, it might be worth getting a second opinion from a coin or numismatic specialist. I often advise clients to reach out if they have a few of these coins—especially if they’re in good condition.
To Learn Even More…
Catch a video on this topic here:
A Calmer Approach to a Common Dilemma
Here’s what I want you to remember: you don’t need to become a coin expert overnight.
This is where people get stuck—they think they need to understand the entire U.S. Mint history just to decide whether to keep or sell a jar of old change. But the truth is, just knowing these basic guidelines can help you sort 80% of the clutter from the potential value.
And that’s often the hardest part—starting.
What I see again and again is that once someone knows what they’re looking for, they feel lighter. Less anxious. More in control. Whether they choose to sell, keep, or donate their coins, they’re doing so with clarity—and that makes a world of difference.
I hope this post gives you a head start. And if you want someone by your side as you navigate it, I’m always here to help.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
💬 Have a box of coins you’re not sure how to value?
📬 Need a second pair of eyes before you give something away—or sell it?
▶️ Want to learn more in short, friendly video format?
I invite you to reach out or explore my full library of helpful guides and videos on my YouTube channel.
Watch more helpful videos on the Antique Help® YouTube Channel
Reach out directly if you’d like a second opinion or some expert guidance—I’m happy to help you look up your items or do a professional consultation.
And if you want to learn even more about how to make sense of antiques—so you can make some cents—check out my book
