Work out what you have

Pick a coin type and a quantity, or work from dollar face value for a mixed bag. Every figure is the metal at today's spot.

The year rules that decide it. Dimes, quarters and halves dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver; most later ones are not. Check before you weigh anything.

For jars and bags. $1 of face value in 90% silver holds about 0.715 oz — tables for 90%, 40% halves and war nickels.

Melt for every series we track, with what pushes a given coin above it.