When investing in precious metals, we are often led to believe we are required to invest in gold bars or ingots.

However, there is a better and more affordable way to invest in silver - junk silver coins.

First, junk silver does not mean "worthless" in the sense of having no monetary value. Rather, junk silver coins have little numismatic value to coin collectors. However, junk silver coins are dimes, quarters, halves and dollars minted before 1965 which have 90% pure silver content.

Often you will see them listed as pre-1965, pre-1964, or common date silver U.S. coins.

Junk silver coins include the following:

Dimes - Roosevelt and Mercury head dimes minted before 1965






Quarters - Washington quarters minted in the same time frame, pre-1965..



Halves - While the 1964 Kennedy half contains 90% silver, the Franklin half, minted from 1948 t0 1963 is often more available because of the quantity minted during those years.



Dollars - There were only a limited number of Peace dollars minted in 1964 and those were not authorized into circulation. Eisenhower dollars were not released until 1971 and only a few contain 40% silver and the rest are clad. The only junk silver dollar coins are Peace and Morgan silver dollars.



Junk silver coins represent an easy way to invest in precious metals because they can be purchased one coin at a time, in rolls or in bags.

The cost of these coins is determined by the current rate silver is trading at plus a small premium for the dealer.