Coins Collected As A Kid
 

Hi,

I've been really interested in reading about PMs since I discovered Ron Paul in March of 2007. I have another thread in the beginner's section saying I just bought my first Fine Silver Rounds (from APMEX). I got them in the mail today - WooHoo! Anyway, I'm being long winded. I periodically messed around with a coin collection as a kid and decided to break it out today. I have lots of dollar and half dollar coins in a Crown Royal bag! Only 1 had any silver, 1964 Kennedy half dollar. Everything else was from 1971 on.

I did find some graded coins I purchased when I was a kid though... this is exciting:
Standing Liberty Quarters
1925: VG/VG
1927: VG/VG
1928: VG/G
1930: F/F

And, I have a Seated Liberty Half Dollar from 1854! Looks great for being from 1854. It's great to have such old pieces no matter the worth ('Time And Again' by Finney, anyone!).

These may be worth more than the silver content, but any idea where I can find out the silver content of these?

Also, the prices of all the quarters seem to vary a lot when I Google them. Looks like they sell for a least $5.00. I'm not sure of the Half Dollar. I've seen $29.00 through $80.00 (and up) - I'd probably have to get it graded. Any price idea on the graded stuff?

Thanks for letting me ramble on!
Nickel

Re: Coins Collected As A Kid
 

Welcome aboard! Glad you like to ramble.

Re: Coins Collected As A Kid
 

Welcome!

The four Standing Liberty Quarters and the Seated Liberty Half Dollar are all composed of 90% silver and 10% copper (as is the Kennedy).

I looked it up in my trusty Official Red Book of U.S. Coins by R.S. Yeoman. It's a great book updated annually and it contains a wealth of information. Unfortunately, my copy is from 2004, so I can't help ya on the value of your coins.

cheers

Re: Coins Collected As A Kid
 

Use ebay completed sales for a pretty accurate value of what they are worth in FRN's.

Re: Coins Collected As A Kid
 

I'd wager the Seated Liberty half is worth a fair amount.

Re: Coins Collected As A Kid
 

Welcome to GIM!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
1964 & earlier U.S. dimes, quarters, halves, and 1935 and earlier dollar coins are comprised of 90% silver and 10% copper.<o:p></o:p>
Some 1942 and all 1943 through 1945 U.S. nickels are comprised of 35% silver, 58% nickel, and 9% manganese. They’re called “War” nickels and are identified by a capitol letter “P” located above the dome on the reverse side of the coin. They are made up of 35% 1942-1945 nickels contained .05626 oz. of .999 fine silver when minted.<o:p></o:p>
An “average” circulated 35% nickel contains about .05585 oz. of .999 fine silver.<o:p></o:p>
90&% silver dimes contained .07234 oz. of .999 fine silver when minted.
An “average” circulated dime contains about .0715 oz. of .999 fine silver.<o:p></o:p>
90% silver quarters contained .18084 oz. of .999 fine silver when minted.
An “average” circulated quarter contains about .17875 oz. of .999 fine silver.<o:p></o:p>
90% silver half-dollars contained .36169 oz. of .999 fine silver when minted.
An “average” circulated half contains about .3575 oz. of .999 fine silver.<o:p></o:p>
1965 through 1970 Kennedy half-dollars are 40% silver.
A 40% Kennedy half contained .1479 oz. of .999 fine silver when minted.
An “average” circulated 40% Kennedy half-dollar contains about .1475 oz. of .999 fine silver.<o:p></o:p>
1935 and earlier U.S. Silver Dollars when minted, contained .77344 oz. of .999 fine (pure) silver. This is just a little over 3/4 oz. of silver per coin. (Don’t confuse these old U.S. Silver Dollars with U.S. Silver Eagle “modern bullion coins” (1986 to date) that contain a full ounce of .999 silver).<o:p></o:p>
“Morgan” (1878-1921) dollars in general trade at a little higher premium than comparatively worn “Peace” (1922-1935) dollars.

U.S. Silver dollars in good condition have numismatic (collector’s) value because by far, most all worn and damaged coins were melted back in the 1960’s and early 1980’s when silver peaked to $50-plus dollars an ounce. The amount of silver in a 90% silver dollar depending on wear, will range from .773 oz. in an uncirculated coin, to perhaps .387 oz. in a severely worn coin.<o:p></o:p>

Use caution not to trade too high for severely worn silver dollars. Also remember that they have value that privately minted bullion bar and coin-forms of silver do not have because 90% silver dollars are legal tender, are readily recognized and accepted, are of unquestionable authenticity, and have government guarantee regarding purity and amount of silver they contain.<o:p></o:p>


In addition, these 90% silver dollars along with 90% dimes, quarters, and half-dollars, and 35% silver nickels are exceedingly difficult to counterfeit, once circulated as currency with “real” value, and have the capacity to serve as such again.

I hope this helps you

Re: Coins Collected As A Kid
 

Re: Coins Collected As A Kid
 

Remember the numismatic value of a coin is market-driven. If, in a depression for example, coin collectors aren't collecting rare coins, your coins then have only the inherent value of their silver content.