Expert: Joe Hylas - 3/16/2005

Question
Hi Joe,

Thanks for your volunter help!

What is the value of silver coins doing?  Is the present market making an average silver coin (from 1900's) more valuable because of the metal.  Or is the best determination value still according to date, circulation and condition.

Answer
Hi Dave,
First off, thanks for the recognition!

You question is multipart.  To begin with, some coins are only worth their silver content.  Common pieces in circulated condition are worth about 4 x the face value.
Coins like Walking Liberty Halves and Mercury dimes sometimes bring a premium over silver but usually not more than 10% if they are common dates and circulated.
Silver dollars always bring a premium over the silver content as long as they are not cleaned, really worn or damaged.  Currently, silver dollars are anywhere from $7 and up.
Certainly, better date coins bring a premium.  But those better dates must be substantially better not slightly better.  You have to remember that a dealer must inventory these coins and wait for a buyer.  No dealer will pay a premium for a slightly better date only because of that reason.
The Guidebook to US Coins (Redbook) is a good tool.  Although the values are "retail" and not always accurate at that, it does serve the purpose of showing which coins are truly better pieces.  Make a list of those better dates and pull them out, everything else is just "silver".

I hope this answered your question.

Regards,
Joe Hylas