Scrap Silver Calculator
Calculate the value of your scrap silver, old coins, and silver items when selling to dealers or refiners. This calculator provides realistic valuations based on current market prices and typical dealer spreads.
Total Scrap Value
Item Breakdown
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Silver Information
Market Status: N/A
Premium vs. Spot:
Industrial Demand: High for electronics
Tip: Silver has both investment and industrial value
Understanding Scrap Silver Value
Scrap silver value is determined by the current silver spot price, the purity of the silver, and the dealer spread. Silver has both investment value and significant industrial demand, making it a unique precious metal.
Silver Purity Standards
| Standard | Purity | Common Uses | Value Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Silver | 99.9% | Bullion, investment | 1.000 |
| Sterling Silver | 92.5% | Jewelry, flatware | 0.925 |
| Coin Silver | 90% | Pre-1965 coins | 0.900 |
| Mexican Silver | 80% | Mexican jewelry | 0.800 |
Silver vs. Gold Value
Silver and gold have different market dynamics and value drivers.
- Gold: Primarily investment demand, store of value
- Silver: 50% industrial demand, 50% investment
- Price Ratio: Historically ~60:1 (silver:gold)
- Volatility: Silver more volatile than gold
- Industrial Use: Electronics, solar panels, medical
Common Silver Items
- Jewelry: Rings, necklaces, bracelets (sterling silver)
- Coins: Pre-1965 dimes, quarters, half-dollars (90% silver)
- Flatware: Silverware sets and serving pieces
- Bullion: Bars, rounds, and investment coins
- Scrap: Industrial scrap, old electronics
- Collectibles: Rare coins and antique silver
Silver Spot Price
The silver spot price fluctuates based on industrial demand, investment demand, and economic conditions.
- Trading Hours: 24/5 like gold
- Major Influences: Industrial demand, USD strength
- Historical Range: $4-$50+ per ounce
- Current Price: Check financial news for latest spot price
- Seasonal Patterns: Often stronger in fall/winter
Dealer Spread for Silver
Silver dealers typically have higher spreads than gold dealers due to lower profit margins and higher processing costs.
- Typical Spread: 8-15% below spot price
- Coins: May get better prices due to collectible value
- Jewelry: Lower prices due to fashion/design value
- Bullion: Closest to spot price
- Scrap: Highest spreads due to refining costs
Numismatic Value
Some silver coins have numismatic (collector) value above their silver content.
- Morgan Dollars: 1878-1921, highly collectible
- Peace Dollars: 1921-1935, popular with collectors
- Mercury Dimes: 1916-1945, Winged Liberty design
- Barber Coins: 1892-1916, classic designs
- Condition: Higher grades command premium prices
Silver in Electronics
Silver's industrial demand comes primarily from the electronics and solar industries.
- Conductivity: Best electrical conductor of all metals
- Solder: Used in circuit boards and connections
- Solar Panels: Silver paste in photovoltaic cells
- Touchscreens: Transparent conductive coatings
- Antimicrobial: Used in medical and water purification
Selling Silver
- Coin Dealers: Best for collectible coins
- Jewelers: Convenient for jewelry and flatware
- Precious Metals Dealers: Good for bullion and scrap
- Refiners: Best prices for large industrial scrap
- Online Buyers: Convenient with competitive rates
Tip: Silver value depends on both its precious metal content and industrial demand. Coins and bullion typically get the best prices, while jewelry and flatware may sell for less due to fashion/design considerations. Always check for numismatic value in older coins before selling for melt value.