How Much Silver Is In A Bag Of 90% Coins?

One of the easiest ways to invest in silver is by collecting “junk silver.” This is the common term for any circulation U.S. coinage that was minted prior to 1965. Most pre-1965 coins are made of 90% silver, hence the term. If you’re unfamiliar with this topic, check out our article on JUNK SILVER.

Other than looking through your change to separate the pre-1965 coins from the “regular” coins, most people purchase 90% silver coins in the form of bags.

Bags of silver normally contain all pre-1965 circulated coinage. The coins in these bags contain almost no numismatic value as they are in poor condition and have been in circulation for over 50 years. The sole reason these coins are collected are for their silver content as well as their recognizability as being common U.S. currency.

Bags of silver are traded in lots calculated by their “face value.” These bags come in face values of $1,000, $500, and $100. What this means is that in a $1,000 face bag, it will contain that amount of coinage that adds up to $1,000 dollars. That means a $1,000 face bag of 90% silver quarters would contain 4,000 quarters (this adds up to $1,000 dollars in face value currency). Bags can also contain mixed coinage with their collective face value totaling the proper amount.

$1,000 Face Value 90% Silver Coin Bag = 715 oz. Silver

$500 Face Value 90% Silver Coin Bag = 357.5 oz. Silver

$100 Face Value 90% Silver Coin Bag = 71.5 oz. Silver

$10 Face Value 90% Silver Coin Bag = 7.15 oz. Silver

A full $1,000 face bag of 90% silver contains approximately 715 ounces of pure silver. This is a widely accepted standard among coin dealers which takes into account the wear and tear the coins likely received while circulating. When originally struck by the U.S. Mint, the $1,000 face coin bag contained 723 ounces of pure silver.