Guide
What is coin silver?
Coin silver is the silver American silversmiths used before sterling became the standard in the later 1800s: about 90% silver, the same as U.S. coins of the time.
Updated October 28, 2026 · Prices as of November 2, 2026, 5:02 p.m. Pacific
Where it came from
Before the 1860s, American silversmiths often made spoons, cups, and other pieces from melted coins, so their silver matched the coinage: about 90% pure, a little less than sterling's 92.5%. Sterling became the American standard later in the 19th century.
How it's marked
- COIN, PURE COIN, DOLLAR, STANDARD, or PREMIUM, sometimes with a maker's name or initials.
- Only a maker's name: many early pieces carry nothing else.
- Not coin silver: "Nickel silver" and "German silver" contain no silver at all.
What it's worth
Silver is at $50.26 per troy ounce (the Kitco bid). Coin silver is valued on its silver content, about 90% of its weight. Pieces by well-known early American silversmiths can be worth much more to collectors than their silver, so send photos of the marks before you ship and we'll price them individually.
Silver guides: Sterling silver jewelry · Sterling flatware · Sterling hollowware · Scrap silver · Silver bars · Silver rounds · Troy ounces, grams, and pennyweight
Identify your metal: Is my gold real? · Is it gold-plated? · Gold stamps · Is my silver real? · Sterling marks · Is my gold coin real? · Platinum or white gold?
We pay more for silver than pawn shops and jewelers, at a published percentage of the Kitco bid. The best place to sell silver
Your silver
See what your coin silver is worth.
Send photos of the pieces and their marks for a free written estimate.