Rare Silver Coins
Silver coins come in two categories: coins that are valuable because of silver content and rare silver coins that are valuable because of their scarcity. Rare silver coins typically appreciate in value substantially more than their bullion content in times of inflation and economic uncertainty.
There are still people around today who can recall a time when saying “do you have any silver?” meant that they needed some change. Alas, those days are long gone. Inflation long ago required that “silver” coins be made mostly from other metals. Since 1965 the silver content of American dimes, quarters, and half dollars has been 18.26 percent. Today’s silver prices are hovering around $17.50 an ounce. Thus old silver coins automatically have an investment value based upon their silver bullion content.
Rare silver coins are another matter. A Mercury dime, the bust of the lady with wings on the sides of her head, in pocket change condition, can range from $1 for most years up to $300 for rarer coins such as the 1942/1 overstrike. The same “mistake” in uncirculated condition could fetch up to $1,400. Another example of rare coin value is an 1877 Morgan half dollar with a Carson City mint mark (CC). In very used condition this coin can go for slightly more than $20 and in uncirculated condition, up to $17,000.
Rare silver coins can be an excellent investment. The most important consideration is not silver content but state of preservation of the coin. Using a certification service like rare-coin.org will assure a buyer of the precise grade of the coin and, therefore, its value at current market prices. Go with experts and be protected with certification of rare silver coins.
Shawn Penny
Senior Staff Writer - Rare-Coin.org
