'Junk Silver' is the generic term which is used to refer to old circulation coinage which has a silver content. It is not a reference to 'Scrap Silver' - which might be old silver jewellery or flatware (knives, forks, etc) being sold for its silver content.
Generally this refers to Canadian Coins prior to 1968, and US coins (sometimes called 'Constitutional Silver') prior to 1964.
Most European countries removed silver from their coinage much earlier (e.g 1920's), so generally this is not used for investment as there is less available.
The purity of silver in circulation coinage varied, and was gradually reduced over time before being removed completely in the late 1960's.
There is some confusion over which years have which purities, so below is the summary we use when buying and selling these products.
Disclaimer ! The information below is a guide only and does not necessarily represent every coin produced in every country listed. There are certain years where some coins were not minted, so these might not exist. Use at your own risk!
| 5c | 10c | 25c | 50c | $1 | Heads | |
| 1858 - 1919 | 92.5% | 92.5% | 92.5% | 92.5% | N/A | Victoria, Edward VII, George V |
| 1920 - 1921 | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | N/A | George V |
| 1921 - 1966 | NIL | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | George V, George VI, Elizabeth II |
| 1967 | NIL | 50%1 | 50%1 | 80% | 80% | Elizabeth II |
| 1968 | NIL | 50%2 | 50%2 | NIL | NIL | Elizabeth II |
NOTE 1: In 1967, 10c & 25c contain either 50% or 80% silver, these are almost indistinguishable so a rate of 50% is used.
NOTE 2: In 1968, 10c & 25c contain either 50% or 0% silver. The coins that are 0% silver are 100% nickel and are attracted to a magnet.
| 5c | 10c | 25c | 50c | $1 | |
| 1942 - 1945 | 35% | ||||
| 1892 - 1964 | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90%1 | |
| 1965 - 1970 | 40% |
| 5c | 10c | 20c | 25c | 50c | Heads | |
| 1865 - 1870 | 92.5% | 92.5% | 92.5% | N/A | N/A | Victoria |
| 1870 - 1912 | 92.5% | 92.5% | 92.5% | N/A | 92.5% | Victoria, Edward VII, George V |
| 1912 - 1917 | 92.5% | 92.5% | N/A | N/A | 92.5% | George V |
| 1917 - 1919 | 92.5% | 92.5% | N/A | 92.5% | 92.5% | George V |
| 1919 - 1943 | 92.5% | 92.5% | N/A | N/A | N/A | George V, George VI |
| 1944 | 80% | 92.5% | N/A | N/A | N/A | George VI |
| 1945 - 1947 | 80% | 80% | N/A | N/A | N/A | George VI |
| Markets Live charts | GOLD US$ 2339.10 / CA$ 3202.46 | SILVER US$ 27.27 / CA$ 37.34 | Ex. Rate : 1.3691 | Time (UTC) : 27 Apr, 2024 07:29:51 |
