What Is Coin Melt Value?
Understand the raw metal calculation, the difference between face and melt value, and why the number is not necessarily the selling price.
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Notes from the value desk.
Evergreen collecting articles with actionable numbers and important coin identification cautions.
Which U.S. Coins Contain Silver?
A practical guide to silver dates, 90% coinage, 40% Kennedy halves, wartime nickels and modern collector issues.
Read article →Melt Value vs. Collector Value
Why a scarce date, mint mark, variety or condition can make a coin worth more than the metal inside.
Read article →How to Value an Inherited Coin Collection
A careful, low-pressure process for sorting, documenting and estimating an inherited jar or album of coins.
Read article →How Much Silver Is in $100 Face Value?
Learn the difference between mint-weight 0.7234 and circulated 0.715 fine troy ounces per dollar of 90% coinage.
Read article →Spot Price vs. What a Dealer Pays
Understand bullion spot, retail premium, buyback spread, wear and verification before interpreting a melt calculation.
Read article →How to Calculate a Gold Coin’s Melt Value
Gold fineness, troy weight and the difference between a one-ounce Gold Eagle and historical U.S. gold pieces.
Read article →U.S. Silver Coin Years: Quick Reference Chart
Fast silver-coin cutoff guide for common U.S. dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars and wartime nickels.
Read article →The journal currently hosts practical reference guides, not market news or unverified claims of up-to-the-minute coin prices.