USA Coin Book >> US Coin Melt Values

US Coin Melt Values

Current Intrinsic Metal Value of Coins

Much of the prices on our site are based on numismatic values, which are frequently worth many times more than the intrinsic metal value of the coin itself. As of late, the prices of copper, silver and especially gold have increased by huge amounts, which have a major impact on the worth of the coin. The melt value of a coin is basically what the metal of the coin is worth if you were to melt the coins down. Even if you have a totally ruined coin, it's metal content is still worth something, especially if it is made out of precious rare metals like gold, silver and platinum. This page will show you the melt value of every US coin type, including modern clad composite coins as well.

A few important notes I should make is that melting coins is illegal and we do NOT endorse it. The information here is educational and is just showing you what type of metals are used to make these coins and how much that metal is worth in an intrinsic point of view. If you would like to view the numismatic values of these coins, just click on the link next to the coin type to be taken to the numismatic price charts and view additional data about each coin. Also, the numismatic values for gold and silver coins are now "pegged" to the daily market exchange rates of gold and silver and the prices will update accordingly and regularly when the market prices change.

Current Precious and Base Metal Bullion Spot Prices:

Updated Live! Gold, Silver, Platinum and Copper.   Updated Daily: Nickel, Zinc and Manganese.
As of July 28 2014 05:15 AM CDT:

Gold: $1305.10 per Ounce    Silver: $20.69 per Ounce    Platinum: $1476.00 per Ounce
Copper: $3.24 per Pound    Nickel: $8.66 per Pound    Zinc: $1.09 per Pound    Manganese: $2250.00 per Ton   

Image	Type Description	Metal Content Composition	Weight	Denomination	Melt Value
Half Cents
	Liberty Cap Half Cents (1793)	100% Copper	6.74 grams	$0.005	$0.0481
	Draped Bust Half Cents (1800-1808)	100% Copper	5.44 grams	$0.005	$0.0389
	Classic Head Half Cents (1809-1836)	100% Copper	5.44 grams	$0.005	$0.0389
	Braided Hair Half Cents (1840-1857)	100% Copper	5.44 grams	$0.005	$0.0389
Large Cents
	Flowing Hair Large Cents (1793)	100% Copper	13.48 grams	$0.01	$0.0963
	Liberty Cap Large Cents (1793-1796)	100% Copper	13.48 grams	$0.01	$0.0963
	Draped Bust Large Cents (1796-1807)	100% Copper	10.89 grams	$0.01	$0.0778
	Classic Head Large Cents (1808-1814)	100% Copper	10.89 grams	$0.01	$0.0778
	Coronet Liberty Head Large Cents (1816-1839)	100% Copper	10.89 grams	$0.01	$0.0778
	Braided Hair Liberty Head Large Cents (1839-1857)	100% Copper	10.89 grams	$0.01	$0.0778
Small Cents
	Flying Eagle Cent Small Cents (1856-1858)	88% Copper - 12% Nickel	4.67 grams	$0.01	$0.0323
	Indian Head Cent Copper-Nickel Comp. (1859-1864)	88% Copper - 12% Nickel	4.67 grams	$0.01	$0.0323
	Indian Head Cent Bronze Comp. (1864 - 1909)	95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc	3.11 grams	$0.01	$0.0215
	Lincoln Wheat Cent Small Cents (1909-1958)	95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc	3.11 grams	$0.01	$0.0215
	Lincoln Memorial Cent Small Cents (1959-1982)	95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc	3.11 grams	$0.01	$0.0215
	Lincoln Memorial Cent (1982 - 2009)	97.5% Zinc - 2.5% Copper	2.5 grams	$0.01	$0.0063
	Lincoln Shield Cent Small Cents (2010-Present)	97.5% Zinc - 2.5% Copper	2.5 grams	$0.01	$0.0063
Two Cents
	Two Cents Pieces (1864-1873)	95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc	6.22 grams	$0.02	$0.0430
Three Cents
	Silver Three Cent Three Cents (1851-1853)	75% Silver - 25% Copper	0.8 grams	$0.03	$0.4005
	Nickel Three Cent Three Cents (1865-1889)	75% Copper - 25% Nickel	1.94 grams	$0.03	$0.0197
Half Dimes
	Flowing Hair Half Dimes (1794-1795)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	1.34 grams	$0.05	$0.7944
	Draped Bust Half Dimes (1796-1797)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	1.35 grams	$0.05	$0.8003
	Capped Bust Half Dimes (1829-1837)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	1.35 grams	$0.05	$0.8092
	Seated Liberty Half Dimes (1837-1838)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	1.34 grams	$0.05	$0.8032
Nickels
	Shield Nickels (1866-1883)	75% Copper - 25% Nickel	5 grams	$0.05	$0.0507
	Liberty Nickels (1883-1913)	75% Copper - 25% Nickel	5 grams	$0.05	$0.0507
	Buffalo Nickels (1913)	75% Copper - 25% Nickel	5 grams	$0.05	$0.0507
	Jefferson Silver Wartime Nickels (1942-1945)	56% Copper - 35% Silver - 9% Manganese	5 grams	$0.05	$1.1852
	Jefferson Nickels (1938-2003)	75% Copper - 25% Nickel	5 grams	$0.05	$0.0507
Dimes
	Draped Bust Dimes (1796-1797)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	2.7 grams	$0.10	$1.6006
	Capped Bust Dimes (1809-1828)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	2.7 grams	$0.10	$1.6184
	Seated Liberty Dimes (1837-1838)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	2.67 grams	$0.10	$1.6004
	Barber Dimes (1892-1916)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	2.5 grams	$0.10	$1.4985
	Mercury Dimes (1916-1945)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	2.5 grams	$0.10	$1.4985
	Roosevelt Dimes (1946-1964)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	2.5 grams	$0.10	$1.4985
	Roosevelt Dimes Clad (1965 - Present)	91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel	2.27 grams	$0.10	$0.0185
Twenty Cents
	Twenty Cents Pieces (1875-1878)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	5 grams	$0.20	$2.9970
Quarters
	Draped Bust Quarters (1796)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	6.74 grams	$0.25	$3.9956
	Liberty Cap Quarters (1815-1828)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	7.74 grams	$0.25	$4.5884
	Seated Liberty Quarters (1838-1840)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	6.68 grams	$0.25	$4.0039
	Barber Quarters (1892-1916)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	6.25 grams	$0.25	$3.7462
	Standing Liberty Quarters (1916-1917)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	6.25 grams	$0.25	$3.7462
	Washington Quarters (1932-1964)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	6.25 grams	$0.25	$3.7462
	Washington Quarters Clad (1965 - Present)	91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel	5.67 grams	$0.25	$0.0461
Half Dollars
	Flowing Hair Half Dollars (1794-1795)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	13.48 grams	$0.50	$7.9911
	Draped Bust Half Dollars (1796-1797)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	13.48 grams	$0.50	$7.9911
	Liberty Cap Half Dollars (1807-1836)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	13.48 grams	$0.50	$7.9911
	Seated Liberty Half Dollars (1839-1853)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	13.36 grams	$0.50	$8.0079
	Barber Half Dollars (1892-1915)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	12.5 grams	$0.50	$7.4924
	Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916-1917)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	12.5 grams	$0.50	$7.4924
	Franklin Half Dollars (1948-1963)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	12.5 grams	$0.50	$7.4924
	Kennedy Half Dollars (1964)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	12.5 grams	$0.50	$7.4924
	Kennedy Half Dollars 40% Silver (1965 - 1970)	40% Silver - 60% Copper	11.5 grams	$0.50	$3.1092
	Kennedy Half Dollars Clad (1971 - Present)	91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel	11.34 grams	$0.50	$0.0923
Dollars
	Flowing Hair Dollars (1794-1795)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	26.96 grams	$1.00	$15.9822
	Draped Bust Dollars (1795-1798)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	26.96 grams	$1.00	$15.9822
	Gobrecht Dollars (1836-1839)	89% Silver - 11% Copper	26.8 grams	$1.00	$15.8874
	Seated Liberty Dollars (1840-1866)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	26.73 grams	$1.00	$16.0218
	Trade Dollars (1873-1885)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	27.22 grams	$1.00	$16.3155
	Morgan Dollars (1878-1921)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	26.73 grams	$1.00	$16.0218
	Peace Dollars (1921-1935)	90% Silver - 10% Copper	26.73 grams	$1.00	$16.0218
	Eisenhower Dollars (1971-1978)	91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel	22.68 grams	$1.00	$0.1846
	Eisenhower Dollars 40% Silver (1971 - 1976)	40% Silver - 60% Copper	24.59 grams	$1.00	$6.6483
	Susan B Anthony Dollars (1979-1981 + 1999)	91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel	8.1 grams	$1.00	$0.0659
	Sacagawea Dollars (2000-2008)	88.5% Copper - 6% Zinc - 3.5% Manganese - 2% Nickel	8.1 grams	$1.00	$0.0562
	Presidential Dollars (2007-2016)	88.5% Copper - 6% Zinc - 3.5% Manganese - 2% Nickel	8.1 grams	$1.00	$0.0562
Gold Dollars
	Liberty Head Gold Dollars (1849-1854)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	1.672 grams	$1.00	$63.1425
	Small Indian Head Gold Dollars (1854-1856)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	1.672 grams	$1.00	$63.1425
	Large Indian Head Gold Dollars (1856-1889)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	1.672 grams	$1.00	$63.1425
Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle
	Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle (1796-1807)	92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper	4.37 grams	$2.50	$165.0316
	Capped Bust Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle (1808)	92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper	4.37 grams	$2.50	$165.0316
	Classic Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle (1834-1839)	90% Gold - 10% Silver and Copper	4.18 grams	$2.50	$157.8563
	Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle (1840-1907)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	4.18 grams	$2.50	$157.8563
	Indian Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle (1908-1929)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	4.18 grams	$2.50	$157.8563
Gold $3
	Indian Princess Head Gold $3 (1854-1889)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	5.015 grams	$3.00	$189.3898
Gold $4
	Stella Gold $4 (1879-1880)	85% Gold - 15% Silver and Copper	7 grams	$4.00	$250.0146
Gold $5 Half Eagle
	Turban Head Gold $5 Half Eagle (1795-1798)	92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper	8.75 grams	$5.00	$330.4408
	Capped Bust Gold $5 Half Eagle (1807-1812)	92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper	8.75 grams	$5.00	$330.4408
	Classic Head Gold $5 Half Eagle (1834-1838)	90% Gold - 10% Silver and Copper	8.36 grams	$5.00	$315.7126
	Coronet Head Gold $5 Half Eagle (1839-1866)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	8.36 grams	$5.00	$315.7126
	Indian Head Gold $5 Half Eagle (1908-1929)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	8.36 grams	$5.00	$315.7126
Gold $10 Eagle
	Turban Head Gold $10 Eagle (1795-1797)	92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper	17.5 grams	$10.00	$660.8815
	Coronet Head Gold $10 Eagle (1838-1839)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	16.72 grams	$10.00	$631.4251
	Indian Head Gold $10 Eagle (1907-1908)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	16.72 grams	$10.00	$631.4251
Gold $20 Double Eagle
	Coronet Head Gold $20 Double Eagle (1849-1866)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	33.44 grams	$20.00	$1262.8502
	Saint Gaudens Gold $20 Double Eagle (1907-1908)	90% Gold - 10% Copper	33.44 grams	$20.00	$1262.8502
Bullion Coins
	Silver American Eagle Bullion Coins (1986-Present)	99.93% Silver - 0.07% Copper	31.101 grams	$1.00	$20.6740
	Tenth Ounce $5 Gold American Eagle (1986-Present)	91.67% Gold - 3% Silver - 5.33% Copper	3.393 grams	$5.00	$130.5796
	Quarter Ounce $10 Gold American Eagle (1986-Present)	91.67% Gold - 3% Silver - 5.33% Copper	8.483 grams	$10.00	$326.4684
	Half Ounce $25 Gold American Eagle (1986-Present)	91.67% Gold - 3% Silver - 5.33% Copper	16.966 grams	$25.00	$652.9367
	One Ounce $50 Gold American Eagle (1986-Present)	91.67% Gold - 3% Silver - 5.33% Copper	33.931 grams	$50.00	$1305.8350
	Tenth Ounce $10 Platinum American Eagle (1997-Present)	99.95% Platinum	3.112 grams	$10.00	$147.6046
	Quarter Ounce $25 Platinum American Eagle (1997-Present)	99.95% Platinum	7.78 grams	$25.00	$369.0114
	Half Ounce $50 Platinum American Eagle (1997-Present)	99.95% Platinum	15.56 grams	$50.00	$738.0229
	One Ounce $100 Platinum American Eagle (1997-Present)	99.95% Platinum	31.12 grams	$100.00	$1476.0457
	Tenth Ounce $5 Gold American Buffalo (2008)	99.99% Fine Gold	3.1104 grams	$5.00	$130.4991
	Quarter Ounce $10 Gold American Buffalo (2008)	99.99% Fine Gold	7.7759 grams	$10.00	$326.2437
	Half Ounce $25 Gold American Buffalo (2008)	99.99% Fine Gold	15.5518 grams	$25.00	$652.4873
	One Ounce $50 Gold American Buffalo (2008)	99.99% Fine Gold	31.1035 grams	$50.00	$1304.9705
	First Spouse Bullion Coins (2007-2016)	99.99% Fine Gold	15.554 grams	$10.00	$652.5796
	America The Beautiful Bullion Coins (2010-Present)	99.9% Fine Silver	155.52 grams	$0.25	$103.4414