U.S. pre-1965 silver coins, also referred to as “junk bags,” are a popular diversification among silver owners. Generally, silver in this form is sold in $1000 face value bags weighing 715 fine troy ounces. Items included in this category are U.S. minted silver coins in dime, quarter and half-dollar denominations. $1000 face value bags of half-dollars are usually priced at premiums over the dime and quarter bags. Generally speaking, $1000 face value bags track the silver spot price and trade at reasonable premiums over their melt value.

Featured in Barron’s:

Silver Coin Bags Are Back. It’s the ’70s Way to Play the Metal
90% Silver Coins (Junk Silver): Complete Buying Guide 2026