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. Click here to view our coin melt value calculators to calculate the melt value of your coins.
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 on USA Coin Book, 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.
Image | Type Description | Metal Content Composition | Weight | Denomination | Melt Value | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Half Cents | ||||||
Liberty Cap Half Cents (1793-1797) | 100% Copper | 6.74 grams | $0.005 | $0.0624 | ||
Draped Bust Half Cents (1800-1808) | 100% Copper | 5.44 grams | $0.005 | $0.0504 | ||
Classic Head Half Cents (1809-1836) | 100% Copper | 5.44 grams | $0.005 | $0.0504 | ||
Braided Hair Half Cents (1840-1857) | 100% Copper | 5.44 grams | $0.005 | $0.0504 | ||
Large Cents | ||||||
Flowing Hair Large Cents (1793) | 100% Copper | 13.48 grams | $0.01 | $0.1248 | ||
Liberty Cap Large Cents (1793-1796) | 100% Copper | 13.48 grams | $0.01 | $0.1248 | ||
Draped Bust Large Cents (1796-1807) | 100% Copper | 10.89 grams | $0.01 | $0.1008 | ||
Classic Head Large Cents (1808-1814) | 100% Copper | 10.89 grams | $0.01 | $0.1008 | ||
Coronet Liberty Head Large Cents (1816-1839) | 100% Copper | 10.89 grams | $0.01 | $0.1008 | ||
Braided Hair Liberty Head Large Cents (1839-1857) | 100% Copper | 10.89 grams | $0.01 | $0.1008 | ||
Small Cents | ||||||
Flying Eagle Cent Small Cents (1856-1858) | 88% Copper - 12% Nickel | 4.67 grams | $0.01 | $0.0418 | ||
Indian Head Cent Copper-Nickel Comp. (1859-1864) | 88% Copper - 12% Nickel | 4.67 grams | $0.01 | $0.0418 | ||
Indian Head Cent Bronze Comp. (1864 - 1909) | 95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc | 3.11 grams | $0.01 | $0.0278 | ||
Lincoln Wheat Cent Small Cents (1909-1958) | 95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc | 3.11 grams | $0.01 | $0.0278 | ||
Lincoln Memorial Cent Small Cents (1959-1982) | 95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc | 3.11 grams | $0.01 | $0.0278 | ||
Lincoln Memorial Cent (1982 - 2008) | 97.5% Zinc - 2.5% Copper | 2.5 grams | $0.01 | $0.0081 | ||
Lincoln Bicentennial Cents (2009) | 97.5% Zinc - 2.5% Copper | 2.5 grams | $0.01 | $0.0081 | ||
Lincoln Shield Cent Small Cents (2010-Present) | 97.5% Zinc - 2.5% Copper | 2.5 grams | $0.01 | $0.0081 | ||
Two Cents | ||||||
Two Cents Pieces (1864-1873) | 95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc | 6.22 grams | $0.02 | $0.0557 | ||
Three Cents | ||||||
Silver Three Cents (1851-1873) | 75% Silver - 25% Copper | 0.8 grams | $0.03 | $0.6043 | ||
Nickel Three Cent Three Cents (1865-1889) | 75% Copper - 25% Nickel | 1.94 grams | $0.03 | $0.0210 | ||
Half Dimes | ||||||
Flowing Hair Half Dimes (1794-1795) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 1.34 grams | $0.05 | $1.1988 | ||
Draped Bust Half Dimes (1796-1805) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 1.35 grams | $0.05 | $1.2078 | ||
Capped Bust Half Dimes (1829-1837) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 1.35 grams | $0.05 | $1.2078 | ||
Seated Liberty Half Dimes (1837-1873) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 1.34 grams | $0.05 | $1.2121 | ||
Nickels | ||||||
Shield Nickels (1866-1883) | 75% Copper - 25% Nickel | 5 grams | $0.05 | $0.0542 | ||
Liberty Nickels (1883-1913) | 75% Copper - 25% Nickel | 5 grams | $0.05 | $0.0542 | ||
Buffalo Nickels (1913-1938) | 75% Copper - 25% Nickel | 5 grams | $0.05 | $0.0542 | ||
Jefferson Silver Wartime Nickels (1942-1945) | 56% Copper - 35% Silver - 9% Manganese | 5 grams | $0.05 | $1.7840 | ||
Jefferson Nickels (1938-2003) | 75% Copper - 25% Nickel | 5 grams | $0.05 | $0.0542 | ||
Jefferson Westward Journey Nickels (2004-2005) | 75% Copper - 25% Nickel | 5 grams | $0.05 | $0.0542 | ||
Jefferson 'Return to Monticello' Nickels (2006 - Present) | 75% Copper - 25% Nickel | 5 grams | $0.05 | $0.0542 | ||
Dimes | ||||||
Draped Bust Dimes (1796-1807) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 2.7 grams | $0.10 | $2.4155 | ||
Capped Bust Dimes (1809-1837) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 2.7 grams | $0.10 | $2.4155 | ||
Seated Liberty Dimes (1837-1891) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 2.67 grams | $0.10 | $2.4152 | ||
Barber Dimes (1892-1916) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 2.5 grams | $0.10 | $2.2615 | ||
Mercury Dimes (1916-1945) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 2.5 grams | $0.10 | $2.2615 | ||
Roosevelt Dimes (1946-1964) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 2.5 grams | $0.10 | $2.2615 | ||
Roosevelt Dimes Clad (1965 - Present) | 91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel | 2.27 grams | $0.10 | $0.0222 | ||
Twenty Cents | ||||||
Twenty Cents Pieces (1875-1878) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 5 grams | $0.20 | $4.5229 | ||
Quarters | ||||||
Draped Bust Quarters (1796-1807) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 6.74 grams | $0.25 | $6.0299 | ||
Capped Bust Quarters (1815-1838) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 6.74 grams | $0.25 | $6.0299 | ||
Seated Liberty Quarters (1838-1891) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 6.68 grams | $0.25 | $6.0426 | ||
Barber Quarters (1892-1916) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 6.25 grams | $0.25 | $5.6537 | ||
Standing Liberty Quarters (1916-1930) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 6.25 grams | $0.25 | $5.6537 | ||
Washington Quarters (1932-1964) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 6.25 grams | $0.25 | $5.6537 | ||
Washington Quarters Clad (1965 - Present) | 91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel | 5.67 grams | $0.25 | $0.0555 | ||
Washington Bicentennial Quarters (1975-1976) | 91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel | 5.67 grams | $0.25 | $0.0555 | ||
Washington Bicentennial Quarters 40% Silver (1975-1976) | 40% Silver - 60% Copper | 5.75 grams | $0.25 | $2.3413 | ||
50 States and Territories Quarters (1999-2008) | 91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel | 5.67 grams | $0.25 | $0.0555 | ||
America The Beautiful Quarters (2010-2021) | 91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel | 5.67 grams | $0.25 | $0.0555 | ||
American Women Quarters (2022-2025) | 91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel | 5.67 grams | $0.25 | $0.0555 | ||
Half Dollars | ||||||
Flowing Hair Half Dollars (1794-1795) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 13.48 grams | $0.50 | $12.0597 | ||
Draped Bust Half Dollars (1796-1807) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 13.48 grams | $0.50 | $12.0597 | ||
Capped Bust Half Dollars (1807-1839) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 13.48 grams | $0.50 | $12.0597 | ||
Seated Liberty Half Dollars (1839-1891) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 13.36 grams | $0.50 | $12.0853 | ||
Barber Half Dollars (1892-1915) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 12.5 grams | $0.50 | $11.3073 | ||
Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916-1947) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 12.5 grams | $0.50 | $11.3073 | ||
Franklin Half Dollars (1948-1963) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 12.5 grams | $0.50 | $11.3073 | ||
Kennedy Half Dollars (1964) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 12.5 grams | $0.50 | $11.3073 | ||
Kennedy Half Dollars 40% Silver (1965 - 1970) | 40% Silver - 60% Copper | 11.5 grams | $0.50 | $4.6826 | ||
Kennedy Half Dollars Clad (1971 - Present) | 91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel | 11.34 grams | $0.50 | $0.1109 | ||
Dollars | ||||||
Flowing Hair Dollars (1794-1795) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 26.96 grams | $1.00 | $24.1195 | ||
Draped Bust Dollars (1795-1804) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 26.96 grams | $1.00 | $24.1195 | ||
Gobrecht Dollars (1836-1839) | 89% Silver - 11% Copper | 26.8 grams | $1.00 | $23.9763 | ||
Seated Liberty Dollars (1840-1873) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 26.73 grams | $1.00 | $24.1796 | ||
Trade Dollars (1873-1885) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 27.22 grams | $1.00 | $24.6229 | ||
Morgan Dollars (1878-1921) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 26.73 grams | $1.00 | $24.1796 | ||
Peace Dollars (1921-1935) | 90% Silver - 10% Copper | 26.73 grams | $1.00 | $24.1796 | ||
Eisenhower Dollars (1971-1978) | 91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel | 22.68 grams | $1.00 | $0.2219 | ||
Eisenhower Dollars 40% Silver (1971 - 1976) | 40% Silver - 60% Copper | 24.59 grams | $1.00 | $10.0126 | ||
Susan B Anthony Dollars (1979-1981 + 1999) | 91.67% Copper - 8.33% Nickel | 8.1 grams | $1.00 | $0.0792 | ||
Native American & Sacagawea Dollars (2000-present) | 88.5% Copper - 6% Zinc - 3.5% Manganese - 2% Nickel | 8.1 grams | $1.00 | $0.0710 | ||
Presidential Dollars (2007-2020) | 88.5% Copper - 6% Zinc - 3.5% Manganese - 2% Nickel | 8.1 grams | $1.00 | $0.0710 | ||
American Innovation Dollars (2018-2032) | 88.5% Copper - 6% Zinc - 3.5% Manganese - 2% Nickel | 8.1 grams | $1.00 | $0.0710 | ||
Gold Dollars | ||||||
Liberty Head Gold Dollars (1849-1854) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 1.672 grams | $1.00 | $128.4744 | ||
Small Indian Head Gold Dollars (1854-1856) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 1.672 grams | $1.00 | $128.4744 | ||
Large Indian Head Gold Dollars (1856-1889) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 1.672 grams | $1.00 | $128.4744 | ||
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 | $343.4202 | ||
Capped Bust Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle (1808-1834) | 92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper | 4.37 grams | $2.50 | $343.4202 | ||
Classic Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle (1834-1839) | 90% Gold - 10% Silver and Copper | 4.18 grams | $2.50 | $321.3938 | ||
Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle (1840-1907) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 4.18 grams | $2.50 | $321.1859 | ||
Indian Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle (1908-1929) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 4.18 grams | $2.50 | $321.1859 | ||
Gold $3 | ||||||
Indian Princess Head Gold $3 (1854-1889) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 5.015 grams | $3.00 | $385.3463 | ||
Gold $4 | ||||||
Stella Gold $4 (1879-1880) | 85% Gold - 15% Silver and Copper | 7 grams | $4.00 | $508.5153 | ||
Gold $5 Half Eagle | ||||||
Turban Head Gold $5 Half Eagle (1795-1807) | 92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper | 8.75 grams | $5.00 | $687.6262 | ||
Capped Bust Gold $5 Half Eagle (1807-1834) | 92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper | 8.75 grams | $5.00 | $687.6262 | ||
Classic Head Gold $5 Half Eagle (1834-1838) | 90% Gold - 10% Silver and Copper | 8.36 grams | $5.00 | $642.7877 | ||
Coronet Head Gold $5 Half Eagle (1839-1908) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 8.36 grams | $5.00 | $642.3718 | ||
Indian Head Gold $5 Half Eagle (1908-1929) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 8.36 grams | $5.00 | $642.3718 | ||
Gold $10 Eagle | ||||||
Turban Head Gold $10 Eagle (1795-1804) | 92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper | 17.5 grams | $10.00 | $1375.2524 | ||
Coronet Head Gold $10 Eagle (1838-1907) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 16.72 grams | $10.00 | $1284.7436 | ||
Indian Head Gold $10 Eagle (1907-1933) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 16.72 grams | $10.00 | $1284.7436 | ||
Gold $20 Double Eagle | ||||||
Coronet Head Gold $20 Double Eagle (1849-1907) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 33.44 grams | $20.00 | $2569.4873 | ||
Saint Gaudens Gold $20 Double Eagle (1907-1933) | 90% Gold - 10% Copper | 33.44 grams | $20.00 | $2569.4873 | ||
Bullion Coins | ||||||
American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins (1986-2021) | 99.93% Silver - 0.07% Copper | 31.101 grams | $1.00 | $31.2059 | ||
Tenth Ounce $5 American Gold Eagle (1986-2021) | 91.67% Gold - 3% Silver - 5.33% Copper | 3.393 grams | $5.00 | $265.6522 | ||
Quarter Ounce $10 American Gold Eagle (1986-2021) | 91.67% Gold - 3% Silver - 5.33% Copper | 8.483 grams | $10.00 | $664.1696 | ||
Half Ounce $25 American Gold Eagle (1986-2021) | 91.67% Gold - 3% Silver - 5.33% Copper | 16.966 grams | $25.00 | $1328.3393 | ||
One Ounce $50 American Gold Eagle (1986-2021) | 91.67% Gold - 3% Silver - 5.33% Copper | 33.931 grams | $50.00 | $2656.6002 | ||
Tenth Ounce $10 American Platinum Eagle (1997-2008) | 99.95% Platinum | 3.112 grams | $10.00 | $96.5010 | ||
Quarter Ounce $25 American Platinum Eagle (1997-2008) | 99.95% Platinum | 7.78 grams | $25.00 | $241.2525 | ||
Half Ounce $50 American Platinum Eagle (1997-2008) | 99.95% Platinum | 15.56 grams | $50.00 | $482.5049 | ||
One Ounce $100 American Platinum Eagle (1997-Present) | 99.95% Platinum | 31.12 grams | $100.00 | $965.0099 | ||
One Ounce $25 American Palladium Eagle (2017-Present) | 99.95% Palladium | 31.12 grams | $25.00 | $1004.8111 | ||
Tenth Ounce $5 Gold American Buffalo (2008) | 99.99% Fine Gold | 3.1104 grams | $5.00 | $265.5249 | ||
Quarter Ounce $10 Gold American Buffalo (2008) | 99.99% Fine Gold | 7.7759 grams | $10.00 | $663.8037 | ||
Half Ounce $25 Gold American Buffalo (2008) | 99.99% Fine Gold | 15.5518 grams | $25.00 | $1327.6075 | ||
One Ounce $50 Gold American Buffalo (2006 - Present) | 99.99% Fine Gold | 31.1035 grams | $50.00 | $2655.2064 | ||
First Spouse Bullion Coins (2007-2016) | 99.99% Fine Gold | 15.554 grams | $10.00 | $1327.7953 | ||
America The Beautiful Bullion Coins (2010-Present) | 99.9% Fine Silver | 155.52 grams | $0.25 | $156.1370 |