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United States Circulating Coinage Intrinsic Value Table

Coinflation

March 26, 2013

This table does not reflect U.S. Mint production costs, but the pure base metal value that composes the coin. Calculations are based on coin weight, metal composition, and base metal prices. The "Metal % of Face Value" column represents the percentage of metal that comprises the denomination's purchasing power. A coin that is over 100% in this category has more base metal value than purchasing power.

Table based on March 26, 2013 mid-day base metal prices:

(SCROLL DOWN)

Copper $3.4620/lb

0.0194

Zinc $0.8654/lb

0.0029

Nickel $7.6712/lb

0.0416

Description

Face Value

Metal Value

Metal % of Face Value

1909-1982 Cent (95% copper) *

$0.01

$0.0228460

228.46%

1946-2013 Nickel

$0.05

$0.0497611

99.52%

1982-2013 Cent (97.5% zinc) *

$0.01

$0.0051271

51.27%

1965-2013 Dime

$0.10

$0.0190617

19.06%

1965-2013 Quarter

$0.25

$0.0476569

19.06%

1971-2013 Half Dollar

$0.50

$0.0953151

19.06%

1971-1978 Eisenhower Dollar

$1.00

$0.1906312

19.06%

1979-1981, 1999 SBA Dollar

$1.00

$0.0680817

6.80%

2000-2013 Sacagawea Dollar

$1.00

$0.0589578

5.89%

2007-2013 Presidential Dollar

$1.00

$0.0589578

5.89%

* The U.S. Mint issued both compositions in 1982; they can be differentiated by weight (3.11 g copper, 2.5 g zinc). The 1943 steel cent is not included in the table above. Also, a tin alloy is used in one cent pieces from 1864 until 1962, but that value isn't significant enough to calculate.

Base metal coins not included above:

1938-1942 Jefferson Nickel,

1913-1938 Buffalo Nickel,

1864-1909 Indian Cent

United States Circulated Silver Coinage Intrinsic Value Table

These coins were in standard circulation until silver was removed from all coinage in 1965 and 1970 (40% silver half-dollars). I recognize that the silver Eisenhower dollar was issued as a collectible only, but I'm still categorizing it with this group. This table illustrates how far the metal value has progressed compared to the denomination's purchasing power after the debasement.

Table based on March 26, 2013 11:29 AM EDT silver prices:

Silver $28.68/oz -0.09

Description

Face Value

Silver Value

Silver % of Face Value

1942-1945 Nickel **

$0.05

$1.6136

3227.29%

1916-1945 Mercury Dime

$0.10

$2.0746

2074.68%

1946-1964 Roosevelt Dime

$0.10

$2.0746

2074.68%

1916-1930 Standing Liberty Quarter

$0.25

$5.1867

2074.68%

1932-1964 Washington Quarter

$0.25

$5.1867

2074.68%

1916-1947 Half Dollar

$0.50

$10.3734

2074.68%

1948-1963 Franklin Half Dollar

$0.50

$10.3734

2074.68%

1964 Kennedy Half Dollar

$0.50

$10.3734

2074.68%

1965-1970 Half Dollar (40% silver)

$0.50

$4.2415

848.31%

1878-1921 Morgan Dollar

$1.00

$22.1825

2218.25%

1921-1935 Peace Dollar

$1.00

$22.1825

2218.25%

1971-1976 Eisenhower Dollar (40% silver) ***

$1.00

$9.0696

906.96%

** The U.S. Mint issued two compositions of the nickel in 1942. The copper-nickel composition used today and the 35% silver composition listed here.

*** The 40% silver version of the Eisenhower dollar was issued as a collectible only, they are generally not found in circulation. The best way to distinguish the two versions is by weight. The copper-nickel version weighs 22.68 grams, the silver Ike dollar weighs 24.59 grams.