Scrap Silver — Smart Financial Analysis
Calculate melt value and dealer payout for scrap silver. Silver Value = Weight × Purity × Spot Price per gram. Dealers typically pay 70-95% of melt.
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Silver Value = Weight × (Purity/100) × Spot Price per gram. Sterling flatware, pre-1965 US coins, broken jewelry, silver bars/rounds, dental silver. Gold has higher value-to-weight ratio. Look for hallmarks (925, Sterling, 800).
Ready to run the numbers?
Why: Silver Value = Weight × (Purity/100) × Spot Price per gram. A 100g sterling silver (92.5%) piece at $25/oz: 100 × 0.925 × ($25/31.1) = $74.36. Dealers pay 70-90% of melt value.
How: Enter Weight (grams), Purity (%), Spot Price ($/oz) to get instant results. Try the preset examples to see how different scenarios affect the outcome, then adjust to match your situation.
Run the calculator when you are ready.
📋 Quick Examples — Click to Load
📊 Melt Value vs Payout
Melt value, dealer payout, and dealer spread
🍩 Silver Content vs Alloy
Purity breakdown
📊 Value at Different Purities
Same weight at 60%, 80%, 90%, 92.5%, 99.9%
📈 Value at Different Spot Prices
Melt value sensitivity to spot price
Scrap Silver Results
Payout: $59.49 (80% of melt)
For educational purposes only — not financial advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making decisions.
💡 Money Facts
Scrap Silver analysis is used by millions of people worldwide to make better financial decisions.
— Industry Data
Financial literacy can increase household wealth by up to 25% over a lifetime.
— NBER Research
The average American makes 35,000 financial decisions per year—many can be optimized with calculators.
— Cornell University
Globally, only 33% of adults are financially literate, making tools like this essential.
— S&P Global
Silver is both a precious metal and an industrial commodity, with applications ranging from jewelry to solar panels and electronics. The scrap silver market thrives as old sterling flatware, pre-1965 US coins, and broken jewelry find new life through refining. With silver prices fluctuating between $20-30 per troy ounce, understanding melt values helps sellers get fair prices.
Sources: LBMA Silver Price, Kitco, Silver Institute, US Mint.
Key Takeaways
- • Melt Value = Weight × (Purity/100) × Spot Price per gram — core formula
- • Spot price per gram = Spot $/oz ÷ 31.1 (troy ounce)
- • Scrap Payout = Melt Value × (Dealer % / 100) — dealers typically pay 70-95%
- • Sterling (92.5%) and coin silver (90%) are the most common purities
Did You Know?
How Does Scrap Silver Valuation Work?
Melt Value
Melt value = total weight × (purity/100) × spot price per gram. A 100g sterling piece at $25/oz: 100 × 0.925 × ($25/31.1) ≈ $74.36. This is the raw metal value before any dealer deductions.
Dealer Payout
Dealers pay a percentage of melt value (70-95% typical). Refineries pay most (90-98%); pawn shops pay least (40-60%). The spread covers refining, assay, and profit margin.
Purity Matters
Higher purity = higher value per gram. Fine silver (99.9%) commands premium over sterling (92.5%). Always verify purity via hallmark or acid test before selling.
Expert Tips
Dealer Payout Ranges
| Dealer Type | Typical % of Melt | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Refineries | 90-98% | Large lots, bars, scrap |
| Coin dealers | 80-95% | Pre-1965 coins |
| Jewelry buyers | 70-85% | Sterling jewelry |
| Pawn shops | 40-60% | Quick cash, lower payout |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is scrap silver valued?
Silver Value = Weight × (Purity/100) × Spot Price per gram. A 100g sterling silver (92.5%) piece at $25/oz: 100 × 0.925 × ($25/31.1) = $74.36. Dealers pay 70-90% of melt value.
What are common silver purities?
Sterling: 92.5%. Coin silver: 90%. Fine silver: 99.9%. 800 silver: 80%. Mexican silver: 95%. US pre-1965 coins: 90% silver. Always verify purity before selling.
What silver items are worth selling?
Sterling flatware, pre-1965 US coins, broken jewelry, silver bars/rounds, dental silver. NOT silver-plated items (only surface coating, negligible value).
How much do dealers pay?
Refineries: 90-98%. Coin dealers: 80-95% (for coins). Jewelry buyers: 70-85%. Pawn shops: 40-60%. Online: 75-85%. Compare at least 3 quotes before selling.
Silver vs gold - which is better to sell?
Gold has higher value-to-weight ratio. Silver is bulkier (gold:silver price ratio is ~80:1). Silver is more volatile. Both have strong demand. Silver has more industrial use (50% of demand).
How do I identify real silver?
Look for hallmarks (925, Sterling, 800). Magnet test (silver is not magnetic). Ice test (silver conducts heat extremely well). Acid test for confirmation. Weigh on precise scale.
Key Statistics
Official Data Sources
⚠️ Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only. Actual dealer payouts vary by location, item type, and market conditions. Spot prices change daily. Verify purity and weight before selling. Not financial or investment advice.
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