Silver coins hide in plain sight in junk drawers, inherited jars, and old travel wallets, and some of the most common pieces quietly carry real bullion value. If you know what dates and designs to look for, you can spot 90% silver in what looks like ordinary pocket change and even find full one-ounce bullion coins tucked into old gifts. Here are 12 specific silver coins you might already own without realizing it, and why each one deserves a second look.

1) Morgan Silver Dollar

The Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the classic United States silver coins that often turns up in family estates and old safety deposit boxes. It was minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, and standard pieces contain 0.77344 troy ounces of pure silver, a figure echoed in detailed guides that list 0.7734 Troy as the bullion content. Earlier issues were Struck in 90% silver, and even well-worn Coins in “Very Good” condition still trade for more than face value.

Specialist breakdowns of The Morgan Dollar list a weight of 859 Troy Oz, Purity .900, Diameter 38.1 m, and Thickness 2.4 m, underscoring how substantial each Morgan Silver piece is in the hand. Historical overviews note that the first Morgans were produced in 1878 and that, as per law, millions were minted even when they did not circulate widely, which helps explain why they still appear in inherited boxes. If you find a large, old dollar with Lady Liberty on the front and an eagle on the back, the bullion and collector premium can be significant compared with its $1 face value.

2) Peace Silver Dollar

The Peace Silver Dollar followed the Morgan and is another big coin that can sit unnoticed in drawers because it looks like a commemorative medallion. According to the comprehensive guide to silver coins, Peace Dollars were produced from 1921 to 1935 and, like their predecessors, contain 0.77344 troy ounces of silver. That bullion weight alone means a single coin can be worth several times its face value whenever silver prices rise, even before any numismatic premium is considered.

Many families keep Peace Dollars as keepsakes from grandparents who saved “silver dollars” without realizing the specific type. The obverse features a portrait of Liberty with a radiating crown, while the reverse shows an eagle perched on a rock with the word “PEACE,” which can make the coin look more like a souvenir than circulating money. Because these pieces are often overlooked in attics and old jewelry boxes, checking any large dollar-sized coin dated between 1921 and 1935 can quickly reveal hidden silver you did not know you owned.

3) Walking Liberty Half Dollar

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar is a smaller, more common silver coin that frequently survives as pocket change passed down from older relatives. The same silver coin guide notes that these halves circulated from 1916 to 1947 and contain 0.36169 troy ounces of silver, putting real bullion value into what appears to be a simple 50-cent piece. The design, with Liberty striding toward the sun on the obverse, is distinctive but can still be mistaken for a generic commemorative by people unfamiliar with older U.S. coinage.

Because these halves were everyday money for decades, they often end up in inherited rolls, cigar boxes, or coffee cans of mixed coins. Even heavily worn examples retain that 0.36169 troy ounces of silver, so a small stack can add up quickly. If you sort through family change and see a half dollar dated before 1948 with the Walking Liberty design, you are likely holding a silver coin that tracks the bullion market rather than just its 50-cent face value.

4) Franklin Half Dollar

The Franklin Half Dollar replaced Walking Liberty and is another piece that can hide in plain sight among old rolls and jars. Detailed references on Franklin Half Dollars explain that these coins were minted from 1948 to 1963, are made of .900 silver, and contain 0.36169 troy ounces of silver. One analysis even values that silver content at $23.20 USD, explicitly listing $23.20 as the bullion worth at a particular spot price, which shows how dramatically the metal value can exceed the 50-cent face.

Other overviews emphasize that Franklin pieces were circulation coins, with Each coin minted with 90% silver, so they were commonly used in everyday transactions. Listings for a Franklin Half Dollar Full Roll of 20 Coins describe 90% Silver and prices like $469.95 with Free shipping, inviting buyers to Choose How Many Rolls, which illustrates how collectors now treat them as bullion. If you find a half dollar with Benjamin Franklin on the front and the Liberty Bell on the back, dated between 1948 and 1963, you likely have a silver coin that tracks both collector interest and metal prices.

5) Kennedy Half Dollar (Pre-1965)

Pre-1965 Kennedy Half Dollars are among the easiest silver coins to overlook because the design is still used on modern clad halves. The silver coin guide notes that the series began in 1964 and that early issues contain 0.36169 troy ounces of silver, matching the bullion content of the Franklin and Walking Liberty halves. Many people assume any Kennedy half is modern base metal, so they toss them into change jars or give them to children without checking the date.

The key detail is that 1964-dated Kennedys are 90% silver, and the guide highlights how these pre-1965 pieces are often mistaken for current circulation coins. Inherited rolls from banks, casino souvenirs, or old coin tubes can easily include a mix of silver and non-silver halves. By separating out 1964 examples and weighing their 0.36169 troy ounces of silver against spot prices, you can uncover hidden bullion value in what looks like ordinary pocket change.

6) Mercury Dime

The Mercury Dime, officially the Winged Liberty Head dime, is a tiny coin that still carries meaningful silver content. According to the same authoritative overview of classic U.S. silver, Mercury Dimes were produced from 1916 to 1945 and contain 0.07234 troy ounces of silver. Because they are small and often worn, they are easy to dismiss as “just a dime,” yet a handful of them from an old savings stash can quietly add up in bullion value.

These dimes often surface in vintage coin envelopes, war-era savings jars, or change that grandparents set aside decades ago. The obverse shows Liberty with a winged cap, which many people mistake for the Roman god Mercury, while the reverse features a fasces and olive branch. If you scan your loose change for dimes dated 1945 or earlier, you may find multiple Mercury pieces whose 0.07234 troy ounces of silver each make them worth far more than ten cents.

7) Roosevelt Dime (Pre-1965)

Pre-1965 Roosevelt Dimes are another small-denomination coin that can hide silver in everyday change. The silver coin guide explains that Roosevelt dimes were introduced in 1946 and that pieces minted before 1965 contain 0.07234 troy ounces of silver, matching the bullion content of the Mercury Dime. Because the Roosevelt design continues on modern clad dimes, many people never think to check the dates on older, slightly darker-looking coins.

These dimes often slip into piggy banks, coin-counting jars, or inherited rolls from banks that were never opened. Sorting by date is the key: any Roosevelt dime from 1946 through 1964 carries that 0.07234 troy ounces of silver, while later ones are copper-nickel. For someone casually emptying a drawer, the difference is invisible, but for you as a careful checker, those pre-1965 dimes can represent a quiet store of bullion value hiding in plain sight.

8) Barber Dime

The Barber Dime is older than both Mercury and Roosevelt designs and often appears in antique collections or mixed lots of “old coins.” The same silver-focused guide notes that Barber Dimes were minted from 1892 to 1916 and contain 0.07234 troy ounces of silver, giving them the same bullion weight as later silver dimes. Their age and more formal Liberty head design can make them look like obscure tokens to non-collectors, so they are sometimes undervalued in inherited assortments.

Because Barber Dimes circulated heavily, many surviving pieces are worn, but the silver content remains. They frequently show up in small albums, cigar boxes of “grandpa’s coins,” or antique shop trays where they are lumped together with base-metal pieces. If you encounter a dime-sized coin dated between 1892 and 1916 with a classical Liberty portrait and the word “ONE DIME” inside a wreath, you are likely looking at a Barber Dime whose 0.07234 troy ounces of silver give it intrinsic value beyond any collector premium.

9) Standing Liberty Quarter

The Standing Liberty Quarter is a visually striking coin that many people inherit as a single keepsake without realizing it is solid silver. The silver coin guide reports that these quarters were issued from 1916 to 1930 and contain 0.18084 troy ounces of silver, nearly triple the bullion in a silver dime. The obverse shows Liberty standing in a gateway, while the reverse features an eagle in flight, designs that can make the coin look like a commemorative medal rather than everyday money.

Because of their relatively short production run, Standing Liberty quarters are less common in circulation finds but still appear in family mementos and old coin folders. Even heavily worn examples retain that 0.18084 troy ounces of silver, so a small group of them can represent a meaningful amount of bullion. If you see a quarter-sized coin dated between 1916 and 1930 with the standing Liberty design, treat it as a silver asset rather than just a nostalgic trinket.

10) Washington Quarter (Pre-1965)

Pre-1965 Washington Quarters are among the most common silver coins hiding in household change, because the design continues on modern clad pieces. The silver coin guide explains that Washington quarters began in 1932 and that coins minted before 1965 contain 0.18084 troy ounces of silver. That bullion content means a single pre-1965 quarter can be worth several times its face value when silver prices are strong, yet many people still toss them into jars without checking dates.

These quarters are especially likely to be undervalued in piggy banks, coin-counting machines, and inherited rolls from banks. The key is to separate out any Washington quarter dated 1964 or earlier, since those carry the 0.18084 troy ounces of silver, while later ones are copper-nickel. For anyone willing to sort through mixed change, pre-1965 Washington quarters represent one of the easiest ways to uncover hidden silver in everyday savings.

11) American Silver Eagle

The American Silver Eagle is a modern bullion coin that sometimes ends up in collections or gifts without the recipient realizing its full value. The silver coin guide notes that this coin was first minted in 1986 and contains 1 troy ounce of .999 fine silver, making it a pure bullion piece rather than a traditional circulation coin. Designs feature a modern adaptation of Walking Liberty on the obverse and a heraldic eagle or updated shielded eagle on the reverse, depending on the year.

Because Silver Eagles are often given as graduation presents, corporate gifts, or part of investment starter packs, they can wind up in drawers or safe boxes with little explanation. A separate analysis of the Morgan series highlights how 0.7734 of a Troy ounce in older dollars compares with a full ounce in modern bullion, underscoring the Silver Eagle’s heft. If you find a large, shiny U.S. coin explicitly marked “1 OZ. FINE SILVER,” you are likely holding a Silver Eagle whose value tracks the spot price of silver almost directly.

12) Canadian Silver Maple Leaf

The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is another modern bullion coin that can slip into personal holdings through international dealings or gifts. The silver coin guide explains that Maple Leafs have been produced since 1988 and contain 1 troy ounce of .9999 fine silver, giving them slightly higher purity than many other bullion coins. The obverse typically features a portrait of the British monarch, while the reverse shows the iconic maple leaf, making the design instantly recognizable once you know what to look for.

Because Maple Leafs are popular worldwide, they often appear in mixed bullion lots, travel souvenirs, or cross-border business gifts. Their 1 troy ounce of .9999 fine silver means they trade very close to spot price, with a modest premium for the trusted Canadian minting standard. If you come across a large Canadian coin clearly marked with its troy ounce weight and .9999 purity, you may already own a Silver Maple Leaf that functions as a compact, globally recognized store of silver value.

Supporting sources: Morgan dollar, The Morgan Silver Dollar.