Having trouble figuring this out.

[tinhorn]

My calculations tell me that the silver content in US 90% coins is 15.3 times face value. Right now half dollars are for sale in Buy It Now for 16.4 times face--a premium of 7% which seems reasonable. But silver dollars, whether on this site or at local pawn shops or coin stores, sell for more like 24 times face value.

Why is there such a disparate premium on silver dollars? Do they ALL carry a numismatic value or is something wrong with my observations and/or math?

[68Camaro]

No you've got it right. Silver dollar prices are crazy.

[Engineer]

Dollars have a higher melt value AND a higher numismatic value. Melt on $1 face in dimes is $15.32, while melt on a Peace Dollar is $16.38.

Beyond that, it's just people putting a bigger value on coins that feel good in the hand.

[henrysmedford]

But silver dollars, whether on this site or at local pawn shops or coin stores, sell for more like 24 times face value.

Why is there such a disparate premium on silver dollars? Do they ALL carry a numismatic value or is something wrong with my observations and/or math?

Silver dollars make nice money clips and belt buckels.

[Morsecode]

Coin dealers generally have managed to convince a naive coin buying public that a silver dollar is magically more desireable than two half dollars. And guess what? It works on me, too...and while I know better, I love me some circulated Morgans.

As silver falls, the dollars cling to earlier higher multiples longer than other 90%. If silver were to stay right where it is now for an extended period, premiums on dollars would slowly adjust downwards. It takes a while.