How and Where to Sell Scrap Silver for Cash

What Counts as Scrap Silver

Scrap silver refers to silver items that have lost their original use or collectible appeal but still retain value due to their precious metal content. Scrap silver includes a wide variety of objects with different degrees of silver purity.

If you have any unwanted silver or silver items that no longer function as they were designed to, consider selling them. Here are some of the more common types of scrap silver we buy:

Silver Jewelry: Broken, outdated, or mismatched sterling silver pieces such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

‍Silverware: Sterling silver flatware including forks, spoons, knives, serving pieces, and tea sets.

‍Coins: Circulated coins with high silver content that no longer carry collectible premiums but retain melt value, typically U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars that were minted before 1965. The silver in these kinds of coins is referred to as “junk silver,” but it still has value.

‍Industrial Silver: Electrical components, medical instruments, laboratory equipment, and other industrial parts containing silver.

‍Dental Silver: Crowns, bridges, and other dental materials that contain recoverable amounts of silver.

‍Scrap Bars and Ingots: Damaged or non-certified silver bars intended for melting and refining.

Knowing silver purity standards is important when selling scrap silver. Silver items marked with .925 indicate you have sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of another metal, like copper. Sterling silver is the most common and valuable type of silver. Some older flatware might contain .800 (known as German silver) or other purity grades, all of which still have melt value.

If you have no idea what the purity of your scrap silver is, do not worry. At Cash for Silver USA, we test and verify purity using high-tech XRF analyzers to ensure we make you a fair and accurate offer … no guesswork involved.

Why Now Is a Smart Time to Sell Scrap Silver

Selling scrap silver today can be a smart decision for a couple of reasons.

The first is the price of silver. In recent months, the silver price has nearly tripled from a $12 low in March 2020[1].

The second reason is the demand for silver in the industrial market. The Silver Institute expects industrial demand for silver to be strong this year[2]. This is good news for those who have scrap silver that is of no value to retail silver sellers.

Because manufacturers continue to need silver for electronic components, medical technology, and renewable energy applications, there is a demand for your scrap silver.Ensuring the buyer’s reputation and understanding the terms of sale beforehand can help you avoid common pitfalls and secure a fair price for your silver.

The most common purity mark is for Sterling Silver. Here in the United States, anything that is 925/1000 parts silver is Sterling, while in some countries, different standards are used, like “800” or “950.” These purity marks ensure that you know exactly the quality of silver you possess.

How Much Is Scrap Silver Worth

Scrap silver holds value based on its silver purity, weight, and the current market price for silver. Sterling silver (925 silver) has a higher silver purity than junk silver or 800 silver. Higher silver purity typically leads to better offers.

However, weight is also a factor. Silver items are weighed in troy ounces or grams, with heavier pieces delivering proportionally higher returns.

The current spot price of silver directly influences the value of scrap silver. When we make you an offer for your silver, we base your payout on the current silver price. In recent months, the spot price of silver has been north of $30 an ounce.

Ready to Sell Scrap Silver for Cash?

Fill out our short online form to request a free Appraisal Kit.

Once you receive your FedEx label, just package up your silver, gold, platinum, and/or palladium items and use the provided label to ship it to us for free.

Within 24 hours of receipt, our experts will evaluate the silver pieces and we will mail you a check for their determined value.