[nopardons]

You aren't allowed to melt down coinage for the metal content. It's against the law. No smelter will do it and there isn't all that much silver in our silver coins, from that era.

[SAJ]

You can, however, privately smelt damaged coinage quite legally...not to give anyone any ideas, naturally. $10.00 in silver coin is so far below the radar as to be unimaginable in any case. Collector's valuation is apt to be worth more than the metal value, certainly for pre-WW II flying eagle quarters.

[wyattearp]

"...there isn't all that much silver in our silver coins, from that era."

I collect coins. Silver coins from that era are 90% silver. She could have some real jems in there. Peace dollars, Walking Liberty halves, etc. Even the currency could be worth a lot more than face value, if it is in decent condition.

[TheHound]

You aren't allowed to melt down coinage for the metal content. It's against the law. No smelter will do it and there isn't all that much silver in our silver coins, from that era.

I remember silver coins so worn you couldn't read the dates or anything, and have no collector value. My question is - if they can't be melted down, where are they all?

[Bear_Slayer]

It's against the law

can you quote the law? It is my understanding that it is not against the law. I'm heading to google to prove it.

Be right back

[Bear_Slayer]

It is legal to press pennies. Coin Code Section 331-title 18 U.S. Government.

I suspect that it is also legal to melt down silver coins.