Gold & Silver Spot Price Tracker
Live precious metals prices for gold, silver, platinum, palladium & rhodium — updated in real time from Kitco, the world's most trusted metals data source.
Why Precious Metals Prices Matter to Collectors
Whether you're buying your first silver dollar or managing a serious bullion portfolio, understanding spot prices is fundamental. The spot price is the current market price for one troy ounce of a precious metal in raw, unrefined form — it's the baseline from which all coin and bullion prices are calculated.
For coin collectors, spot prices matter in two key ways. First, they set the melt value floor for silver and gold coins — no matter how common a coin is, it's always worth at least its metal content at spot. Second, they directly influence the premiums dealers charge over spot for bullion coins, bars, and rounds.
The Four Major Precious Metals
Gold
The ultimate store of value for thousands of years. Gold spot prices are quoted 24/7 globally and are the most watched number in the precious metals world. Most U.S. gold coins contain .900 or .9999 fine gold.
Silver
The most accessible precious metal for collectors. U.S. coins dated 1964 and earlier contain 90% silver. Junk silver bags, Morgan Dollars, and Peace Dollars are all priced relative to silver spot.
Platinum
Rarer than gold, platinum is used in American Platinum Eagle bullion coins. Historically priced above gold, though the relationship has shifted in recent years. A key industrial and investment metal.
Palladium
Relatively new to numismatics but surged past gold in price in recent years due to automotive demand. The U.S. Mint has produced Palladium American Eagles since 2017. Highly volatile.
How Spot Price Affects Common U.S. Silver Coins
The table below shows approximate silver content for popular U.S. coins. These figures assume today's silver spot price — the higher silver climbs, the higher these base melt values rise.
| Coin | Silver Content (troy oz) | Composition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan / Peace Dollar | 0.7735 oz | 90% silver | Most popular silver coin series for collectors |
| Walking Liberty / Franklin / Kennedy (1964) Half | 0.3618 oz | 90% silver | Kennedy halves 1965–1970 are 40% silver (0.1479 oz) |
| Washington Quarter (pre-1965) | 0.1809 oz | 90% silver | Commonly found in junk silver bags |
| Roosevelt / Mercury Dime (pre-1965) | 0.0723 oz | 90% silver | Smallest common 90% silver coin |
| American Silver Eagle (1 oz) | 1.000 oz | 99.9% silver | Carries a premium over spot due to collectibility |
| Standing Liberty Quarter (pre-1930) | 0.1809 oz | 90% silver | Numismatic premium typically exceeds melt value |
When to Check Spot Prices
Before Buying Bullion
Dealer premiums over spot vary widely. Knowing spot lets you compare dealers intelligently and identify fair prices vs. overpriced offers.
Learn about bullion →Valuing Junk Silver
Pre-1965 U.S. coins are commonly sold by face dollar amount. Spot price tells you exactly what that bag of old change is really worth in silver.
Junk silver guide →Before Selling to a Dealer
Most dealers buy silver coins at 70–85% of spot and gold at 95–98% of spot. Knowing spot helps you negotiate or find a better offer.
Check coin values →Tracking Your Collection
If you hold silver dollars, gold coins, or bullion, your collection's total value moves daily with spot prices. Bookmark this page for quick checks.
Coin collections →What Drives Precious Metals Spot Prices?
Spot prices aren't random — they respond to a predictable set of global economic forces. Understanding these drivers helps collectors and investors make smarter timing decisions.
The U.S. Dollar
Gold and silver are priced in U.S. dollars, so there's an inverse relationship — when the dollar weakens, precious metals tend to rise, and vice versa. This is why metals are often called a "dollar hedge."
Inflation & Interest Rates
Rising inflation historically boosts precious metals as investors seek stores of value. When the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, gold and silver often face headwinds because yield-bearing assets become more attractive. But during periods of negative real interest rates — when inflation outpaces rates — metals tend to rally strongly.
Geopolitical Events
Wars, financial crises, banking failures, and political instability drive "safe haven" demand for gold and silver. The 2008 financial crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, and various geopolitical conflicts have all triggered significant precious metals price spikes.
Industrial Demand
Silver has enormous industrial applications — solar panels, electronics, medical devices — meaning its price is influenced by manufacturing demand in addition to investment demand. Palladium is almost entirely driven by automotive catalytic converter demand, making it especially volatile.
Spot Price vs. Dealer Premium
When you buy a gold or silver coin from a dealer, you'll always pay more than spot. That difference is the premium, covering the dealer's costs, profit margin, and the coin's fabrication and distribution. Here's what typical premiums look like:
| Product | Typical Premium Over Spot | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Junk Silver (90% coins) | 5–15% | Low fabrication cost, high liquidity |
| 1 oz Silver Rounds (generic) | 8–15% | Low premium, no numismatic value |
| American Silver Eagle | 20–35% | U.S. Mint brand, legal tender, collectible |
| 1 oz Silver Bar | 6–12% | Efficient storage but less liquid than coins |
| 1 oz American Gold Eagle | 3–6% | Most liquid gold coin in the U.S. |
| 1 oz Gold Bar (LBMA) | 1–3% | Lowest premium, institutional grade |
Ready to Buy Gold or Silver?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the spot price of gold and silver?
The spot price is the current market price for one troy ounce of a precious metal for immediate delivery. It's set by global commodities exchanges — primarily the COMEX in New York and the London Bullion Market Association — and fluctuates continuously during trading hours. The live prices shown in the Kitco widget above reflect current spot pricing.
How often does the spot price update?
During trading hours (roughly 6:00 PM Sunday through 5:00 PM Friday Eastern Time, with a brief daily break), spot prices update continuously — sometimes every few seconds during volatile periods. The Kitco widget on this page refreshes automatically.
What is a troy ounce and how does it differ from a regular ounce?
Precious metals are measured in troy ounces, not standard (avoirdupois) ounces. One troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams, while a standard ounce is 28.3495 grams — a troy ounce is about 10% heavier. All coin and bullion weights, including the silver content figures in the table above, use troy ounces.
What is the difference between spot price and melt value?
Spot price is the price per troy ounce of pure metal. Melt value is the actual metal value of a specific coin or bar, calculated by multiplying its metal content (in troy ounces) by the current spot price. A 90% silver Morgan Dollar contains 0.7735 troy oz of silver, so its melt value equals 0.7735 × silver spot price. Use our Silver Coin Melt Calculator for instant calculations.
Should I buy gold or silver?
Both serve different purposes. Gold is primarily a wealth preservation and hedge asset with lower volatility. Silver offers lower entry points, higher volatility (more upside potential but also more downside risk), and significant industrial demand alongside investment demand. Many collectors own both. Your decision should depend on your budget, goals, and risk tolerance — we always recommend consulting a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Where can I buy gold and silver coins at a fair price?
We recommend established online dealers including JM Bullion and Kitco, both of which offer transparent pricing relative to spot. Local coin dealers and shows are also good options, especially for numismatic coins where you want to inspect in person. Always compare premiums across multiple sources before purchasing.
How do I know if my old coins are worth more than their melt value?
Many pre-1965 U.S. coins have numismatic (collector) value that exceeds their melt value, especially in higher grades or for key-date issues. Use our Coin Value Estimator for a baseline estimate, and check our full Coin Values Guide for detailed information. For valuable coins, professional grading by PCGS or NGC is recommended.
Spot prices displayed via the Kitco widget are provided for informational purposes only and may differ from actual transaction prices. FindRareCoins.com may receive compensation from affiliate partners linked on this page. This page does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always verify current pricing directly with your dealer before buying or selling.
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