Which coins are considered 90% junk silver?

Never been a fan of paying the difference between an MS-64 and an MS-65. First, I can't really tell the difference, although I can on a particular coin if an "expert" shows me. Usually it's something like "The 64 has a tiny little blemish near the center of the obverse, while 65 has a tiny little blemish on the obverse too, but it's up near the edge, nearly lost among denticles. Yeah, that explains the 50% higher price.
I consider a coin that served the function, and shows it, to be in someways more authentic that one which was always locked away someplace. Sure an 1809 half dollar graded MS-63 that looks like it was just struck is impressive and beautiful. But it was never a half dollar, really. Not in a "I work for a living" kind of way. The same date in XF-45, with a little bit of dark toning highlighting the design elements, did its job for a little while, and is just as beautiful for having done so.
My favorite grades are in the AU category. I've seen many AU-58 coins that visually beat the pants off a baggy, MS-60 or 61 with ugly toning, despite it being supposedly of higher quality.
An AU-58 with few blemishes, lightly toned in a way that highlights its features, or for 20% more, a dead-looking MS-60 that looks like it came from a bag a giant used as a hacky sack.
I'll take the "lesser" coin, please.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Although I'll agree that because of the dealer/TPG current dishonesty, he'll not be informed of the correct coin grading, and be offered less than melt for his coins. But please let the OP know the grading truth. Although this linked coin commands a greater premium because of the date, the net grading is equal to or less than the OP coin:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1919-S-Walk...541522?hash=item2a78df8752:g:IfsAAOSwBahU68qs

I can post numerous coins from my collection that would show similar market grading.

The irony is that while reading your post, a buyer called wanting to purchase a $50 face assortment of guaranteed F-VF A.N.A. technical graded half dollar coins offered on Craigslist. The pricing of the coins comparable to the OP is a 35% premium above melt, but better that than comps offered by the general commercial market.

I talked him out of a sale, asking that he take some time for proper investigation, as I could fill his order later. He ended the conversation, but called back 3 hours later, asking to receive a delivery on Saturday morning.

Just to prove a point, I going to purchase a $50 face assortment from APMEX today, which have an ~10% greater premium. I'll meet him later to have him open the shipment, allowing practical disclosure.

I'm betting I'll have another "return buyer".

JMHO

 

Junk Silver is a generic term that someone coined up the person who made it up
has no interest in coins Numismatic value.

 

Junk Silver is an oxy-moron in my book.