How many silver dollars are there in a pound? This is a question that often arises among collectors and enthusiasts of American currency. The answer, however, is not as straightforward as it may seem, as it depends on several factors, including the size and purity of the silver dollars in question.
Historically, silver dollars were made of 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition is crucial in determining the number of silver dollars that can fit into a pound. A pound of pure silver, which is 100% silver, is equivalent to 37.3242 troy ounces. Since silver dollars are 90% silver, this means that a pound of silver dollars will contain approximately 33.9189 troy ounces of pure silver.
Now, to calculate the number of silver dollars in a pound, we need to know the weight of a single silver dollar. The weight of a silver dollar can vary slightly depending on the year and mint, but on average, it is around 26.73 grams. To find out how many silver dollars are in a pound, we can divide the total weight of pure silver in a pound (33.9189 troy ounces) by the weight of a single silver dollar (26.73 grams). This gives us approximately 12.6 silver dollars per pound.
However, this calculation is based on the assumption that the silver dollars are made of 90% pure silver. If the silver dollars have a higher or lower silver content, the number of silver dollars in a pound will change accordingly. For example, if the silver dollars are 92% pure silver, there will be fewer silver dollars in a pound, while if they are 88% pure silver, there will be more.
In conclusion, the number of silver dollars in a pound can vary depending on the purity of the silver in the coins. On average, there are approximately 12.6 silver dollars in a pound of 90% pure silver. Collectors and enthusiasts should be aware of this when dealing with silver dollars and other silver coins, as it can have an impact on their value and weight.
