The melt value of a 1922 silver dollar coin is the value of the silver content in the coin, not the numismatic value. That value changes with the fluctuating price of silver.
Since silver prices have been low, there is a high likelihood the coin only has melt value. That would be true even for Peace silver dollars in average and well-worn condition.
Some 1922 Peace silver dollars are worth far more than their melt value.
Here are some factors that can affect the numismatic, or collector value, of a 1922 Peace dollar:
- Mint mark: This dollar was minted in Philadelphia and can be identified by a “P” mint mark below the date. However, most melt value coins also came from the Philadelphia Mint.
- Condition (grade). The higher the grade, the higher the value.
- Proof coins were made at the Philadelphia Mint which will feature a highly polished “mirror-like” background behind the coin's design and a frosted design. These are much less common than regular mint issue, and some examples, especially higher grades such as PR 68+ DCAM can sell for significant premiums over their melt value.
- Key dates and varieties are rare or have lower mintages. These examples include:
> - 1922-S (San Francisco). This coin was originally thought to not exist. Only a handful of examples have ever been certified by leading grading services and those are extremely valuable due to their rarity.
> - 1922 Peace Dollar with High Relief. In creating the Peace dollar, the Mint experimented with a high-relief version. However, after receiving complaints about the high-relief design, the Mint adjusted the coin to a lower-relief version and recalled the high-relief examples that had not yet been delivered to banks for distribution. There are three known examples of the high-relief issue. Each of these examples is valued at more than $100,000.
To determine the value of a 1922 Peace dollar, you should carefully examine the coin for its mintmark, condition, any die varieties or errors, and compare the coin to recent selling prices of similar examples.