In the town of Manitowoc, WI there lies a diner that caries the moniker “Late’s,” not some new fangled diner but one with a long curvy counter and spinning dinette stools. However there is something new to Late’s diner and it looks down over the amused patronage. It is a sign that reads: “Late’s prices, if you pay in U.S. silver coins, dated 1964 or earlier.” There follows a list of prices for various culinary items like a hamburger for 12 cents and a four piece chicken dinner for 36 cents.

You see, unlike the strange sandwiched coinage we usually carry around with us these days, that has a resemblance to real money but sounds like a button if it is dropped on the counter, this silver money that the sign refers to has real value.

The following is a list of silver coins circulated before 1964. Included is the coins Face Value, Silver Value as of the June 28, 2013 silver prices of $18.64 per ounce and the Silver % of Face Value.

1942-1945 NICKEL
Face Value: $0.05
Silver Value: $1.0504
Silver % of Face Value: 2100.89%

1916-1945 MERCURY DIME
Face Value: $0.10
Silver Value: $1.3505
Silver % of Face Value: 1350.57%

1946-1964 ROOSEVELT DIME
Face Value: $0.10
Silver Value: $1.3505
Silver % of Face Value: 1350.57%

1916-1930 STANDING LIBERTY QUARTER
Face Value: $0.25
Silver Value: $3.3764
Silver % of Face Value: 1350.57%

1932-1964 WASHINGTON QUARTER
Face Value: $0.25
Silver Value: $3.3764
Silver % of Face Value: 1350.57%

1916-1947 WALKING LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR
Face Value: $0.50
Silver Value: $6.7528
Silver % of Face Value: 1350.57%

1948-1963 FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR
Face Value: $0.50
Silver Value: $6.7528
Silver % of Face Value: 1350.57%

1964 KENNEDY HALF DOLLAR
Face Value: $0.50
Silver Value: $6.7528
Silver % of Face Value: 1350.57%

1965-1970 HALF DOLLAR (40% Silver)
Face Value: $0.50
Silver Value: $2.7611
Silver % of Face Value: 552.23%

1878-1921 MORGAN DOLLAR
Face Value: $1.00
Silver Value: $14.4403
Silver % of Face Value: 1444.03%

1921-1935 PEACE DOLLAR
Face Value: $1.00
Silver Value: $14.4403
Silver % of Face Value: 1444.03%

1971-1976 EISENHOWER DOLLAR (40% Silver)
Face Value: $1.00
Silver Value: $5.9041
Silver % of Face Value: 590.41%

1986-Present AMERICAN SILVER EAGLE (.999 Silver)
Face Value: $1.00
Silver Value: $18.6513
Silver % of Face Value: 1865.09%

The effect of inflation on our money does not stop with the coins minted but includes the paper money we affectionately refer to as the Dollar. One recent calculation has it at 98 percent devaluation. A Dollar we once carried around with us as a silver or gold certificate and bought $1.00’s worth of goods has now been brought down to about 2 cents.

Here at ITM Trading we welcome the opportunity to share with you the benefit of owning gold and silver, even if you don’t happen to be hungry and in Manitowoc, WI.