What Does ASW Mean?

ASW stands for Actual Silver Weight. It refers to the amount of pure silver contained within a coin, measured in troy ounces.

Unlike a coin's total weight, ASW only measures the silver content after taking purity into account. This makes it one of the most useful figures for collectors and bullion investors.

For example, a Morgan Dollar contains 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver. Even though the coin weighs more than this, it is only 90% silver, so its ASW is lower than its total weight.

Collectors often use ASW to estimate a coin's melt value, which is the value of the precious metal it contains. If silver is trading at NZ$60 per troy ounce, a Morgan Dollar has a melt value of approximately NZ$46.40 (0.7734 × $60).

Keep in mind that melt value is only one part of a coin's worth. Rarity, condition, collector demand and historical significance can all make a coin worth far more than its silver content.