Classical procedures to calculate ion-based lattice potential energies (U-POT) assume formal integral charges on the structural units; consequently, poor results are anticipated when significant covalency is present. To generalize the procedures beyond strictly ionic solids, a method is needed for calculating (i) physically reasonable partial charges, delta, and (ii) well-defined and consistent asymptotic reference energies corresponding to the separated structural components. The problem is here treated for groups 1 and 11 monohalides and monohydrides, and for the alkali metal elements (with their metallic bonds), by using the valence-state atoms-in-molecules (VSAM) model of von Szentpaly et al. (J. Phys. Chem. A 2001, 105, 9467). In this model, the Born-Haber-Fajans reference energy, U-POT, of free ions, M+ and Y-, is replaced by the energy of charged dissociation products, M delta+ and Y delta-, of equalized electronegativity. The partial atomic charge is obtained via the iso-electronegativity principle, and the asymptotic energy reference of separated free ions is lowered by the "ion demotion energy", IDE = -1/2(1-delta(VS))(I-VS,(M)-A(VS),(Y)), where delta(VS) is the valence-state partial charge and (I-VS,(M)-A(VS),(Y)) is the difference between the valence-state ionization potential and electron affinity of the M and Y atoms producing the charged species. A very close linear relation (R = 0.994) is found between the molecular valence-state dissociation energy, D (VS), of the VSAM model, and our valence-state-based lattice potential energy, U-VS = U-POT-1/2(1-%(VS))(I-VS,(M)-A(VS),(Y)) = 1.230 D-VS + 86.4 kJ mol(-1). Predictions are given for the lattice energy of AuF, the coinage metal monohydrides, and the molecular dissociation energy, D-e, of Aul. The coinage metals (Cu, Ag, and Au) do not fit into this linear regression because d orbitals are strongly involved in their metallic bonding, while s orbitals dominate their homonuclear molecular bonding.