What Are New Quarters Made Of & Why Did Their Composition Change?
Explore the evolution of US quarter composition, understanding what they're made of today and the economic factors that drove significant material changes.
The United States quarter, a familiar coin in daily transactions, holds a unique place in American commerce. While its quarter-dollar value is consistently recognized, the physical materials comprising this coin have undergone significant changes throughout its history. Understanding the quarter’s metallic makeup reveals insights into its evolution and the economic forces that have shaped its production.
Current Quarter Composition
Today’s circulating United States quarters are crafted from a composition known as cupronickel clad copper. This involves a pure copper core sandwiched between two outer layers of cupronickel. The coin consists of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel by weight. Cupronickel, an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel, gives the coin its silvery appearance.
This multi-layered design provides durability and cost-effectiveness for mass production. The clad nature ensures the coin functions reliably in vending machines, which often rely on specific electrical conductivity properties. These metals result in a coin resistant to corrosion and wear, maintaining its integrity throughout circulation.
Historical Quarter Composition
For a significant period of its history, the United States quarter was primarily made from precious metal. Prior to 1965, quarters contained a substantial amount of silver. These coins were 90% silver and 10% copper. The copper hardened the coin, making it more durable for circulation.
This silver composition was standard for quarters minted from 1932 through 1964, including early Washington quarters. The last year for the 90% silver quarter was 1964, marking a distinct difference from the coins produced afterward. These “silver quarters” are now primarily valued for their metal content rather than face value.
Reasons for Composition Change
The shift from silver to a copper-nickel clad composition in 1965 was a direct response to changing economic conditions. In the early 1960s, the market price of silver rose significantly. As the silver value within a quarter approached or exceeded its 25-cent face value, hoarding began.
People removed silver coins from circulation to melt them or hold them as investments, expecting their metal value to increase. This widespread hoarding led to coin shortages, disrupting commerce. To ensure coins remained in circulation and maintain a stable, cost-effective coinage system, the Coinage Act of 1965 was enacted. This legislation eliminated silver from dimes and quarters and reduced it in half-dollars, transitioning to the present-day base metal.