What Quarters Are Made of Silver & How Can You Tell?

United States quarters today are made of a copper and nickel alloy (clad coinage). Older quarters often look and feel different, prompting questions about their composition. While current quarters lack precious metal, a significant period existed when they contained substantial silver, distinguishing them from modern coins. This historical change reflects shifts in economic policy and material availability.

The End of Silver Quarters

For many decades, quarters minted for circulation in the United States contained 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition was standard for quarters, dimes, and half dollars. Rising silver prices and increasing demand for coinage led to a major change in the nation’s currency. Coins were hoarded by the public or melted for their silver, worsening coin shortages.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Coinage Act of 1965. This legislation eliminated silver from dimes and quarters. It also reduced the silver content of the half dollar from 90% to 40%, with silver completely removed from half dollars in 1971. From 1965 onward, quarters were produced with a “clad” composition, featuring outer layers of copper-nickel bonded to a pure copper core. Quarters dated 1964 and earlier were the last made of 90% silver for general circulation.

How to Identify Silver Quarters

Identifying silver quarters is straightforward, relying on visual and auditory cues. The most reliable method is to check the coin’s date. Any U.S. quarter dated 1964 or earlier is 90% silver. This date is the definitive cutoff for silver content in circulating quarters.

Another effective technique is the “edge test.” Silver quarters have a solid, uniform silver-colored edge. Clad quarters, minted from 1965 onwards, display a distinct copper stripe along their edge, revealing their copper core. A less precise, but often cited, method is the “sound test.” Silver quarters produce a higher-pitched, more resonant ringing sound when dropped on a hard surface compared to the duller thud of a modern clad quarter. This difference is due to their metallic compositions.

The Value of Silver Quarters

Silver quarters possess value beyond their 25-cent face value, primarily categorized into two types: melt value and numismatic value. Melt value refers to the worth of the silver contained within the coin, determined by the current market price of silver. Each 90% silver quarter contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver, or about 5.625 grams. This value is calculated by multiplying the silver content by the current spot price per troy ounce.

Numismatic or collector value depends on factors such as the coin’s rarity, condition, and unique characteristics like mint marks or errors. While most circulated silver quarters are valued primarily for their melt value, certain rare dates, mint marks, or high-grade specimens command significantly higher prices from collectors. Online financial sites and specialized bullion dealer websites provide current silver spot prices for calculating melt value. For numismatic value assessment, consulting a reputable coin dealer or using established coin pricing guides is advisable.