What Quarters Are Pure Silver & What Are They Worth?

The United States Mint has produced various quarters throughout its history, with some containing significant silver content and others made from base metals. While the term “pure silver” might suggest 100% silver, most common silver quarters are actually alloys. This article clarifies which quarters contain silver and how their value is determined.

Identifying Pre-1965 Silver Quarters

All quarters minted for circulation in the United States in 1964 and earlier contain a substantial amount of silver. These coins are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, a composition that was standard for dimes, quarters, and half dollars during this period. The Coinage Act of 1965 marked a significant shift, ending the production of these 90% silver coins due to rising silver costs.

The most straightforward method to identify these silver quarters is by checking the minting year: 1964 or earlier. Beyond the date, these coins possess distinct physical characteristics compared to modern clad quarters. Their metallic luster often appears somewhat different, and a clear indicator is their edge. Unlike modern quarters that reveal a visible copper stripe, pre-1965 silver quarters have a solid, uniform silver edge.

Furthermore, the weight of these silver coins differs from their contemporary clad counterparts. A 90% silver quarter weighs approximately 6.25 grams, which is slightly heavier than the 5.67 grams of a modern clad quarter. Another less precise, but often mentioned, method is the “ring test.” When dropped onto a hard surface, silver coins tend to produce a higher-pitched, sustained ringing sound, whereas clad coins typically make a duller thud.

Identifying 1965-1970 Silver Quarters

Any quarter dated 1965 or later, intended for general circulation, will not contain silver. Instead, these coins are made from a copper-nickel clad composition.

A common misconception is that quarters from 1965-1970 contain 40% silver, similar to some Kennedy half dollars from that era. However, this is not the case for quarters. While the U.S. Mint did produce 40% silver Kennedy half dollars between 1965 and 1970, quarters from these years were entirely devoid of silver for general circulation. Therefore, finding a quarter dated 1965 or later with silver content would be an extremely rare error coin, not a standard issue.

Understanding Silver Content and Value

The value of silver quarters, particularly those minted before 1965, is primarily driven by their “melt value,” which is the intrinsic worth of the silver they contain. Each pre-1965 quarter contains approximately 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver.

To calculate the melt value, one multiplies the amount of pure silver in the coin by the current spot price of silver in the market. This value constantly fluctuates with the global silver market. For instance, if the spot price of silver is $25 per troy ounce, a single pre-1965 quarter would have a melt value of approximately $4.52 (0.18084 oz x $25/oz). While condition and rarity can contribute to a coin’s numismatic value, for most common circulated silver quarters, the melt value remains the most significant factor.

A small, accurate scale can confirm the weight difference between silver and clad coins. Although not conclusive on its own, a magnet can be used as silver is non-magnetic, so a strong attraction indicates the coin is not silver. For closer inspection of details, a jeweler’s loupe can be helpful.

Distinguishing Modern Commemorative Silver Quarters

While circulating quarters produced after 1964 do not contain silver, the U.S. Mint produces special commemorative or collector quarters that do. These coins are not intended for general circulation and are typically sold directly to collectors. These modern commemorative quarters often contain a higher purity of silver, such as .999 fine (99.9% pure) silver.

These special issues can be identified by their specific mint marks, often an “S” for San Francisco, and may be accompanied by official U.S. Mint packaging. Some may even be explicitly marked with “999 Fine Silver” or “.999 AG” to denote their high silver content. Their value is based on both their silver content and their collector demand, which can significantly exceed their face value. The U.S. Mint has released various silver proof sets and commemorative series, such as the American Women Quarters Program, which include quarters struck in .999 silver.