What Quarters Have Silver and What Are They Worth?

Identifying Silver Quarters by Date

Before 1965, U.S. quarters circulated with a high silver content. This changed due to market forces and legislative action. All U.S. quarters minted for general circulation with a date of 1964 or earlier contain 90% silver and 10% copper, including Washington quarters.

In 1965, the U.S. government eliminated silver from quarters and dimes, and reduced the silver content in half dollars to 40%. This change was primarily due to rising silver prices and increased demand for coinage. The legislation aimed to address a coin shortage and prevent the melting down of silver coins for their intrinsic metal value, which was approaching or exceeding their face value. Quarters dated 1965 and later are made of a copper core bonded between outer layers of a copper-nickel alloy.

Physical Characteristics of Silver Quarters

Beyond checking the date, several physical characteristics can help distinguish silver quarters from their clad counterparts. One reliable visual cue is the coin’s edge. Silver quarters display a solid, uniform silver color along their reeded edge, indicating consistent metal throughout. In contrast, clad quarters reveal a visible copper stripe or layer along their edge, as they consist of a copper core sandwiched between copper-nickel outer layers.

Another method for identification involves the sound a quarter produces when dropped. A silver quarter, when gently dropped onto a hard surface, typically emits a distinct, higher-pitched “ring” or “ping” sound. This is due to silver’s higher density. Conversely, a copper-nickel clad quarter usually produces a duller “thud” or a less resonant sound, reflecting its different metallic composition. While not always precise for the untrained ear, this sound difference can be a helpful indicator.

Silver quarters may also feel slightly different or have a marginally different weight compared to clad quarters. A 90% silver quarter weighs approximately 6.25 grams, whereas a modern clad quarter weighs around 5.67 grams. Although this difference is subtle, an individual might notice it with practice or by comparing it directly to a known clad quarter.

Understanding the Value of Silver Quarters

The primary value of a common silver quarter typically derives from its “melt value,” which is the intrinsic worth of the silver it contains. Each 90% silver quarter contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. This value fluctuates daily based on the current market price of silver. Therefore, a silver quarter’s worth is almost always significantly higher than its face value of 25 cents.

To determine the melt value, the silver content is multiplied by the current spot price of silver per troy ounce. While most found silver quarters are valued primarily for this precious metal content, some rare dates, mint errors, or coins in exceptionally high condition may possess additional “numismatic” or collector value. This numismatic value can sometimes far exceed the melt value, but for the average silver quarter found in circulation, the underlying silver content remains the main driver of its worth.