What Year Quarters Contain Silver?

Many people encounter quarters daily, yet few realize that these common coins once contained significant amounts of silver. This historical use of silver in U.S. coinage makes certain quarters distinct from the modern versions found in circulation today. Understanding the characteristics of these older coins can help identify them, offering a glimpse into a time when precious metals were a standard component of everyday currency.

Years of Silver Quarters

The primary period for silver quarters in general circulation in the United States was from 1932 to 1964. During this time, U.S. quarters, specifically the Washington Quarters, were minted with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. Before 1932, earlier quarter series like the Standing Liberty and Barber quarters also contained 90% silver. The Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated silver from circulating dimes and quarters due to rising silver prices.

Distinguishing Features of Silver Quarters

Identifying a silver quarter involves observing physical characteristics. Examining the coin’s edge is a primary method. Silver quarters display a solid, uniform silver color along their edge, without any visible copper stripe. In contrast, modern clad quarters have a distinct copper band visible between their outer layers.

The coin’s luster and overall appearance also provide clues; silver quarters often have a different sheen compared to their clad counterparts. Weight is another indicator: 90% silver quarters weigh approximately 6.25 grams, while modern clad quarters weigh about 5.67 grams. A silver quarter produces a higher-pitched, more resonant ringing sound when lightly dropped on a hard surface, unlike the duller thud of a clad coin.

Understanding Quarter Composition

The differences in appearance and sound stem from the distinct metallic compositions of silver and clad quarters. Quarters minted through 1964 were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, forming a solid alloy throughout the coin. This high silver content gives them their uniform silver edge and characteristic sound. Each of these quarters contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver.

Modern circulating quarters, introduced in 1965, feature a “clad” composition. They are constructed with a core of pure copper sandwiched between two outer layers made of a copper-nickel alloy, typically 75% copper and 25% nickel. This change was implemented to reduce the reliance on silver, which had become too expensive for circulating coinage.