When Did Quarters Stop Having Silver in Them?

The composition of United States quarters has undergone significant changes over time, a topic that often sparks curiosity among the general public. While today’s quarters are a familiar sight in daily transactions, their metallic makeup has not always been consistent. This evolution reflects shifts in economic conditions and material availability, moving from precious metals to the alloys common in modern coinage.

The End of Silver Quarters

United States quarters ceased to be made of 90% silver after 1964, with the transition to a new composition beginning in 1965. This change was primarily driven by the escalating market price of silver, which had risen to a point where the intrinsic value of the metal in the coins exceeded their face value. As silver became more valuable, people began hoarding silver coins, removing them from circulation and leading to a widespread coin shortage across the country. To address this shortage and stabilize the nation’s coinage system, the Coinage Act of 1965 was enacted on July 23, 1965. This legislation authorized the U.S. Mint to eliminate silver from dimes and quarters, ensuring coins remained in circulation as a medium of exchange rather than being melted down for their precious metal content.

The Current Quarter Composition

Since the transition away from silver, U.S. quarters have been manufactured using a “clad” composition. This modern makeup consists of a core of pure copper, which is then sandwiched between two outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy. This layered structure provides durability for coins that undergo constant circulation and helps in cost-effectiveness for the U.S. Mint. The specific electrical properties of this clad material also allow the new coins to function interchangeably with older silver coins in vending machines and other coin-operated devices. Modern quarters, when viewed from their edge, distinctly show a copper stripe, which is a visible indicator of their layered construction.

Identifying Silver Quarters

To distinguish between older silver quarters and modern clad versions, several methods can be used. The most straightforward approach is to check the coin’s date: quarters dated 1964 and earlier are composed of 90% silver. While extremely rare, a small number of 1965 quarters were mistakenly struck on leftover silver planchets, but these are exceptions.

A reliable visual cue is the “edge test.” Silver quarters have a uniform silver appearance along their edge, lacking visible lines. Conversely, modern clad quarters will reveal a distinct copper stripe running through the middle of their edge, indicating their layered composition.

Another method is the “sound test.” When gently dropped onto a hard surface, silver quarters produce a higher-pitched, more resonant “ring.” In contrast, clad quarters typically emit a duller “thud” sound. Silver quarters also feel slightly different in hand and weigh approximately 6.25 grams, which is marginally heavier than the 5.67 grams of a clad quarter.