When Did They Stop Making Silver Quarters?

Silver quarters represent a time when the intrinsic value of the metal closely aligned with the coin’s face value. Composed of a significant percentage of silver, these coins served as everyday currency for generations. Today, they hold particular interest for collectors and those curious about the composition of money. Understanding their transition from circulating currency to valued collectibles involves exploring their past and the reasons behind changes in their metallic makeup.

The Shift in Quarter Composition

The United States ceased minting 90% silver quarters in 1964. This change was driven by the escalating market price of silver, which caused the intrinsic metal value of these coins to exceed their 25-cent face value. People hoarded silver coins because their metal content was worth more melted down than as currency, contributing to a national coin shortage.

In response to the coin shortage, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Coinage Act of 1965. This act mandated the elimination of silver from dimes and quarters. Quarters minted from 1965 onward used a copper-nickel clad composition, consisting of a pure copper core bonded between outer layers of a copper-nickel alloy. While the last 90% silver quarters were dated 1964, the first copper-nickel clad quarters were released into circulation in November 1965.

How to Identify Silver Quarters

Determining if a quarter contains silver is straightforward by checking its mint date. Any U.S. quarter dated 1964 or earlier is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This date check is the most reliable identification method.

Another indicator is the coin’s edge. Silver quarters from 1964 and prior display a solid, uniform silver edge, with no visible copper stripe. In contrast, 1965 and later copper-nickel clad quarters show a distinct copper band through their edge. This layered effect is absent in silver quarters.

Subtler physical differences also aid identification. Silver quarters typically weigh slightly more than clad counterparts (6.25 grams vs. 5.67 grams). A silver quarter may also produce a higher-pitched, resonant “ring” when tapped, while a clad quarter makes a duller sound.

Understanding Silver Quarter Value

The value of a silver quarter is primarily determined by its intrinsic metal content (“melt value”) and its appeal to collectors (“numismatic value”). Melt value fluctuates daily with silver’s market price, as each 90% silver quarter contains approximately 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver. To estimate, multiply the current spot price of silver by this content.

Beyond melt value, a silver quarter can command a higher price based on its numismatic worth. This value depends on characteristics including condition, rarity, and unique features. Coins in excellent condition, showing minimal wear, are more appealing to collectors and thus more valuable.

Rarity is influenced by low mintage figures for a specific year or mint mark. Quarters from the Denver Mint (marked “D”) or Philadelphia (often no mint mark) vary in value based on production numbers and demand. Rare error coins, resulting from anomalies during the minting process, can also significantly increase a quarter’s value, sometimes worth substantially more than their silver content alone.