Silver quarters are one of the easiest U.S. coins to identify once you know the rule: regular U.S. quarters dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver. Most quarters dated 1965 and newer are copper-nickel clad and do not contain silver.
That makes old quarters worth checking before you spend them. Some are valued mainly for silver melt value, while better dates, proofs, and errors can be worth much more.
When Did Quarters Stop Being Silver?
U.S. quarters contained silver from 1796 through 1964. These coins were typically made from 90% silver and 10% copper.
Common silver quarter types include Barber quarters, Standing Liberty quarters, and Washington quarters dated 1932 through 1964.
In 1965, the U.S. Mint removed silver from regular circulating quarters and switched to clad coinage. That is why a 1964 quarter is silver, but a 1965, 1966, or 1967 quarter usually is not.
What Quarters Are Silver?
The main silver quarters to look for are:
- All regular U.S. quarters dated 1964 or earlier
- 1976-S Bicentennial 40% silver quarters
- 1992 to 2018 silver proof quarters, usually 90% silver
- 2019 to present silver proof quarters, struck in .999 fine silver
For most people sorting change, the pre-1965 rule is the most important.
How to Tell If a Quarter Is Silver
Start with the date. If it says 1964 or earlier, it is usually silver. If it says 1965 or newer, it is usually clad unless it is a special proof or collector issue.
The edge is another quick clue. A silver quarter has a solid silver-colored edge. A clad quarter usually shows a copper stripe through the middle.
Weight can also help. A 90% silver quarter weighs about 6.25 grams, while a clad quarter weighs about 5.67 grams.
Are 1964 Quarters Silver?
Yes. A 1964 quarter is 90% silver and contains about 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver.
Its value changes with the silver spot price. To estimate melt value, multiply the current silver price by 0.18084.
For example:
Silver spot price x 0.18084 = approximate melt value of one 90% silver quarter.
Most circulated 1964 quarters trade close to silver value unless they are uncirculated, proof, or have a notable error.
How Much Are 1976 Bicentennial Quarters Worth?
Most 1976 Bicentennial quarters are worth 25 cents. The common 1776-1976 quarters from Philadelphia and Denver were made in large numbers and contain no silver.
The Bicentennial quarters worth checking are the 1976-S 40% silver versions, proof coins, high-grade examples, and major mint errors.
To identify a possible silver Bicentennial quarter, look for the 1776-1976 date, the drummer boy reverse, an S mint mark, and a silver-colored edge with no obvious copper stripe.
How Much Is a 1967 Quarter Worth?
A normal 1967 quarter is usually worth face value.
It contains no silver, and the missing mint mark is normal. The U.S. Mint removed mint marks from circulating coins from 1965 through 1967, so a 1967 quarter with no mint mark is not rare by itself.
A 1967 quarter may be worth more only if it is in exceptional condition or has a real mint error.
Are Gold Quarters Worth Anything?
Most gold-colored quarters are novelty coins. They are usually regular clad quarters that were plated by private companies after leaving the Mint.
The gold layer is extremely thin and usually adds little to no bullion value. A gold-plated state quarter, Bicentennial quarter, or Washington quarter is usually not worth much more than face value.
The major exception is the 2016-W Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coin, an official U.S. Mint issue struck in 24-karat gold. That is a real gold coin, not a plated quarter.
Key Date Silver Quarters to Watch For
Most silver Washington quarters are valued close to melt, but a few dates are worth much more.
The big ones are the 1932-D and 1932-S Washington quarters. These are key dates with low mintages and strong collector demand.
If you find a 1932 quarter with a D or S mint mark, do not clean it. Better-date quarters should be reviewed by a reputable coin dealer or grading service because counterfeit mint marks are common.
Should You Clean Silver Quarters?
No. Cleaning silver quarters can hurt their value.
Even if a coin looks dirty, original surfaces matter to collectors. A cleaned coin may still have melt value, but it can lose collector premium fast.
What to Do If You Have Old Quarters
If you have old quarters sitting around, start with the date. Any regular U.S. quarter dated 1964 or earlier is 90% silver. Most quarters dated 1965 and newer are clad, unless they are special collector issues like 1976-S silver Bicentennial quarters or modern silver proofs.
From there, check the edge, weight, and mint mark. Common silver quarters may be worth their melt value, while better dates like 1932-D and 1932-S can be worth much more.
BGS Bullion can help you sort silver quarters, check current melt value, and spot the coins that may carry real collector value before you sell.
