Key Takeaways
- Modern quarters have a cupronickel clad metal content, though this wasn’t always the case;
- All quarters struck pre-1965 have silver in their composition;
- Bullion investors often turn to junk silver coins such as these quarters as a means of investment during economic downturns;
- You can determine the melt value of a silver quarter through its troy ounce content and the current silver spot price;
Introduction
The United States quarter, or quarter dollar, can be considered one of the pillars of American coinage. Examples were struck by the U.S Mint for over four different centuries. For this reason, it is no surprise that these coins are sought after by coin collectors and bullion investors.
In current days, quarter dollars are struck using a clad composition of copper and nickel (or cupronickel). However, the metal sandwiched inside these coins up until 1965 was mainly silver.
Investors in silver bullion may wonder what quarters are worth money. After all, junk silver is often a route of investment given its melt value. In this article, we will show you what quarters are made out of silver. On top of that, you will be able to know how much a silver quarter is worth through its metal content.
Pre-1932 Quarters
The quarter was introduced in 1796, following the establishment of the United States Mint four years prior. The coin had a face value of 25 cents, a first in American history. It was produced on and off during its first decades, with a standard silver composition that was periodically revised.
Draped Bust - 1796-1807
1804 Draped Bust Quarter
America’s first-quarter coin features engraver Robert Scot’s design on their obverse and is known as the Draped Bust variety. They were struck with a 6.739g of 89.24% fine silver composition, or 6.014g of silver. All coins at the time, such as the dimes and quarters, bore this design.
Capped Bust - 1815-1838
1815 Capped Bust Quarter
After the initial Draped Bust coins, U.S coinage introduced the Capped Bust coin. The silver coins featuring this design maintained the 89.2% content or 6.014g of pure silver.
The Capped Bust portrait was envisioned by John Reich, and adapted by Chief Engraver William Kneass.
Seated Liberty - 1838-1891
1839 Seated Liberty Quarter
The U.S Mint revised their coinage’s metal content in 1838, with the introduction of the Seated Liberty coin. From then on, minted quarters had 90% fine silver or 0.1808 troy ounces. The coins weighed 6.682g starting in 1838, then 6.22g from 1853, and 6.25g from 1873 to 1964.
Their design was drawn by Thomas Sully and by Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht.
Barber - 1892-1916
1916 Barber Quarter
Following the longevity of Seated Liberty silver coins, increasing calls claimed for a redesign of U.S coinage. The Barber quarter dollars were introduced alongside their respective dime and half-dollar, after 53 years of the previous design.
The Barber quarter kept the revised 90% silver composition and 6.25g weight. It has .1808 troy oz of silver. These coins are named after their designer, Charles E. Barber, having a run of 24 years of circulation.
Standing Liberty - 1916-1930
1918 Standing Liberty Quarter
In the same way as the Barber quarters, the Standing Liberty quarter dollars weigh 6.25g with a 90% silver metal content. The new coins were introduced after mixed opinions towards the Barber issue.
The upright figure of Goddess Liberty was designed by American sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil. The coin circulated up until 1931 when the United States Mint discontinued it for the anticipation of George Washington’s 200th anniversary.
It was succeeded by the release of the first Washington quarters in 1932.
Washington Quarters - 1932-1964
The Washington quarter is the longest-running U.S. quarter design. It features sculptor John Flanagan’s portrait of George Washington. These quarter dollar coins have been minted annually since 1932 and had a 90% pure silver composition until 1965. They are commonly seen as junk silver quarters. The term “junk silver” is not, in any way, an indication of the condition of the coin. It means the coin does not carry much numismatic value, but rather is sought-after for its silver content alone (with the exception of key dates and variations).
Pre-1965 Quarters
1964 Washington Quarter
During the Washington quarter’s run, a rise in the price of silver led to a change in the coin’s metal composition in 1965. At that point, the production of quarters used 6.25g of 90% fine silver. Then-President Lyndon Johnson approved the use of cupronickel alloy for their striking.
For this reason, keep an eye out for coins dated pre-1965. The date on their obverse can be a clear indication that they have a silver metal content. Quarters minted in the Philadelphia mint bear no mint mark, while Denver and San Francisco coins bear a “D” and “S” mintmark, respectively...
1976 Bicentennial Quarter
1976-S Silver Quarter
The 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing saw a series of commemorative coins from the U.S Mint. The bicentennial coins, as they were called, were struck in the United States Mint’s Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints. The bicentennial commemorative quarters were clad coins, meaning they were struck using cupronickel composition.
However, the San Francisco Mint produced a business strike of the bicentennial quarter using a different metal: silver. They have a 60% silver 40% copper alloy and bear an "S" mintmark. About 5 million silver quarter coins were issued.
Silver Proof Quarter
1992-S Proof Washington Silver Quarter
In 1992 the United States Mint started regularly producing proof sets of U.S coins. The proof coins are struck in both clad and 90% pure silver content.
Thereby, such silver proofs sets feature quarter dollars and have a lower mintage of less than 1 million silver coins per year.
How Much Is A Silver Quarter Melt Value
You can determine how much a silver quarter coin is worth through its metal content. Quarters dated pre-1965 have a 90% silver composition or .1808 troy oz.
Simply multiply their weight in troy oz with the current silver spot price. By doing so, you’ll obtain their worth in silver melt value.
You can also check our Melt Value Calculator from our Junk Silver FAQs.
