U.S. quarters were 90% silver from 1796 through 1964 — every quarter dated 1964 or earlier is silver, and every circulation quarter dated 1965 or later is not. The Coinage Act of 1965 removed silver from circulating quarters, switching them to the copper-nickel clad sandwich used today. Two later exceptions exist for collectors: the 40% silver Bicentennial quarters of 1976 and the silver proof quarters struck for proof sets from 1992 onward.
The Silver Series, 1796–1964
Five designs make up the silver quarter run: Draped Bust (1796–1807), Capped Bust (1815–1838), Seated Liberty (1838–1891), Barber (1892–1916), Standing Liberty (1916–1930), and the Washington quarter in silver (1932–1964). All are 90% silver and 10% copper at 6.25 grams, holding 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver each. At the November 10, 2026 spot of $52.45/ozt, one silver quarter melts at $9.48 (Data by Bullion Price Check, checked November 10, 2026) — the full per-coin math is in our silver coin melt value guide. Circulated Washington quarters trade by the face-value bag; our $1 face-value silver quarters listing shows the format.
The 1965 Change: Clad Quarters
From 1965, circulation quarters are a copper core with copper-nickel outer layers — the copper stripe shows on the edge, and the weight drops to 5.67 grams. Rising silver prices had pushed the metal in a quarter above its face value, so Congress removed the metal rather than the denomination. No 1965–today circulation quarter contains silver, including the State, America the Beautiful, and American Women series in their pocket-change versions.
The Two Exceptions After 1964
The 1976 Bicentennial quarter was issued in a 40% silver version for collector sets (S mintmark, 5.75 grams of 40% silver composition), and silver proof quarters returned in 1992. Silver proof sets from 1992–2018 contain 90% silver quarters; from 2019 the Mint raised proof silver coinage to .999 fine. These were never released into circulation — a silver quarter dated after 1964 came from a set, and its edge shows no copper stripe.
How to Check a Quarter in Hand
Read the date first: 1964 or earlier means silver. Then check the edge — a silver quarter’s edge is solid silver-white, while a clad quarter shows a copper band. Weight settles arguments: 6.25 grams for 90% silver (a bit less when heavily worn), 5.67 grams for clad. Rolls of mixed quarters are exactly where these checks pay — our coin roll values guide prices a full silver quarter roll at melt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 1964 quarters really silver?
Yes — 1964 was the last year of 90% silver circulation quarters, and it was a very large mintage year, so 1964 Washington quarters are among the most common silver quarters found.
What about 1965 quarters — any silver?
No. All 1965 quarters are copper-nickel clad. A “1965 silver quarter” is either a clad coin that looks bright or, very rarely, an off-metal error that needs professional authentication.
How much is a silver quarter worth?
Common circulated examples trade near melt — $9.48 each at the November 10, 2026 spot used above — with better dates and grades above that. Melt for a full $10 roll is covered in the roll guide linked above.