Silver Quarter Values
Which quarters are silver, what they're worth in melt value, and which dates carry premiums above silver content.
Every US quarter minted before 1965 is 90% silver. That silver alone makes each one worth several dollars, regardless of date or condition. As of current silver prices, a common silver Washington quarter has a melt value of approximately $5.50 to $6.00. Some dates are worth far more.
Which Quarters Are Silver?
- 1932–1964 Washington quarters: 90% silver, 10% copper. These are the most common silver quarters you'll find.
- 1916–1930 Standing Liberty quarters: Same 90% silver composition. Scarcer than Washington quarters and collectible.
- 1892–1916 Barber quarters: Same 90% silver. Older and harder to find in decent condition.
- 1965 and later: Copper-nickel clad. No silver content. Worth face value only (with few exceptions).
Silver Quarter Melt Value
Melt values fluctuate with silver spot prices. All three types contain the same silver.
The melt value is the floor. No silver quarter is worth less than its silver content. Most common-date Washington quarters from the 1940s and 1950s trade right at or slightly above melt.
What Year Did They Stop Making Silver Quarters?
1964 was the last year for 90% silver quarters. The Coinage Act of 1965 switched US quarters to a copper-nickel clad composition. This means a 1964 quarter is silver, but a 1965 quarter is not.
The change happened because rising silver prices made the metal in the coins worth more than their face value. People hoarded silver coins, and the government had to switch to cheaper materials. This is why pre-1965 quarters are still worth money for their silver content today.
How Many Silver Quarters Make an Ounce of Silver?
Each silver quarter contains 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. That means you need about 5.5 silver quarters to equal one troy ounce of silver. A roll of 40 silver quarters contains 7.23 troy ounces of silver.
Quick math:
- 1 silver quarter = 0.1808 oz silver
- 10 silver quarters = 1.808 oz silver
- 40 silver quarters (1 roll) = 7.234 oz silver
- $100 face value (400 quarters) = 72.34 oz silver
Silver Washington Quarters Worth More Than Melt
The 1970-S Quarter: A Surprise Silver Coin
A small number of 1970-S proof quarters were accidentally struck on silver planchets left over from 1964 production. These are not supposed to exist. Authenticated examples have sold for $5,000 to $15,000+ at auction.
If you have a 1970-S quarter that weighs 6.25 grams (instead of the standard 5.67 grams for clad), you may have one of these errors. Weigh it on a precision scale. If it's heavy, get it authenticated by PCGS or NGC.
How to Tell if a Quarter Is Silver
- Check the date. 1964 and earlier = silver. 1965 and later = clad (with rare exceptions).
- Look at the edge. Silver quarters have a solid gray edge. Clad quarters show a visible copper stripe on the edge.
- Weigh it. Silver quarters weigh 6.25 grams. Clad quarters weigh 5.67 grams.
- Listen. Drop a silver quarter on a hard surface. It rings with a high, clear tone. Clad quarters make a dull thud.
Selling Silver Quarters
Common-date silver Washington quarters are typically sold by the roll ($10 face value = 40 quarters) or by face value lots ($100 face, $500 face, etc.). Dealers price these based on the silver spot price multiplied by a factor that accounts for the coins' silver content.
If you have pre-1932 quarters (Standing Liberty or Barber), those should be evaluated individually. Many carry collector premiums above melt, especially in better condition.
Get a Free Quote on Your Silver Quarters
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Continue Your Research
Full guide to valuable quarters including state quarters and errors.
Silver Melt Value CalculatorCalculate the silver content value of any US coin.
Silver Dollar ValuesMorgan and Peace dollar values by date and condition.
Selling GuideFull walkthrough of how to sell coins and precious metals.