US quarters dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver. Any Washington quarter from 1932 through 1964 qualifies, along with Standing Liberty quarters (1916–1930) and Barber quarters (1892–1916). From 1965 onward, circulation quarters switched to copper-nickel clad and contain no silver.
Silver Quarter Date Guide
| Series | Years | Composition | ASW per coin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1932–1964 | 90% silver, 10% copper | 0.1808 ozt |
| Standing Liberty | 1916–1930 | 90% silver, 10% copper | 0.1808 ozt |
| Barber | 1892–1916 | 90% silver, 10% copper | 0.1808 ozt |
| Seated Liberty | 1838–1891 | 90% silver, 10% copper | 0.1808 ozt |
| Bust (Capped Bust) | 1815–1838 | 89.24% silver | slightly less |
| 1976-S Bicentennial | 1975–1976 | 40% silver (collector only) | 0.0739 ozt |
| Washington 1965–present | 1965–now | Copper-nickel clad | 0 |
The vast majority of silver quarters in circulation are Washington quarters. Bust and early Seated Liberty quarters are old enough that most surviving examples carry collector premiums well above melt.
How Much Silver Is in a Quarter?
A 90% silver quarter weighs 6.25 grams. The silver content:
- Gross weight: 6.25 g
- Silver fraction: 90% = 5.625 g silver
- Convert to troy ounces: 5.625 g ÷ 31.1034768 g/ozt = 0.1808 ozt ASW
At spot prices of October 7, 2026 ($60.73/ozt):
Melt value = 0.1808 × $60.73 = $10.98
Use the coin melt value calculator to compute today’s live value.
How to Spot a Silver Quarter in Pocket Change
Three quick checks:
- Date: Anything 1964 or earlier is silver. No exceptions for common Washington quarters.
- Edge: Hold the coin sideways. A silver quarter shows a uniform silver-white band. A clad coin has a reddish-copper stripe through the middle.
- Ring test (optional): Drop a silver quarter on a hard surface from a few inches. It produces a high-pitched ringing tone; clad coins produce a dull thud.
Worked Example: A Roll of Silver Quarters
A standard quarter roll holds 40 coins. If all 40 are pre-1965:
| ASW per coin | 0.1808 ozt |
| Coins in roll | 40 |
| Total ASW | 7.232 ozt |
| Melt value at $60.73/ozt | $439.00 |
| Face value | $10.00 |
That roll of quarters is worth roughly 44 times its face value at October 7, 2026 spot prices.
Are There Any Post-1964 Silver Quarters?
Yes, but only in special collector products:
- 1976-S Bicentennial quarter (silver clad): Struck in 40% silver for the 1976 Bicentennial Silver Proof Set and Uncirculated sets. Contains 0.0739 ozt ASW. Not found in circulation; only from the US Mint or secondary market.
- Silver Proof Washington quarters (1992–present): The US Mint includes a 90% silver quarter in its annual Silver Proof Sets. These are 0.1808 ozt ASW but are proof coins, not junk silver.
- American Women Quarters silver proofs (2022–present): Same as above — 90% silver proof-only strikes.
None of these appear in circulation. If you find a quarter dated after 1964 in change, assume it is clad.
Key Dates Worth Extra Money
Several Washington quarters are worth more than melt value due to low mintage or collector demand:
- 1932-D and 1932-S: Key dates. Low mintage; even circulated examples can bring $100–$300+.
- 1934-D Doubled Die: Collector premium over melt.
- 1950-D/S: Relatively scarce in higher grades.
Standing Liberty quarters have several scarce dates (1916, 1918/17-S, 1923-S). Barber quarters from the 1890s in Good condition rarely bring more than a small premium over melt, but high-grade examples are collector coins.
If a quarter looks old and well-worn, it is still worth melt — but check the date before selling in bulk.
Silver Quarter Melt Values at a Glance
| Quantity | ASW | Melt at $60.73/ozt |
|---|---|---|
| 1 quarter | 0.1808 ozt | $10.98 |
| 4 quarters ($1 face) | 0.7232 ozt | $43.90 |
| 40 quarters (1 roll) | 7.232 ozt | $439.00 |
| 400 quarters ($100 face) | 72.32 ozt | $4,390 |
These figures use October 7, 2026 spot prices. The junk silver calculator applies today’s live silver price.
What Dealers Pay vs. Melt
Dealers typically pay 95–100% of melt for common-date silver quarters in any circulated grade. Worn quarters from 1950–1964 are the most liquid — easy to sell anywhere precious metals are bought. Expect offers closer to 90% of melt for very worn (AG/G) pre-1900 examples, as some buyers worry about underweight coins.
The dealer payout calculator shows the spread between melt and a typical dealer offer.
Silver vs. Clad: The Numbers Side by Side
| Quarter type | Silver content | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1965 (90% silver) | 5.625 g | $10.98 |
| 1976-S Bicentennial (40% silver) | 2.3 g | $4.49 |
| 1965–present (clad) | 0 g | $0 (metal value only) |
How to Buy Silver Quarters
Local coin dealers and online bullion dealers sell common-date silver quarters by the roll (40 coins, $10 face) or by the bag ($100–$1,000 face). Expect to pay:
- Retail (buying from dealer): 5–12% over melt for common dates (1940s–1964 Washington quarters)
- Coin shows and estate sales: Sometimes closer to melt, sometimes above if the seller knows the silver value
- Online bullion dealers: Often competitive on large lots; check total landed cost including shipping
When comparing quotes, ask for price per face dollar or price per troy ounce of silver. A quote of “$12 per quarter” equals $48 per $1 face, or about $48 ÷ 0.7232 ozt = $66.38/ozt — compare that to the silver spot price to gauge the premium.
How to Store Silver Quarters
Coin tubes (40-quarter size) are the standard storage unit. Store in a cool, dry place inside a coin safe or airtight container to minimize toning. Surface toning on silver quarters is cosmetic and does not affect melt value — dealers price circulated 90% quarters by silver content, not appearance.
For quantity tracking and value updates, the junk silver calculator lets you enter face value in dollars and calculates current melt value at the live spot price.
For more on the 40% vs. 90% silver distinction, see 90% vs. 40% silver. For the complete junk silver picture, start with what is junk silver.