Most United States Mint quarters were struck in 90% silver before 1965, which makes them highly sought after by investors and collectors alike. Silver quarters have a melt value significantly higher than their face value due to their metal content.
For those looking to begin investing in silver, identifying the quarter years that contain silver is essential. These coins are widely available, accessible, and a great way to diversify a silver portfolio.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what quarters are silver, how to confirm a coin’s metal content, and which rare quarters produced prior to 1965 are the most valuable. Let’s start by exploring which quarter years contain silver.
Which Quarter Years Contain Silver?
United States Mint Quarters Containing 90% Silver
The U.S. Mint produced quarters with 90% silver from 1796 to 1964. These include the following:
- Washington Quarters (1932-1964): These are the most common silver quarters minted in 1964 or before, which show George Washington on the obverse while featuring a heraldic eagle clutching arrows on the reverse.
- Standing Liberty Quarters (1916-1930): These quarters contain a more intricate reverse image that features Lady Liberty and an eagle in flight.
- Barber Quarters (1892-1916): Created by Charles E. Barber, these coins are often referred to as “junk silver,” yet they still hold considerable melt value.
- Seated Liberty Quarters (1838-1891): These silver quarters are highly collectible due to their historical significance.
- Capped Bust Quarters (1815-1838): Each of these quarters contains a total of 0.180848 ounces of silver.
However, there are also special and proof silver quarters that were released for specific occasions.
Special and Proof Silver Quarters
Some quarters contained silver in special releases, including these rare silver coins:
- Bicentennial Quarters (1976): Some were minted in 40% silver with an “S” mintmark from the San Francisco Mint.
- Modern Silver Proof Quarters (1992 – Present): The San Francisco Mint produced these for collectors, each with 90% silver metal content.
However, how do you identify what silver quarters you have? Fortunately, there are some ways to identify these U.S. coins.
How to Identify a Silver Quarter
U.S. coins are sometimes difficult to identify if you don’t know what to look for. However, for those looking to acquire silver, here are some tips to look for quarters minted that could yield a sizable profit.
1. Look for Quarters Years That Contain Silver
First, the most important clue you’ll see is the year. All U.S. quarters you need that are minted in 1964 or earlier contain 90% silver, including Washington Quarters. If you can find quarters that contained silver from 1934 to 1949, they are even rarer because no quarters were minted at San Francisco’s mint during this time.
2. Check the Coin’s Edge
A silver quarter is easy to identify because the edge will be silver all the way through. Modern clad quarters, on the other hand, will have a different metal sandwiched inside so the edge will look copper-colored, not silver.
3. Examine the Coin’s Luster and Weight
Silver coins typically have a distinct shine that makes them easy to spot compared to modern quarters. This clue–the particular luster–gives these quarters away, but so does their weight. Coins struck in 90% silver weigh 6.25 grams, while post-1965 quarters weigh 5.67 grams because they are made with copper and nickel, too.
4. Mint Marks and Key Dates
If you want to find rare quarters produced, then you have to look for mint marks and specific dates. Washington Quarters will vary in their value, which is something that every savvy buyer must know. However, the 1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters are key dates that have low mintage, which makes these exceptionally rare.
The Value of Silver Quarters
If you are interested in a way to begin investing at a low cost, these coins are available, accessible, and in abundance. However, you should know that silver quarters vary in their value significantly. Let’s take a look at why.
The Basics of Junk Silver and Melt Value
Many U.S. coins are sometimes referred to as “junk silver,” which refers to silver coins that lack silver numismatic value but still are valued for their silver content. The silver investors’ primary concern with these coins is in their silver content. Each silver quarter contains 0.180848 ounces of silver. If you want to determine the melt value of silver quarters like “junk silver,” then you need to multiply the total silver content by the current silver spot price.
Quarter Value by Type and Condition
Quarter value varies based on their condition, even though they are accessible and their metal is not as rare as you’d think:
- Circulated Silver Quarters: These are primarily valued for their silver content, which gives them a considerable amount of attention.
- Uncirculated and Proof Quarters: These are more expensive quarters with silver numismatic value to collectors.
- Rare Quarters Produced Prior to 1965: Collectors and investors who still find rare quarters like this may have coins with additional value compared to others.
Where to Sell and Buy Silver Quarters
Fortunately, there are many places to shop for silver quarters, which makes buying junk silver and rare coins even easier. You can buy and sell silver quarters like the Washington Quarters at precious metal dealers, like APMEX and JM Bullion. APMEX has every buyer demographic you can think of.
You can also visit local coin shops and pawn shops, or go to online marketplaces. However, beware of scams! Online scams are part of why many go to shop in person–and it is an excellent way to begin your silver investing journey.
Rare Silver Quarters to Look For
Finding a silver quarter is simple, but what about finding a rare one? You have to know what year and mint location the rarer coins come from. They may vary in collectible value, but there are many to choose from and search for:
- 1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters: This form of U.S. quarters is rare and sought-after because they had low mintage during these years.
- 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter: For silver investors, primary interest is given to these coins because they are a first-year issue and are extremely unique.
- 1896-S, 1901-S, and 1913-S Barber Quarters: These are rare San Francisco-minted quarters that are great for buyers to search for.
- 1796 Draped Bust Quarter: These coins were struck as the first ever batch of currency for the country, which makes them extremely rare and valuable.
- 1950-D/S Overmint Quarter: Every buyer buying silver should look for a coin error with an “S” under the “D” mintmark to find these quarters.
These are some of the rarest silver quarters currently available. If you have a primary interest in silver quarters and would like to start investing or buying junk silver for fun, let’s look at some ways to start.
How to Start Investing in Silver Quarters
Buying junk silver is fun and accessible for investors of all levels. Now that you know the importance of the production year and mint, you can start your search for silver Washington Quarters and other coins. However, here’s where to start and how to find 90% silver quarter collections.
First, start by finding silver in the form of 90% silver quarters. This can help you stock up on the precious metal. It’s also an excellent hedge against inflation. No matter what year, quarters are silver and will always have a unique value that is protected. Silver as these coins are an excellent way to begin investing in silver bullion.