INDEXQuarters minted 1964 and earlier are 90% silver and contain 0.1808 troy oz of silver — about $10.62 at today's silver price. Quarters dated 1965 and later contain no silver.
Quarters struck under other silver standards: 1796–1838 (0.1934 troy oz), 1838–1853 (0.1934 troy oz), and 1853–1873 (0.1800 troy oz).
Spot price as of July 21, 2026
Quarters by era
| Years | Composition | Weight | Fineness | ASW | Melt value | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1796–1838 Draped Bust & Capped Bust | 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper | 6.74 g | 89.24% | 0.1934 oz | $11.36 | Draped Bust Quarter, Capped Bust Quarter |
1838–1853 Liberty Seated, no arrows | 90% Silver, 10% Copper | 6.68 g | 90% | 0.1934 oz | $11.36 | Liberty Seated Quarter |
1853–1873 Liberty Seated, reduced weight | 90% Silver, 10% Copper | 6.22 g | 90% | 0.1800 oz | $10.57 | Liberty Seated Quarter |
1873–1964 90% silver standard | 90% Silver, 10% Copper | 6.25 g | 90% | 0.1808 oz | $10.62 | Liberty Seated Quarter, Barber Quarter, Standing Liberty Quarter, Washington Quarter |
1965–present Copper-nickel clad | Copper-Nickel Clad Copper (no silver) | 5.67 g | 0% | Contains no silver | No melt value | Washington Quarter, State Quarter, America the Beautiful Quarter |
- Covers late Liberty Seated, Barber, Standing Liberty and silver Washington quarters.
- Circulating quarters dated 1965 or later contain no silver.
Collector issues (proof and commemorative)
These never circulated, so they are not part of the answer above — a quarter pulled from change is never one of them.
| Years | Composition | Weight | Fineness | ASW | Melt value | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1975–1976 40% silver Bicentennial collector issues | 40% Silver, 60% Copper (clad) | 5.75 g | 40% | 0.0739 oz | $4.34 | Washington Quarter |
1992–present Silver proof sets | 90% Silver, 10% Copper | 6.25 g | 90% | 0.1808 oz | $10.62 | Washington Quarter, State Quarter, America the Beautiful Quarter |