YearĬopper-nickel core, clad with copper-nickel Silver is non-magnetic, so if your quarter sticks to a magnet, it’s not silver. If it does, you can also perform a magnet test to determine its composition. Use a kitchen scale to weigh the coin, and see if it falls within the weight range of silver quarters (between 6.0 and 6.25 grams). Silver quarters are made of 90% silver, while modern quarters are made of a copper-nickel alloy. If you’re unsure whether your quarter is silver, you can use a simple test to check its composition. Edge: The edge of a silver quarter is completely smooth while the modern quarter has reeding, which are the small ridges around the edge of the coin.Color: Silver quarters have a dull gray appearance compared to the shiny and bright silver color of modern quarters.Weight: Silver quarters weigh 6.25 grams while modern quarters weigh 5.67 grams.Understanding the history of silver quarters in the US will give you a deeper appreciation for these traditional coins and their value.Ĭompared to today’s modern quarters, silver quarters minted before 1965 have distinct characteristics that set them apart: Moreover, silver quarters are considerably heavier compared to the new ones due to their silver content. The edge of modern American quarters features ridges instead of smooth edges that were commonly found on silver quarters. Nowadays, if you look at modern quarters, you’ll notice that they have a different composition. It is the same mixture that is used for the modern-day American quarter. Instead, all quarters were going to be minted using a copper-nickel alloy that consists of 8.33% nickel and 91.67% copper. The Coinage Act of 1965 declared that America would no longer produce silver quarters, which marked a significant change in the American currency system. However, it also led to its eventual demise when the Coinage Act of 1965 was passed. It had an unprecedented value compared to other currencies during that time. Notably, 1964 was the last year that the US Mint produced silver quarters that contained and circulated with 90% silver content. 1946-1964: The obverse of the coin featured the left-facing head of Lady Liberty, with the reverse displaying a bald eagle with spread wings and clutching an olive branch with the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” above. 1916-1945: During this period, the obverse of the coin featured the Roman figurehead Mercury and the reverse displayed a bundle of sticks or fasces.All three had a beautiful design, were composed of the same material, and were in use for a long time. It was a treasured coin, similar to the Walking Liberty Half Dollar and the Standing Liberty Quarter. The Mercury Dime was introduced in 1916 and became America’s favorite silver dime. From that date, the US Mint produced different versions of silver quarters until 1965.īefore 1965, silver quarters were composed of 90% Silver and 10% copper. The US Mint started creating silver quarters in 1796, four years after the first American silver dollar was introduced. Silver quarters are traditionally known for their unique appearance and high-value. If you’re an avid collector of coins, then you probably have some knowledge about silver quarters. An excellent way to find out if your coin is silver is by weighing it, but we’ll get into that a bit later. It’s important to note that while some 1965 quarters are silver, not every coin carrying the S mint mark has a silver composition. If you have a 1965 quarter with an S mint mark, you’re in luck! These coins are made of 40% silver and can be worth a decent amount. Coins minted in Philadelphia have no mint mark, while S stands for San Francisco, and D stands for Denver. So, how can you tell if a 1965 quarter is silver? The easiest way to do this is by checking the “mint mark” on the coin. However, there were still some silver quarters minted in 1965 that are highly sought after by collectors. From then on, quarters became a mix of copper and nickel, producing the silver-colored coin we see today. Mint changed the composition of the coin in the middle of 1965. While quarters minted before 1965 were made of 90% silver and 10% copper, the U.S. But how can you tell?įinding out if a 1965 quarter is silver or not requires a bit of know-how and some basic understanding of the coin’s history. Do you have a 1965 quarter lying around? The good news is that some 1965 quarters are indeed silver. While it’s easier to spot the silver quarters from the earlier years, it can be a little trickier with coins minted later on. As a coin collector, I’m sure you have sought after those elusive silver quarters that can fetch quite the pretty penny.
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