How Much Is a Silver Quarter Worth Today?
Silver quarter melt value table
| Quantity | Face value | Silver (ozt) | Melt value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.25 | 0.1808 | $9.75 |
| 4 | $1.00 | 0.7234 | $39.00 |
| 10 | $2.50 | 1.8084 | $97.51 |
| 40 (1 roll) | $10.00 | 7.2336 | $390.03 |
| 100 | $25.00 | 18.0840 | $975.06 |
| 400 (10 rolls) | $100.00 | 72.3360 | $3,900.26 |
Melt (metal) value only. Key dates such as the 1932-D and 1932-S Washington quarters, rare mint marks and high-grade coins are worth more than melt.
Which quarters are silver?
- Barber quarter (1892–1916): 90% silver, 6.25 g, 0.18084 ozt.
- Standing Liberty quarter (1916–1930): 90% silver, 6.25 g, 0.18084 ozt.
- Washington quarter (1932–1964): 90% silver, 6.25 g, 0.18084 ozt.
- Washington quarter (1965 onward): copper-nickel clad, 5.67 g, no silver.
- 1976-S bicentennial (collector sets): 40% silver clad, about 0.0739 ozt.
- Silver proof sets (1992 onward): 90% silver (and .999 from 2019), sold only to collectors.
The 0.18084 figure comes from 6.25 g × 0.90 = 5.625 g of silver, divided by 31.1035 g per troy ounce.
How to tell a silver quarter from a clad quarter
1. Check the date
Any circulating US quarter dated 1964 or earlier is 90% silver. Any circulating quarter dated 1965 or later is clad. This alone settles nearly every case.
2. Look at the edge
Stack your quarters and look at the reeded edge. A silver quarter has a uniform silver-white edge. A clad quarter shows a distinct copper-colored stripe between two nickel layers.
3. Weigh it
A silver quarter weighs 6.25 g; a clad quarter weighs 5.67 g. A pocket scale that reads to 0.01 g can tell them apart instantly, even through some wear.
4. Listen to the ring
Dropped gently on a hard surface, silver coins give a higher, longer ring than clad coins, which sound duller. It is a useful quick sort but less reliable than weight.
Worked example: a jar of old quarters
Say you sorted a coin jar and found 23 silver Washington quarters. They contain 23 × 0.18084 = 4.1593 ozt of silver. At today's spot of $53.92/oz that is $224.26 — compared with a face value of just $5.75. If you have a full $10 roll (40 coins), the silver content is 7.2336 ozt; circulated rolls typically lose a little to wear, which is why dealers value junk silver at about 0.715 ozt per $1 face, or roughly $385.52 for $10 face.
Selling silver quarters
Common silver quarters are sold as "junk silver" and are usually quoted per $1 face value or as a multiple of face. Before selling, set aside the 1932-D and 1932-S, any uncirculated coins and anything with an obvious error — those can be worth well above melt. For the full range of US silver coins, use the silver coin melt value calculator, or track the market on the silver price page.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a silver quarter worth?
A 90% silver quarter dated 1964 or earlier contains 0.18084 troy oz of silver. Its melt value is 0.18084 times the live silver spot price. Rare dates, mint marks and high grades can be worth more.
What is a 1964 quarter worth in silver?
A 1964 Washington quarter is 90% silver and contains 0.18084 troy oz, the same as every Washington quarter from 1932 to 1964. Common 1964 and 1964-D quarters usually trade near melt value.
Are 1965 quarters silver?
No. Starting in 1965 circulating quarters are copper-nickel clad over a copper core and contain no silver. The exceptions are 40% silver 1976-S bicentennial collector coins and silver proof sets from 1992 onward.
How can I tell if a quarter is silver?
Check the date first: 1964 or earlier means silver. Then look at the edge — silver quarters have a solid silver-colored edge, while clad quarters show a copper stripe. A silver quarter weighs 6.25 g versus 5.67 g for clad.
How much is a roll of silver quarters worth?
A standard roll holds 40 quarters, $10 face value, containing 7.2336 troy oz of silver. Multiply that by the silver spot price for the melt value of an uncirculated roll; worn rolls hold slightly less.
Are Standing Liberty and Barber quarters silver?
Yes. Barber quarters (1892–1916) and Standing Liberty quarters (1916–1930) are 90% silver with the same 0.18084 troy oz silver content as a pre-1965 Washington quarter.