People who randomly find silver quarters in their pockets sometimes stop and ask themselves – “how much is a silver quarter worth?”
It is a straightforward question, and yet there is no straightforward answer to it.
Why?
Quarters minted between the ‘30s and ‘60s are made of 90% silver and are highly popular among collectors and investors.
If you keep reading, you will find all about the different types of quarters and their actual worth.
How It All Started: The Introduction of The Washington Quarter
The Washington Quarter is the first commemorative silver coin. The coin was born in 1931 when the Treasury Department wanted to honor George Washinton. On the front side of the coin, you will notice the portrait of Washington himself.
The design of the coin was the result of John Flanagan, a famous coin engraver. The first few quarters rolled off in 1932 throughout the U.S. However, due to the Great Depression, the U.S. Mint decided not to produce any quarters in 1933. In the next year, the demand for quarters rose again, so he continued using the great George Washington design. Today, we use the same model.
How to Calculate the Value of Any U.S Silver Quarter?
Want to know how much is a silver quarter worth? You can calculate the value of any silver quarter by multiplying the silver content with the current market silver price. Each 90% silver quarter contains 0,18084 troy oz of fine silver. One ounce of silver is equal to 5.5. Silver quarters. If you have an old quarter (minted before 1930), it is likely valued higher.
What do experts consider as fine silver?
The procedure for grading silver purity is known as millesimal fineness and is expressed in decimal numbers. Any silver coin used for trade or investment must be 99.9% pure or .999. Investment-grade pure silver is approved with an authentication confirming its purity.
Silver coins produced for general use contain silver with a purity of between 80-90%.
Each silver quarter has a different value. The price depends on the purity of the silver and the year the coin is produced. Before 1965, all dimes in the U.S were made of 90% silver and 10% copper. In 1965, the Coinage Act changed the structure to reduce the silver content. Quarters were replaced with a composition that was 75% copper and 25% nickel.
When people talk about silver quarters, they refer to the George Washington quarts, which were minted between 1932 and 1964. These quarters have an 8000% higher value compared to the current silver-coin versions.
Besides the Washington silver quarter, there are two other types of coins that have a high value.
The “Barber”, or the Liberty Head quarter, was first introduced in 1892 along with the whole Barber series of coins. The designs for all coins were created by the chief engraver at the time, Charles Barber. The coins feature the iconic head of liberty and the “United States of America” inscription. The quarter coin weighs 6.25 grams, and the silver content is 0.179 troy ounces.
The Standing Liberty is another valuable silver quarter, minted between 1916 and 1930. It was designed to replace the Barber quarter and remained in production until 1930. The “United States of America” inscription is at the top of the coin, while on the reverse side, the coin features an eagle in flight. The coin has the same size specifications and weight as the “Barber” coin. It is made of 90% silver and contains 0.179 ounces of silver.
What Are Error (Transitional) Coins?
The last batch of silver coins (90% pure) was made in 1964. After that, manufacturers started producing copper-nickel quarters and dimes. All of the coins in the 1965 batch should have contained copper-nickel, but some of them (a few) were still minted with 90% silver. The coins that were a result of this mix-up are rare or error coins, which today have a value of thousands of dollars.
Today, the silver quarter (from 1965) is worth above $4,000, while the 1965 silver coin was sold at an auction for $7,050.
Here are some of the errors that can occur during the minting process:
- Double die reverse – Check the coin and look closely at the letters “quarter dollar.” If it is struck twice, the coin’s value varies between $25-$175.
- Double die obverse – The letters “liberty” and “In God, we trust” should be doubled. In 1965 the doubling was not apparent. If you notice this error, the silver quarter is worth $450 to $1100.
- Double-struck – Multi- or double-struck occurs when the quarter is struck more than once. Coins with this kind of error are sold for $400.
- Off-center – When the coin is not adequately centered, it causes deformation of the circular shape. The higher the percentage of off-center, the more expensive the quarter is. Rarity is what makes one coin more valuable than others, so you can expect to sell this type of quarter for a couple of hundred dollars.
- Double tail – When both sides of the coin are reversed, it is called a double tail coin. Only three of the double tail quarters were discovered until now. A coin with double tail error is sold for tens of thousands of dollars.
Identifying Rare & Valuable Silver Quarters
Is there a way to identify a rare silver quarter from 1964?
Yes, and it is pretty easy to do so. All you need to do is weigh your old quarter on a gram scale.
All Washington quarters have a weight of 6.25g (with minimal differences), while the copper-nickel coins weigh 5.67g. If you got a quarter with a higher weight than 6g, it is worth inspecting its value.
Here is how to determine if a quarter is 90% silver:
- Check the mintage year
- Inspect the coloration (the specific shine of 90% silver will confirm the metal content)
- Watch the edge (the edge of the coin should be all the way silver)
What Are Bicentennial Quarters and How Much Are They Worth?
Bicentennial quarters are those made between 1776 and 1976. They are worth between $5 and $10 in Mint State. The price is determined based on where the coin was made and its condition. The Bicentennial quarters were produced to honor America’s 200th birthday.
Not all bicentennial quarters contain silver. Quarters with an “S” mintmark mean they were minted at the San Francisco Mint, and each contains 40% silver or a total of 0.739 troy oz.
How to Grade Silver Quarters
The most valuable silver quarters are the Washington quarters. To determine the value and calculate the worth of your coin, it is essential to learn how to grade different quarters.
The lowest value silver coins are in “good condition,” while the highest value quarters are in “uncirculated condition.” By inspecting the design and the details, one can determine the “uncirculated condition.” The most apparent feature is a dull surface.
If the quarter is lightly worn, it is considered to be in an “excellent” condition. You can notice signs of abrasion in the middle of the coin.
“Fine” is still an acceptable condition for silver coins. In this case, the design and details of the coin will be worn to the point of blending. If all significant features are evident, but the letters have started to merge, it is a signal that the coin is in “good” condition.
How to Use A Silver Quarter Melt Value Calculator?
Using a silver quarter melt value calculator will help you determine the total coin value of your Washington, Standing Liberty, or Barber quarters. You can calculate by weight, face value, rolls of quarters, or quantity. The calculator will determine what the silver in your quarter is worth and will not include the base metal value.
Want to Learn More?
If you want to learn more about silver quarter worth, don’t hesitate to contact Oxford Gold Group Partners at (833) 600-GOLD.
