 Money Metals Exchange provides the latest precious metals news for savvy, self-reliant investors who want to invest in gold, silver & other precious metals. <p>Silver quarter years run from 1796 through 1964. All US quarters minted during this period contain 90% silver. The most common silver quarters include <strong>Barber quarters (1892-1916)</strong>, <strong>Standing Liberty quarters (1916-1930)</strong>, and <strong>Washington quarters (1932-1964)</strong>. Each silver quarter contains approximately <strong>0.1808 troy ounces of silver</strong>.</p>
<p>The table below shows the most common silver quarter years and their silver content.</p>
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<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Coin Type</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Years Minted</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Silver Content</th>
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<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Barber Quarter</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1892–1916</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">90% Silver</td>
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<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Standing Liberty</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1916–1930</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">90% Silver</td>
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<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Washington Quarter</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1932–1964</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">90% Silver</td>
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<p>These coins remain widely traded today, offering investors a low-cost way to accumulate physical silver and enter the market. This guide will explore what these coins are and how you can make them work for your portfolio.</p>
<h2 id="complete-list-of-silver-quarter-years-1796-1964">Complete List of Silver Quarter Years (1796-1964)</h2>
<p>The era of silver coinage began shortly after the ratification of the <strong>Constitution</strong>. To resolve the issue of currency, Congress passed the <strong>Coinage Act of 1792</strong>. This act established the US Mint, and it established the composition for all coins. All coins were to have a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper.</p>
<p>After that time, six iterations of silver quarters entered circulation:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Draped Bust (1796-1807)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Capped Bust (1815-1838)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Seated Liberty (1838-1891)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Barber (1892-1916)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Standing Liberty (1916-1932)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Washington (1932-1964)</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The <strong>US Mint</strong> created its first quarter in 1796, which had the Draped Bust design. The coin earned its name from the bust of Lady Liberty, who was draped in a mantle in the obverse. This coin design lasted from 1796-1807.</p>
<p>The quarter's circulation was suspended for a period of years, but in 1815, it returned with the Capped Bust design, so-called for the cap worn by Lady Liberty. This coin ran from 1815-1838.</p>
<p>Next was the Seated Liberty design, which ran from 1838 to 1891. This coin gave way to the Barber Liberty coin in 1892, which marks the first “junk silver” coin in the quarter line.</p>
<p>The first three models of quarters are generally held as numismatic coins. Their increased rarity and historical significance make them highly desirable to investors.</p>
<h2 id="when-did-the-silver-quarter-years-end">When Did The Silver Quarter Years End?</h2>
<p>Circulated dimes, <strong>quarters</strong>, and half dollars minted before 1965, when most of the silver was eliminated in US coinage, is generally referred to as “90% silver” or “<a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/junk-silver";>junk silver</a>.” The designation as “junk” simply <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/bullion/what-is-junk-silver";>differentiates circulated silver coinage</a> in varied conditions from more collectible grade coins which may be graded or have minimal wear. The U.S. government stopped producing 90% silver, precious metal, quarters beginning in 1965.</p>
<p>The three most common designs from the 1892-1964 silver quarter years offer an affordable and accessible way for inexperienced investors to start trading in silver. They are in abundant supply (with some notable exceptions) and generally have very low premiums above the spot value of the silver they contain. Keep reading for a more detailed overview of the merits of junk silver quarters.</p>
<h2 id="junk-silver-101">Junk Silver 101</h2>
<p>“<strong>Junk silver</strong>” is an informal term, mainly used in The United States (U.S.), the UK, Australia, and Canada to denote all silver coins in cull or fair circulation which have no numismatic value, are not in collectible condition, and are not worth some <em>rare investment</em>.</p>
<p>Though it might seem somewhat pejorative, the term only refers to the silver coin's <em>collectibility</em>, not the <em>value</em> of the silver they contain. <strong>Junk silver coinage</strong> is still worth the precious metal melt value.</p>
<p>Junk silver coins are often priced near the melt value - the “spot” or market price of silver multiplied by the amount of pure silver content. The lack of any high premium is mainly due to the fact these coins were made in huge quantities and collectors have very little interest.</p>
<p>Demand from <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/bullion";>bullion</a> investors is another matter. These silver coins are very popular with silver investors because they offer a combination that is hard to get elsewhere. They are official government issues and low cost.</p>
<p>Another good thing about junk silver coins is their suitability for barter. Many investors understand the US dollar could completely fail.</p>
<p>Fiat currency collapses have occurred throughout history when governments abuse the trust in them, and the dollar is certainly not immune. The small, or fractional size, of 90% silver quarters makes them ideal if needed to trade for low-value items such as groceries.</p>
<h2 id="types-of-united-states-quarter-dollars">Types of United States Quarter Dollars</h2>
<h3 id="liberty-head-barber">Liberty Head “Barber”</h3>
<p>The <strong>Liberty Head “Barber” quarter</strong>, equalling twenty-five cents (USD $0.25), was introduced in 1892, along with the rest of the Barber series of coins which included a <strong>half dollar,</strong> dime, and nickel. The designs for all four coins were created by Charles Barber, the chief engraver with the <strong>US Mint</strong> at that time.</p>
<p>Barber was chosen to design the coins after a failed competition. Few artists applied since only the winner of the contest would be awarded a cash prize and no suitable design was chosen.</p>
<p>The minting commenced in 1892 and new coins were met with mixed reception from the public. The coins were replaced in 1916 after their minimum term expired.</p>
<p>On the obverse, the coins feature the head of liberty (Barber's design) and the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The year of mintage is featured beneath the portrait of <strong>Liberty</strong>. The denomination is stamped on the reverse of the coin within a wreath. The quarter coin weighs 6.25 grams and is 24.3 mm in diameter. The silver content in each uncirculated coin is 0.1808 troy ounces, but will produce less silver after heavy circulation considering daily wear.</p>
<h3 id="standing-liberty">Standing Liberty</h3>
<p>The <strong>Standing Liberty quarter</strong> was minted from 1916 to 1930. It was introduced to replace the Barber-designed quarter. The initial design was by Hermon Atkins MacNeil, a prominent sculptor at that time.</p>
<p>Standing Liberty quarters remained in production until 1930 when it was discontinued. However, there was a production pause in 1922. The Philadelphia Mint was the primary facility producing quarters, though some quantities were made in San Francisco and Denver.</p>
<p>In its final version, the obverse of the coin features a portrait of the Standing Lady Liberty facing the viewer's right. A shield is in her left hand (viewer's right) and an olive branch is in her right. The inscription “LIBERTY” is above the portrait.</p>
<p>On the reverse, the coin features an eagle in flight as the central motif. The “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” inscription is at the top and “QUARTER DOLLAR” is inscribed at the bottom. The “E PLURIBUS UNUM” inscription and 13 stars can be found on the reverse.</p>
<p>The coin has the same weight and size specifications as the “Barber” silver quarter. It is made of the same 90% silver, 10% copper alloy, and contains 0.1808 troy ounces of silver.</p>
<h3 id="washington-quarter">Washington Quarter</h3>
<p>The <strong>Washington silver quarter</strong> was introduced in 1932. The Washington quarter has a face value of twenty-five cents (USD $0.25) as being a quarter of a dollar. Production continued until the US Mint switched over to the copper-nickel alloy in 1965. The original W<strong>ashington quarter silver coinage</strong> design by sculptor John Flanagan was chosen by Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon.</p>
<p>The coin was introduced on August 1, 1932, to commemorate 200 years since the birth of George Washington. Several minor redesigns were introduced before the coin's retirement in 1965. In 1976, a special edition marking 200 years of the United States was issued. Since then, the coin's design has been featured in several other special collections, most notably in the America the Beautiful series of coins.</p>
<p>The original coin features a bust of George Washington on the obverse, accompanied by the inscriptions “LIBERTY” above the bust, the issue date below the bust, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the right. The mint mark is also on the right side.</p>
<p>The Reverse has a bald eagle with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above and “QUARTER DOLLAR”.</p>
<p>Most coins up to 1964 were made with 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper and have the same silver content as the previous two coins.</p>
<h2 id="how-to-identify-silver-quarter-years">How To Identify Silver Quarter Years</h2>
<p>If you're not sure whether your quarter is a silver quarter, there are a few ways to gain some certainty. First, check the year on the obverse of the coin. If the year is from before 1965, there is a high likelihood it is silver.</p>
<p>However, counterfeit silver coins do exist. Alternatively, your coin may not be in the best condition, making the year hard to see.</p>
<p>So, here's another quick check. Look at the edge of your coin.</p>
<p>Silver coins famously have a bright white edge. Quarters from 1965 and on often have a reddish-brown edge, a consequence of the alloy used to craft these quarters.</p>
<p>If you want another layer of certainty, another home test you can do is weigh the coin. Silver quarters have a weight of 6.25 grams.</p>
<p>The best way to tell for sure whether your quarters are silver is to send them to a coin evaluation service, as NGC. These services specialize in determining a coin's condition and grade, which will give you a clear evaluation of your coin's composition.</p>
<h2 id="investing-in-silver-quarters">Investing in Silver Quarters</h2>
<p>Junk silver is a great option for silver investors. The coins command a small premium above the spot price of silver and are abundantly available. Official US coins often carry higher prices, but Junk silver quarters are an exception. For those who simply want highly liquid and easy-to-trade silver at low cost, these quarters will be hard to beat.</p>
<p>Junk Silver quarters were made until 1964 when the US Mint switched over to copper-nickel alloy. Along with junk silver dimes, they are one of the most affordable ways to buy silver bullion. There are three designs of silver quarter coins still widely available.</p>
<p>Despite the “junk” nickname, these quarters are quite popular with investors and will always be easy to trade.</p> 
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