The process of determining whether a United States quarter contains silver involves examining specific characteristics to distinguish it from later, non-silver coinage. This typically entails checking the coin’s date and potentially verifying its metallic composition through weight or edge examination. For instance, quarters minted in 1964 and earlier are generally composed of 90% silver.
Recognizing these valuable coins is important for collectors and those interested in precious metals. Their silver content grants them an intrinsic value beyond their face value, often tied to the current market price of silver. Historically, the switch from silver to clad coinage reflects fluctuations in metal prices and government economic policies.
