A United States quarter dollar struck in 1965 and composed of silver is a coin of particular interest to collectors and precious metal investors. Prior to 1965, circulating U.S. quarters were made of 90% silver and 10% copper. In 1965, due to rising silver prices, the composition of the quarter was changed to a clad composition of copper-nickel layered on a core of pure copper.
The switch to a clad metal composition renders quarters dated 1964 and earlier desirable for their intrinsic silver value, while those dated 1965 and later typically lack this precious metal content (excluding some errors or special issues). The pre-1965 silver content provides these coins with a value that fluctuates with the market price of silver. Furthermore, the historical significance of these coins as the last widely circulated silver coinage in the United States adds to their collectibility.
