Most people don't think twice about the quarters in their pocket. But for coin collectors and silver investors, a single year makes a huge difference. The gap between a 1964 and a 1965 Washington Quarter is one of the biggest dividing lines in U.S. coinage history.
The 1964 Washington Quarter was the last U.S. quarter made with 90% silver. Every one of these coins contains about 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver, which means its value rises and falls with the silver market not just its 25-cent face value.
Collectors often call these "junk silver" coins, meaning they're valued mainly for their metal content rather than being rare collectibles. But don't let the name fool you they're a practical, affordable way to own physical silver, and they remain popular with both new and experienced investors.
The 1965 Quarter: No More Silver
In 1965, the U.S. Mint made a major change. Silver prices were rising, and people were hoarding silver coins because the metal inside was worth more than the face value. To fix this, the government switched quarters and dimes to a copper-nickel "clad" composition basically a copper core with nickel outer layers.
The design stayed the same, but the silver was gone. Most 1965 quarters are worth exactly 25 cents today, unless they have a rare minting error.
It's easier than you'd think:
● Check the date - 1964 or earlier means silver; 1965 and after means clad.
● Look at the edge - Silver quarters have a solid silver-colored edge. Clad quarters show a thin copper stripe.
● Weigh it - A 1964 silver quarter weighs 6.25 grams; a 1965 clad quarter weighs about 5.67 grams.
A small number of 1965 quarters were accidentally struck on leftover silver planchets, making them highly valuable transitional errors. There are also some doubled die and off-center strike errors worth collecting. These are genuinely rare, though the overwhelming majority of 1965 quarters are standard clad coins.
Why Collectors Still Love the 1964 Quarter
The 1964 silver quarter offers a direct, tangible connection to the precious metals market. It's widely recognized and easy to buy or sell. For anyone looking to get into silver without spending a lot, these coins are a natural starting point. They are affordable and carry real metal value a combination that's hard to beat.
Ready to Add Silver Quarters to Your Collection?
Big Apple Coins is your source for buying and selling 1964 silver quarters, junk silver, and a wide range of coins and bullion. No matter what your plans are, our team knows coins inside and out and can give you transparent and competitive prices. Need a rare coin buyer near you? Come to NYC’s coin shop.
Browse our inventory online at bigapplecoins.com or shop us on eBay at cash4coins. Or, visit us at 55 W. 47th Street, Suite 430 in Midtown Manhattan — open Monday–Thursday, 11 AM–6 PM and Friday, 11 AM–5 PM to sell or buy from us. Give us a call at +1 (212)-321-0073 for any inquiries.
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