Silver Quarters Value Guide
Before 1965, every quarter in your pocket contained real silver - 90% pure. Today, a single pre-1965 quarter holds more purchasing power than its 25-cent face value suggests. That's what real money looks like.
Three Types of Silver Quarters
Barber Quarter
1892-1916
Liberty head design by Charles Barber. Known for wear-prone surfaces. The 1901-S is a major rarity worth $2,500+ even worn.
Standing Liberty
1916-1930
Beautiful art deco design. Type 1 (1916-17) shows Liberty's bare breast. Dates often worn off, affecting values. Full Head specimens are prized.
Washington Quarter
1932-1964 (silver)
Most common silver quarter. Key dates are 1932-D and 1932-S. Best value for silver stacking. Still in use today (clad).
Washington Quarter Values (1932-1964)
The most common and affordable silver quarters. Key dates are 1932-D and 1932-S. Most circulated specimens trade at small premiums over melt value.
| Year | Mint | G-4 | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | XF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-65 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | P | $6 | $7 | $8 | $10 | $18 | $40 | $70 | $250 | First year |
| 1932-D | D | $100 | $130 | $160 | $220 | $380 | $700 | $1200 | $5,000 | Key date |
| 1932-S | S | $100 | $120 | $140 | $180 | $280 | $500 | $800 | $3,000 | Key date |
| 1934 | P | $5 | $6 | $7 | $10 | $22 | $55 | $100 | $400 | Common |
| 1934-D | D | $5 | $6 | $8 | $18 | $50 | $120 | $250 | $1,100 | Scarcer |
| 1935 | P | $5 | $6 | $6.5 | $8 | $15 | $35 | $60 | $200 | Common |
| 1935-D | D | $5 | $6 | $8 | $15 | $45 | $100 | $200 | $800 | Scarcer |
| 1935-S | S | $5 | $6 | $7 | $12 | $35 | $80 | $160 | $700 | Scarcer |
| 1936 | P | $5 | $5.5 | $6 | $8 | $14 | $28 | $50 | $150 | Common |
| 1936-D | D | $5 | $6 | $8 | $25 | $80 | $200 | $350 | $1,400 | Semi-key |
| 1937 | P | $5 | $5.5 | $6 | $8 | $12 | $25 | $45 | $130 | Common |
| 1937-S | S | $5 | $6 | $9 | $25 | $70 | $140 | $250 | $900 | Semi-key |
| 1938-S | S | $5 | $6 | $10 | $30 | $80 | $150 | $280 | $800 | Semi-key |
| 1939 | P | $5 | $5.5 | $6 | $7 | $10 | $20 | $35 | $100 | Common |
| 1940 | P | $5 | $5.5 | $6 | $7 | $9 | $18 | $30 | $80 | Common |
| 1950-D/S | D | $15 | $20 | $30 | $60 | $100 | $150 | $220 | $600 | Overdate |
| 1964 | P | $5 | $5 | $5.5 | $6 | $7 | $9 | $12 | $35 | Last silver |
| 1964-D | D | $5 | $5 | $5.5 | $6 | $7 | $9 | $12 | $35 | Last silver |
| Common | Any | $5 | $5 | $5.5 | $6 | $8 | $12 | $20 | $60 | Most dates |
Standing Liberty Quarter Values (1916-1930)
Beautiful art deco design by Hermon MacNeil. The exposed date wore quickly, so many coins have illegible or weak dates. Full Head (FH) specimens are highly prized.
| Year | Mint | G-4 | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | XF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-65 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | P | $3,500 | $5,000 | $7,000 | $10,000 | $14,000 | $18,000 | $24,000 | $50,000 | Key date - 52,000 minted |
| 1917 Type 1 | P | $20 | $30 | $50 | $80 | $140 | $220 | $340 | $1,000 | Bare breast design |
| 1917 Type 2 | P | $20 | $28 | $40 | $60 | $100 | $160 | $250 | $750 | Chain mail design |
| 1918/7-S | S | $1,200 | $2,000 | $3,500 | $6,000 | $12,000 | $22,000 | $40,000 | $150,000 | Overdate key |
| 1919-D | D | $50 | $80 | $150 | $280 | $500 | $850 | $1,400 | $4,500 | Semi-key |
| 1919-S | S | $50 | $80 | $150 | $280 | $550 | $950 | $1,600 | $5,500 | Semi-key |
| 1921 | P | $120 | $200 | $300 | $450 | $700 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $4,000 | Low mintage |
| 1923-S | S | $180 | $280 | $400 | $600 | $900 | $1,300 | $2,000 | $7,000 | Key date |
| 1927-S | S | $25 | $40 | $80 | $200 | $600 | $1,400 | $3,000 | $25,000 | Rare MS |
| Common | Any | $10 | $15 | $25 | $45 | $80 | $140 | $220 | $600 | Most dates |
Date Visibility: Standing Liberty quarters have exposed dates that wore quickly. Coins with partial or weak dates are valued as "dateless" at lower prices (typically $6-10). Always check the date carefully.
Barber Quarter Values (1892-1916)
Liberty head design used across dimes, quarters, and half dollars. Many dates are scarce in high grades. The 1901-S is one of the rarest US coins.
| Year | Mint | G-4 | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | XF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-65 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1892 | P | $6 | $15 | $35 | $60 | $100 | $160 | $250 | $700 | First year |
| 1896-S | S | $100 | $350 | $800 | $1,500 | $2,800 | $4,500 | $7,000 | $22,000 | Key date |
| 1901-S | S | $2,500 | $5,000 | $12,000 | $25,000 | $45,000 | $70,000 | $100,000 | $250,000 | Major key |
| 1913-S | S | $500 | $1,500 | $4,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 | $28,000 | $80,000 | Key date |
| Common | Any | $5 | $10 | $25 | $50 | $90 | $150 | $240 | $650 | Most dates |
Silver Quarter Melt Value Calculator
Silver Content
- Weight: 6.25 grams total
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
- Pure Silver: 0.1808 troy ounces
- Per $1 Face: 0.7234 oz silver
Quick Math @ $25/oz
- 1 quarter = $4.52 melt value
- 4 quarters ($1 face) = $18.08
- 40 quarters ($10 face) = $180.83
- $1,000 face value = $18,083
Most dealers buy at 95-98% of melt and sell at 103-110% for common dates.
Use Full CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
What are silver quarters worth?
Silver quarters (1932-1964) are worth at minimum their melt value of approximately $4.50 based on 0.1808 oz of silver content. Common circulated Washington quarters typically sell for $5-7. Key dates like 1932-D and 1932-S can be worth $100-500+ even in lower grades. Standing Liberty and Barber quarters carry additional numismatic premiums.
What year quarters are silver?
US quarters contain 90% silver from 1892-1964. This includes Barber quarters (1892-1916), Standing Liberty quarters (1916-1930), and Washington quarters (1932-1964). Starting in 1965, quarters were changed to copper-nickel clad. Some special collector issues (bicentennial proofs, silver proof sets) from 1976 and 1992-present contain 90% or 40% silver.
Which silver quarters are most valuable?
The most valuable silver quarters include: 1916 Standing Liberty ($3,000-100,000+), 1918/7-S Standing Liberty overdate ($1,000-50,000+), 1932-D Washington ($100-3,000+), 1932-S Washington ($100-2,000+), 1896-S Barber ($100-10,000+), and 1901-S Barber ($2,000-100,000+). Full Head Standing Liberty quarters and Full Bell Lines Washington quarters in MS grades command high premiums.
How can I tell if a quarter is silver?
Check the date first - 1964 or earlier means silver. You can also check the edge: silver quarters have a solid gray/silver edge, while clad quarters show a copper stripe. Silver quarters weigh 6.25 grams vs 5.67 grams for clad. Silver also has a distinctive 'ring' when dropped, while clad coins sound duller.
Are silver quarters a good investment?
Silver quarters offer tangible precious metal ownership at affordable entry points. Common dates trade near melt value with low premiums, making them cost-effective for silver stacking. They're highly recognizable, divisible, and liquid. However, 90% silver coins are not IRA-eligible. For retirement accounts, consider .999 fine silver bullion products that meet IRS requirements.
From Pocket Change to Retirement Security
Silver quarters remind us what money used to be - real, tangible, valuable. While 90% silver coins aren't IRA-eligible, Augusta Precious Metals can help you protect your retirement with .999 fine silver in a tax-advantaged account.