United States quarters minted in 1965 do not contain any silver. Prior to 1965, circulating U.S. quarters were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. However, due to rising silver prices, the composition of the quarter was changed to a clad metal consisting of outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a core of pure copper. Therefore, the absence of the precious metal is a defining characteristic of the 1965 quarter.
The shift away from silver coinage was a significant event in U.S. numismatic history. The change reflected the increasing cost of silver relative to the face value of the coins, making it economically unsustainable to continue producing coins with a high silver content. This transition impacted the value and collectibility of pre-1965 silver coins, differentiating them from their later counterparts.