United States quarters, a circulating denomination of currency, were historically composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition provided the coins with a intrinsic value tied to the precious metal content. These coins are often referred to as “silver quarters” and are easily identifiable by their date.
The shift away from silver coinage occurred primarily due to the rising price of silver in the early 1960s. As the value of silver increased, the intrinsic worth of the silver in the coins began to exceed their face value of 25 cents. This situation created an incentive for individuals to melt down the coins for their silver content, leading to a potential shortage of circulating currency. The government recognized the need to address this economic pressure.