United States quarters composed of 90% silver and 10% copper were a standard part of American coinage for many years. These coins, often referred to as “silver quarters,” held significant intrinsic value due to their precious metal content. The end of their production marked a shift in U.S. coinage composition.
The discontinuation of silver in circulating quarters was primarily driven by economic factors. The rising price of silver during the early to mid-1960s made the silver content of the coins worth more than their face value. This created a situation where individuals were incentivized to melt down the coins for their silver, depleting the circulating supply. Replacing silver with a cheaper metal allowed the Mint to stabilize the coinage system and maintain an adequate supply of quarters for commerce.
