United States quarters produced in 1964 and earlier contained 90% silver and 10% copper. These coins are often referred to as “silver quarters” due to their high silver content. The presence of silver gave these coins a distinct luster and intrinsic value beyond their face value.
The switch from silver to a copper-nickel clad composition in 1965 was primarily driven by the rising cost of silver and a coin shortage. The high silver content of pre-1965 quarters made them valuable as bullion, leading to their hoarding and removal from circulation. Replacing silver with a less expensive metal alloy addressed the coin shortage and stabilized the monetary system.