What quarters should I look for?
Silver Quarters (Pre-1965)
All U.S. quarters minted in 1964 or earlier are 90% silver. Their melt value fluctuates with the silver spot price; as of recent years, a silver quarter is worth roughly $3 to $5 in circulated condition. Even common dates are worth saving for their silver content.
Key dates and mintmarks to watch for include the 1932-D and 1932-S Washington quarters, which can be worth $100 or more in circulated grades. The 1916 Standing Liberty quarter is another rare date, but it's unlikely to be found in pocket change.
- 1964 and earlier: 90% silver
- 1932-D, 1932-S: key dates
- 1916 Standing Liberty: rare
- Check for wear and mintmarks
Modern Quarters with Errors
Quarters from 1965 to the present are copper-nickel clad and generally worth only face value. However, mint errors can make them valuable. Common errors include off-center strikes, broadstrikes, and doubled dies.
For example, a 1999-P Connecticut quarter with a major doubled die on the reverse can sell for $50 or more. Also, the 2004-D Wisconsin quarter with an extra leaf on the corn stalk is a popular error worth $20–$100 depending on condition.
- Look for off-center strikes
- Check for doubled dies
- 2004-D Wisconsin extra leaf
- 1999-P Connecticut doubled die
Common mistakes
- Thinking all old quarters are silver—only those dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver.
- Assuming any quarter with a minor anomaly is a valuable error; most imperfections are just damage.
- Overlooking mintmarks—a quarter's value can vary greatly depending on where it was minted (e.g., D vs. S).
