As we enter a new period of economic uncertainty, precious metals are attracting more interest. The price of silver has been low since 2014. But like other precious metals, silver is considered by many to be a “safe haven asset”. Those are the assets that many investors flock to when bad news is broken. This makes silver similar to gold, but less predictable and less expensive. Silver has proven to be slightly more volatile than gold over the last year, but its price has risen, if at a slower pace than gold.
If you want to invest in silver, there are many ways you can do so. But one of the cheaper ways is by acquiring silver quarters. So, let’s go over what silver quarters are and their value.
In case you want to get a head start and jump into investing in silver quarters right away, head on over to SD Bullion by clicking the link below where you'll find Silver Quarters and Silver Coins at the lowest possible prices!
Silver Quarters: What are Quarters Made Of?
Silver quarters are an easy way for beginner precious metal investors to get started. But you need to know which silver quarters are worth your time and money. Silver is valuable, but not all silver quarters are created with the same standards.
US Mint Silver Quarters
These are the most reliable silver quarters you can invest in. The US Mint has minted three silver quarters that are 90% silver in the past:
Liberty Head Barber
Standing Liberty
Washington
These three minted coins come with a standardized purity of 90% silver. The other 10% is copper. These coins fall under the umbrella term “coin silver”, which refers to minted coins of a 90% silver alloy.
If you want to ensure purity as a beginner, the three coins mentioned above are the best way to do so. The US has been making silver coins throughout its history. But these coins’ silver content ranges from 35% to 90%. So, it’s best to stick with the reputable names for coin silver.
When Did The US Mint Stop Making Silver Quarters?
The three reliable coin silver quarters we mentioned above were produced from 1892 until 1964. They are still abundant in the US economy. But their value is in part affected by the fact that coin silver quarters stopped being produced in 1964. If you keep an eye open, you may even find a silver coin in your change from the local corner store.
Junk Silver
Junk silver refers to a silver coin in circulation that has no numismatic value and isn’t a collectible. The term only refers to the coin’s collectibility and isn’t indicative of the purity of the silver in the coin. So, junk silver coins offer their value in silver, as they’re not very attractive to most investors.
If you want to make money with junk silver coins, bullion investors are the ones that will buy your coins. That’s because bullion investors are interested in the coin’s silver value. Junk silver coins offer them the value they’re looking for in silver. Junk silver coins are also government-issued and cheap, making them more secure. Should the US Dollar face a crisis, silver quarters are still worth the silver they contain, making them a reliable bartering tool during difficult times.
What is the Value of Silver Quarters?
Silver quarters are worth both their silver and the $0.25 that a quarter is worth. As an example, the silver in an 1892-1916 Barber quarter is worth $3.1503 in just it’s silver as of the time of writing. The coin weighs 6.25 grams, 90% of which is silver and 10% of which is copper. Because the coin is also a valid quarter, it’s worth as of the time of writing is $3.4003.
Determining the value of your silver quarter is simple. The only catch is you need to know it’s exact weight and the purity of the coin’s silver. For a standard coin silver quarter, that would be 90%. So, let’s use the example of the 1892-1916 Barber quarter again. For this example, let’s assume the value of silver is $20 per ounce.
First, determine the weight of the silver:
6.25g * 0.90 = 5.625g
Next, convert the grams into ounces:
5.625g = 0.1984oz
Lastly, calculate the value of the silver with the silver’s weight in ounces and the current price of silver:
0.1984 * 20 = 3.968
So, one 1892-1916 Barber quarter would be worth $3.968 if the spot price of silver were exactly $20 per ounce.
Are Silver Quarters Worth It?
In short, only junk silver coins are worth buying if you’re only interested in the silver. If the silver coin is collectible, then you also need to learn and understand the historical and sentimental value of specific silver coins.
Determining the value of silver inside a coin is simple. But if you want to invest in collectible silver quarters, you have to take up a new hobby. This can be quite difficult. So, unless you’re hoping to become a coin collector, it’s best to invest in coin silver coins that were minted by the US mint and aren’t collectible.
How to Find Silver Quarters
Silver quarters are not rare. You can find them by accident, but if you’re looking for them you’ll want to be more proactive.
Change
Don’t just toss your change into a coin jar or use your quarters for lunch money. Before you do, just have a quick look at all the coins you come across. You’re unlikely to come by silver quarters often, but it’s worth having a quick glance at the quarters you receive in change.
Bullion Retailers
The simplest place to find silver quarters is through bullion retailers. Big retailers like SD Bullion make all precious metal investments simple and affordable. All you need to do is go to their site and search for them. It’s as easy as typing “silver quarters” into the search bar and pressing enter.
Individual Sellers
You’ll want to be a bit more careful if you choose this option.
There are always thousands of individuals selling their silver quarters on platforms like eBay. If you use a platform like eBay or Craigslist, make sure you familiarize yourself with their return policies. In the end, you’re safer buying your silver from a reputable merchant.
Can you still find Silver Quarters in Circulation?
Yes. In fact, coin silver quarters are plentiful in the US. That’s why they are such a good entry into silver investing for amateur investors.
While coin silver stopped being produced in 1964, you can still find silver quarters of 90% purity. You will often have to go looking for these silver quarters. But if you keep your eyes open, it’s likely that you’ll stumble upon some silver quarters still being circulated in the US.
Final Thoughts
Silver quarters aren’t the rarest or most valuable form of silver. But they’re still silver, which always adds to their value.
If you want to invest in silver, silver quarters are a great first investment for you. But as a beginner, you will have the simplest experience if you:
Avoid collectibles
Buy coin silver
Purchase from reputable bullion retailers
In any case folks, if you want to start investing in Silver (which I highly recommend you do in this climate) make sure to head on over to SD Bullion by clicking the link below where you can buy silver coins at the lowest possible price.
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