United States quarters produced in 1967 are not composed of silver. Prior to 1965, these coins were 90% silver and 10% copper. Beginning in 1965 and continuing through 1970, the composition changed to a clad format consisting of outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a core of pure copper. This change was enacted due to the rising price of silver, which made the silver content of the pre-1965 coins more valuable than their face value.
The shift away from silver in coinage represents a significant turning point in American numismatic history. The intrinsic metal value of the coins became decoupled from their face value, and this transition impacted both the public’s perception and the collector market. This alteration facilitated greater coin production to meet circulation demands without depleting national silver reserves.