What Is the Value of a 1965 Silver Quarter & What Makes It Rare?

Posted on February 15, 2021

Certain quarters minted in 1965 are incredibly rare. In the content below, you'll learn how to determine if that quarter in your pocket is worth much more than $0.25.

What Makes This Quarter Unique?

Most quarters from 1965 are not all that rare. The majority of quarters from that year are only worth their 25-cent face value if they have the usual wear, although uncirculated quarters from that year may be worth a dollar or two.

However, at least one quarter from 1965 was struck on the wrong metal, so collectors are always scouring their collections (and pocket change) for that elusive silver quarter. From 1964 to 1965, the U.S. Mint transitioned from making quarters and dimes from 90% silver planchets to making them on copper-nickel clad planchets. A few coins were accidentally struck using the planchets from 1964. A collector found a quarter from 1965 struck on that 90% silver planchet, so we know that there was at least one of those coins made ... and there may be more.

The 1965 quarter has the potential for multiple variations that increase its value today. Some other factors that may make your quarter from 1965 unique:

• Mint state: If you find a quarter from 1965 in mint condition, you could have a coin worth between $1 and $50. Because the 1965 coin had no silver content, no one took care of it. As a result, coins in great condition are pretty rare.
• Broad struck minting error: Sometimes, the collar malfunctions when the dies shape the coin. As a result, the quarter expands a bit beyond the usual size, with letters and digits flat and spread. These quarters sell for around $45.
• Double die obverse minting error: Letters on the obverse, or heads side, may be doubled. You'll see this especially in the phrases 'Liberty' and In God We Trust. Quarters may be worth between $450 and $1,100.
• Double-die reverse minting error: If the coin was struck twice on the reverse, or tails side, you can see doubling in the letters of the phrase 'Quarter Dollar.' These quarters could be worth between $25 and $175.
• Double-struck/multi-struck minting error: If the quarter is struck multiple times before it is ejected, the design may be rotated or struck on the other side of the coin. Quarters that have this error can sell for over $400.
• Struck through minting error: When a foreign object comes between the die and coin right before the coin is struck, it leaves a mark on the coin. These error coins may sell for $140, depending on grade.
• Rotated die minting error: This error occurs when one of the dies spins around the axis. The obverse and reverse are then rotated relative to each other, so one side isn't in the right direction when you flip a coin over. A 1965 quarter with this error can sell for around $300.
• Off-center minting error: A coin's design is imprinted sideways if the planchet isn't centered. The higher the percentage of off-center design and what pieces of it remain determine the coin's value. If the date is still visible and the quarter is in good condition, a coin may be worth a few hundred dollars.
• Double tail quarter: A true double tail quarter has both sides of the coin as the reverse, or tail, side. Numismatists believe that three quarters discovered with this incredibly rare error were minted between 1965 and 1967. These quarters can be worth upwards of $10,000.
• Composition error: A quarter from 1965 made from 90% silver is also very rare and can sell for thousands of dollars.

How Do You Identify a Rare Quarter From 1965?

If you're searching for the rare silver quarter from 1965, you just have to weigh it. A scale that can measure to the hundredth of a gram will let you know if you could have a 1965 silver quarter, or a regular 1965 clad quarter. (Of course, you can still inspect those for the above errors!)

A quarter's weight may vary by a few hundredths of a gram due to planchet differences and general wear, but you can still see if you might have a silver version by putting yours on the scale.

All copper-nickel clad quarters from 1965 should weight 5.67 grams, while 90% silver quarters should weight 6.25 grams. In other words, if you have a quarter from 1965 that weighs in at more than 6 grams, it's at least worthwhile to get it inspected.

Who Is Interested in This Quarter and Why?

Transitional error coins like the silver quarter from 1965 are popular collectibles. Collectors pursue this quarter because of its rarity and associated value.

What Is a Transitional Error Coin, and What Are Other Examples?

Transitional error coins are coins struck on planchets that were meant for the previous year after that type of coin transitioned to a new material. Transitional error coins also occur when a coin is struck using dies meant for a different year.

Valuable transitional error coins made using the wrong type of metal include:

• Bronze penny (1943)
• Steel penny (1944)
• Penny on copper-nickel clad dime planchet (1964)
• Penny on silver dime planchet (1965)
• Bronze small date penny (1982-D)
• Bronze penny (1983-D)
• Dime on clad planchet (1964)
• Silver dime (1965)
• Quarter on clad planchet (1964)
• Kennedy half-dollar on clad planchet (1964)
• Kennedy half-dollar on clad dime planchet (1964)
• Kennedy half-dollar on silver planchet (1965)
• Kennedy half-dollar on silver dime planchet (1965)
• Eisenhower dollar on 40% silver planchet

What Are Other Quarters of Note?

The silver quarter from 1965 isn't the only rare quarter out there. Some other examples of valuable rare quarters include:

• Draped Bust Quarter (1796 and 1804)
• 25 over 50 c Capped Bust Quarter (1822)
• 1823 over 2 Capped Bust Quarter
• 25 over 50 c Capped Bust Quarter (1828)
• Seated Liberty Quarter with small date (1842-O)
• Seated Liberty Quarter (1849-O, 1860-S, 1864-S, 1870-CC, 1871-CC, 1872-CC)
• Seated Liberty Quarter with huge ˜O' mintmark (1854-O)
• Seated Liberty Quarter with motto (1873-CC)
• Seated Liberty Quarter with motto and arrows (1873-CC)
• Barber Quarter (1896-S, 1901-S, 1913-S)
• Standing Liberty Quarter (1916)
• 1918 over 7-S Standing Liberty Quarter
• Standing Liberty Quarter (1921, 1923-S)
• Washington Quarter (1932-D, 1932-S)
• Washington Quarter with double die obverse (1937)

Certain rare quarters like the silver quarter from 1965 command much more money than their original value, thanks to their rarity.