Which US Coins Are Silver? A Year-by-Year Cheat Sheet
1964 and earlier dimes, quarters and halves are 90% silver. Here's every US silver coin by year, plus the look-alikes that fool people.
1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) Melt Value
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Melt value of one 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver)
$4.00
Face value $0.25Melt ÷ face 16.00× Pure silver 0.07395 ozSilver spot $53.44
A 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) (1976) weighs 5.75 grams and is made of 40% silver overall (silver-clad). That works out to 0.07395 troy ounces of pure silver, so at today’s spot price the metal in one coin is worth about $4.00.
Only the San Francisco (S) collector versions are silver. Circulating 1776–1976 quarters with no mint mark or a D mint mark are copper-nickel clad.
1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) specifications
| Years | 1976 |
|---|---|
| Face value | $0.25 |
| Weight | 5.75 g (0.1849 troy oz) |
| Composition | 40% silver overall (silver-clad) |
| Diameter | 24.26 mm |
| Silver content | 2.300 g (0.07395 troy oz) · worth $3.95 |
| Copper content | 3.450 g · worth $0.0488 |
How much are 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) coins worth in bulk?
| Quantity | Face value | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.25 | $4.00 |
| 5 | $1.25 | $20.00 |
| 10 | $2.50 | $40.01 |
| 40 (1 roll) | $10.00 | $160.02 |
| 100 | $25.00 | $400.05 |
| 1,000 | $250.00 | $4,000.51 |
How the 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) melt value has changed
| Date | Melt value then | Change to today |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month ago (Oct 9, 2026) | $4.53 | ▼ -11.76% |
| 1 year ago (Nov 9, 2025) | $3.59 | ▲ +11.51% |
| 5 years ago (Nov 9, 2021) | $1.83 | ▲ +118.15% |
| 10 years ago (Nov 9, 2016) | $1.13 | ▲ +253.54% |
Based on stored daily closing prices.
Melt value vs. what your 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) is worth
Melt value is the floor: the value of the metal alone. Dealers who buy coins for their metal usually pay a little below melt. Coins with a rare date, mint mark or error, or in uncirculated condition, can sell for far more than melt to collectors – check a current price guide or have the coin graded before selling anything that looks scarce.
Have several coins? Use the coin melt value calculator or the junk silver calculator.
Other quarters
| Coin | Years | Metal content | Melt value | × face |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Barber Quarter | 1892–1916 | 0.1808 oz silver | $9.67 | 38.7× |
 Standing Liberty Quarter | 1916–1930 | 0.1808 oz silver | $9.67 | 38.7× |
 Washington Quarter (silver) | 1932–1964 | 0.1808 oz silver | $9.67 | 38.7× |
 Washington Quarter (clad) | 1965–present | 5.67 g · 91.67% copper | $0.0812 | 0.3× |
Melt value = metal content × today’s spot price. It is not what a dealer pays (usually less) or a collector’s price (often more).
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) worth in melt value today?
At today’s metal prices (November 9, 2026) one 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) contains about $4.00 worth of metal. This is the melt (scrap) value – rare dates and coins in top condition can sell for much more to collectors.
How much silver is in a 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver)?
A 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) weighs 5.75 grams and contains 0.07395 troy ounces (2.300 grams) of pure silver.
Is a 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) worth more than its face value?
Right now the metal in a 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) is worth 16.0× its face value of $0.25.
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Melt values are estimates based on spot prices and official coin specifications. Dealers usually pay less than melt; rare coins can be worth far more to collectors.