1965 Washington Quarter Dollar (Clad Composition)
Coin/Bullion (Circulated Currency) · United States Mint (Philadelphia Facility)
Pattern: Washington Quarter, first year of Clad Composition (1965-present)
Type
Coin/Bullion (Circulated Currency)
Maker
United States Mint (Philadelphia Facility)
Material
Cupro-nickel clad copper (outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core). Contains 0% silver.
Dimensions
Diameter: 24.26 mm; Weight: 5.67 grams (lighter than the 6.25g silver variants).
Description
This is a standard 1965 Washington Quarter. It is historically significant as the very first year the US Mint ceased using 90% silver for quarters due to the Coinage Act of 1965. It features the iconic bust of the first US President.
Key Features
Missing mint mark; 1965 transition date; copper-colored stripe visible on the reeded edge.
Material & Composition
Cupro-nickel clad copper (outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core). Contains 0% silver.
Finish & Decoration
Standard circulation strike; features John Flanagan's 1932 left-facing portrait of George Washington on the obverse.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Labeled 'LIBERTY', 'IN GOD WE TRUST', and date '1965'. No mint mark (typical for 1965-1967 US coinage).
Construction Details
Machine-struck via high-speed coining presses using the clad-sandwich method.
Functional Features
Reeded edge (119 reeds) to prevent counterfeiting and clipping, though no longer serving a precious metal security function.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable (coinage).
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial mass production. The striking shows typical mid-60s die wear patterns common for high-volume output.
Authentication Indicators
Correct typography for the period; visual evidence of copper-nickel cladding; lack of 'S' or 'D' mint mark consistent with 1965 production.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America; Philadelphia Mint (indicated by the absence of a mint mark).
Era & Period
Modern Era / Post-Silver Transition (1965-Present). Designed originally for the 1932 Bicentennial.
Age Estimate
Dated 1965; approximately 59 years old.
Cultural Significance
Represents the end of circulating precious metal coinage in the United States and the move to fiat-based metallurgical standards.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good (Circulated). Showing significant surface wear, heavy oxidation, and flattened high points on Washington's hair.
Value Estimate
Face Value ($0.25). Unless in pristine MS-67+ condition or a rare silver-transitional error, it carries no premium.
Care & Maintenance
For circulated clad coins, no special care is required. Do not clean with abrasives as it removes numismatic value.
Similar Pieces
1964 Washington Quarter (90% Silver) - distinguishable by weight (6.25g) and the solid silver edge; 1965 'Silver' Errors (extremely rare transitional errors struck on silver planchets).
Interesting Facts
1965 quarters were struck in massive quantities (over 1.8 billion) to fill the void left by people hoarding silver coins during the transition.