* 1796 – 1820: 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper
* 1821 – 1837: 90% silver, 10% copper
* 1837 – 1891: 90% silver, 10% copper (Seated Liberty design)
* 1892 – 1964: 90% silver, 10% copper (Barber and Liberty Standing/Walking Liberty design)
Beginning in 1965, quarters were minted with a copper-nickel composition.