<P> There had been coin shortages beginning in 1959 , and the United States Bureau of the Mint expanded production to try to meet demand . The early 1960s was a time of increased use of silver both in the coinage and in industry , putting pressure on the price of silver , which was capped at just over $1.29 per ounce by government sales at that price . The silver in a dollar 's worth of quarters would be worth more as bullion than as money if the price of the metal rose past $1.38 per ounce , and there was widespread hoarding of silver coins . Demand for the Kennedy half dollar as a collectable drove it from circulation after its debut in 1964 . The Bureau of the Mint increased production , helping reduce the coin shortages by May 1965 , but government stocks of silver were being rapidly reduced , and threatened to run out by 1968 . After extensive study by the Treasury Department , President Lyndon B. Johnson in June 1965 recommended that Congress pass legislation to allow for silverless dimes and quarters , and debased silver half dollars . Although there was some opposition , mainly from legislators representing Western mining states , the bill progressed rapidly through Congress , and was enacted with Johnson 's signature on July 23 , 1965 . </P>
<P> There had been coin shortages beginning in 1959 , and the United States Bureau of the Mint expanded production to try to meet demand . The early 1960s was a time of increased use of silver both in the coinage and in industry , putting pressure on the price of silver , which was capped at just over $1.29 per ounce by government sales at that price . The silver in a dollar 's worth of quarters would be worth more as bullion than as money if the price of the metal rose past $1.38 per ounce , and there was widespread hoarding of silver coins . Demand for the Kennedy half dollar as a collectable drove it from circulation after its debut in 1964 . The Bureau of the Mint increased production , helping reduce the coin shortages by May 1965 , but government stocks of silver were being rapidly reduced , and threatened to run out by 1968 . After extensive study by the Treasury Department , President Lyndon B. Johnson in June 1965 recommended that Congress pass legislation to allow for silverless dimes and quarters , and debased silver half dollars . Although there was some opposition , mainly from legislators representing Western mining states , the bill progressed rapidly through Congress , and was enacted with Johnson 's signature on July 23 , 1965 . </P>
when did the us quit making silver coins
when did the us quit making silver coins
July 23 , 1965
July 23 , 1965