The US 1962 Quarter, designed by John Flanagan, featured George Washington on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. Struck in 90% silver, it reflected a time when silver was still widely used in U.S. coinage. However, rising silver prices signaled an impending shift to base metals. In 1962, the U.S. economy was booming under President John F. Kennedy, with industrial growth increasing demand for silver. The 1962 Quarter remained essential for daily transactions, but silver shortages hinted at the coming change in American coinage.

Politically, the US 1962 Quarter circulated during the Cold War, as tensions with the Soviet Union heightened. The Cuban Missile Crisis loomed in 1962, shaping U.S. foreign policy and economic priorities. As the government prepared for potential military action, strategic metal reserves, including silver, became more critical. Flanagan’s portrait of Washington symbolized national strength and unity during uncertain times. By the mid-1960s, the U.S. would transition to clad coinage, making the 1962 Quarter one of the last silver quarters before a major shift in U.S. currency.