The U.S. 1965 Quarter, designed by John Flanagan, features George Washington’s portrait. Struck in a copper-nickel clad composition instead of the traditional 90% silver, it reflected a critical change due to the coin shortage and rising silver prices in the mid-1960s. The Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated silver from most U.S. coins, including the 1965 Quarter, to curb rising production costs during a period of inflation and economic uncertainty.
Politically, President Lyndon B. Johnson faced significant domestic challenges, including the Vietnam War and the Great Society initiatives. The switch in the 1965 Quarters composition was part of a broader strategy to address fiscal issues, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. monetary policy and coinage design.