The 2016-S Fort Moultrie Silver Quarter is worth anywhere from $10 in average proof condition to over $150 for perfect specimens. While many quarters you find in your pocket are made of copper and nickel, the “S” mint mark silver version is a special collector’s treasure that holds significant precious metal and numismatic value.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
PR 65 (Typical Proof)	$12 – $18
PR 69 (Near Perfect)	$25 – $35
PR 70 (Perfect Grade)	$100 – $165
Silver Melt Value	$5 – $7 (Fluctuates)

Understanding the 2016-S Fort Moultrie Silver Quarter

The 2016-S Fort Moultrie Silver Quarter was released as part of the United States Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters Program. This specific design honors the Fort Moultrie (Sullivan’s Island) National Monument in South Carolina. For the casual observer, distinguishing a silver quarter from a standard one can be tricky, but it is a skill that pays off.

If you have discovered a shiny quarter with a “S” mint mark and want to see if it’s the valuable silver version, using a top coin identifier app can provide an immediate answer. These coins were never meant for general circulation; they were sold in specialized proof sets directly to collectors.

The 2016-S silver version is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This differs from the 2019-present quarters which moved to 99.9% silver. Because of the high silver content, the intrinsic metal value provides a “floor” for the price. Even if the coin is scratched, it will always be worth at least its weight in silver. Collectors using CoinKnow often track these fluctuations to time their sales perfectly.

Silver vs. Clad: How to Identify Your Fort Moultrie Quarter

Identifying the 2016-S Fort Moultrie Silver Quarter correctly is the first step in determining its worth. You must check the mint mark located on the right side of George Washington’s portrait. If you see an “S,” the coin was struck at the San Francisco Mint. However, the San Francisco Mint produced two versions: a “clad” proof and a “silver” proof. Both look nearly identical to the untrained eye.

The easiest way to tell the difference is to look at the edge of the coin. A standard clad quarter will show a copper-colored stripe along the edge. A silver quarter will have a solid, bright silver edge with no copper visible. Additionally, a silver quarter weighs 6.25 grams, while a clad quarter weighs only 5.67 grams.

When researching the 2016 quarter value, it becomes clear that the silver proof is the most sought-after variety of the year. If you aren’t sure which one you have, the CoinKnow app can help you distinguish between these variations by analyzing high-resolution photos of the coin’s luster and edge details.

Feature	Silver Proof	Clad Proof / Circulation
Composition	90% Silver	Copper-Nickel Clad
Weight	6.25g	5.67g
Edge Appearance	Solid White/Silver	Visible Copper Layer

Market Value and Grading for Silver Quarters

The value of the 2016-S Fort Moultrie Silver Quarter is heavily dependent on its numerical grade, ranging from 1 to 70. Since these were proof coins handled with care at the mint, most survive in high grades. A PR 69 (Proof 69) is considered “near perfect” and is the most common grade found in the market, usually selling for about $20 to $30.

However, the “Gem” of the market is the PR 70 Deep Cameo (DCAM). A coin with this grade has no visible flaws even under 5x magnification. The contrast between the frosted design elements and the mirror-like background makes it a visual masterpiece. These top-tier coins often appear in high-end auctions and can command prices north of $100.

If you are comparing this to other coins from the same series, you might notice that 2016 silver quarter auction results show a steady demand for “S” mint marks compared to the standard “P” or “D” issues. Collectors often use CoinKnow to browse recent realized auction prices to ensure they aren’t overpaying when adding these pieces to their South Carolina-themed collections.

The Design Details of the Fort Moultrie Quarter

The reverse design of the 2016-S Fort Moultrie Silver Quarter depicts Sergeant William Jasper returning the regimental flag to the ramparts while under fire from a British ship. This historical moment from the Revolutionary War occurred during the Battle of Sullivan’s Island in 1776. The level of detail on the silver proof version is significantly higher than on the quarters you find in change.

Because silver is a softer metal than the nickel-copper alloy, the striking process results in sharper lines on the flag’s folds and Sergeant Jasper’s uniform. This artistic depth is part of why the silver proofs are so highly valued. The inscriptions include “FORT MOULTRIE,” “SOUTH CAROLINA,” “2016,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

Regularly checking your coins with a magnifying glass can reveal if your specimen has “Cameo” features. A Cameo effect occurs when the raised parts of the design are heavily frosted while the fields (the flat areas) are highly reflective. This contrast is a key driver of value for the 2016-S Fort Moultrie Silver Quarter.

Why the Mint Mark Matters for Value

The “S” mint mark stands for the San Francisco Mint. Historically, San Francisco has been the primary facility for producing high-quality proof sets for collectors. For the 2016 America the Beautiful series, the mintage numbers for silver proofs were significantly lower than the billions of quarters struck for circulation in Philadelphia and Denver.

Low mintage often correlates with higher long-term value. In 2016, only a few hundred thousand silver proof sets were produced. When you divide that among the five different designs released that year, the individual 2016-S Fort Moultrie Silver Quarter becomes quite scarce compared to the millions of “P” and “D” versions in your piggy bank.

Scarcity combined with the rising price of silver bullion makes these quarters a favorite for “stackers” (precious metal investors) and numismatists alike. Keeping your quarter in its original plastic lens or a protective flip is vital, as any fingerprint or scratch can instantly drop the grade—and the price—by 50% or more.

Mint Mark	Strike Type	Estimated Rarity
P (Philadelphia)	Circulation	Common (Millions)
D (Denver)	Circulation	Common (Millions)
S (San Francisco)	Silver Proof	Scarcce (Thousands)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much silver is in a 2016-S Fort Moultrie Quarter?

A: The 2016-S silver proof version contains 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. It is made of a 90% silver alloy. To find the current “melt” value, you can multiply the current spot price of silver by 0.1808.

Q: Can I find a 2016-S Silver Quarter in my pocket change?

A: It is extremely rare but possible. These coins were sold in sets and not released for circulation. However, sometimes collectors or their heirs spend them by mistake. If you find one, it is likely “impaired,” meaning it has scratches, which lowers its value to near its silver weight.

Q: Is there a 2016-S quarter that is NOT silver?

A: Yes. The San Francisco Mint also produced “Clad Proof” quarters in 2016. These have the “S” mint mark but are made of the same copper-nickel material as regular pocket change. They are worth less than the silver versions, usually around $3 to $5.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for this coin?

A: While prices fluctuate, perfect PR 70 Deep Cameo specimens have sold at major auctions for over $150. Most transactions for raw (unopened) silver proof quarters happen in the $15-$25 range.

Q: Should I get my 2016-S Fort Moultrie Silver Quarter graded?

A: You should only consider professional grading (by NGC or PCGS) if the coin appears absolutely flawless under a magnifying glass. Grading fees can be $20-$40, so it only makes financial sense if the coin is likely to achieve a PR 70 grade. Use CoinKnow to compare your coin’s condition to high-resolution photos before spending money on grading.