Despite the existence of numerous expensive and collectible varieties of American quarters, only Washington quarters remain in circulation at present. Although they were manufactured by the United States Mint from 1932 to 1998, a considerable number of coins continue to be utilized in commercial transactions.
From 2010 to 2021, the United States Mint struck 56 distinct quarters with unique reverses, but their obverse sides remained unchanged. When augmenting your collection with the most valuable quarters in circulation, searching for older mintage coins is advisable due to the generally low cost of these new coins.
What’s The Quarter?
The quarter is the 25-cent coin of the United States. Our first president, George Washington, is on the obverse (heads) of the quarter. It has been two centuries since his birth, in 1932, when he was placed on the quarter. The date of the right-facing portrait of Washington is 2022. Quarters earlier, he was depicted with his left side facing.
The reverse design (tails) undergoes frequent alterations. This year, five distinct designs are available as part of the American Women Quarters™ Program. The program honors the contributions that American women have made to the nation.
What Is The Value Of A quarter Coin?
The final year silver era quarters were issued, 1964, is a date that quickly distinguishes quarter values. Each silver quarter is valued at a minimum of $3.87 as of February 19, 2024. Quarters produced after 1965 and in Mint State (without any deterioration) condition are valued higher.
Identify the series of your quarter, variety, date, and mintmark combination using a step-by-step process; doing so will result in exceptional qualities and above-average value. Numerous uncommon dates, mint marks, and quarter varieties extend back to 1796—frequently exceeding one hundred dollars.
Steps Leading To Value:
- Step 1: Differentiate the Series of Quarters Minted: United States quarters were produced in various design series. Each is distinct and possesses several uncommon to scarce issues. Determine which series to use to begin narrowing the value.
- Step 2: Date and Mintmark Variety: Individual dates are gathered and assessed in value. By combining dates and mintmarks, demand and scarcity are determined.
- Step 3: Grading Condition: Grading Condition identifies a grade that is utilized to restrict the value of each quarter. A thorough examination in comparison to images is required.
- Step 4: Special Qualities: Special Qualities Collectors seek out a quarter series spanning the ages of antiquity to the present day. These attributes are assessed to appraise your coin precisely.
What’s The Most Valuable Quarter?
Precious-condition coins typically command the most excellent prices in coin collecting. However, there are coins that, despite having been handled and used, are worth significantly more than their face value. Furthermore, we shall examine a subset of them!
1. 2019-W And 2020-W Washington Quarters
Production of the Washington quarter lasted from 1932 to 1964. The coin’s obverse features an image of the former president, George Washington, from which it derives its name.
In contemporary times, the Mint has made proof and mint state coins of all denominations readily available to collectors in substantial quantities. Most coins that enter circulation are produced in enormous quantities and typically have no value beyond their nominal value.
The Mint, however, decided to adopt a new strategy regarding certain quarters in 2019. Two million of each of five distinct designs were struck at the West Point mint. Furthermore, instead of being made available for purchase, they were incorporated into circulation alongside coinage from other establishments.
The strategy persisted until 2020, at which point it ceased. Since then, no quarters bearing the W mintmark have been issued.
2. 1932-D Washington Quarter
The first of the Washington quarter series, the 1932 mintage, was produced in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Anomaly-limited quantities were made at the two mint facilities that followed. In San Francisco, only 408,000 quarters were struck, compared to 436,800 in Denver.
The Denver quarter is distinguished by the letter “D” mintmark. This appears above the ” ER ” letters in “QUARTER” on the coin’s reverse. It is believed that only 44,000 Denver quarters from 1921 remain to this day.
The grading scale for coins ranges from 1 to 70. A graded one coin will be highly deteriorated, with only the bare minimum of discernible detail to indicate its year and denomination. On the opposite extreme, a coin with a grade 70 is impeccable. Coins rated 60 to 70 are also in pristine condition.
Mint state coins command the most exorbitant prices; these are coins that have not been issued into circulation. However, even if you discover a 1932 Denver quarter in your pocket change, its value is considerably greater than its face value.
3. 1932-S Washington Quarter
The San Francisco-minted 1932 quarter had the smallest mintage of any Washington quarter. A mere 408,000 coins were produced. Presently, the estimated minimum population remains at 40,000.
Twelve thousand surviving coins are estimated to be in mint condition, with only 500 graded MS65 or higher. The adjective “gem quality” is applied to these exceedingly fine coins.
Nonetheless, a 1932 Washington Quarter bearing the mintmark S you may discover in your pocket change is still quite valuable. The mintmark is between the laurel wreath and the word “QUARTER” on the obverse.
PCGS certification is limited to the second grade, which carries a marginal value premium over coins graded three. One graded 3 San Francisco quarter from 1932 is valued at approximately $65, while a graded two quarter is worth $85.
4. 1937-S Washington Quarter
In the 1937 San Francisco-minted quarter, they had the third-lowest mintage of the entire Washington quarter series. The 1932 Denver and San Francisco mintages were the only ones to have been lower. Consequently, collectors are willing to incur additional costs to obtain them.
However, values are considerably more moderate than those of the examples from 1932. A PCGS-graded coin is approximately $8, while coins graded 4 through 15 are all valued at $9.
This value rises to $16 at a “very fine” 20 and continues to increase steadily after that. A 45-grade “wonderful” coin is valued at approximately $100. Furthermore, excellent condition “about uncirculated” examples with a grade of 58 are worth $165.
5. 2004-D Wisconsin 50 States Quarter, Extra Leaf, Low
A sequence of quarters commemorating each state was manufactured by the US Mint from 1999 to 2008. The series is referred to as the “Fifty State Quarters.” Although aesthetically pleasing, most are not valuable beyond their face value when found in used condition.
Nevertheless, two exceptions exist. These are subsets of the 2004 quarters struck in Denver in recognition of Wisconsin.
A maize husk is depicted on the reverse side of all Wisconsin quarters. However, a small number contain a defect that seemingly adds another leaf to the husk.
Additionally, two distinct iterations of this error exist. The lower tip of some excess leaves points downwards and makes contact with the cheese wheel below. In other instances, the leaf appears to ascend from the cheese wheel before vanishing behind an adjacent leaf.
6. 2004-D Wisconsin 50 States Quarter, Extra Leaf, High
As expected, the additional leaf-adorned variant of the 2004 Denver quarter is more valuable. However, by how much more?
In any case, the difference is negligible. Moreover, the coin’s value will invariably increase in proportion to its quality and condition.
A coin with the additional leaf oriented upwards is estimated to be worth approximately $45 when graded 30. Coins with a grade of 30 are deemed “extra fine.”
Additionally, a 55-graded “about uncirculated” example increases in value to approximately $105.
7. 1934 Washington Quarter, Double Die Obverse
A “double die obverse” refers to a manufacturing defect occurring during the coins’ die-striking process. Multiple strikes are required to capture each intricate detail of the design on the die. However, any motion between impacts results in the creation of a duplicate image.
The die then imprints that double image onto each coin that is struck. The occurrence of the error on the die bearing the obverse image is referred to as a “double die obverse” or DDO.
Certain Washington quarters manufactured in Philadelphia in 1934 have undergone the most substantial doubling of any of the series. While the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” prominently displays it, the term “LIBERTY” also carries it.
A 45-graded “excellent” example is approximately $235, whereas a 10-point-higher graded “about uncirculated” specimen is roughly $440.
8. 1943 Washington Quarter, Double Die Obverse
Although the 1934 Philadelphia-minted Washington quarter experienced the most dramatic doubling of the series, it is not the rarest. After nine years, it is awarded to the quarter produced at the identical minting facility.
The quantity of 1943 Washington quarters struck in Philadelphia was just under 100 million. However, instances of the double die obverse error are extremely rare. That means they are significantly more valuable than their apparent value, notwithstanding their condition.
Values approach four figures; a 15-cent coin graded “fine” costs $1,050. A 25-graded “excellent” specimen is worth $1,900, while a 45-graded “excellent” specimen is worth $3,000.
Furthermore, a coin in a condition barely below uncirculated value can fetch a substantial amount of cash. The value of a 1943 Washington quarter featuring a double die obverse and a grade of “about uncirculated” 58+ is $8,500.
9. 1950-S/D Washington Quarter
The 1950-S/D (“S over D”) Washington quarter is one of two variants produced that year featuring overpunched mintmarks. In addition, there is a D/S (“D over S”), which we will discuss in greater detail shortly.
Numbers of both variants persist in circulated conditions that are comparable. In contrast, the S/D is more prevalent in pristine conditions. Why, then, does it exist?
According to one hypothesis, the Philadelphia Mint received a request for additional dies from the San Francisco Mint. A die initially intended for Denver was allegedly overpunched with an “S” because it fell one die short of the minimum quantity needed to fulfill the order.
The market value of a 45-graded “excellent” quarter is $210. A 55-graded “approximately uncirculated” quarter is valued at approximately $325.
10. 1950-D/S Washington Quarter
D/S is the second 1950 quarter to feature a repunched mintmark. It is also believed that its development occurred because the Philadelphia Mint required an additional die to fulfill an order. However, a die intended for San Francisco was overpunched with the mint mark of Denver in this instance.
In 1950, over 21 million Washington quarters were struck at the Denver Mint, compared to over 10 million at the San Francisco Mint. However, examples in pristine condition bearing the overpunched mintmark D/S are still more uncommon than those taking the S/D.
There are an estimated 20,000 survivors afflicted with the D/S error in total. Additionally, the values of disseminated coins are comparable to those of the S/D variant. A grade 3 coin is valued at approximately $26, increasing to $70 at 15, $90 at 25, $140 at 45m, and $220 at 55.
In conclusion, As the most valuable quarter in American numismatics, the 1796 Draped Bust Quarter symbolizes the country’s early monetary history and is a testament to the design’s enduring legacy. The coin’s historical significance and extreme rarity render it a prized possession among the most devoted collectors, encapsulating the enthusiasm and determination that coin collecting galvanizes.
Thank you for reading…..
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