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People occasionally find Washington silver quarters in pocket change. They know they're different because of how they look and sound when dropped. This usually begs the questions "Is this quarter rare?" and "How much is this quarter worth?"
Quarters minted between 1932 and 1964—Washington quarters made to honor the president's 200th birthday—are 90% silver. They're highly sought after for their silver value and by coin collectors looking to add the specimens to their collection.
Below, review a brief history of the silver Washington quarter. Then, use the table below to find average prices and values for these quarters based on the coin's condition.
History of the Washington Quarter
The Washington quarter was the United States' first circulating commemorative coin. Its history begins in 1931 when the Treasury Department elected to honor the bicentennial of George Washington's birth with a half dollar. The terms for a contest to design the new coin specified that the statue of George Washington by Jean Antoine Houdon should guide the artist when creating the portrait of George Washington for the obverse. In March 1931, Congress intervened and decided that the quarter dollar should feature Washington instead of the half dollar.
Designer engraver John Flanagan designed the obverse and reverse for the new quarter dollar. The first quarters rolled off the coining presses in 1932. These coins were supposed to be one-year circulating commemorative coins. However, due to the depression throughout the United States, the U.S. Mint didn't produce any quarters in 1933. When demand for quarters resumed in 1934, the Mint continued to use the Washington design that is still used today.
Market Analysis
Because Washington quarters minted between 1932 and 1964 contain 90% pure silver, well-circulated worn coins are sometimes worth only the silver they contain. However, there are a few dates and mint mark combinations that coin collectors pay a premium to obtain. Look for the following key dates, rarities, and varieties in your pocket change. Some of them can be worth a small fortune.
Key Dates, Rarities, and Varieties
The following Washington quarters, in any condition, are worth considerably more than the common Washington quarters. Unfortunately, these coins are frequently counterfeit or altered from common specimens. Therefore, before celebrating your new-found fortune, have a reputable coin dealer or third-party grading service authenticate your quarter.
- 1932-D
- 1932-S
- 1950-D D over S RPM
- 1950-S S over D RPM
Condition or Grade Examples
If your coin is worn and looks similar to the one illustrated in the link below, it is considered a circulated coin.
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Teletrade Coin Auctions
If your coin looks similar to the one illustrated in the link below and has no evidence of wear due to being in circulation, it is considered an uncirculated coin.
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Heritage Auction Galleries, www.ha.com
Learning how to grade silver Washington quarters is an important part of determining the value of your coin.
Mint Marks
The United States Mint produced Washington quarters at three different mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). The mint mark is located on the coin's reverse, below the wreath, and above the "R" in QUARTER.
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Heritage Auction Galleries, Ha.com
Washington Quarters Average Prices and Values
The buying price is what you can expect to pay to a coin dealer to purchase the coin. The sell value is what you can expect a coin dealer to pay you if you sell the coin. The first column lists the date and mint mark followed by the buy price and the sell value for an average circulated Washington Quarter. The following two columns list the buy price and the sell value for an average uncirculated. Of course, the offer you receive from an individual coin dealer will vary depending on the actual grade of the coin and some other factors that determine its worth.
| Date & Mint | Circ. Buy | Circ. Sell | Unc. Buy | Unc. Sell | |
| 1932 | $9.00 | B.V. | $39.00 | $29.00 | |
| 1932-D * | $80.00 | $40.00 | $1,200.00 | $950.00 | |
| 1932-S * | $80.00 | $40.00 | $590.00 | $450.00 | |
| 1934 | $8.00 | B.V. | $28.00 | $20.00 | |
| 1934 Light Motto | $8.50 | B.V. | $80.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1934-D | $8.30 | B.V. | $250.00 | $190.00 | |
| 1935 | $8.80 | B.V. | $26.00 | $17.00 | |
| 1935-D | $8.50 | B.V. | $240.00 | $160.00 | |
| 1935-S | $8.20 | B.V. | $100.00 | $70.00 | |
| 1936 | $8.30 | B.V. | $27.00 | $19.00 | |
| 1936-D | $9.00 | B.V. | $670.00 | $500.00 | |
| 1936-S | $8.50 | B.V. | $110.00 | $80.00 | |
| 1937 | $8.00 | B.V. | $27.00 | $18.00 | |
| 1937-D | $9.00 | B.V. | $67.00 | $44.00 | |
| 1937-S | $8.40 | B.V. | $170.00 | $130.00 | |
| 1938 | $8.40 | B.V. | $90.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1938-S | $9.10 | B.V. | $100.00 | $70.00 | |
| 1939 | $8.00 | B.V. | $20.00 | $13.00 | |
| 1939-D | $8.20 | B.V. | $44.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1939-S | $8.30 | B.V. | $100.00 | $70.00 | |
| 1940 | $6.50 | B.V. | $22.00 | $16.00 | |
| 1940-D | $8.30 | B.V. | $130.00 | $90.00 | |
| 1940-S | $6.70 | B.V. | $26.00 | $18.00 | |
| 1941 | $7.20 | B.V. | $13.00 | $9.00 | |
| 1941-D | $7.10 | B.V. | $40.00 | $29.00 | |
| 1941-S | $6.90 | B.V. | $31.00 | $21.00 | |
| Date & Mint | Circ. Buy | Circ. Sell | Unc. Buy | Unc. Sell | |
| 1942 | $7.00 | B.V. | $10.70 | $7.70 | |
| 1942-D | $7.20 | B.V. | $18.00 | $12.00 | |
| 1942-S | $7.10 | B.V. | $70.00 | $48.00 | |
| 1943 | $7.20 | B.V. | $11.60 | $8.20 | |
| 1943-D | $6.80 | B.V. | $24.00 | $17.00 | |
| 1943-S | $7.10 | B.V. | $21.00 | $14.00 | |
| 1944 | $7.00 | B.V. | $10.50 | $7.40 | |
| 1944-D | $7.20 | B.V. | $16.00 | $11.00 | |
| 1944-S | $6.70 | B.V. | $12.00 | $8.50 | |
| 1945 | $6.90 | B.V. | $10.70 | $7.60 | |
| 1945-D | $6.50 | B.V. | $17.00 | $11.00 | |
| 1945-S | $6.90 | B.V. | $10.90 | $7.30 | |
| 1946 | $6.80 | B.V. | $10.40 | $7.10 | |
| 1946-D | $6.80 | B.V. | $11.30 | $7.70 | |
| 1946-S | $6.60 | B.V. | $11.40 | $7.70 | |
| 1947 | $7.10 | B.V. | $11.40 | $8.30 | |
| 1947-D | $7.20 | B.V. | $11.30 | $8.20 | |
| 1947-S | $6.80 | B.V. | $11.10 | $7.90 | |
| 1948 | $6.80 | B.V. | $10.50 | $7.20 | |
| 1948-D | $7.20 | B.V. | $11.40 | $7.60 | |
| 1948-S | $7.10 | B.V. | $10.70 | $7.10 | |
| 1949 | $6.90 | B.V. | $19.00 | $13.00 | |
| 1949-D | $7.10 | B.V. | $14.70 | $9.70 | |
| Date & Mint | Circ. Buy | Circ. Sell | Unc. Buy | Unc. Sell | |
| 1950 | $6.60 | B.V. | $10.60 | $7.10 | |
| 1950-D | $7.00 | B.V. | $10.70 | $7.10 | |
| 1950-D D over S * | $35.00 | $20.00 | $450.00 | $350.00 | |
| 1950-S | $6.90 | B.V. | $10.70 | $7.20 | |
| 1950-S S over D * | $38.00 | $25.00 | $400.00 | $340.00 | |
| 1951 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.10 | |
| 1951-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1951-S | $3.50 | B.V. | $15.00 | $11.00 | |
| 1952 | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $6.50 | |
| 1952-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.80 | $6.50 | |
| 1952-S | $3.50 | B.V. | $10.00 | $6.50 | |
| 1953 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.80 | $6.00 | |
| 1953-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $6.50 | |
| 1953-S | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.90 | $7.00 | |
| 1954 | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $6.50 | |
| 1954-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $6.50 | |
| 1954-S | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $6.50 | |
| 1955 | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $7.00 | |
| 1955-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.50 | $7.00 | |
| 1956 | $3.50 | B.V. | $7.90 | $6.00 | |
| 1956-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.60 | $6.00 | |
| 1957 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.30 | $5.50 | |
| 1957-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.80 | $6.50 | |
| Date & Mint | Circ. Buy | Circ. Sell | Unc. Buy | Unc. Sell | |
| 1958 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1958-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $9.00 | $6.50 | |
| 1959 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.00 | $5.50 | |
| 1959-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1960 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.00 | $6.00 | |
| 1960-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1961 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.00 | $6.00 | |
| 1961-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.75 | $6.40 | |
| 1962 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.75 | $6.00 | |
| 1962-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1963 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1963-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1964 | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| 1964-D | $3.50 | B.V. | $8.50 | $6.00 | |
| Complete Date-Mint Set Total Coins: 83 |
$750.00 | $400.00 | $5,000.00 | $3,500.00 | |
| Complete Date Set Total Coins: 32 |
$200.00 | $150.00 | $525.00 | $350.00 |
B.V. = Bullion Value
* = See the section above "Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties" for more information on these coins.
Bullion Value Calculation for 1964 Quarters and Earlier
Since the value of 1964 quarters and earlier can be largely determined by the bullion value of the silver contained in the quarter, you may want to calculate the bullion value yourself. Using the following facts we can calculate the bullion value of a silver quarter:
- Composition: 90% silver
- Actual Weight: 6.25 g
- The current price of silver
Calculation Steps
- Convert the Actual Weight from grams to troy ounces.
There are 31.1035 grams in one troy ounce. Therefore, divide the actual weight of the coin by 31.1035 to give you the actual weight in troy ounces.
6.25 / 31.1035 = 0.201 (Actual Weight in troy ounces) - Multiply the Actual Weight in troy ounces by the percent fineness as a decimal to give you the net weight of pure silver.
0.201 x .90 = 0.1809 ASW (troy ounces of pure silver) - Multiply the troy ounces of pure silver in a quarter by the current spot price of silver. I am using $18.25 per troy ounce for this example.
0.1809 x $18.25 = $3.35 worth of pure silver in each quarter
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