Hobbies Coin Collecting U.S. Coin Values Guide

Washington Quarter Values and Prices (1932-1964)

How Much Is My Silver Washington Quarter Worth?

Washington Silver Quarters

 The Spruce / James Bucki

People occasionally find Washington silver quarters in pocket change. They know it's different because it looks different and sounds different when dropped. This usually begs the question, "How much is my coin worth?" Quarters minted between 1932 and 1964 are made of 90% silver and are highly sought after for their silver value or by coin collectors looking to add the specimens to their collection.  Use the table below to find average coin prices and values based on the condition of your coin. 

History of the Washington Quarter

The Washington quarter was the United States' first circulating commemorative coin. It began in 1931 when the Treasury Department decided that it should honor the bicentennial of George Washington's birth with a half dollar. Terms of the contest for the new design specified that the portrait of George Washington on the obverse should be based on the statue of George Washington by Jean Antoine Houdon. 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 the reverse for the new quarter dollar. The first quarters rolled off the coining presses in 1932. This coin was supposed to be a one-year circulating commemorative coin. However, due to the depression throughout the United States, the United States Mint did not produce any quarters in 1933. When demand for quarters resumed in 1934, the mint continued to use the Washington design for the quarter dollar that is still used today.

Market Analysis

Washington quarters minted between 1932 and 1964 contain 90% pure silver. As a result, well-circulated coins that are worn are sometimes worth only the silver they contain. However, there are a few dates and mint mark combinations that coin collectors are willing to pay a premium to obtain. Look for these 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 Quarter. Unfortunately, these coins are frequently counterfeit or altered from common Washington quarters.  Therefore, before celebrating your new found fortune, have the coin authenticated by a reputable coin dealer or third-party grading service.

  • 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.

Washington Quarter Graded Fine-12 (F12)
Washington Quarter Graded Fine-12 (F12)

Teletrade Coin Auctions, www.teletrade.com

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.

1932-D Washington Quarter Dollar Rare key date coin
1932-D Washington Quarter Dollar

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.

Silver Washington quarter mint mark location
Silver Washington quarter mint mark location

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:

Calculation Steps

  1. 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)
  2. 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)
  3. 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