1788 Quarter Value Chart – Circulating Coins |
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| Coin | Mint Date | Mintage Figures | MS 65 | MS 66+ | MS 68 | MS 69 |
| 1788-P Georgia Quarter | 1999 | 451,188,000 | $5 | $26 | $5,500 | – |
| 1788-D Georgia Quarter | 1999 | 488,744,000 | $5 | $37 | $6,250 | – |
| 1788-P Connecticut Quarter | 1999 | 688,744,000 | $5 | $14 | $875 | $10,500 |
| 1788-D Connecticut Quarter | 1999 | 657,880,000 | $5 | $28 | $1,000 | – |
| 1788-P Massachusetts Quarter | 2000 | 628,600,000 | $5 | $14 | $60 | $7,000 |
| 1788-D Massachusetts Quarter | 2000 | 535,184,000 | $5 | $14 | $325 | $9,000 |
| 1788-P Maryland Quarter | 2000 | 678,200,000 | $5 | $12 | $160 | – |
| 1788-D Maryland Quarter | 2000 | 556,532,000 | $5 | $14 | $275 | – |
| 1788-P South Carolina Quarter | 2000 | 373,400,000 | $5 | $14 | $50 | $8,000 |
| 1788-D South Carolina Quarter | 2000 | 401,424,000 | $5 | $14 | $110 | – |
| 1788-P New Hampshire Quarter | 2000 | 673,040,000 | $5 | $12 | $160 | – |
| 1788-D New Hampshire Quarter | 2000 | 495,976,000 | $5 | $14 | $400 | – |
| 1788-P Virginia Quarter | 2000 | 943,000,000 | $5 | $14 | $150 | – |
| 1788-D Virginia Quarter | 2000 | 651,616,000 | $5 | $16 | $750 | – |
| 1788-P New York Quarter | 2001 | 619,640,000 | $5 | $14 | $38 | $975 |
| 1788-D New York Quarter | 2001 | 655,400,000 | $5 | $18 | $1,050 | – |
1788 Quarter Value Chart – Proof Coins |
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| Coin | Mint Date | Mintage Figures | PR 66+ DCAM | PR 68+ DCAM | PR 69 DCAM | PR 70 DCAM |
| 1788-S Clad Proof Georgia Quarter | 1999 | 3,713,359 | $8 | $8 | $8 | $26 |
| 1788-S Silver Proof Georgia Quarter | 1999 | 804,565 | $8 | $10 | $18 | $60 |
| 1788-S Clad Proof Connecticut Quarter | 1999 | 3,713,359 | $8 | $8 | $20 | $27 |
| 1788-S Silver Proof Connecticut Quarter | 1999 | 804,565 | $12 | $12 | $20 | $55 |
| 1788-S Clad Proof Massachusetts Quarter | 2000 | 4,020,172 | $8 | $8 | $19 | $30 |
| 1788-S Silver Proof Massachusetts Quarter | 2000 | 965,421 | $10 | $14 | $22 | $70 |
| 1788-S Clad Proof Maryland Quarter | 2000 | 4,020,172 | $8 | $8 | $21 | $32 |
| 1788-S Silver Proof Maryland Quarter | 2000 | 965,421 | $10 | $14 | $22 | $55 |
| 1788-S Clad Proof South Carolina Quarter | 2000 | 4,020,172 | $8 | $8 | $18 | $35 |
| 1788-S Silver Proof South Carolina Quarter | 2000 | 965,421 | $10 | $14 | $22 | $60 |
| 1788-S Clad Proof New Hampshire Quarter | 2000 | 4,020,172 | $8 | $8 | $19 | $35 |
| 1788-S Silver Proof New Hampshire Quarter | 2000 | 965,421 | $10 | $14 | $22 | $170 |
| 1788-S Clad Proof Virginia Quarter | 2000 | 4,020,172 | $8 | $8 | $19 | $30 |
| 1788-S Silver Proof Virginia Quarter | 2000 | 965,421 | $10 | $14 | $22 | $65 |
| 1788-S Clad Proof New York Quarter | 2001 | 3,094,140 | $8 | $8 | $19 | $35 |
| 1788-S Silver Proof New York Quarter | 2001 | 889,697 | $10 | $14 | $22 | $55 |
History of the 1788 Quarter
Coin collecting is a popular hobby among certain demographics. And it earns the US Mint a lot of revenue. But while younger people may inherit heirlooms from aging relatives, the mint wants to encourage interest in newer coins as well. That way, the mint can generate extra cash by selling coins directly to these budding numismatists. But how are they lured in?
One way is through commemorative coin series. The first of these was the 50 States Quarters Program. It was launched in 1997 to produce a Quarter in honor of every US State. This was followed by the Washington DC and Territories Series. After that came the National Parks and Monuments Series, also known as America the Beautiful Set of 56.
The most recent series is the American Women Quarters, which will have 20 coins in total. Getting back to 50 States Quarters, the plan was to release five coins every year in the order they joined the Union. The states that ratified the constitution in 1788 are Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, and finally, New York.
As we said earlier, these eight states were represented on the Washington Quarters struck from July 1999 to January 2001. The coins also had iconic words and images that showed the spirit of each state. These were mostly designed through state-wide contests that were open to local sculptors and artists. US Mint staff would then engrave these concepts onto coins.
Features of the 1788 Quarter
Let’s go over some technical terms you may come across when describing the features of a coin. The heads side is the obverse, the tails side is the reverse, the thin side is the edge, and the raised border is the rim or collar. The images are devices, the words are called legends or mottos, and the backdrop is the field. Some edges have ridges called reeds. Others are plain.
The Obverse of the 1788 Quarter
It shows George Washington facing left. The legend United States of America is above his head, with Liberty next to his Adam’s Apple and In God We Trust behind his neck. The mint mark is under this national motto. The bottom of the coin says Quarter Dollar. The right side of his neckline cut-off has JF and WC for coin designers John Flanagan and William Cousins.
The Reverse of the 1788 Quarter
All 50 coins have a similar template though the devices themselves differ. Along the upper rim, you’ll find the name of the state followed by the year it joined the Union. Meanwhile, the lower rim displays the motto E Pluribus Unum with the mint date above it. The rest of the coin has various images, words, symbols, and designer initials based on that specific state.
Other Features of the 1788 Quarter
The 1788 Quarter has both clad and silver versions. Circulating coins have 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel, comprising a pure copper core under clad layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel. But some proof coins are 90% silver and 10% copper. Both types are 24.26mm across and 1.75mm thick with 119 reeds. The clad coins weigh 5.67g while the silver ones are 6.25g.
1788 Quarter Grading
Quarters were originally silver coins, so even after they became clad in 1965, nickel was used to recreate that silver toning. These coins are graded on the Sheldon Scale from Poor (PO 1) to Mint State (MS 70). Some people use Mint State and Uncirculated interchangeably. For others, Uncirculated Coins are typically graded 50, 53, 55, and 58, especially within the UK.
| # | Grade |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basal State-1 |
| 2 | Fair |
| 3 | Very Fair |
| 4, 5, 6 | Good |
| 7, 8, 10 | Very Good |
| 12, 15 | Fine |
| 20, 30 | Very Fine |
| 40 | Extremely Fine |
| 50 | About Uncirculated |
| 60 | Mint State |
| 65 | Mint State |
| 70 | Mint State |
1788 Quarter Value Guides
1788 Quarters can also be categorized as 1999 Quarters, 2000 Quarters, or 2001 Quarters depending on their state. Georgia and Connecticut coins came out in 2000 while New York coins are from 2001. The other five are 1999 Quarters. That makes a total of 32 varieties that include clad and silver proofs. Let’s confirm their values by variety, grade, and mint mark.
1788 Georgia Quarter Value
Georgia joined the Union on 2nd January 1788. The Mint made 939,932,000 Georgia Quarters, releasing the first batch on 19th July 1999. A 1788-P Georgia Quarter graded MS 65 was $4,200 in 2022. Meanwhile, a 1788-D Georgia Quarter graded MS 68 was $329 in 2013.
- Images: Two sprigs of the state tree (a live oak) flanking an outline of the state with a peach fruit in the middle.
- Words: Three banners showing the state motto: Wisdom, Justice, Moderation.
- Designer: TJF (under the stalk of the right oak branch) for T. James Ferell.
A 1788-S Clad Proof Georgia Quarter graded PR 70 DCAM sold for $1,150 in 2003. PCGS has nearly 1,000 and rates them at $26. Meanwhile, a 1788-S Silver Proof Georgia Quarter in PR 70 DCAM was $6,038 in 2007 but is $60 in April 2024. Over 1,200 have shown up so far.
1788 Connecticut Quarter Value
Connecticut joined the Union on 9th January 1788. They minted 1,346,624,000 Connecticut Quarters, releasing the first batch on 12th October 1999. A 1788-P Connecticut Quarter in MS 67 was $4,362 in 2006. One 1788-D Connecticut Quarter graded MS 68 was $2,300 in 2018.
