Top 5 Most Valuable Washington Quarters
1. 1932-D Washington Quarter
The 1932-D is widely considered the “king” of Washington Quarters. It was minted in Denver during the first year of the series to commemorate George Washington’s 200th birthday.
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Why it’s valuable: It has a remarkably low mintage of only 436,800 coins.
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Value: Well-circulated examples start around $100 to $300, while high-grade Mint State (MS-65) specimens can exceed $12,000. The record price for an MS-66 example is a staggering $143,750.
2. 1932-S Washington Quarter
Struck at the San Francisco Mint, the 1932-S is the twin key date to the Denver issue.
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Why it’s valuable: It has the lowest mintage in the entire series at just 408,000 coins.
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Value: Similar to the 1932-D, circulated versions fetch between $100 and $400. A top-tier MS-66 specimen sold for $45,500 at auction.
3. 1937 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
This coin is a “variety” caused by a mistake during the die-making process, resulting in a distinct “drop shadow” effect on the lettering.
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What to look for: Visible doubling on the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the date “1937”.
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Value: Even in worn condition, these are worth roughly $250 to $600. A rare, high-grade specimen reached $22,250 at auction.
4. 1943-S Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
Collectors consider the 1943-S DDO the toughest major doubled die variety to find in the entire series.
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What to look for: Strong doubling on the obverse design elements, particularly the inscriptions.
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Value: Circulated examples can range from $230 to $400, while uncirculated MS-65 versions are valued around $1,100. An MS-67 specimen holds an auction record of $18,800.
5. 1950-D/S and 1950-S/D Over-Mintmarks
In 1950, workers at the mint accidentally punched one mint mark over another, creating two famous “over-mintmark” varieties: the D over S and the S over D.
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Why it’s valuable: These errors are quite rare and highly sought after by variety hunters. The 1950-D/S is generally considered the rarer of the two.
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Value: Depending on the grade, these can range from $340 to over $3,300 for high-quality examples.
Washington Quarter Value Summary Table
| Date/Variety | Mintage | Circulated Value | Auction Record |
| 1932-D | 436,800 | $100 – $300 | $143,750 |
| 1932-S | 408,000 | $100 – $400 | $45,500 |
| 1937 DDO | 19,696,000* | $250 – $600 | $22,250 |
| 1943-S DDO | Unknown | $230 – $400 | $18,800 |
| 1950-D/S | 21,075,600* | $340 – $850 | $3,300+ |
*Total mintage for that year/mint, error mintage is unknown.
Tips for Identifying Valuable Quarters
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Check the Date and Mint Mark: Pre-1965 quarters are 90% silver and inherently more valuable. Look for the “D” or “S” mint marks on the reverse (back) of the coin below the eagle.
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Inspect for Doubling: Use a magnifying glass to look for “shadow” letters on the word “LIBERTY” or “IN GOD WE TRUST”.
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Preserve the Condition: Do not clean your coins, as this can destroy their numismatic value.
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Professional Grading: For high-value finds, consider services like PCGS or NGC to authenticate and grade the coin, which can significantly increase its marketability.
Would you like me to help you identify any specific markings on your 1967 quarter to see if it might be a known error?
