5 most valuable rare Washington quarters you should be looking for.
1. 1932-D Washington Quarter
The year 1932 marked the very first year of the Washington Quarter, originally intended as a one-year commemorative to celebrate George Washington’s 200th birthday. Because of the Great Depression, the Denver Mint (indicated by a small “D” on the back) only produced 436,800 of these coins.
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Why it’s valuable: It has the second-lowest mintage in the entire series. Most were used heavily in circulation, making “Mint State” (uncirculated) versions incredibly rare.
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What to look for: A small “D” mint mark on the reverse side, located just below the eagle’s wreath.
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The Payoff: Even a worn version can be worth $100 to $200. However, if you find one in pristine condition, it can sell for $5,000 to $15,000. One record-breaking specimen sold for over $143,000!
2. 1932-S Washington Quarter
Close on the heels of the Denver issue is the 1932-S from the San Francisco Mint. With only 408,000 coins struck, this is technically the “King of Quarters” in terms of rarity by mintage numbers.
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Why it’s valuable: It is the lowest mintage of any regular-issue Washington quarter. During the 1930s, people were struggling to survive, so very few people had the extra money to save new quarters, leading to most of them being worn down through decades of use.
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What to look for: Look for the “S” mint mark on the back, below the eagle.
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The Payoff: Similar to the 1932-D, a heavily circulated 1932-S is worth about $150. In high grades (MS65 or better), these coins regularly fetch $3,000 to $10,000.
3. 1937 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
Not all value comes from low mintage; sometimes, it comes from a mistake at the Mint. The 1937 Doubled Die is one of the most famous errors in the series.
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Why it’s valuable: A “Doubled Die” occurs when the hub strikes the die twice at slightly different angles. This creates a ghost-like “shadow” or doubling effect on the letters and numbers.
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What to look for: Use a magnifying glass to look at the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the date “1937.” If the letters look thicker or show clear secondary outlines, you’ve found it.
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The Payoff: While a regular 1937 quarter is worth about $10, the Doubled Die variety can sell for $500 in mid-grades and over $10,000 in high-end uncirculated condition.
4. 1950-D/S Over-Mintmark
This is a “Frankenstein” of coins. In 1950, a worker at the Denver Mint accidentally punched a “D” mint mark over an already existing “S” mint mark on a coin die.
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Why it’s valuable: It is a rare “OMM” (Over-Mintmark) variety. It represents a specific moment of human error in the minting process that was caught too late.
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What to look for: Look closely at the mint mark on the back. You will see a clear “D”, but if you look at the top and bottom of the letter, the curves of an underlying “S” will be visible poking out.
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The Payoff: These are highly sought after by variety collectors. Depending on the condition, they range from $200 to $3,000+.
5. 1982 & 1983 “No Mint Set” High Grades
You might be surprised to see “modern” quarters on this list, but 1982 and 1983 are special. During these two years, the U.S. Mint did not produce official “Uncirculated Mint Sets” for collectors.
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Why it’s valuable: Since no sets were sold to collectors, the only way to get these quarters was from the bank. Most went straight into circulation and got scratched up. Finding a “perfect” 1982 or 1983 quarter is statistically much harder than finding a perfect one from the 1960s or 70s.
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What to look for: Look for 1982-P, 1982-D, 1983-P, or 1983-D quarters that look like they just fell out of the press—super shiny with no scratches.
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The Payoff: While a used one is worth 25 cents, an MS67 or MS68 graded version can sell for $500 to $1,500. Some 1982-P quarters in top condition have even sold for over $10,000!
Quick Tips for Your Search:
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Check the Date: Anything 1964 or older is 90% silver and worth at least $5 just for the metal.
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Look for Mint Marks: The “D” (Denver) and “S” (San Francisco) are usually the keys to rarity.
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Condition is King: A coin’s value drops significantly if it is cleaned. Never clean your coins! The natural patina is what collectors want.
Would you like me to help you identify the mint marks or error signs on a specific coin you’ve found?
