Washington Quarters
Key Dates • Silver Issues • State Quarter Errors • Values by Grade
A Numismatic Tribute to America's First President
The Washington Quarter, introduced in 1932, was created to honor the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. Intended as a one-year circulating commemorative, it quickly became one of America's most recognizable coins — and ultimately one of the longest-running series in U.S. numismatic history. John Flanagan's winning design featured Washington's dignified left-facing portrait on the obverse and a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse, elements that remained largely unchanged for more than six decades.
The series spans three distinct eras: the Classic Silver Era (1932–1964), when quarters were struck in 90% silver and key dates were established; the Clad Era (1965–1998), when copper-nickel replaced silver for circulation strikes; and the Modern Program Era (1999–present), encompassing the wildly popular 50 State Quarters, America the Beautiful series, and American Women Quarters. Whether you're chasing a 1932-D key date, hunting State Quarter errors in change, or stacking 90% silver rolls, Washington quarters offer something for every type of collector.
Classic Silver Washington Quarters — Key Dates & Values
The 1932 Washington quarter was the first issue in the series, and the Denver and San Francisco mint marks that year are the two most important key dates in the entire run. With combined mintages under 850,000 between them, the 1932-D and 1932-S remain the benchmark coins for serious Washington quarter collectors. After 1964, the composition shifted from 90% silver to copper-nickel clad — making pre-1965 quarters both collectible for their designs and valuable for their silver content.
| Date / Mint | Mintage | VG–F | VF–EF | MS-63 | MS-65 | Notes | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932-D ★ | 436,800 | $100–$175 | $200–$400 | $2,500–$5,000 | $18,000+ | Key date. First year, Denver mint. | eBay → |
| 1932-S ★ | 408,000 | $80–$140 | $175–$350 | $2,000–$4,000 | $15,000+ | Key date. First year, San Francisco. | eBay → |
| 1932 (P) | 5,404,000 | $5–$10 | $12–$20 | $60–$120 | $400–$800 | First year, Philadelphia. Common. | eBay → |
| 1934 Heavy Motto | 31,912,052 | $3–$5 | $6–$12 | $30–$60 | $200–$400 | Doubled die variety on motto. | eBay → |
| 1936-D | 5,374,000 | $8–$15 | $20–$40 | $275–$550 | $3,500+ | Semi-key. Scarce in high grades. | eBay → |
| 1937 (P) | 19,701,542 | $3–$5 | $6–$10 | $20–$40 | $120–$250 | Common date. Solid strike. | eBay → |
| 1942-D D/D | 17,487,200 | $5–$10 | $15–$30 | $75–$150 | $700+ | Repunched mintmark variety. | eBay → |
| 1950-D/S | Variety | $10–$20 | $25–$50 | $150–$300 | $900+ | D over S overmintmark. Popular variety. | eBay → |
| 1964 (P) or D | 1,027M+ | $5–$6 | $6–$7 | $10–$18 | $40–$80 | Last 90% silver quarter for circulation. | eBay → |
State Quarter Errors & Rarities (1999–2008)
The 50 State Quarters program (1999–2008) introduced more people to coin collecting than any program since the Lincoln cent. Five designs per year across a decade created enormous variety — and with that, a rich landscape of mint errors. The most famous is the 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf, where a die gouge created what appears to be an extra leaf on the corn stalk in both High Leaf and Low Leaf varieties. State quarter errors are still found in circulation today and represent one of the most accessible areas of U.S. error coin collecting.
2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf
High Leaf and Low Leaf varieties. Die gouge creates extra leaf on corn stalk. Most famous State Quarter error. Still found occasionally in change.
1999-D Pennsylvania Missing Clad
Missing copper-nickel clad layer exposes copper core. Appears copper-colored. Dramatic planchet error — extremely rare for this issue.
2005-P Kansas Humpback Bison
Die gouge creates a hump on the bison's back. Dramatic visible error on the Kansas reverse. Multiple die varieties reported by collectors.
1999-P Delaware Spitting Horse
Die crack from the horse's mouth creates the appearance of spitting. First state quarter issue. Visible die break with dramatic appearance.
2000-P Maryland Doubled Die
Doubling visible on IN GOD WE TRUST and the date. Maryland statehouse dome design. Multiple die varieties — look for strong doubling.
Off-Center & Wrong Planchet
Various dates and states. Off-center strikes worth $50–$500+ depending on severity. Wrong planchet (quarter on dime or cent blank) worth $500–$5,000+.
Classic Pre-Washington Quarter Series
Before the Washington quarter, two iconic series defined the quarter dollar: the Barber Quarter (1892–1916) and the Standing Liberty Quarter (1916–1930). The Barber series, designed by Charles E. Barber, features a Liberty head on the obverse. Key dates include the 1896-S (only 188,039 minted) and 1901-S (only 72,664 minted) — both among the rarest early 20th century U.S. coins. The Standing Liberty quarter by Hermon MacNeil is prized for its artistic beauty, particularly the Full Head designation. The 1916 Standing Liberty, with only 52,000 minted, is one of the great American coin rarities.
1896-S Barber Quarter
Rarest Barber quarter. Only 188,039 minted at San Francisco. Key date — even low grades worth thousands. Essential for series completion.
1901-S Barber Quarter
72,664 mintage. Second rarest Barber. Essential for series completion. Gem examples are extremely rare and museum quality.
1916 Standing Liberty
First year of series. Only 52,000 minted. Type I with exposed breast. Full Head designation adds major premium over any other factor.
1918/7-S Standing Liberty
Famous overdate variety — 1918 struck over 1917. Full Head examples bring huge premiums. One of the most studied U.S. overdates.
1927-S Standing Liberty
Low mintage of 396,000. Extremely difficult in high grade. Full Head designation essential for real value. Type II design.
1930-S Standing Liberty
Final year of series. 1,556,000 minted. Last chance for Standing Liberty collectors. Type II — sharp strike examples are scarce.
America the Beautiful & Modern Quarters
The America the Beautiful Quarters program (2010–2021) featured 56 designs honoring national parks and historic sites across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The companion 5 oz silver bullion coins — struck in .999 fine silver at the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and West Point mints — are among the most popular modern collectibles. The 2019-W circulation quarters marked the first time the West Point mint mark appeared on circulating coins since 1999, driving a nationwide search through pocket change.
2019-W Circulation Quarters
First W-mint quarters in circulation since 1999. Five designs released — Lowell, American Memorial, War in the Pacific, San Antonio Missions, Frank Church. High grades are scarce.
ATB 5 oz Silver Sets
Complete 5 oz .999 fine silver sets. 56 designs total across 12 years. Large format collector coins in beautiful presentation packaging. Investment quality.
2010-P Hot Springs
First America the Beautiful release. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. Bullion and collector versions. Key early issue for complete ATB sets.
2021 Tuskegee Airmen
Final ATB quarter. Alabama site honoring WWII African American pilots. Historic final issue in the 12-year program. Collector demand remains strong.
American Women Quarters
2022–2025 program featuring notable American women. Maya Angelou leads the series. First women (other than Liberty) on circulating quarters. Strong collector interest in high grades.
2022+ High Grade Rolls
Modern quarters in MS67+ are genuine rarities from the PCGS/NGC population reports. Roll hunting for gem examples of 2022–2025 American Women issues is an active collector pursuit.
Shop Washington Quarters on eBay
Certified key dates, 90% silver rolls, State Quarter errors, and ATB 5 oz silver — from verified dealers with buyer protection.
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Flanagan's Iconic Portrait — Design History
John Flanagan's winning 1932 design emerged from a national competition seeking to capture Washington's legacy for the bicentennial issue. His dignified portrait of Washington on the obverse conveyed strength and leadership, while the heraldic eagle on the reverse symbolized American resilience. These elements remained fundamentally unchanged through 1998 — a run of 66 years that made the Washington quarter one of the most stable coin designs in U.S. Mint history.
The biggest design shift came in 1999 with the State Quarters program. The familiar reverse eagle was replaced by state-specific reverses, though Washington's portrait remained on the obverse. This program ran through 2008 and was followed by the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters (2009), America the Beautiful (2010–2021), and the American Women Quarters (2022–2025). The Washington quarter is arguably the most continuously evolved coin in U.S. numismatics — its obverse unchanged for nearly a century while its reverse has told hundreds of different stories.
Collecting Silver Washington Quarters
Pre-1965 Washington quarters contain 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver. At any silver price above $5/oz, these coins are worth more than face value for their metal content alone. Common-date circulated silver Washington quarters typically trade at 15–20× face value ($3.75–$5.00) in bulk lots. Key dates and high-grade uncirculated examples carry numismatic premiums well beyond their silver content — making the 1932-D and 1932-S genuinely rare coins rather than just silver plays.
For silver value reference, see the silver coin melt calculator. For complete Washington quarter values by grade, see the coin prices guide.
Where to Buy Washington Quarters
eBay — Key Dates
1932-D, 1932-S, and certified semi-key dates. PCGS and NGC slabbed examples give authentication and grade confidence on high-value coins.
Shop Key Dates →eBay — State Quarter Errors
2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf, 1999-D Pennsylvania missing clad, and other State Quarter varieties. Filter by certification for reliable purchases.
Shop Errors →eBay — 90% Silver Rolls
Pre-1965 Washington quarter rolls in mixed circulated grades. Stack for silver content or sort for key dates — rolls often contain overlooked semi-keys.
Shop Silver Rolls →JM Bullion — Junk Silver
Competitive pricing on pre-1965 90% silver quarters by face value. Reliable sourcing for stacking silver at consistent premiums over spot.
Shop JM Bullion →Amazon — Reference Books
A Guide Book of Washington Quarters and specialist Standing Liberty references — essential for identifying varieties and grading accurately.
Shop Amazon →FRC Coin Price Guide
Research values across Washington quarters, Standing Liberty, and Barber quarters — all in one reference before you buy or sell.
View Price Guide →
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Related Coin Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key dates in the Washington Quarter series?
The two most important key dates are the 1932-D (436,800 minted, Denver) and 1932-S (408,000 minted, San Francisco) — both from the first year of issue. Semi-key dates include the 1936-D and several early 1940s issues. Within the State Quarter program, the 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf is the most famous and valuable error. For complete values across all dates and grades, see the coin prices guide.
Are Washington quarters silver?
Washington quarters minted from 1932 through 1964 are 90% silver and contain 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver. Starting in 1965, the composition changed to copper-nickel clad for circulating coins — the same composition used today. A few exceptions: 40% silver quarters were struck in 1976 as Bicentennial issues for collectors, and 90% silver proof quarters have been minted for collector sets since 1992. The simplest test: quarters dated 1964 and earlier are silver; 1965 and later are not (for circulation strikes).
How do I find the 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf quarter?
The 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf quarters were struck at the Denver Mint and entered circulation normally — meaning they can still be found in pocket change, coin rolls, and bank-wrapped rolls today. Look for a 2004-D Wisconsin quarter under magnification: the High Leaf variety has an extra leaf pointing up from the corn stalk at roughly the 11 o'clock position; the Low Leaf variety has a leaf curling down at roughly the 8 o'clock position. Compare to a normal 2004-D Wisconsin quarter — the extra leaf is immediately obvious once you know what you're looking for.
What is a Full Head Standing Liberty quarter?
Full Head (FH) is the premier designation for Standing Liberty quarters, awarded by PCGS and NGC when Liberty's helmet shows complete detail — three distinct leaves, the ear, and full hair strands visible. Due to the high-relief obverse design, most Standing Liberty quarters came from the mint with weak head strikes. A Full Head example can be worth 3–10× more than the same coin without the designation. The 1916 Standing Liberty with Full Head is the most valuable regular-issue quarter in American numismatics, with examples reaching six figures.
How valuable are State Quarters?
Most circulated State Quarters (1999–2008) are worth face value — 25 cents. The exception is error coins, which can be worth $10 to $1,000+ depending on the error type and severity. High-grade (MS-67 or better) State Quarters certified by PCGS or NGC can carry collector premiums of $20–$500+, particularly for low-population dates. The 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf (both varieties) and 1999-D Pennsylvania Missing Clad Layer are the most valuable State Quarter errors. Complete certified sets of all 50 designs in matching grades trade for significant premiums.
What is the 2019-W quarter and why is it valuable?
In 2019 the U.S. Mint released the first Washington quarters bearing the West Point (W) mint mark to enter circulation since 1996. Two million of each of the five 2019 America the Beautiful designs were released through the Federal Reserve into normal circulation — with no announcement of when or where. The W mint mark had previously appeared only on special collector issues. Gem uncirculated (MS67+) examples are genuinely scarce since most were spent without second thought. High-grade certified 2019-W quarters, especially the Lowell National Historical Park issue, can sell for $100–$500+ in top grades.
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