In general, a coin’s selling price increases with years of age. However, you may not have the opportunity to find ancient or vintage dates if you are a new coin collector. The good news is that coins from today can also be valuable. That’s a lot for a cent, dime, or penny, even though it’s only a few hundred dollars. So let’s explore the most valuable quarters while learning more about their past.
10 Most Valuable Quarters Worth Money
- 1964-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
- 1963-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
- 1962-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
- 1965 Type 2 Clad Washington Quarter Business Strike
- 2022-P Maya Angelou Washington Quarter Regular Strike
- 1981-S Proof Deep Cameo Washington Quarter
- 2017-P Effigy Mounds Iowa NP Washington Quarter
- 1999-S Delaware Proof Deep Cameo Washington Quarter
- 1984-P Clad Type 2 Washington Quarter Business Strike
- 2010 Hot Springs Arkansas NP Washington Quarter
1. 1964-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
- Year: 1964
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Grade: MS 68
- Date of Sale: 31st March 2021
- Price: $38,400
The 1964-D Silver Washington Quarter (Denver Mint) stands out as a classic collectible. Graded MS 68, one of the finest known examples, it sold for an impressive $38,400 on March 31, 2021. As coins became less practical for daily purchases, the US government turned to creative ways to keep them relevant and profitable.
They launched series like State Quarters, encouraging Americans to collect 50 new coins, generating massive revenue. It is expanded with the addition of 56 National Parks and Monuments coins, six DC & Territories pieces, and 20 more coins for socially conscious collectors, the American Women series has grown significantly.
2. 1963-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
- Year: 1963
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Grade: MS 68
- Date of Sale: 31st August 2022
- Price: $24,000
The 1963-D Silver Washington Quarter, minted in Denver, is a sought-after piece of numismatic history. Graded MS 68, it sold for $24,000 on August 31, 2022. The coin’s story ties back to a design contest won by Laura Gardin Fraser, a renowned sculptor and wife of James Earle Fraser, the creator of the Buffalo Nickel. Laura also designed the Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar in 1926 and collaborated on numerous coins and medals. Despite her talent, her winning Washington sculpture was never used on the coin.
3. 1962-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
- Year: 1962
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Grade: MS 67
- Date of Sale: 18th April 2012
- Price: $18,400
The 1962-D Silver Washington Quarter, minted in Denver and graded MS 67, fetched $18,400 on April 18, 2012. Initially planned as a one-year issue in 1932, the Washington Quarter’s popularity led to its permanent minting from 1934 onward. Early coins featured an eagle on the reverse, but later designs included the drummer boy, the Delaware crossing (2021), state symbols (1999–2008), Washington DC and territories (2009), national parks and monuments (2010–2021), and the American Women series (starting in 2022).
4. 1965 Type 2 Clad Washington Quarter Business Strike
- Year: 1965
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: None (Coin Shortage)
- Grade: GEM BU
- Date of Sale: 19th January 2005
- Price: $12,650
The 1965 Type 2 Clad Washington Quarter, graded GEM BU, sold for $12,650 on January 19, 2005. This coin was minted during a nationwide coin shortage and lacks a mint mark. Interestingly, the design of Washington Quarters has always been a collaborative effort, with initials of various artists appearing on the reverse, from Elana Hagler to Charles L. Vickers.
The placement of mint marks has shifted over time, usually on the lower right obverse. Depending on the bust design, it appeared near Washington’s ponytail, under the date, or beneath the motto In God We Trust. Studying these shifts adds depth to appreciating the most valuable modern quarters.
5. 2022-P Maya Angelou Washington Quarter Regular Strike
- Year: 2022
- Series: American Women – Maya Angelou
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Grade: MS 67+
- Date of Sale: 5th February 2023
- Price: $2,735
The 2022-P Maya Angelou Washington Quarter, part of the American Women series, was minted in Philadelphia and graded MS 67+. It sold for $2,735 on February 5, 2023. The design change in contemporary coins reflects the shift from precious metals like gold and silver to cheaper base metals, driven by fluctuating metal prices.
Coins play two vital roles in an economy: they serve as reliable trade tools and generate government revenue through seignorage—the profit made when the face value exceeds production costs. Higher seignorage means more revenue, making such changes both practical and profitable for the mint.
6. 1981-S Proof Deep Cameo Washington Quarter
- Year: 1981
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 70 DCAM
- Date of Sale: 29th November 2007
- Price: $2,530
The 1981-S Washington Quarter, minted in San Francisco and graded PR 70 DCAM, sold for $2,530 on November 29, 2007. Since 1932, George Washington has appeared on the obverse of every quarter, though his portrait has had three distinct versions.
On coins, the image or sculpture is called the device, while the words are referred to as mottos or legends. Interestingly, the earliest George Washington device, created in 1931, wasn’t featured on the quarter until 2022, bringing a historic design full circle. The reverse of the quarter, however, has seen several changes over the years.
7. 2017-P Effigy Mounds Iowa NP Washington Quarter
- Year: 2017
- Series: America the Beautiful National Parks, Monuments and Effigy Mounds Iowa
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Grade: MS 70
- Date of Sale: 14th September 2021
- Price: $1,806
The 2017-P Effigy Mounds Iowa Quarter, part of the America the Beautiful series, was minted in Philadelphia and graded MS 70. It sold for $1,806 on September 14, 2021.
While older quarters often gained value from minting errors like DDOs (Doubled Die Errors) or RPMs (re-punched mint marks), modern coins, digitally minted, rarely have these flaws. Instead, missing metal layers are more common. Since 1965, most U.S. coins are clad cupronickel, with a copper core and nickel coating. Occasionally, this clad layer slips off, creating rare two-tone coins that are highly valuable to collectors!
8. 1999-S Delaware Proof Deep Cameo Washington Quarter
- Year: 1999
- Series: State Quarters – Delaware
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 70 DCAM
- Date of Sale: 29th November 2007
- Price: $1,323
The 1999-S Delaware Quarter, part of the State Quarters series, was minted in San Francisco and graded PR 70 DCAM. It sold for $1,323 on November 29, 2007.
The Washington Quarter was designed by John Flanagan and remained in place until 2021 after being selected by Andrew W. Mellon, who was Treasury Secretary at the time. These coins used Flanagan’s initials (JF), but William Cousins (WC) changed his design from 1999 to 2021 to incorporate other components. Starting in 2022, Laura Gardin Fraser’s long-delayed design debuted, marked with LGF initials. While Flanagan’s obverse dominated for decades, the reverses varied widely, reflecting different themes like states, parks, and monuments.
9. 1984-P Clad Type 2 Washington Quarter Business Strike
- Year: 1984
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Grade: MS 67
- Date of Sale: 4th February 2016
- Price: $1,293
The 1984-P Washington Quarter, minted in Philadelphia and graded MS 67, sold for $1,293 on February 4, 2016.
In preparation for George Washington’s Bicentennial, Congress formed committees in 1924 and 1930 to celebrate his 200th birth anniversary. While a commemorative coin was proposed, President Herbert Hoover vetoed it due to high costs. As a compromise, they opted for a circulating coin. Though originally intended as a Half Dollar, they settled on a Quarter, meant to be minted for just one year.
10. 2010 Hot Springs Arkansas NP Washington Quarter
- Year: 2010
- Series: America the Beautiful National Parks, Monuments, and Hot Springs Arkansas
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 69
- Date of Sale: 15th November 2012
- Price: $999
The 2010 Hot Springs Arkansas Quarter, part of the America the Beautiful series, was minted in Philadelphia with no mint mark. Graded MS 69, it sold for $999 on November 15, 2012.
Technically, all Washington Quarters are modern since they’ve been minted only since 1932. Modern series has included the 50 State Quarters, America the Beautiful (National Parks and Monuments), DC Territories, and the recent American Women Quarters. Our focus remains on these collectible coins, from earlier examples to those as recent as 2022 and beyond.
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Bottom Line:
Collecting Washington Quarters is a fascinating journey through history, design, and value. From classic silver coins to modern-themed series, these quarters continue to captivate collectors with their stories and rarity. Even recent coins can hold surprising value, making them accessible and rewarding for new and seasoned collectors alike.
