Washington Quarters: Washington quarters have become one of the most searched coins in today’s collector market. Certain dates and mint errors are bringing thousands of dollars at auctions, especially when found in high grades or certified by major grading services.
Collectors closely watch early low-mintage issues, silver content coins, and dramatic mint mistakes. With strong demand and rising precious metal prices, some Washington quarters struck decades ago are now valuable treasures hiding in plain sight.
Valuable Washington Quarters Collectors Are Paying Thousands For
The most valuable Washington quarters include rare early issues and important mint varieties. Coins like the 1932-D and 1932-S are considered key dates and can sell for thousands depending on condition.
High-grade examples graded Mint State often command much higher premiums. Even circulated coins from rare dates may be worth far more than face value, making careful checking worthwhile.
Rare 1932-D And 1932-S Washington Quarter Key Dates
The 1932-D Washington quarter is one of the lowest mintage regular issues in the series. Because of its scarcity, collectors compete heavily for well-preserved examples.
The 1932-S quarter is also highly desirable and part of the first year of issue. In higher grades, both coins can reach five-figure prices at major auctions.
Washington Quarters Overview
| Key Date / Variety | Why It’s Valuable | Potential Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1932-D Quarter | Low mintage key date | Thousands to tens of thousands |
| 1932-S Quarter | Scarce first-year issue | Thousands in higher grades |
| Doubled Die Varieties | Visible design doubling | $2,000–$10,000+ |
| 1950 D/S Overmintmark | Rare mint mark variety | Thousands+ |
| 1932–1964 Silver Quarters | 90% silver content | Above face value, higher in MS |
Doubled Die Washington Quarters Worth Thousands Today
Doubled die obverse errors occur when the coin design is impressed more than once in slightly different positions. This creates visible doubling on letters or dates.
Notable doubled dies from 1934, 1937, 1942, and 1943 can bring thousands in strong condition. Clear doubling and professional grading increase their market value significantly.
Rare 1950 D Over S Overmintmark Quarter Variety
The 1950 D over S quarter features a Denver mint mark struck over a San Francisco mint mark. This unusual error happened during die preparation.
Collectors value this variety because it is both scarce and dramatic. Certified high-grade examples often sell for thousands of dollars.
Silver Washington Quarters From 1932 To 1964
All Washington quarters minted from 1932 through 1964 contain 90 percent silver. This gives them intrinsic metal value in addition to collector demand.
Even common dates from these years are worth more than face value. In higher grades, silver quarters can command strong premiums beyond their melt value.
How Coin Condition Impacts Washington Quarter Value
Condition plays a major role in determining a quarter’s price. Coins with sharp details and minimal wear are far more valuable than heavily circulated pieces.
Professional grading by major services helps confirm authenticity and quality. Higher grades such as MS65 or better can multiply a coin’s market value.
Mint Errors And Misstrikes Collectors Look For
Besides doubled dies and overmintmarks, collectors search for off-center strikes and other striking errors. These unusual pieces stand out because of their visual appeal.
Error coins are often produced in small numbers. The more dramatic and well-preserved the error, the higher the potential value.
Why Early Washington Quarters Remain In High Demand
Early Washington quarters represent the beginning of the series, starting in 1932. First-year issues often attract strong collector interest.
Limited mintages during the 1930s and 1940s also increase scarcity. As demand grows, well-preserved early coins continue to rise in value.
Tips To Identify Valuable Washington Quarters In Circulation
Always check the date and mint mark carefully. Coins from 1932 with D or S mint marks deserve special attention.
Use a magnifying glass to look for doubling or unusual mint marks. Sorting pre-1965 quarters separately can also help identify silver pieces quickly.