1983 Quarters: A Capital Find

What is Washington famous for? There may be several answers: museums and memorials, the White House and the Capitol, and much more. For numismatists, this place is also known from another side - 1983 Quarters, but do not confuse them with other quarters like the Seated Liberty Quarter. Let's talk more about them today and understand what they are.

Step Back in the History

The 1983 Washington Quarters are part of the long-running series of quarters that feature George Washington on the obverse (front) of the coin. 

The idea for the Washington Quarter was proposed to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth in 1932. It was introduced, replacing the Standing Liberty Quarter. The design was created by sculptor John Flanagan and featured a profile of George Washington based on a bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon.

The quarters were made of 90% silver and 10% copper. Due to the rising cost of silver, the composition was changed to a clad composition of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel, which continues to this day.

The early 1980s saw high demand for quarters, leading to large mintages. The 1983 Washington Quarter was part of this trend. This was a time of economic recovery in the United States, with inflation and unemployment rates starting to stabilize after a period of economic turmoil in the late 1970s when the 1979 Quarters existed.

Quarters were produced at both the Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (D, or 1983D Quarter) mints. Notably, the U.S. Mint did not produce proof sets for general circulation in 1982 and 1983, making high-quality uncirculated coins from these years more valuable to collectors.

Quarters from the early 1980s, including 1983, are relatively scarce in higher grades because they were heavily circulated and fewer were saved in mint condition. Collectors often seek out 1983 Quarter errors, e.g., those with doubling or off-center strikes. These can significantly increase a coin's value.

While the basic design by John Flanagan remained the same, there have been various changes and special editions over the years. For example, the State Quarters Program (1999-2008) introduced new reverse designs for each of the 50 states, followed by the America the Beautiful Quarters (2010-2021).

Description of the 1983 American Quarter

Design

Obverse: Features a profile of George Washington, facing left. The word "LIBERTY" is inscribed above his head, and the date "1983" is below. To the left of Washington, the word "IN GOD WE TRUST" is inscribed.

Reverse: Displays an eagle with outspread wings, holding arrows in its talons and olive branches below. Above the eagle, the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" are inscribed, and below the eagle, the denomination "QUARTER DOLLAR" is shown.

Composition

Metal Composition: Copper-Nickel Clad Copper

Weight: 5.67 grams.

Diameter: 24.26 mm.

Mint Marks

The 1983 quarters were minted in two locations:

1. Philadelphia (no mint mark)

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• Mint Mark: None. Quarters minted in Philadelphia do not have a mint mark.

• Minting Volume: Generally, the Philadelphia Mint produces a lot of coins, and the exact mintage numbers for 1983 Quarters are part of this trend.

• Collectibility: While Philadelphia-minted quarters are common, high-grade uncirculated coins and 1983 P Quarters with errors can be of interest for collectors.

2. Denver (Quarter 1983 D)

• Location: Denver, Colorado.

• Mint Mark: "D". Quarters minted in Denver are marked with a "D" mint mark located to the right of Washington’s ponytail on the obverse.

• Minting Volume: The Denver Mint also produces many coins with specific mintage figures for 1983 Quaters reflecting this.

• Collectibility: Similar to Philadelphia-minted quarters, those from Denver are common in circulation. However, high-grade uncirculated coins and 1983 D Quarters with errors can command higher prices.

The Value of the 1983 Quarter Dollar

The value of a Washington Quarter of 1983 depends on its condition and whether it has any unique features, e.g., errors. 

1. Circulated Condition

• Face Value: If the coin is worn from circulation, it is generally worth its face value of 25 cents.

• Higher Grade Circulated Coins: If the coin is in better condition with less wear (e.g., Very Fine to Extremely Fine), it might be worth slightly more to collectors ($0.50 - $1).

2. Uncirculated Condition

Coins that have not been in circulation and have a mint state grade can be worth more. The value increases with the grade (MS60 to MS70 - MS means ‘mint state’).

• MS60: Approximately $3 to $5.

• MS65: Approximately $10 to $15.

• MS67 or Higher: Can be worth $50 or more, with the highest grades potentially fetching much higher prices depending on the coin market and demand.

3. Mint Marks

There is typically no significant difference in the value of 1983 D Quarters and P Quarters unless they are of a high grade or have specific features. So, if you want to find out how much a 1983 D quarter is worth, keep in mind general tips. 

4. Errors and Varieties

Coins with mint errors (1983 misprint Quarters, e.g., double strikes, off-center strikes or die cracks) can be worth much more, ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars. This usually depends on the nature and severity of the error.

5. Notable Sales

Some high-grade 1983 quarters (MS67 and above) were sold at auction for several hundred dollars.

Note: For an accurate assessment, it is best to have the coin professionally graded by a service such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). The market for coins can fluctuate, so checking recent auction results and sales can provide a more current estimate of a coin's value. For more detailed information about coins you can try a coin identifier by picture app​ called Coin ID Scanner. It provides all the necessary information for numismatists and those who are just interested in different coins.

Summary

Here is a short overview of 1983 Quarters D and P without their division in two separate groups:

We hope that the information in this article was useful for reading and further use. Good luck with your collecting, profitable shopping and selling!

Sources:

1. https://www.coinvaluechecker.com/how-much-is-a-1983-quarter-worth/

2. https://coinweek.com/1983-p-washington-quarter-a-collectors-guide/