How Much Is a 1983 Washington Quarter Worth?

A 1983 Washington Quarter is a regular U.S. 25-cent Washington quarter with George Washington on the front and the eagle reverse used before the State Quarters series. 

In 1983 it was struck in Philadelphia (1983-P), Denver (1983-D), and as a San Francisco proof (1983-S). All are clad, not silver: 75% copper and 25% nickel over a copper core, with a 24.30 mm diameter and 5.67 g weight. 

It is not one of the rare coins to look for. PCGS lists mintages of 673,535,000 for 1983-P, 617,806,446 for 1983-D, and 3,279,126 for the 1983-S proof.

How much is a 1983 quarter worth?

• Circulated 1983-P or 1983-D: 25¢.

• 1983-P in MS65: $35–$50.

• 1983-D in MS65: $15–$31.

• 1983-S proof: raw proof examples often sell around $2–$4, while PR69 DCAM pieces are often around $7–$15. 

What Is the Value of a 1983 Quarter?

1983 P Quarter Value

Most of these coins remain in circulation today and are worth only face value. However, well-preserved examples in mint state can attract higher prices. The highest auction price for an MS65 piece reached $15,863 in 2014.

• Minted in Philadelphia (P mintmark visible on the coin's obverse).

• The most commonly circulated.

• Uncirculated coins in MS65 grade, as well as some 1983 quarter P error examples, range from $46 to $150, with a top price for MS 67 grades reaching $650.

1983 D Quarter Value

The Denver mint produced 617,806,446 coins, and while these are mostly seen in circulation too, some high-grade examples fetch more in the market. How much is a 1983 D quarter worth? One MS 67 specimen was sold for $1,410 in 2016.

• The "D" mintmark is located just below Washington’s ponytail.

• Typically, the 1983 quarter D value is not high, but MS 67 examples can exceed $850 in auctions.

1983 S Quarter Value

It was issued only as a proof coin, with a mintage of 3,279,126. Proof coins are produced with higher quality and are intended for collectors. A 1983 S PR70 coin was sold for $495 in 2003.

• The "S" mintmark is located beneath Washington’s bust.

• These coins are rare, and their value is primarily driven by their status as proof coins. Higher-grade proof examples can reach up to $495 at auction.

Do not confuse them with other coins like the Seated Liberty Quarter. 

1983 Quarter Value Chart

Why 1983 Quarters Are Hard to Find in High Grade

“MS66 examples are very difficult to find even in rolls, bags or even in mint sets. In MS67 condition they are really scarce with less than two dozen known.”
— Jaime Hernandez, numismatist
PCGS

In 1982 and 1983, the U.S. Mint did not issue the normal annual Uncirculated Mint Sets, so far fewer fresh business-strike coins were saved at the time. The only official Mint products with uncirculated 1982–1983 business strikes were the much scarcer Philadelphia and Denver souvenir sets sold at Mint gift shops, and their estimated mintages were tiny compared with normal Mint Set sales in surrounding years.

That left many 1983 quarters to enter circulation, where they picked up wear, bag marks, weak eye appeal, and contact damage. Even coins saved in rolls or bags often are not clean enough for top grades. 

Rare 1983 Quarter Error List With Values

Spitting Eagle Error

The Spitting Eagle is one of the most famous 1983 quarter errors. It occurs when a die clash causes a line to appear beneath the eagle’s beak, resembling a “spit.”

Value: $1 to $500.

A 1983 P Spitting Eagle in MS 66+ grade was sold for $504 in 2018.

Off-center Error

The off-center 1983 error quarter occurs when a coin is struck without the planchet being perfectly aligned in the die. This causes part of the design to be "off-center," resulting in a coin that is missing portions of its image.

Value: $50 to $100 for high-grade coins.

The most valuable off-center coins have visible dates and mintmarks, with about 50% to 55% of the design missing.

Finned Rim Error

It happens when excessive pressure from the die causes metal to spill over the edge, creating a "flange" or "fin" around the coin’s rim. These coins are more unusual and valuable than standard specimens.

The value is higher than that of regular uncirculated coins.

Struck on a Nickel Planchet

Occasionally, a 1983 quater can be struck on a nickel planchet, resulting in a coin that is smaller, lighter, and has missing design elements. These errors are rare and highly sought after by collectors.

Value: $180 to $260 for well-preserved examples.

Reverse Indent Error

A reverse indent occurs when a coin strikes another planchet, creating an indentation. These errors are particularly valuable if the indent is visible on the reverse side of the coin.

Value: $310 for high-grade examples.

1983 Spitting Eagle Quarter Explained

PCGS lists it as FS-901, and NGC describes it as a die clash variety. The marker is a raised ridge near the eagle’s mouth on the reverse, which creates the “spitting” look.

How to identify it

• This variety is associated with the 1983-P quarter.

• A real example shows a thin raised line or ridge, not a cut or scratch.

• The line comes from a die clash, with design transfer from Washington’s neck onto the reverse die.

• If the mark is incuse, jagged, or obviously damaged, it is not the Spitting Eagle variety. This is an inference from the fact that the recognized marker is a raised clash line.

1983 Quarter Error “In God We Trust” and Other Die Errors

A lot of people think weak lettering in IN GOD WE TRUST on a 1983 quarter is an error. Usually, it is not. The typical 1983 quarter shows weakness in the lettering, especially the “IN” of IN GOD WE TRUST, because these coins were often struck from tired dies with weak luster and soft detail. So, weak motto lettering alone does not make a coin rare.

The clearest documented 1983 die variety tied to the motto is on the 1983-S proof quarter. VarietyVista writes about the 1983-S DDO-004 with light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and the ribbon end. That is a true doubled-die obverse 1983 quarter error in god we trust, not ordinary strike weakness.

Other documented 1983 proof die varieties include:

• 1983-S DDO-002 — medium spread on LIBERTY.

• 1983-S DDR-001 — medium spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, QUARTER DOLLAR, both wings, and the lower leaves. 

What Makes a 1983 Quarter Valuable?

Mint mark — 1983-P and 1983-D are the main condition-rarity coins; 1983-S is a proof issue with a separate market.

Grade and surface quality — fewer marks, stronger luster, and better eye appeal mean more value.

Proof contrast — for 1983-S, Deep Cameo pieces bring stronger premiums than ordinary proofs.

1983 quarter error list with pictures and varieties — coins like the 1983-P Spitting Eagle can sell for more than normal examples.

Certification — for top-end 1983 quarters, the market usually pays real premiums only when the coin is professionally graded. This is an inference from how PCGS and auction markets separate top certified pieces from ordinary raw coins.

Most Valuable 1983 Quarter Sales Ever Recorded

• 1983-P quarter — January 8, 2014, Heritage Auctions, NGC MS65, $15,862.50.

• 1983-D quarter — September 7, 2016, Heritage Auctions, MS67, $1,410.

• 1983-P Spitting Eagle (FS-901) — March 14, 2018, Heritage Auctions, PCGS MS66+, $504.

• 1983-S proof quarter — September 2, 2003, Heritage Auctions, PCGS PR70, $495.

How to Identify a Valuable 1983 Quarter

A 1983-P or 1983-D is the kind to watch in high Mint State, because these business strikes were not saved heavily and are much harder to find nice than the mintages suggest. A 1983-S is a proof coin, so the value test is different: collectors want strong mirrors, clean surfaces, and preferably Deep Cameo contrast.

Then check the surface quality. The best coins show full luster, few marks on Washington’s cheek and the open fields, and strong overall eye appeal. 

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.

Is a 1983 Quarter Worth Anything Today?

The value depends on its condition and whether it has any unique features, e.g., misprints like those from a 1983 D quarter error list with pictures. 

Circulated Condition

If the coin is worn from circulation, it is generally worth its face value of 25 cents. 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).

Uncirculated Condition

Coins that have not been in circulation and have a mint state grade can be worth more. The value of 1983 quarter 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.

Where to Sell or Appraise Your 1983 Quarter

For a normal circulated 1983 quarter, start with a local coin dealer. PCGS has an Authorized Dealer Directory that lets you filter by location and services such as appraisals, and NGC also offers a Dealer Locator for coin shops and specialists.

For a coin that looks high grade, proof, or error-related, auction is usually better. Heritage accepts consignments and offers free auction evaluation or an outright-purchase option, while GreatCollections accepts PCGS, NGC, and ANACS certified coins, and says it can also help arrange grading for raw coins.

FAQ: 1983 Quarter Worth

Related Coin Value Guides:

• 1984 Quarter Coin Value
• 1985 Quarter Coin Value 
• 1986 Quarter Coin Value 
• 1987 Quarter Coin Value 
• 1988 Quarter Coin Value
• 1989 Quarter Coin Value