From Rare to Common: The Most Fascinating Washington Quarter Mintage Years

The Washington Quarter is more than just a change coin, it is a symbol of memory and history of an entire era. Without false modesty, it can be said that the Washington Quarter is one of the most recognizable coins in U.S. history. Its issue began in 1932, in honor of the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. But how did this coin, originally designed as a commemorative one, become widely circulated and one of the most mass-produced coins in circulation? What are the most prominent Washington Quarter mintage figures, and which years of minted quarters have become particularly interesting to collectors?

The Origin of the Quarter: The Story Behind and Characteristics

It is not an early American coin. The history of the Washington quarter dates back to 1932, when this legendary coin was issued to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the first U.S. President George Washington. The coin was originally minted in silver, which added to their value, but its design and denomination have remained unchanged over the decades.

Originally, the coin was intended to be a commemorative coin, but economic changes in the mid-twentieth century led to silver being replaced with cheaper materials, making it a mass-produced coin. This transition was a turning point in the history of the Washington quarter.

Main characteristics of the Washington quarter:

Milestones of History: Years of Minting Worth Paying Attention to

1932: Birth of a Legend

The Washington quarter debuted during a difficult economic period - the Great Depression. In the first year, coins were issued at three mints in Philadelphia (5,404,000 coins), Denver (436,800 coins), and San Francisco (408,000 coins), i.e., all coins had “P,” “D,” and “S” quarter mint marks.

The first year of coins issued is characterized by the lowest mintage quarters. Thus, Washington quarters with D and S mint marks are considered the rarest and most valuable and can cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on condition.

Common But Not Significant and the End of the Silver Era

Mid Century

The period from the early 40s to the mid-60s was a time of mass minting of quarters, especially against the backdrop of World War II and subsequent economic changes. However, prior to 1964, the coins were still minted in silver, which gives them some value today. The “S” quarter mint mark stands out in this period as San Francisco's mintage was lower than other mints.

1964: Turning Point

1964 was the last year that quarters were minted in 90% silver. In 1965, coins began to be made of copper-nickel alloy. This event effectively ended the era of silver coins in the United States. Washington quarters of 1964, although they were issued in large quantities (about 50-60 million coins), became a symbol of the transition from precious metals to cheap alloys. So, coins with the 1964 year of issue are also eagerly sought after by collectors.

Taking all the above into account, it is not surprising that 1965 was a critical moment. The change of the precious metal to a copper-nickel alloy caused resentment among collectors, which led to a temporary jump in the prices of silver quarters from the previous years. However, the mass minting of coins with the new composition (about 500-800 million in total) led to the quarters becoming more affordable for everyone. And who knows, maybe you will find one coin in your pocket change?

Unexpectedly Valuable and Famous: Years of Known Minting Mistakes

Minting errors on coins are not just random defects, they often turn ordinary coins into rare and highly prized pieces. Washington quarters (some of the most widely produced and famous coins) are no exception. So here you can find minting years known for interesting minting errors on Washington quarters.

1970 Year and Doubled Die Obverse Error

This is one of the most famous errors found on 1970 coins (especially those issued in Denver with the “D” mint mark). These Washington Quarters are known for a double strike on the obverse, i.e. the image of George Washington on the obverse and the inscriptions on the coin, such as “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” are slightly offset and appear to be double struck.

1983 Year and Defective Die Error

1983 Spitting Eagle Quarter is known for its unique error on the reverse. On this coin, you can see a line coming from the beak of the eagle as if it were “spitting”. This line is due to a micro-crack on the die used to mint the coins.

1999 – 2009 Years of Minting: Modern Quarter Collectibles

From 1999 to 2008, the 50 State Quarters Program was launched and created a boom among collectors. The District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program replaced this program. Each year coins with unique designs were minted, honoring each of the states and then the U.S. territories. Some of these coins, despite being minted en masse, have already become rare due to certain peculiarities.

In 2010, the “America the Beautiful” program was launched, which featured U.S. national parks and monuments on the reverse until 2021. Each year, five new coin designs were released.

Washington Quarters Investment Potential

The value and cost of Washington quarters varies depending on rarity, condition, and the minting errors present. Some particularly striking examples of the coin (error or limited mintage coins) can increase in value significantly in the collector market. Below is a table with the estimated value of the most prominent Washington quarters that can be a profitable investment for numismatists.

In a world where millions of quarters have been minted over decades, finding truly valuable coins can be a challenge.  However, the Coin ID Scanner app makes the process much easier. Due to this app you will be able to quickly scan coins, determine their year of issue, condition, and even approximate value. The app is especially useful for amateurs who want to understand if their coin is worth the attention of collectors.

Tales of Coins

The history of the minting of the Washington quarter is full of fascinating twists and turns. From the rare 1932 issues to the mass minting during the era of economic growth, each year has its own distinct characteristics. And despite the fact many coins seem everyday, each one hides a unique story that can be uncovered with careful analysis, the right knowledge, and modern tools.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_quarter_mintage_figures

2. https://washingtonquarters.org/washington-quarter-mintage/

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_quarter