How Much Is a 1979 Washington Quarter Worth?

This late 20th-century coin reflects a year of massive industrial production and technological change. Featuring a classic design by John Flanagan and a portrait of George Washington, this coin is a classic example of the American Revolution. The price ranges from $0.25 to $600 or more dollars for 67 Mint State.

How Much Is a 1979 Quarter Worth Today?

Most of them are not rare items because of the high mintages from both the Philadelphia and Denver mints. However, collectors sometimes look for well-preserved coins with strong luster or notable mint errors, which have a higher value of 1979 quarter.

The D issue features a "D" mint mark and was produced at the Denver Mint. Some of these coins display a "filled D" where the mint mark appears clogged or blob-like. This happens due to grease, dirt, or debris filling the die.

It intrigues collectors who specialize in mint errors. They are not exceedingly rare, but their 1979 Filled D quarter value can be more than their standard counterparts, especially if in excellent condition.

1979 Quarter Value by Mint Mark

D mint mark is on a standard coin unless featuring a filled one or an error. For example, the 1979 D quarter filled mint mark value is rather higher than ordinary ones.

There are also S Proof items. Type 2 proofs are rarer and more valuable than Type 1.

How much is a 1979 no mint mark quarter worth? They are made by Philadelphia. If you compare them with others, they are the cheapest and most common. However, you should keep in mind other factors that may influence the price.

1979 Quarter Value Chart

The value gap between face value and high MS can surprise you. Before purchasing, always check the actual market prices.

1979 S Proof Quarters: Type 1 & Type 2

Issues from the San Francisco Mint bear an "S" mint mark and are proof coins, not intended for circulation.

The Type 2 is considerably rarer than the Type 1. The 1979 quarter dollar value of these types, by their nature, is higher, and they are already more desirable due to their strike and finish.

Is a 1979 Quarter Worth Anything in Circulation?

By market standards, a typical coin in circulation is worth $0.25. But some variants are worth much more.

All the 1979 Liberty quarter value data listed in this article are approximate and based on recent auction results, dealer listings, and collector market trends. Actual prices may vary. What is a 1979 quarter worth then? For an accurate assessment, coins should be examined by a professional grading service or a numismatic expert.

Rare 1979 Quarter Errors List

In the coin-collecting world, errors can make a difference, for example, think of error pennies. The Washington item is usually a common circulation coin, but a few varieties and minting 1979 quarter error list attract collector interest.

Struck on Dime Stock

This is a wrong stock 1979 error quarter rather than a wrong planchet. The mint accidentally fed a strip of metal intended for dimes into the item-stamping machine. The coin will be thinner than a normal issue and have a very weak "mushy" strike near the rims because the metal wasn't thick enough to fill the die.

Value $400–$1,200

S Proof Type 2 Clear S

If you have an S Proof (mirror finish), look closely at the mint mark. Late in the year, the Mint replaced a worn-out "S" punch with a new, sharper version.

Value $25–$100

Multi-Struck or Off-Center Defects

Because of the massive mintage in the year, the machinery often malfunctioned. Off-Center – a coin that is 20% to 50% off-center, showing a large blank crescent of metal.

Double/Triple Struck – a coin that was struck once, failed to eject, and was struck again to create overlapping images of Washington.

Value $50–$500+

1979 D Quarter Errors and Filled Mint Mark Value

The filled mint mark occurs when grease, debris, or metal particles clog the recess of the die that forms the “D” mint mark. When this happens, the mint mark appears partially filled or completely solid instead of showing the normal open shape. 

On some coins, the letter may look thick, blurry, or almost like a small dot. Check the S and 1979 D quarter error list.

This type of error does not usually make the coin super rare, but clear examples are still collected as minor varieties. Here are some other possible errors: 

Off-Center Strikes: Coins where the design is not properly aligned result in a portion of the design missing from one side and a blank area on the opposite edge. The degree of misalignment can affect the quarter 1979 value – the more dramatic, the better.

Die Breaks and Cracks: Manifest as raised lines or blobs on the surface due to cracks or breaks in the die. A significant die break can create a "cud," where a substantial part of the design is missing.

Filled Die Errors: As with the filled mint marks, e.g., item error filled D, grease or debris can fill parts of the die. This leads to coins with missing or faint details.

1979 Quarter No Mint Mark Value Explained

Coins minted in Philadelphia are examples of a 1979 quarter with no mint mark. At the time, it was standard practice for the Philadelphia Mint to omit one on pieces.

These coins are rather common. However, they hold their 1979 quarter value no mint mark, for being representative of the mainstay production. Uncirculated examples are more expensive.

“The U.S. Mint struck about half a billion 1979-P Washington Quarters making it a very common issue. It is fairly common up to about MS66 condition. MS67 examples are very scarce. Anything grading higher than MS67 is considered rare.”
— Jaime Hernandez, numismatist
PCGS

Notable Defects

If your issue is not in perfect condition but you still think it’s special, look for these specific production errors:

Broadstruck – the coin was struck without the collar. The coin will look flatter and wider than a normal item, and the edge will be smooth instead of reeded.

Off-Center Strike – the design is shifted toward one edge.

Multiple Strikes – the coin was hit by the die more than once. You will see overlapping images of Washington's face or the eagle on the back.

What Makes a 1979 Quarter Valuable?

So, how much is an item from the year worth? You should assess several points to answer this question.

Condition (Grade): The Most Important Factor

Circulated Coins: Show signs of wear from use in transactions. Unless they possess errors or are uncommonly well-preserved, they usually hold only face value.

Uncirculated Coins: These are coins that have not entered circulation and exhibit no wear. They can be from Mint State (MS) 60 to MS70. The higher the grades, the better the condition.

Proof Coins: They are specially minted for collectors. They feature sharp details and a mirror-like finish. Graded from Proof (PR) 60 to PR-70.

Errors and Varieties: The Big Value Multipliers

Filled Mint Marks: Both the filled "D" and "S" mint marks can enhance a coin's value. This means, for example, that the 1979 D quarter value will be higher if it has a filled mark.

Other Errors: Coins with different minting errors are usually assessed with higher prices.

1979 Quarter vs Silver Quarters: Key Differences

Generally, items are similar, but the table below presents some differences. When did they stop making silver quarters?

How to Verify Your Item

In very rare cases, an item could be struck on the wrong planchet. To check if yours is a rare error:

• The Weight Test – use a digital scale

• The Edge Check – look at the reeded edge

• The "S" Mint Mark – all S issues are Proofs, Type 1 or Type 2

Where to Sell or Buy a 1979 Quarter

Firstly, you should decide on the platform and purpose – whether it will be an online market or auction, a local shop, or a dealer?

Dealers

L&C Coins – a long-standing specialist in modern U.S. coins. They frequently stock graded P and D quarters for collectors building date sets.

Local Coin Shops (LCS) – if your issue is circulated (worth 25 cents), a local shop is your best choice. Note that most dealers will not buy common items individually unless they are in original mint rolls.

Online Marketplaces

eBay – the highest volume of issues. It is excellent for selling S Proofs or 1979 quarter Filled D varieties. Use "Sold" listings to see real-time 2026 market prices, as "Asking" prices are often inflated.  

Reddit – a peer-to-peer community with no seller fees. It is a popular spot for trading high-luster items that aren't quite worth the cost of professional grading.

FAQ

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