1982 Quarter Value: Complete Guide to Errors and Rare Coins

This year, there was a shortage in coin production, which has had a huge impact on the search for valuable coins to add to collections these days. The starting price for a coin in circulation is $3, and the final price can be higher than $350.

What Is a 1982 Quarter Worth Today?

Circulated Value of 1982 Quarter $0.25+

Uncirculated Item Value $12+

The S Proof is often the cheapest to find in high grade. This is because these were sold in protective plastic sets to collectors, whereas the 1982 quarter P and D coins were thrown into bags and allowed to bang into each other, creating marks that lower their grades.

In the year, most items were released directly into circulation. Finding a "P" or "D" mint mark quarter 1982 today with its original mint luster and no scratches is very difficult.

For more insights, check the U.S. Proof Coin Sets.

How to Make Your Own Collection

Step 1 – Original Bank Wrapped

Since the Mint didn't produce collector sets in 1982, the best way to find a gem-quality coin is to find a roll that has been sitting in a vault since that year. Specialty coin dealers or auction sites like GreatCollections or Collectors Corner.

Step 2 – Acquire a Slabbed Piece

If you want a coin that is guaranteed to be high-grade, buy one already certified by PCGS or NGC. Aim for an MS-65 for a beautiful, affordable coin. If you are building a Registry Set, look for MS-66 or MS-67.

Step 3 – Complete the Mint Trio

A complete collection should include all three mint marks:

• Philadelphia (do not confuse with old items, 1982 quarter no mint mark)

• San Francisco

• Denver

1982 Washington Quarter Overview

Obverse – George Washington and inscriptions.

Reverse – inscriptions and motto.

1982 P Quarter Value

The Philadelphia Mint struck over half a billion pieces in the year. You can identify these by the "P" mint mark located to the right of Washington’s hair tie.

500,931,000

Circulated Item $0.25–$1.00

Because no mint sets exist, P issues in Mint State 67 or higher are incredibly rare. Most coins from this mint suffered from heavy marks (nicks from other coins), so a specimen with clean surfaces is a major find. It is considered the most difficult business-strike item of the 1980s to find in a "Gem" grade.

1982 D Quarter Value

The Denver Mint produced a similar volume to Philadelphia, marked with a "D" on the obverse. These were the primary workhorses for the Western and Midwestern United States.

80,042,788

Circulated Item $0.25–$1.00

Denver strikes from this year often suffer from "mushy" details due to worn-out dies. Collectors look for "Full Talons" on the eagle’s claws on the reverse to prove a sharp, high-quality strike. Like the Philadelphia issue, uncirculated rolls are the only source for high-grade survivors.

S Washington Quarter

Unlike the other two mints, San Francisco only produced Proof coins for collectors. These coins feature a mirror-like background and frosted details, identified by the "S" mint mark.

3,857,479

While these have the lowest mintage, they are actually the easiest to find in perfect condition because they were sold in protective hard-plastic Proof Sets. A standard S Proof is worth about $5.00, but a perfect Deep Cameo piece graded PR-70 can sell for over $800.00.

1982 Quarter Value Chart

How much is a 1982 quarter worth in the modern numismatic field?

Essential Equipment for Item Identification:

Loupe for the 1982 quarter rim error – to check for rub on Washington’s cheek.

Digital Scale – to check for the rare Nickel Planchet 1982 error quarter.

Non-PVC Flips – store your finds in Mylar or non-PVC holders. The items are prone to clouding if stored in cheap plastic flips.

Why 1982 Quarters Are Special

The single biggest factor is that the U.S. Mint canceled the production of official Uncirculated Mint Sets in 1982 and 1983 because of federal budget cuts. Usually, these sets provide a guaranteed supply of perfect coins for collectors.

Most of the 1 billion items struck in the year went immediately into heavy circulation:

• Vending machines

• Arcade games

• Laundry mats

After 40+ years of passing through millions of hands, the vast majority of items are now heavily worn, making fresh-looking ones stand out to collectors instantly.

"Because the Mint did not issue uncirculated mint sets in 1982 and 1983, business-strike quarters from those years in top condition are among the most elusive and highly sought-after of all modern Washington quarters."
– Scott A. Travers, author
The Insider's Guide to U.S. Coin Values

Is a 1982 Quarter Worth Anything in Circulation?

In general circulation, a standard Washington item is worth only its face value of 25 cents. While these coins are over forty years old, the high mintage figures for the Philadelphia and Denver mints mean they remain common in everyday change. 

Collectors will pay a bonus for pieces that have somehow escaped the heavy wear and tear of four decades of use. You should always inspect your pieces for major 1982 P quarter errors, such as a missing clad layer or a wrong planchet strike, which can increase the value to several hundred $.

Item Through the Years

• 1982

During a time of economic recession, the U.S. Mint struck nearly one billion issues to facilitate daily trade. Because the government canceled official uncirculated mint sets this year, almost every coin produced was sent directly into the rough environment of commercial banking bags.

• 1983–2000

These coins became very popular in the American economy, enduring constant friction in vending machines, laundromats, and arcade cabinets. This period saw the vast majority of the year's mintages lose their original mint luster and develop the scratches and everyday use patina common today.

• 2000–Present

Nowadays, in the numismatic field, the most valuable State quarters exist. Today, while worn coins remain worth their face value. Those few survivors that remained tucked away in jars or original bank rolls have become prized condition rarities in the modern market.

1982 Quarter Error List

Struck on a Cent Planchet: These appear copper-colored and are much smaller than a standard item. Check the 1982 quarter error list with pictures.

1982 quarter value error $500–$1,500

• DDO & DDR

Doubling occurs during the hubbing process of the die itself, causing the design elements to appear doubled on every coin struck by that die.

P Double Die Obverse (DDO) – look for doubling in the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date.

$10–$100

D Double Die Reverse (DDR) – doubling is most visible on the letters of "QUARTER DOLLAR" and the eagle’s wings. You should check the 1982 D quarter error list with pictures.

$20–$150

• Missing or Weak Inscriptions

A common error at both the Philadelphia and Denver mints involved grease filling the die "In God We Rust".

Filled Die Error: If grease fills the letters of the motto, you get the famous "In God We Rust" (missing the 'T') or a missing "P" or "D" mint mark.

Filled Mint Mark: The center of the "P" or "D" is a solid blob rather than a crisp letter.

$2–$25

• Striking & Planchet Defects

Broadstruck: The 1982 P quarter error is struck without the retaining collar, causing it to spread out like a pancake. It will be wider than a normal item and have a smooth edge (no reeds).

$25–$100

Off-Center Strike: The coin is only partially struck by the dies. A 10% off-center strike is common, but a 50% off-center strike with a visible date is a major find.

$50–$300+

Missing Clad Layer: One side of the coin appears bright copper because the nickel-copper outer layer failed to bond to the core.

$40–$150

Rare 1982 Quarter Errors That Increase Value

Below is a table of the 1982 P quarter error list with pictures.

Attention: Check other State quarter errors you should know.

Wrong Planchet 1982 D Quarter Errors

The defects occur when a blank intended for another denomination is fed into the item press. Struck on a Nickel Planchet lacks the copper edge, is slightly smaller, and weighs roughly 5.0 grams (instead of 5.67g).

$600–$2,000+

How to Identify a Valuable 1982 Quarter

Several factors help beginner and professional collectors to identify their items:

• Mint Mark

• Condition

• Defects

• Certification

Luster Test

The most valuable items are business strikes (P or D) that look like they just came off the press. Tilt the coin under a light.

If the light spins around the surface (the luster) and there are no visible scratches or dullness on Washington's cheek, you may have a high-grade coin. While a circulated item is worth $0.25, a P in MS-67 grade can fetch $450–$600, and a rare MS-68 has sold for over $4,000.

Auction Records

P MS-68 – $10,200 (Heritage Auctions)

D MS-68 – $4,320 (Stack’s Bowers Galleries)

S PR-70 DCAM – $6,435 (Heritage Auctions)

Where to Buy an Item

Heritage Auctions is the gold standard for high-value sales. Most of the MS-67 and MS-68 items that appear on the market go through their monthly Internet Coin Auctions.

Stack’s Bowers is ideal for Elite collections. They are the best choice if you have a coin that is potentially a 1 of 1 finest known grade.

GreatCollections is a fast-growing online auction house that has become a favorite for modern clad coinage. They frequently list PCGS and NGC certified pieces in the $100–$1,000 range.

eBay - while common for circulated coins, eBay is a massive market for Slabbed (graded) issues. Collectors use it to find MS-65 and MS-66 coins that don't quite reach the multi-thousand-dollar record levels but are still worth $50–$200.

FAQ

Related Coin Value Guides:

• 1983 Washington Quarter Coin Value
• 1984 Australia 1 Dollar Coin Value
• 1982 Jefferson Nickel Coin Value
• 1981 Roosevelt Dime Coin Value
• 1980 Lincoln Penny Coin Value
• 1981 Half Dollar Coin Value