The Washington Quarter was originally intended to be a commemorative coin, honoring the bicentennial of George Washington’s birthday. Instead, the design by John Flanagan was so well-received that it became the Quarter Dollar selected for circulation in 1932 and continues to be today.
Between 1932 and 1964 Flanagan’s design, with a bust of Washington facing left on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse, was struck by the millions in 90% silver. In 1965, the U.S. Mint began striking Clad Quarters, which contained copper and nickel, instead of silver. The design was left unchanged, except for the 1776-1976 Bicentennial special design. The original design was again used between 1977 and 1998. In 1999 through 2009 the coins used a portrait of Washington, but each reverse honored a different state or United States territory. Later designs kept a Washington Portrait on the obverse and matched them with the America The Beautiful Program, Washington Crossing the Delaware, and American Women reverse designs.
For more on the history of this coin series, read our in-depth article on Washington Quarters.
Key Dates and Varieties
1932-D Washington Quarter
In the 1932 inaugural year, the Philadelphia Mint struck over 5 million coins, but the Denver Mint struck only 436,800 coins. Due to its relative rarity, this Denver coin is a Key Date and much more expensive in all grades.
1932-S Washington Quarter
The San Francisco Mint struck even fewer coins than the Denver Mint in 1932, with just 408,000 coins. This made it the lowest mintage of any circulation strike in the entire Washington Quarter series.
1934 Doubled Die Obverse
Some 1934 Washington Quarters have an Obverse displaying a Doubled Die. The doubling is most prominent on the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” It is very scarce and commands a strong premium.
1937 Doubled Die Obverse
The 1937 Washington Quarter with a Doubled Die Obverse is a very scarce coin. The doubling is most visible and pronounced around the date.
1942-D Doubled Die Obverse
The 1942-D Washington Quarter may exhibit a prominent doubling on the word “LIBERTY,” above Washington’s portrait.
1943 Doubled Die Obverse
On this very rare error coin, the date is doubled. It is so hard to find, only 13 of these coins have been graded by PCGS.
1943-S Washington Doubled Die Obverse
The 1943-S Doubled Die Obverse displays doubling around the date. It is less rare than the 1942-D and much less rare than the 1943 Doubled Die obverse coins.
1950-D “D” Over “S”
The 1950-D Over S is one of the more common over-mintmarked coins. There are both Large and Small mintmark varieties that are comparably priced.
1950-S “S” Over “D”
Like the coin above with the mintmarks reversed, this coin is more common but still valuable than the common dates. $200 in Extremely Fine is a typical asking price.
2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter (Extra Leaf High)
Between the 1950-S “S Over D” Washington Quarter and the year 2004, there were no major scarce dates or varieties. In 2004, the State Quarters program was well under way. The Denver Mint struck coins with an extra leaf on the ear of corn. One variety of error had an extra leaf extending upward.
2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter (Extra Leaf Low)
This variety has an extra leaf bent downward.
Overall, the Washington Quarter collection from 1932 onward has some key dates and errors, but in specific grades, it remains affordable for most coin collectors due to its significant availability.
Many of the clad dates and virtually all of the different clad series are available in high-grade at slightly above face value.
Values
| Date MM | Mintage | Very Fine | Abt Unc | Ch Unc |
| 1932-D | 436,800 | $175 | $600 | $1,600 |
| 1932-S | 408,000 | $125 | $300 | $600 |
| 1934 DDO | Unknown | $200 | $600 | $1,200 |
| 1937 DDO | Unknown | $500 | $1,500 | $2,825 |
| 1942-D DDO | Unknown | $225 | $875 | $2.750 |
| 1943 DDO | Unknown | $2,600 | $6,000 | $9,500 |
| 1943-S DDO | Unknown | $200 | $400 | $850 |
| 1950-D D/S | Unknown | $125 | $200 | $775 |
| 1950-S S/D | Unknown | $185 | $350 | $450 |
| 2004-D Leaf Hi | Unknown | $30 | $70 | $225 |
| 2004-D Leaf Lo | Unknown | $25 | $65 | $100 |
| Common 90% | — | $4.50 | $5.50 | $6.25 |
| Common Clad | — | $0.25 | $0.35 | $1.00 |
