Washington Quarter Key Dates & Varieties
Washington Quarter Key Dates & Varieties
Discover the most valuable and scarce Washington quarters from 1932 to 1983, including key dates, doubled dies, and conditional rarities
Introduction
Washington quarters have been the workhorse of the American economy since they debuted in circulation back in 1932. They were initially designed by John Flanagan and modified by William Cousins in 1999 for the launch of the 50 State Quarters program.
The Washington quarter remains one of the longest-running and most famous of all United States coin series. The series now spans ten decades. Over those years, most of the regular issues have proven quite common. Even the pre-1965 90% silver issues rarely seen in circulation are plentiful in coin collections.
Still, several dates rank as quite scarce as key dates, semi-key dates, or significant conditional rarities. Here's a comprehensive look at nine key-date Washington quarters and what they're worth in today's market.
Table of Contents
The 1932 Key Dates
The two most important dates in the Washington quarter series are both from its inaugural year. These coins represent the true key dates that every serious collector must have, yet their scarcity makes them significant investments in numismatic history.
1932-D Washington Quarter
$125+This date is one of two main regular-issue key dates for the Washington quarter series. Only 436,800 examples of the 1932-D were struck and boasts the second-lowest business-strike mintage of the series. This key date is one of the most popular coins of the 20th century and trades for about $125 and up in circulated grades.
The 1932-D represents both historical significance and numismatic rarity, making it a cornerstone coin for collectors interested in 90% silver quarters from the classic era.
1932-S Washington Quarter
$125+One of two very scarce 1932 Washington quarters, the 1932-S is the lowest-mintage regular-issue date in the series. This date is a little more common in the Mint State grades than the higher-mintage 1932-D. The 1932-S Washington quarter is, like its Denver-minted twin, a highly sought-after key issue.
This date is one of the most widely collected rare coins of the past century. Examples trade for around $125 or more in worn grades, with premium examples commanding significantly higher prices.
Historical Context
Both 1932 key dates were struck during the depths of the Great Depression when coin production was significantly reduced. The low mintages reflect the economic conditions of the time, making these coins important artifacts of American economic history as well as valuable collectibles.
Doubled Die Varieties
Washington quarters feature several spectacular doubled die varieties that showcase dramatic minting errors. These varieties are among the most sought-after error coins in American numismatics, commanding substantial premiums from collectors and investors alike.
1937 Doubled Die Obverse
$500+This rare obverse doubled die exhibits heavy doubling that is most pronounced in the date. Even worn specimens are exceedingly challenging to find. Collectors pay considerable sums to obtain an example of this popular die variety. Prices start at around $500.
1942-D Doubled Die Obverse
$275+The 1942-D is one of many doubled dies in the Washington quarter series. This date shows a prominent spread in the inscription "LIBERTY" above Washington's head on the obverse. Prices for circulated examples start around $275.
1943 Doubled Die Obverse
$500+Doubling can be found across the obverse on this rare doubled die. It exhibits hub doubling in the date, "LIBERTY," and elsewhere. This particularly scarce variety trades for about $500 and up in the circulated grades.
Identification Tips
When searching for doubled die varieties, look for clear separation in letters and numbers rather than simple machine doubling or damage. True doubled dies show clean, distinct doubling that occurred during the die creation process. Use magnification and good lighting to properly identify these valuable varieties.
1950 Overmintmark Varieties
The year 1950 produced two fascinating overmintmark varieties that demonstrate the U.S. Mint's practice of reusing dies by punching new mintmarks over existing ones. These varieties are beloved by specialists and represent important examples of mid-20th century minting practices.
1950-D D Over S
Value: $100+
This date is one of two popular Washington quarter overmintmarks for the year. The 1950-D D Over S is beloved by collectors – especially series enthusiasts and die variety aficionados. Prices begin at about $100 and up for well-circulated examples.
1950-S S Over D
Value: $100+
This overmintmark variety is the second listed here for the series bearing the 1950 date. The 1950-S Over D is a popular piece coveted by many Washington quarter specialists. Entry-level examples in the circulated grades trade for approximately $100.
Authentication Important
Overmintmark varieties require careful authentication, as post-mint damage can sometimes mimic legitimate overmintmarks. When considering these varieties for investment or collection, professional authentication is highly recommended to ensure authenticity and maximize value retention.
1983 Conditional Rarities
The 1983 Washington quarters represent a fascinating study in conditional rarity – coins that are common in lower grades but become surprisingly scarce in higher mint state conditions. These coins illustrate how economic conditions can affect coin preservation and collectibility.
1983-P Washington Quarter
MS63: $20This date is considered common in the absolute sense. However, uncirculated 1983-P Washington quarters are deceivingly scarce. But how can a coin with a mintage of 673,535,000 be considered uncommon? It certainly is a conditional rarity.
For one, no mint sets were issued by the United States Mint in 1983 (or in the previous year, 1982). Also, a crippling recession meant few people were saving 1983 quarters in uncirculated condition in any quantity. An MS 63 1983-P Washington quarter easily fetches $20.
1983-D Washington Quarter
MS63: $7Like its 1983-P brethren, the 1983-D Washington quarter is a surprisingly scarce coin in the uncirculated grades. Few were saved in good condition, and no government-issued United States uncirculated sets were offered at the time. An MS63 1983-D Washington quarter is worth many times its face value at about $7.
Economic Context
The 1983 conditional rarities reflect the economic challenges of the early 1980s recession. High unemployment and economic uncertainty meant fewer collectors were actively saving coins, creating unexpected scarcity in higher grades despite massive mintages. This demonstrates how economic conditions can significantly impact numismatic markets.
Collecting Tips & Strategies
Successfully collecting Washington quarter key dates requires knowledge, patience, and strategic planning. Understanding market dynamics and grading standards can help collectors make informed decisions and build valuable collections.
Grade Awareness
All other Washington quarters are scarce at or above a particular grade threshold, which in most cases, is about MS66 to MS67. In some cases, this is due to strike weakness. However, contact marks and other detractions can affect the grade.
Variety Hunting
All collectors should pay extra-close attention to their Washington quarters for die varieties. They should also keep an eye out for examples with especially strong strikes and blemish-free surfaces.
Market Timing
Super-nice Washington quarters of any date or mintmark are worth decent premiums. Understanding silver market trends helps time purchases of pre-1965 issues.
Investment Perspective
Washington quarter key dates represent a unique intersection of numismatic history and precious metals investing. The combination of silver content in pre-1965 issues and numismatic premiums creates multiple value drivers for these coins.
Silver Content Advantage
Pre-1965 Washington quarters contain 90% silver content, providing intrinsic metal value that supports minimum price levels. This silver content means these coins benefit from both numismatic premiums and silver price appreciation, creating dual investment appeal for collectors interested in precious metals exposure.
Diversification Benefits
Washington quarter key dates offer portfolio diversification beyond traditional precious metals bullion, combining collectible premiums with silver content.
Historical Significance
These coins represent important periods in American history, from the Great Depression through the modern era, adding cultural value to investment potential.
Market Stability
Established collector markets provide liquidity and price transparency, while silver content offers downside protection during market volatility.
The Washington quarter series offers collectors the opportunity to build a meaningful collection spanning nearly a century of American coinage. From the key dates of 1932 through the conditional rarities of 1983, these coins tell the story of American economic and monetary history while providing tangible value through their silver content and numismatic significance.