Have you ever casually tossed a 1968 Washington Quarter into a vending machine or a coin jar? If so, you might have spent a small fortune! The dramatic caption, “😲 Don’t Spend Your 1968 Quarter Until You See THIS! 💰,” isn’t just clickbait; it’s a genuine warning to anyone who encounters this particular date in their loose change. While the vast majority of 1968 quarters are worth exactly 25 cents, a select few—distinguished by rare minting errors or a state of exceptional preservation—have sold at auction for thousands of dollars. Before you let your next quarter slip away, here is everything you need to know about the hidden treasures of the 1968 mintage.
The Standard 1968 Quarter: A Common Clad Coin
First, let’s address a common misconception: the 1968 Washington Quarter does not contain silver. Following the Coinage Act of 1965, the U.S. Mint transitioned from 90% silver quarters to a copper-nickel clad composition (75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper core). This means that unlike the highly sought-after pre-1965 silver quarters, the typical 1968 quarter found in circulation is simply worth its face value, or less than a dollar. The U.S. Mint produced hundreds of millions of these quarters, with strikes coming from Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (‘D’), and San Francisco (‘S’ on proof coins). Given this high mintage, a common, circulated 1968 quarter is, statistically, unremarkable.
However, the real excitement for coin collectors, or numismatists, lies in the rare anomalies that slipped through the U.S. Mint’s quality control. These errors and exceptional conditions transform a 25-cent piece into a true collector’s prize, justifying the urgent message of the caption.
The High-Value Errors: Double Dies and Repunched Marks
The most valuable 1968 quarters are almost always specimens that contain a distinct and identifiable minting error. You need to pull out your magnifier or a good jeweler’s loupe and inspect the coin for signs of a Double Die Reverse (DDR) or a Repunched Mint Mark (RPM).
Double Die Reverse (DDR) and FS-8001
One of the most valuable varieties is the 1968-D Double Die Reverse, which carries the designation FS-8001. This error is caused by a misalignment during the minting process, resulting in a noticeable doubling of the coin’s features on the reverse side. For the 1968-D FS-8001, you should specifically look for doubling in the letters and on the leaves of the olive branch, and the phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM. Because this variety is so rare and distinctive, examples of the 1968-D DDR in high Mint State (uncirculated) condition can command prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. For the proof coins struck at the San Francisco Mint (‘S’ mint mark), DDR errors have also been found and certified examples in high grades like PF67 have sold for around $550.00.
Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)
Another error to check for, particularly on the San Francisco proof quarters, is a Repunched Mint Mark (RPM). This occurs when a mint worker attempts to stamp the mint mark onto the die multiple times, resulting in a slightly blurred or doubled-looking letter ‘S’. A clear RPM on a 1968-S proof coin has been known to sell at auction for nearly $200. Don’t forget to check the Philadelphia-struck quarters (which have no mint mark) as they have been known to have other subtle errors such as a DDO (Double Die Obverse) or a ‘Broken S’ in the word ‘trust,’ which can also generate collector interest.
Condition is King: The Power of Immaculate Preservation
Even without a major mint error, a 1968 quarter can be astonishingly valuable if it is in an incredibly high state of preservation—a condition known as Mint State (MS). Since hundreds of millions were minted for circulation, it is extremely difficult to find an example that has avoided decades of wear, scratches, and nicks. Only a tiny fraction of these coins survived in grades like MS-67 or the near-perfect MS-68.
This scarcity in top-tier condition drives prices sky-high. A non-error 1968 Washington Quarter in pristine, graded MS-68 condition is considered almost rare, with only a handful of examples reported by major grading services. One such 1968 quarter, described as having “minimal luster strong and eye appeal high all around,” was sold at a Heritage Auction for an astounding $9,400. Similarly, a 1968-D quarter in MS-68 condition with “intense coloration and immaculate preservation” sold for $8,812.50. These values prove that for certain modern quarters, absolute perfection is worth a massive premium.
Other Hidden Errors
Finally, be on the lookout for other distinct errors:
- Missing Clad Layer: This is an easily visible error where the outer copper-nickel layer is missing from one or both sides, exposing the inner copper core. These coins can be worth from $150 up to $750 or more depending on severity.
- Clipped Planchet: A piece of the coin’s edge is visibly missing, resulting from a mishap when the metal blanks were cut.
In conclusion, the next time you find a 1968 Washington Quarter, don’t just dismiss it as pocket change. Do not spend it until you have thoroughly inspected both sides for the subtle signs of a Double Die Reverse (especially from the Denver Mint), a Repunched Mint Mark, or for its spectacular, near-perfect condition. With auction records soaring into the thousands, that ordinary 25-cent coin could truly be the rarest and most valuable treasure hiding in your hands!
