Top 6 Most Expensive And Most Valuable Washington Quarter Dollar Coins Worth Big Money!

Top 6 Most Expensive and Most Valuable Washington Quarters

While millions of Washington quarters pass through cash registers every day, a select group of dates, mint marks, and rare errors are worth a staggering amount of money. The Washington quarter series, which began in 1932 to commemorate George Washington’s 200th birthday, has produced some of the most sought-after treasures in American numismatics.

Here are the top six most expensive and valuable Washington quarters to watch for:

1. 1932-D Washington Quarter

The 1932-D is widely considered the “King” of Washington quarters. Because it was a first-year issue minted in Denver during the Great Depression, the mintage was extremely low—only 436,800 coins were produced.

• Identification: Look for the small “D” mint mark on the reverse side, located directly below the eagle’s tail feathers.

• Value: Well-circulated examples start around $100 to $200, but a high-grade Mint State (MS66) specimen set an all-time auction record of $143,750.

2. 1932-S Washington Quarter

Close behind its Denver counterpart, the 1932-S from the San Francisco Mint is the other major “key date” of the series. Its mintage was even lower than the Denver issue, with only 408,000 coins struck.

• Identification: Search for the “S” mint mark under the eagle on the reverse.

• Value: Pristine, uncirculated specimens can fetch between $35,000 and $45,500 at auction.

3. 1970-S Proof Quarter (Struck on a 1941 Canadian Quarter)

This is one of the most famous and “shocking” errors in the entire series. A San Francisco proof die mistakenly struck a 1941 Canadian silver quarter instead of a standard U.S. planchet.

• Identification: You may see faint remnants of the Canadian design, such as the date “1941,” underneath the Washington portrait.

• Value: This unique error has reached values as high as $35,000.

4. 1943-S Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)

Error hunters dream of finding this coin. During production, the die was misaligned, causing a distinct doubling of the letters and numbers on the front of the coin.

• Identification: Use a magnifying glass to look for clear doubling on the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” as well as around Washington’s eye.

• Value: Depending on the severity of the doubling and the coin’s condition, it can be worth between $2,000 and $20,000.

5. 1950-D/S and 1950-S/D Overmintmarks

In 1950, the Mint accidentally punched one mint mark over another, creating two rare varieties: the D over S and the S over D.

• Identification: On the 1950-D/S, a faint “S” shadow is visible underneath or behind the primary “D” mint mark. The 1950-S/D shows the opposite—a “D” hiding under the “S”.

• Value: These varieties are highly prized and can sell for $3,300 to $5,000 in high grades.

6. 1937 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)

Another significant early doubling error, the 1937 Philadelphia issue is known for its strong doubling on the obverse lettering.

• Identification: Look for thick, separated lines on the words “LIBERTY” and the date “1937”.

• Value: While common 1937 quarters are inexpensive, this specific variety can reach values of $13,500 to $22,250 in top-tier condition.

Quick Value Reference Table

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