The Washington Quarter is one of the most recognizable coins in American history. First introduced in 1932, it was originally intended as a one-year commemorative coin honoring the 200th birthday of George Washington. However, its popularity led to its continued production, making it one of the longest-running coin series in the United States.
If you’re a collector or just interested in U.S. coinage, here’s everything you need to know about Washington Quarters—from their history and design to key dates and collecting tips.
History and Design
The Washington Quarter was introduced to replace the Standing Liberty Quarter. The U.S. Treasury held a competition to design the new coin, eventually selecting a bust of George Washington based on a sculpture by Jean-Antoine Houdon. The coin’s original designer, John Flanagan, created the obverse (front) portrait, which remained largely unchanged until 1999.
The original reverse (back) of the coin features a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, clutching a bundle of arrows and an olive branch, symbolizing both strength and peace. This design remained until the 50 State Quarters Program began in 1999.
Composition and Metal Changes
Washington Quarters were originally struck in 90% silver and 10% copper from 1932 to 1964. However, due to rising silver prices, the U.S. Mint transitioned to a copper-nickel clad composition starting in 1965. The silver quarters remain highly valuable among collectors, while later clad versions are still widely circulated.
Important Washington Quarter Series
- Silver Washington Quarters (1932-1964)
- These coins contain 0.1808 troy ounces of silver and are prized by collectors and investors alike.
- Key Dates: The 1932-D and 1932-S quarters are particularly rare and valuable.
- Clad Washington Quarters (1965-Present)
- Made of copper-nickel, these quarters were introduced to replace silver due to rising metal costs.
- 50 State Quarters (1999-2008)
- This popular series honored each U.S. state with unique reverse designs, leading to a new era of coin collecting.
- America the Beautiful Quarters (2010-2021)
- This series celebrated U.S. national parks and landmarks, featuring stunning reverse designs.
- Washington Crossing the Delaware (2021-Present)
- The modern quarter’s reverse now features an image of George Washington leading his troops across the Delaware River.
Collecting Washington Quarters
- Key Dates to Look For:
- 1932-D and 1932-S (low mintage)
- 1942-D Double Die Obverse
- 1950-D/S and 1950-S/D Overmintmark Varieties
- Silver Value:
- Any pre-1965 Washington Quarter is worth at least its silver melt value, making them attractive to bullion collectors.
- Error Coins:
- Washington Quarters with mint errors, such as off-center strikes, doubled dies, or missing clad layers, can be worth significantly more.
Conclusion
The Washington Quarter is more than just an everyday coin—it’s a piece of American history. Whether you’re collecting silver versions, rare dates, or modern designs, these quarters remain a staple of U.S. numismatics. With their evolving designs and rich history, Washington Quarters offer endless collecting opportunities for both beginners and seasoned numismatists.
FAQs
1. What are the rarest Washington Quarters?
The 1932-D and 1932-S quarters are the rarest in the series due to their low mintage, making them highly valuable to collectors.
2. How can I tell if my Washington Quarter is silver?
Quarters minted between 1932 and 1964 are made of 90% silver. You can check by looking at the edge—silver quarters have a solid silver color, while clad quarters show a copper stripe.
3. Are Washington Quarters still being made today?
Yes! While the designs have changed, the Washington Quarter remains in production, with the Washington Crossing the Delaware reverse currently in circulation.