US Quarter Coins List: Complete Guide to History, Designs, and Collecting

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Pile of American coins with a focus on a quarter, symbolizing currency and wealth.
Credit: pexels.com, Pile of American coins with a focus on a quarter, symbolizing currency and wealth.

The US quarter coin has a rich history that spans over two centuries. The first quarter coin was minted in 1796 and featured a Draped Bust design.

The obverse of the quarter coin has undergone several changes over the years. The Draped Bust design was used until 1807, when it was replaced by the Capped Bust design.

The quarter coin has been a staple in American currency since its introduction. It's a coin that's widely recognized and used in everyday transactions.

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The 2010 quarter is a good example of a valuable modern asset, but there might be others worth exploring.

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The 2010 quarter is worth checking out for more details, and it's a great place to start your search for valuable modern assets.

US Quarter Coin History

Credit: youtube.com, The Quarter: Complete History and Evolution of the U.S. Quarter

The US Quarter Coin History is a fascinating topic, and I'm excited to share some key facts with you. The first quarters circulated for mass production in 1796 were the Draped Bust quarters, made primarily from silver.

These early quarters were part of the Bust Quarters series, which lasted from 1796 to 1838. The Bust Quarters were a significant milestone in US coin history, paving the way for future designs.

The Seated Liberty Quarters, introduced in 1838, marked a new era in US quarter design. These quarters featured a seated Liberty figure on the obverse side.

Interestingly, the Kingdom of Hawaii Quarters, issued in 1883, were a unique variation in the US quarter series. These quarters were not part of the regular US quarter series, but rather a special issue.

The Barber Quarters, or Liberty Head Quarters, were introduced in 1892 and remained in circulation until 1916. These quarters featured a Liberty Head design on the obverse side.

Credit: youtube.com, TOP 10 Most Valuable US State Quarters - High Grade Examples Sell for BIG Money!

Here's a brief overview of the different US quarter series:

The Washington Quarters, introduced in 1932, have been in circulation ever since, making them one of the longest-running US quarter series.

US Quarter Coin Designs

The US Quarter Coin Designs have undergone many changes over the years. The first quarter design was the Wright 1792.

The designs have evolved significantly since then, with notable ones including the Draped Bust 1796-1807, Capped Bust 1815-1838, and Seated Liberty 1838-1891. These designs were used for over a century.

The Barber quarter was designed in 1892 and was used until 1916, followed by the Standing Liberty quarter from 1916 to 1930. The Washington quarter was introduced in 1932 and was used until 1964, with a brief return in 1992 for the proof series.

Here's a list of some of the notable quarter designs:

  • Wright 1792
  • Draped Bust 1796-1807
  • Capped Bust 1815-1838
  • Seated Liberty 1838-1891
  • Barber 1892-1916
  • Standing Liberty 1916-1930
  • Washington 1932-1964, 1992-1998 (proof only)

The total number of copper-nickel clad copper Washington quarters minted from 1965 to 1998 is an impressive 35,924,089,384 coins.

1963-D Silver

Credit: youtube.com, US 1963 Quarter - United States Coins Worth Money

The 1963-D Silver Washington Quarter is a notable coin in US Quarter history. It was designed by Laura Gardin Fraser, who won a contest to design the coin, and her husband James Earle Fraser, a famous sculptor, was also involved.

This coin is a part of the Washington Quarter series and was minted in Denver. I've seen some impressive coins in my time, but a Grade of MS 68 is extremely rare and valuable.

The 1963-D Silver Washington Quarter was sold on August 31, 2022, for a price of $24,000.

American Women

The American Women Quarters Program is a special initiative that will issue new quarter designs featuring women who made significant contributions to American history and development. The program will run from 2022 to 2025.

Each year, up to five new reverse designs will be released. These designs will highlight the accomplishments of women in various fields.

The obverse of these quarters will feature Laura Gardin Fraser's portrait of George Washington, which was originally intended for the first Washington quarter in 1932.

Recommended read: New Us Nickel

Current Design

Credit: youtube.com, 2022-2025 Washington Quarter Obverse Candidate Designs Unveiled.. 11 different options..

The current US quarter coin design is made of two layers of cupronickel, 75% copper and 25% nickel, on a core of pure copper.

It weighs a total of 5.670 grams, which is equivalent to 0.1823 troy oz or 0.2000 avoirdupois oz.

The coin measures 0.955 inches in diameter and 0.069 inches in width.

A reeded or milled edge runs around the entire coin, measuring 0.069 inches in width.

It costs the US Mint approximately 11.14 cents to produce each coin as of 2011.

The clad quarter design has been in use since 1965, earning it the nickname "Johnson Sandwich" due to its introduction during President Lyndon B. Johnson's term in office.

List of Designs

The US quarter coin has undergone many design changes over the years. Let's take a look at some of the notable designs.

One of the earliest designs was the Wright 1792, but it's not well-known. The Draped Bust design, on the other hand, was used from 1796 to 1807.

Credit: youtube.com, Final Designs for 2019 Quarters Revealed by US Mint

The Capped Bust design was used from 1815 to 1838, marking a significant change from earlier designs. The Seated Liberty design, which was used from 1838 to 1891, featured Lady Liberty seated on a rock.

The Barber design, used from 1892 to 1916, was a major departure from previous designs. The Standing Liberty design, used from 1916 to 1930, featured a standing Liberty.

The Washington design, used from 1932 to 1964, and reintroduced in 1992 for proof coins, is one of the most iconic designs. The Copper-nickel clad copper Washington quarter, minted from 1965 to 1998, had a total of 35,924,089,384 coins produced.

Here are some notable quarter designs:

  • Wright 1792
  • Draped Bust 1796–1807
  • Capped Bust 1815–1838
  • Seated Liberty 1838–1891
  • Barber 1892–1916
  • Standing Liberty 1916–1930
  • Washington 1932–1964, 1992–1998 (proof only)

Collecting US Quarters

Collecting US Quarters can be a fun and rewarding hobby. The copper-nickel clad Washington quarter was first issued in 1965, and its design has remained largely unchanged since then.

The mint mark on the coin is located on the obverse at the bottom right hemisphere under the date, and it's been there since 1965. In fact, the "S" mint mark was used only on proof coins until 2012, when the US Mint began selling uncirculated quarters with the San Francisco mint mark.

Curious to learn more? Check out: How Much Is a 1965 Us Quarter Worth

Credit: youtube.com, 15 RARE QUARTERS You Never Knew Were Worth Money!

Some quarters are more valuable than others due to their rarity or scarcity. For example, deep cameo versions of proofs from 1965 to 1971 and 1981 Type 2 are highly valued because of their scarcity.

Collecting Silver

Collecting silver quarters can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it does require some knowledge about the different types of quarters that were minted. The "silver series" of Washington quarters spans from 1932 to 1964 and is composed of 90% silver, 10% copper, with a total silver weight of 0.1808479 troy ounce pure silver.

These quarters weigh 6.25 grams and are made from a combination of silver and copper. The mint mark on the coin is located on the reverse beneath the wreath on which the eagle is perched, and will either carry the mint mark "D" for the Denver Mint, "S" for the San Francisco Mint, or be blank if minted at the Philadelphia Mint.

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Credit: youtube.com, Washington Quarter Series Overview

Some of the rarest and most valuable silver quarters include the 1932-D, 1932-S, and 1934 – with Doubled Die Obverse (DDO). These coins are considered rare because of their low mintages and are also harder to find in high grades, making them more valuable.

Here are some of the rarest silver quarters in the series:

  • 1932-D
  • 1932-S
  • 1934 – with Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
  • 1935-D
  • 1936-D
  • 1937 – with Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
  • 1937-S
  • 1938-S
  • 1939-S
  • 1940-D
  • 1942-D – with Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
  • 1943 – with Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
  • 1943-S – with Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
  • 1950-D/S Over mintmark (coin is a 1950-D, with underlying S mintmark)
  • 1950-S/D Over mintmark (coin is a 1950-S, with underlying D mintmark)

The rarity and value of these coins can vary depending on their condition, but they are all considered to be highly collectible.

Collecting Clad

The clad Washington quarter was first issued in 1965, marking a significant change in the production of US coins. This was done to conserve silver, which was running low in the US Reserves.

The Denver mintmark was added in 1968, a first for any US coin denomination at the time. As a result, quarters from 1968-1979 can be identified by the "D" mintmark.

For the first three years of clad production, special mint sets were sold as "Special Mint Sets" at the San Francisco mint. These sets are highly valued due to their rarity.

Credit: youtube.com, Full video! ... USA State quarters found during California layover & my clad quarter collection

Deep Cameo versions of these coins are particularly sought after, with high-grade examples fetching a premium price.

The mint mark on clad quarters has undergone changes over the years. From 1968-1979, quarters were stamped with a "D" for the Denver mint, an "S" for the San Francisco mint (proof coins only), or blank for Philadelphia.

Here's a breakdown of the mint marks on clad quarters:

The "S" mint mark was previously only used on proof coins, but starting with the El Yunque design in the America the Beautiful quarters program, the US Mint began selling uncirculated quarters with the San Francisco mint mark.

In 2019, the West Point Mint released 2 million of each of the five designs that year with a "W" mint mark for general circulation. This was continued in 2020, marking the final year of "W" mint-marked quarters.

US Quarter Coin Errors and Variations

The 1971 Washington quarter is a notable example of a coin with errors, including the "D" and "S" mint marks, which denote coins minted in Denver and San Francisco respectively.

A coin with no mint mark is also worth noting, as it was minted in Philadelphia.

These variations can affect the coin's value, making them interesting for collectors.

1965 Type 2 Cladding

Credit: youtube.com, What's your 1965 Quarter Worth?

The 1965 Type 2 Cladding of the Washington Quarter marked a significant shift in the production of US coins. The copper-nickel clad Washington quarter was first issued in 1965, and as part of the switch, the Denver mintmark was added in 1968.

The mint mark on the coin is currently located on the obverse at the bottom right hemisphere under the supposed date. In 1965–1967 cupro-nickel coins bore no mint mark.

The changes in design affected the sometimes puzzling position of mint marks on Washington Quarters. As you study the most valuable modern quarters, keep track of this positioning.

A notable example of a 1965 Type 2 Clad Washington Quarter is the 1965 Type 2 Clad Washington Quarter Business Strike, graded GEM BU, which sold for $12,650 on January 19, 2005.

Here's a summary of the mint marks on the 1965-1979 Washington Quarters:

The 1965 Type 2 Cladding of the Washington Quarter was a significant milestone in the production of US coins, and its variations continue to be of interest to collectors today.

1971 Coin Value (Errors & Variations)

Credit: youtube.com, The 20 Types Of Errors On Coins – Complete Overview of Physical Error Coinage

The 1971 quarter is a great example of a coin with various errors and variations. The 1971 quarter can be found with errors such as "D" and "S" mint marks, which indicate it was produced at the Denver or San Francisco mint, respectively.

If your 1971 quarter has no mint mark, it was likely produced at the Philadelphia mint. The 1971 Washington quarter is a significant coin in American numismatics, with its value influenced by its condition, rarity, and demand.

In the case of the 1971 quarter, errors like misprinted dates or mint marks can increase its value significantly. The coin's value is also affected by its type, which can include different designs or features.

US Quarter Coin Types

The US Quarter Coin Types are quite fascinating. There are several types to look out for, especially when it comes to the Washington Quarter series.

One notable type is the 1984-P Clad Type 2 Washington Quarter, which was graded MS 67 and sold for $1,293 on February 4, 2016.

Credit: youtube.com, 10 Most Rare & Valuable State Quarter Coins Worth Money (to look for your pocket change)

The Silver series of Washington quarters, issued from 1932 to 1964, is another notable type. These coins are made of 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams and containing 0.1808479 troy ounce pure silver.

Some rare coins in the Silver series include the 1932-D, 1932-S, 1934 – with Doubled Die Obverse (DDO), and 1940-D, among others. These coins are valuable not because of their mintages, but because they are harder to find in high grades.

The mint mark on the coin can be found on the reverse beneath the wreath, and will either carry the mint mark "D" for Denver, "S" for San Francisco, or be blank if minted at the Philadelphia Mint.

Here are some of the rare coins in the Silver series:

US Quarter Coin Information

The US quarter coin has a rich history, with the first quarter minted in 1796.

The quarter is the second-largest denomination coin in the US, with a diameter of 0.955 inches and a thickness of 0.069 inches.

The quarter's weight is 5.670 grams.

The quarter is made from a combination of copper and nickel, with a copper core and a nickel outer layer.

The quarter's edge is reeded, meaning it has a series of parallel grooves.

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US Quarter Coin Materials

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The US quarter coin has undergone several material changes over the years. The first clad quarters were introduced in 1965, made of a 75% copper/25% nickel cupronickel alloy clad to a core of "commercially pure" (99.5%) copper.

In 1968, the Denver mintmark was added to the clad quarters. Until 2012, the San Francisco mintmark was only used on proof coins.

The Philadelphia mintmark "P" is used on quarters minted from 1980 onwards, while the Denver mintmark "D" is used on quarters minted from 1968. The San Francisco mintmark "S" is used on proof coins, but also on uncirculated rolls and bags of quarters from 2012 onwards.

The West Point Mint released 2 million quarters with a "W" mint mark in 2019 and 2020 for general circulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which quarter is worth $10,000 today?

The Georgia quarter struck on an experimental planchet is worth up to $10,000. This rare quarter can be highly valuable, especially if it was sold for a significant amount in recent years.

Felicia Koss

Junior Writer

Felicia Koss is a rising star in the world of finance writing, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics into accessible, engaging pieces. Her articles have covered a range of topics, from retirement account loans to other financial matters that affect everyday people. With a focus on clarity and concision, Felicia's writing has helped readers make informed decisions about their financial futures.

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