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By George! A coin for all seasons
By Paul Gilkes
COIN WORLD Staff
The Washington quarter dollar was born out of the Treasury Department's desire to produce a coin to mark the bicentennial of the birth of the first presid... Read more
Washington Quarter Dollar
By George! A coin for all seasons
By Paul Gilkes
COIN WORLD Staff
The Washington quarter dollar was born out of the Treasury Department's desire to produce a coin to mark the bicentennial of the birth of the first president of the United States.
Coinage presses had remained dormant for more than a year after production of Standing Liberty quarter dollars had ceased in 1930. Standing Liberty quarter dollars had only lasted for 14 years, not the 25 that the Mint Act of Sept. 26, 1890, afforded the secretary of the Treasury without needing special legislation.
Special legislation was needed to introduce the Washington coin. The bust originally was going to appear on a half dollar as proposed, but the bill was changed to reflect the use of the 25-cent denomination. Congress authorized the Washington quarter dollar on March 4, 1931.
A design competition was staged with the mandate that the obverse had to be based on a bust of Washington sculptured into clay form in 1785 by Jean Antoine Houdon. The reverse had to depict a national symbol, such as a shield or eagle.
The designs submitted by Laura Gardin Fraser – designer of the Oregon Trail commemorative half dollar and wife of Indian Head 5-cent coin designer James Earle Fraser – were declared the competition winners. Although the Fraser designs were overwhelmingly recommended by the Commission of Fine Arts and the Washington Bicentennial Commission, Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon rejected them.
Mellon favored another design from the more than 100 models that were submitted. Still, the commission pressed on with its selection of the Fraser models. The commission at one point had considered a suggestion that the eagle from the reverse of the Saint-Gaudens double eagle be replicated for the Washington quarter reverse, but the idea was scrapped as too provocative.
Mellon left office in early March 1932, with unsuccessful pressure put on Mellon's successor, Ogden Mills of New York, who also rejected Fraser's designs after carefully reviewing the issue.
In an April 16 letter to the Commission of Fine Arts, Mills made known his selection of the designs of sculptor John Flanagan.
The approved models used from 1932 through the beginning of 1934 proved unsatisfactory in that the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was all but illegible and there was weakness in Washington's hair. Subsequently, the obverse hub has been modified numerous times over the years to sharpen details.
The reverse hubs have also been modified over the years with minor changes in details, mainly the leaves and lettering.
To celebrate the nation's Bicentennial, the reverses of the quarter dollar, as well as Kennedy half dollar and Eisenhower dollar, were changed for the dual-dated coins (1776-1976). The eagle on the reverse was replaced with Jack L. Ahr's Colonial drummer design, with 13 stars surrounding a flame.
The Bicentennial coins were struck in copper-nickel clad for circulation and silver clad for Proofs and special sets.
The key dates to the Washington series through 2008 are both from the first year of issue – the 1932-D and 1932-S coins. They are the only two coins in the series with mintages under 1.6 million, with 436,800 and 408,000 coins respectively.
Washington, Eagle reverse |
|
| Dates of authorization: | April 2, 1792; July 23, 1965; Oct. 18, 1973 |
| Dates of issue: | 1932-1998 |
| Designers: | John Flanagan (Bicentennial reverse): Jack L. Ahr |
| Engravers: | (Original obverse, reverse): John R. Sinnock (Bicentennial reverse): Frank Gasparro |
| Diameter: | 24.26 mm/0.96 inch |
| Weight: | (1932-1964, 1992-present silver Proofs only): 6.25 grams/0.20 ounce (1965-present): 5.67 grams/0.18 ounce (1976 Bicentennial Proof and Uncirculated): 5.75 grams/0.18 ounce |
| Metallic content: | (1932-1964, 1992-1998 Proofs only): 90% silver, 10% copper (1976 Bicentennial Proof and Uncirculated sets only): 80% silver, 20% copper bonded to a core of 21.5% silver, 78.5% copper (1965-1998): 75% copper, 25% nickel clad to pure copper core |
| Weight of pure silver: | (1932-1964, 1992-1998 silver Proofs only): 5.63 grams/0.18 ounce (1976 Bicentennial Proof and Uncirculated sets only): 2.30 grams/0.07 ounce |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Mint mark: | (1932-1964): Reverse below eagle (1968-1998): Obverse right of Washington's ponytail |
Marketplace
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1932 25C MS66 NGC.
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Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: MS-66 -
1932 25C MS66 PCGS.
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Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: MS-66 -
1946-S Washington Quarters-1932 to 1998 NGC MS-67
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Price: $295.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: NGC MS-67 -
1956 Washington Quarters-1932 to 1998 PCGS PF-66 Cameo
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Price: $39.95
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: PCGS PF-66 Cameo
Public Auctions
| Name | Grade | Price | Date | Firm | Lot Number | Certified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 25C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (317/998). PCGS | MS-63 | $66.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20123 | NGC |
| 1932 25C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (565/433). PCGS | MS-64 | $70.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20708 | NGC |
| 1934 25C Doubled Die Obverse MS63 PCGS. | MS-63 | $1,410.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3469 | PCGS |
| 1934 25C Medium Motto MS65 PCGS. PCGS | MS-65 | $84.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26168 | PCGS |
| 1935 25C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (298/1223). PCGS | MS-64 | $26.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 24657 | NGC |
| 1935 25C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (298/1223). PCGS | MS-64 | $66.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 24155 | NGC |
| 1936 25C PR63 PCGS. CAC. PCGS | MS-63 | $616.88 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7691 | PCGS |
| 1936 25C PR64 NGC. NGC Census: (331/426). PCGS | MS-64 | $763.75 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8240 | NGC |
| 1937 25C PR65 PCGS. CAC. PCGS | MS-65 | $367.78 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8242 | PCGS |
| 1937 25C PR65 PCGS. PCGS | MS-65 | $329.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7898 | PCGS |
| 1938 25C PR64 NGC. NGC Census: (254/807). PCGS | MS-64 | $130.43 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21098 | NGC |
| 1938 25C PR64 PCGS. Ex: Teich Family Collection. PCGS | MS-64 | $152.75 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26615 | PCGS |
| 1939 25C PR63 NGC. NGC Census: (51/1077). PCGS | MS-63 | $94.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21099 | NGC |
| 1939 25C PR64 PCGS. CAC. Ex: Teich Family Collection. PCGS | MS-64 | $135.13 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20720 | PCGS |
| 1940 25C PR64 NGC. NGC Census: (216/1122). PCGS | MS-64 | $76.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21100 | NGC |
| 1940 25C PR65 NGC. NGC Census: (396/727). PCGS | MS-65 | $96.35 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20211 | NGC |
| 1941 25C PR63 NGC. NGC Census: (48/1601). PCGS | MS-63 | $70.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26123 | NGC |
| 1941 25C PR64 NGC. NGC Census: (282/1321). PCGS | MS-64 | $65.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26827 | NGC |
| 1942 25C PR64 NGC. NGC Census: (392/1567). PCGS | MS-64 | $69.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26828 | NGC |
| 1942 25C PR64 PCGS. PCGS | MS-64 | $70.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20138 | PCGS |
| 1943 25C MS65 NGC; 1943-D 25C MS65 S NGC; 1943-S 25C MS65 NGC and a 1944 25C MS65 NGC. | MS-65 | $129.25 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8206 | NGC |
| 1943 25C MS66 PCGS. PCGS | MS-66 | $47.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26560 | PCGS |
| 1944 25C MS67 PCGS. | MS-67 | $558.13 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 4219 | PCGS |
| 1944 25C MS67 PCGS. PCGS | MS-67 | $763.75 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7671 | PCGS |
| 1945 25C MS66 ANACS. NGC Census: (499/87). PCGS | MS-66 | $57.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26116 | ANACS |
| 1945 25C MS67 PCGS. | MS-67 | $1,410.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2665 | PCGS |
| 1945 25C MS67 PCGS. | MS-67 | $1,645.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2666 | PCGS |
| 1946-D 25C MS67 PCGS. | MS-67 | $881.25 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2668 | PCGS |
| 1946-S 25C MS66 NGC. NGC Census: (2231/325). PCGS | MS-66 | $52.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26618 | NGC |
| 1947-D 25C MS67 NGC. NGC Census: (523/0). PCGS | MS-67 | $135.13 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 24662 | NGC |
| 1947-D 25C MS67 PCGS. PCGS | MS-67 | $188.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20209 | PCGS |
| 1948 25C MS67 PCGS. CAC. PCGS | MS-67 | $317.25 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8226 | PCGS |
| 1948 25C MS67 PCGS. PCGS | MS-67 | $305.50 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7681 | PCGS |
| 1949 25C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (372/582). PCGS | MS-65 | $34.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26823 | NGC |
| 1949 25C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (372/582). PCGS | MS-65 | $41.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 24161 | NGC |
| 1950 25C PR63 NGC. NGC Census: (32/1202). PCGS | MS-63 | $47.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26124 | NGC |
| 1950 25C PR66 NGC. NGC Census: (420/382). PCGS | MS-66 | $99.88 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26114 | NGC |
| 1951 25C PR65 PCGS; 1952 25C PR66 PCGS; 1954 25C PR64 PCGS; 1954 25C PR67 PCGS; 1955 25C PR67 PCGS; 1957 25C PR66 Cameo PCGS. | MS-65 | $176.25 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8246 | PCGS |
| 1951 25C PR66 PCGS. PCGS | MS-66 | $84.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20217 | PCGS |
| 1952 25C PR68 NGC. NGC Census: (98/6). PCGS | MS-68 | $176.25 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21108 | NGC |
| 1952-S 25C MS67 PCGS. CAC. PCGS | MS-67 | $179.78 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8231 | PCGS |
| 1953 25C PR65 NGC. NGC Census: (194/1343). PCGS | MS-65 | $25.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26626 | NGC |
| 1953 25C PR66 NGC. NGC Census: (380/963). PCGS | MS-66 | $45.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26125 | NGC |
| 1954-D 25C MS66 PCGS. CAC. PCGS | MS-66 | $42.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24169 | PCGS |
| 1954-D 25C MS66+ PCGS. CAC. PCGS | MS-66 | $352.50 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8233 | PCGS |
| 1955-D 25C MS66 PCGS. PCGS | MS-66 | $616.88 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7687 | PCGS |
| (3)1958-D 25C MS66 NGC. | MS-66 | $60.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20239 | NGC |
| 1958-D 25C MS64 PCGS. PCGS | MS-64 | $15.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24170 | PCGS |
| 1959-D 25C MS66 PCGS. CAC. PCGS | MS-66 | $56.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 24725 | PCGS |
| 1959-D 25C MS67 PCGS. | MS-67 | $8,225.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3802 | PCGS |
| 1960 25C Washington Quarter-- Double Die Reverse--PR66 PCGS. | MS-66 | $65.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26891 | PCGS |
| 1962 25C PR66 NGC. NGC Census: (489/1548). PCGS | MS-66 | $36.00 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22604 | NGC |
| 1963-D 25C MS66 PCGS. PCGS | MS-66 | $76.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20215 | PCGS |
| 1964-D 25C MS67 PCGS. | MS-67 | $881.25 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2679 | PCGS |
| 1968-S 25C PR67 NGC. NGC Census: (227/192). PCGS | MS-67 | $17.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26115 | NGC |
| 1972-D 25C Washington Quarter -- Struck on a Cent Planchet -- MS64 PCGS. | MS-64 | $763.75 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 5267 | PCGS |
| 1973 25C Washington Quarter Dollars --Obverse Clad Layer Missing-- MS64 PCGS. PCGS | MS-64 | $76.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21535 | PCGS |
| 1973-D 25C Washington Quarter -- Struck on a 5C Planchet -- MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $182.13 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 10228 | NGC |
| 1974-D 25C Washington Quarter -- Struck on a 1C Planchet -- MS64 Red and Brown NGC. | MS-64 | $1,022.25 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8903 | NGC |
| 1976 25C Clad MS67 NGC. NGC Census: (77/1). PCGS | MS-67 | $123.38 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21097 | NGC |
| 1976-S 25C Silver MS68 PCGS. PCGS | MS-68 | $96.35 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20208 | PCGS |
| 1977 25C Washington Quarter -- Struck on a 5C Blank Planchet -- MS66 ANACS. | MS-66 | $282.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8904 | ANACS |
| 1979-D 25C Washington Quarters --Obv Clad Layer Missing-- MS63 PCGS. | MS-63 | $79.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26890 | PCGS |
| 1982-D 25C MS66 NGC. NGC Census: (55/20). PCGS | MS-66 | $26.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21014 | NGC |
| 1983-P 25C MS66 PCGS. PCGS | MS-66 | $293.75 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7689 | PCGS |
| 1984-P 25C Washington Quarters --Struck 10% off Center-- MS66 PCGS. | MS-66 | $84.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26443 | PCGS |
| 1985-P 25C Washington Quarters D/S- 2nd Strike 75% O/C MS64 PCGS. PCGS | MS-64 | $123.38 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22976 | PCGS |
| 1995-P 25C Washington Quarter Double Struck 2nd Strike Broadstruck MS67 NGC. NGC Census: (51/4). PCGS | MS-67 | $36.00 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22484 | NGC |
| 1996-P 25C MS68 PCGS. PCGS | MS-68 | $440.63 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7690 | PCGS |
| 1999 25C Pennsylvania Statehood Quarter -- Struck 75% Off Center -- MS65 NGC. | MS-65 | $129.25 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8905 | NGC |
| 1999-D 25C Delaware Quarter -- Struck on a Nickel Planchet -- MS64 PCGS. | MS-64 | $528.75 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 10231 | PCGS |
| (2000)-P 25C New Hampshire Statehood Quarter -- Struck 35% Off Center -- MS68 NGC. | MS-68 | $258.50 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8907 | NGC |
| 2000-P 25C South Carolina Statehood Quarter -- Struck 20% Off Center -- MS67 PCGS. | MS-67 | $141.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8906 | PCGS |
| 1837 10C Capped -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. XF. NGC Census: (6/118). PCGS | EF-40 | $94.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24681 | NGC Details |
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Auctions
- 1937-D 5C Three-Legged VF20 NGC. NGC Census: (139/5225). PCGS $605
- 1904-O $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (57595/17058). PCGS $79
- 1942-S 1C MS66 Red NGC. NGC Census: (964/673). PCGS $30
- 1881-S $1 MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (41021/160129). PCGS $89
- 1905-O 10C -- Rim Damage -- NGC Details. VF. NGC Census: (5/156). PCGS $24
- 1881-S $1 MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (41021/160129). PCGS $62
- 1941-S 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (2616/1130). PCGS $200
- 1880 $1 MS65 PCGS. PCGS $617
- 1903-O $1 XF40 NGC. NGC Census: (6/6593). PCGS $329
- 1946-S 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (4025/1367). PCGS $100
- 1874 $3 -- Mount Removed -- NGC Details. XF. NGC Census: (32/2506). PCGS $589
- 1881-S $1 MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (41021/160129). PCGS $56
- 1891-CC $1 MS64 PCGS. PCGS $999
- 1934 50C Maryland MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (1113/1900). PCGS $135
- 1947 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (2719/728). PCGS $94
- 1880-CC $1 MS66 PCGS. PCGS $2,115
- 1904 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (19/628). PCGS $62
- 1836 $5 XF45 PCGS. PCGS $969
- 1887 $1 MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (25269/3977). PCGS $118
- 1888-S $1 -- Obv Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (37/2882). PCGS $259
All Categories
Half Cent
- Liberty Cap Left Half Cent
- Liberty Cap Right Half Cent
- Draped Bust Half Cent
- Classic Head Half Cent
- Coronet Half Cent
Cent
- Flowing Hair Large Cent, Chain Reverse
- Flowing Hair Large Cent, Wreath Reverse
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2 Cents
3 Cents
5 Cents
- Shield 5 Cents
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- Half Disme Pattern
- Flowing Hair Half Dime
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dime
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dime
- Capped Bust Half Dime
- Seated Liberty Half Dime
Dime
- Draped Bust Dime
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20 cents
Quarter
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Quarter Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Quarter Dollar
- Capped Bust Quarter Dollar
- Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar
- Barber Quarter Dollar
- Standing Liberty Quarter Dollar
- Washington Quarter Dollar
- America the Beautiful
Half Dollar
- Flowing Hair Half Dollar
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dollar
- Capped Bust Half Dollar
- Seated Liberty Half Dollar
- Barber Half Dollar
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar
- Franklin Half Dollar
- Kennedy Half Dollar
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
Dollar
- Flowing Hair Dollar
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Dollar
- Seated Liberty Dollar
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- Susan B. Anthony Dollar
- Sacagawea/Native American Dollar
- Gold Dollar (All Three "Types")
- Presidential Dollars
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- Gobrecht Dollar
- American Eagles
2.50 dollar
- Capped Bust $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Capped Draped Bust $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Capped Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Classic Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Coronet $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Indian Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
3 dollar
5 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Draped Bust $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Head $5 Half Eagle
- Classic Head $5 Half Eagle
- Coronet Head $5 Half Eagle
- Indian Head $5 Half Eagle
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
- American Buffalo
10 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $10 Eagle
- Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle $10 Eagle
- Coronet Head $10 Eagle
- Indian Head $10 Eagle
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
- American Buffalo
- First Spouse
20 dollar
- Coronet Head $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens Ultra-High Relief $20 Gold
