Silver Washington Quarter Values

The Washington quarter replaced the Standing Liberty quarter in 1932 and was struck in 90% silver through 1964. The bust of George Washington on the obverse is after the Houdon bust; John Flanagan designed the reverse eagle. Quarters were struck at Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco, but not every mint struck them every year: there are no 1933 quarters, no 1938-D, and no San Francisco quarters in 1934, 1949 or after 1954. The 1932-D and 1932-S had very low mintages and are the key dates. Lustre covers the 90% silver years, 1932 to 1964, only; clad quarters from 1965 are not silver.

Most Washington quarters before 1965 are common and trade for their silver, with a small premium in better grades. Each contains about 0.18 troy ounces of silver. The 1932-D and 1932-S are worth many times more in any grade, and a few low-mintage dates from the 1930s and 1940s carry smaller premiums.