Washington Quarter

Washington Quarters

The Washington Quarter was introduced in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. Designed by sculptor John Flanagan, the new quarter replaced the Standing Liberty Quarter and introduced a portrait of America's first president to circulating United States coinage.

Early Washington Quarters were struck in 90% silver and are collected today by date, mintmark, condition, and recognized varieties. The series includes important key dates, scarce high-grade examples, and several notable doubled die and overmintmark varieties.

The History of the Washington Quarter

As the bicentennial of George Washington's birth approached, plans were developed for a commemorative half dollar honoring the nation's first president. Congress ultimately authorized a new quarter design instead.

Sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser submitted a design favored by the Commission of Fine Arts and the George Washington Bicentennial Commission. However, Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon selected John Flanagan's design for the new quarter.

Flanagan's obverse depicts George Washington facing left, with LIBERTY above his portrait, IN GOD WE TRUST to the left, and the date below.

The reverse features an American eagle with spread wings, perched upon a bundle of arrows with olive branches beneath. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM appear above the eagle, with QUARTER DOLLAR below.

Early Silver Washington Quarters

Washington Quarters were first issued in 1932 with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams.

The first year included coins struck at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The 1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters became the two principal key dates of the early series because of their relatively low mintages.

No Washington Quarters were struck in 1933. Production resumed in 1934, and the denomination continued as an important part of American circulating coinage.

Although many dates were produced in substantial quantities, collectors recognize significant differences in rarity based on mintmark, strike quality, condition, and surviving populations.

Key Dates and Collectible Varieties

Among the most important early Washington Quarters are the 1932-D and 1932-S, which remain central to collections of the series.

Several recognized varieties also attract collector interest, including:

• 1934 Doubled Die Obverse

• 1937 Doubled Die Obverse

• 1942-D Doubled Die Obverse

• 1943 and 1943-S Doubled Die Obverse varieties

• 1950-D/S and 1950-S/D overmintmark varieties

These varieties illustrate the challenges of early minting processes and provide additional collecting opportunities beyond the standard date-and-mintmark series.

Collecting Certified Silver Washington Quarters

Early Washington Quarters are collected by date, mintmark, grade, and recognized varieties. While many circulated examples are readily available, certain issues become significantly more difficult to locate in higher Mint State grades.

Coins with strong original luster, attractive toning, and exceptional preservation can command substantial premiums, particularly when combined with a scarce date or mintmark.

Professional certification by PCGS, NGC, and CACG, along with CAC-approved examples, helps collectors evaluate the authenticity, condition, and quality of these historic silver quarters.