What Is A 1935 Washington Quarter Made Of?
Congress approved a joint resolution in 1924, which was then signed by President Calvin Coolidge, to commemorate the 200th birthday of General and President George Washington.
The nation would have appropriate celebrations in 1932, the departed president’s bicentennial year, according to the decree.
The Great Depression compelled the commission to abandon the idea of the Washington quarter becoming a commemorative half dollar. There was little official Mint opposition when Representative Randolph Perkins introduced a bill to change the Washington commemorative denomination because the Standing Liberty quarter was challenging to strike and the dies wore out too quickly, requiring a higher level of effort by mint officials.
But this choice was made after the Bicentennial Commission had already launched a design contest and chosen a submission from the renowned coin artist Laura Gardin Fraser.
However, Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon chose to organize a second design competition rather than modifying Fraser’s medallic submission for the half-dollar commemoration.
This second competition in 1931 is when the design by American sculptor John Flanagan got its start. In a contentious decision, Secretary Mellon chose Flanagan’s design over Fraser’s after the Commission rejected it a second time. This choice led to a small scandal at the time, and it is a fascinating piece of numismatic history.
The Washington quarter was first produced in 1932, when 6,248,800 coins were struck, significantly exceeding the amount that was needed due to the Great Depression.
As a result, 1933 saw the absence of coinage. The United States Mint mandated an increase in production over the prior year in 1935, the third year of issuance.
In contrast to the previous year’s total of 35,439,252 coins, the Philadelphia Mint produced 35,484,000 coins, the San Francisco Mint 5,660,000 coins, and the Denver Mint 5,780,000 coins for a total of 46,924,000 coins.
The obverse of the 1935 Washington quarter, which was produced by John Flanagan, is based on a bust of the general made in 1785 by neoclassical French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.
The motto IN GOD WE TRUST, with the 1935 version employing the transitional medium weight phrase, is located beneath the left-facing bust.
Along the top of the coin’s field is the phrase LIBERTY, and below that is the year 1935. At the base of the bust in 1935, Flanagan’s initials “JF” are inscribed in tiny letters above the “5”.
The potential sculptors were given free rein to create the Washington quarter reverse, unlike the obverse. The heraldic eagle with a left-facing head and spread wings dominate Flanagan’s reverse.
The mintmark is situated in the middle of the two stems of the interwoven olive branches beneath the eagle, which is seated on a tidy bundle of arrows.
The two primary inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM are visible above the eagle.
Last but not least, the denomination is printed out as QUARTER DOLLAR at six o’clock on the design. The edges of all Washington quarters, including the 1935 issue, are reeded.
Like many coins from this era, the 1935 Washington Quarter is comprised of 90% Silver and 10% copper. The silver content of this coin weighs 0.18084 troy ounces (5.62 g).
What Could You Buy For A Quarter In 1935?
With unemployment standing at 20.1% in 1935, the United States was still suffering from the Great Depression.
War also loomed as Germany began to rearm and implemented the Nuremberg Laws, which denied Jews civil rights. The Boulder (Hoover) Dam was also built in this year.
The China Clipper is the first aircraft to carry airmail across the region, and Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly alone across the Pacific Ocean.
Additionally, a Mickey Mouse short film in technicolor makes its premiere in the entertainment industry.
In 1930s America you could get far more for your quarter than today. For example, a Dozen Eggs would set you back around 18 cents, a Jumbo Sliced Loaf of Bread cost 5 cents, 18 cents would get you 10 pounds of potatoes and Toilet Tissue was 9 cents for 2 rolls.
In terms of purchasing power, $0.25 in 1935 is comparable to roughly $5.33 in modern times, a rise of $5.08 over 87 years. Between 1935 and the present, the dollar had average annual inflation of 3.58 per cent, resulting in a total price increase of 2,033.55 per cent.
In other words, prices now are 21.34 times more than they have been on average since 1935.
1935 Quarter Varieties
1935 Quarter With No Mint Mark
Type: Washington Quarter
Year: 1935
Face Value: $0.25
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Silver Weight: 18084 oz.
Total Weight: 6.25g
Diameter: 24.26 mm (0.955 in)
Thickness: 1.75 mm (0.069 in)
Edge: 119 Reeds
Minted in: Philadelphia
Quantity Minted: 32,484,000
photo source: www.usacoinbook.com
1935 D Quarter
Type: Washington Quarter
Year: 1935
Face Value: $0.25
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Silver Weight: 18084 oz.
Total Weight: 6.25g
Diameter: 24.26 mm (0.955 in)
Thickness: 1.75 mm (0.069 in)
Edge: 119 Reeds
Minted in: Philadelphia
Quantity Minted: 5,780,000
photo source: www.usacoinbook.com
1935 S Quarter
Type: Washington Quarter
Year: 1935
Face Value: $0.25
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Silver Weight: 18084 oz.
Total Weight: 6.25g
Diameter: 24.26 mm (0.955 in)
Thickness: 1.75 mm (0.069 in)
Edge: 119 Reeds
Minted in: San Francisco
Quantity Minted: 5,660,000
photo source: www.usacoinbook.com
List of Errors
There are no widespread errors seen in the 1935 Quarters, and instead all errors such as cud errors, clipping, and so on, are on a coin-by-coin basis.
How Much Is A 1935 Quarter Worth Today?
The 1935 quarter currently has a melt value of $4.08 at the time this article was created, when the spot price of silver was $22.79 (USD) per ounce.
Even the lowest grades of the coin have a lower numismatic value than their bullion value. (The average price for AG quarters is $5, whereas VF items might cost up to $20–25 more).
Listed below are the average values for Washington Quarters, categorized by their respective mint marks and grades.
| Coin | G-4 | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-65 |
| 1935 (P) Quarter | $5.36 | $5.97 | $6.27 | $6.54 | $7.04 | $8.72 | $25 | $170 |
| 1935 (D) Quarter | $5.36 | $5.97 | $6.54 | $8.72 | $24 | $141 | $274 | $721 |
| 1935 (S) Quarter | $5.36 | $5.97 | $6.54 | $7.48 | $14 | $43 | $113 | $343 |
How Does The Grading System Work?
The Sheldon Scale is used by numismatists to provide a numerical value to coins. The Sheldon Scale goes from poor (P-1) to perfect mint state (P-1) (MS-70). Coins were originally evaluated using words to reflect their condition (Good, Fair, Excellent, Etc.). Unfortunately, coin collectors and dealers had different ideas about what each of these terms represent.
Professional numismatists joined together in the 1970s and established CoinGrading standards. These numismatists now assign grades at key places on the seventy-point scale, using the most regularly utilized numeric points in conjunction with the original adjective grade. The following are the most common coin grades:
- (P-1) Poor – Indistinguishable and probably damaged; if used, must have a date and mintmark; otherwise, rather battered.
- (FR-2) Fair – Nearly smooth, but without the damage that a coin graded Poor often possesses. The coin must have enough detail to be identified.
- (G-4) Fair – Inscriptions have merged into the rims in some areas, and important elements have been mostly erased.
- (VG-8) Very Good- A little weathered, but all of the primary design elements are visible, albeit faintly. There is little if any, central detail left.
- (F-12) Good – The item is very worn, yet the wear is even, and the overall design details stand out clearly. Rims are almost completely isolated from the field.
- (VF-20) Very Fine – Moderately weathered, with some finer features still visible. The motto or all letters of LIBERTY are readable. Both sides of the coin have entire rims that are separated from the field.
- (EF-40) Extremely Fine – Gently used; all gadgets are visible, and the most important ones are bold. The finer details are bold and clear, however, light wear may be seen.
- (AU-50) Uncirculated – Slight evidence of wear on the coin’s design’s high points; may have contact marks; eye appeal should be adequate.
- (AU-58) Uncirculated Choice – Slight traces of wear, no severe contact marks, almost full mint shine, and great eye appeal.
- (MS-60) Mint State Basal – Strictly uncirculated; no indication of wear on the coin’s highest points, but an unsightly coin with reduced luster, visible contact marks, hairlines, and other flaws.
- (MS-63) Mint State Acceptable – Uncirculated, but with contact scratches and nicks, little reduced shine, but otherwise appealing appearance. The strike is weak to average.
- (MS-65) Mint State Choice – Uncirculated with great mint shine, very little contact blemishes, and exceptional eye appeal. The strike is unusually severe.
- (MS-68) Mint State Premium Quality – Uncirculated with superb luster, no obvious contact marks to the naked eye, and exceptional eye appeal. The strike is quick and appealing.
- (MS-69) Almost Perfect Mint State – Uncirculated with perfect brilliance, a sharp and appealing strike, and extremely good eye appeal. A near-perfect coin with minor imperfections in the planchet, strike, and contact markings (seen only under 8x magnification).
- (MS-70) Mint State Perfect – Under 8x magnification, there are no tiny imperfections discernible; the strike is crisp, and the coin is perfectly centered on a beautiful planchet. Rarely seen on a coin, this coin is bright and whole, with original luster and exceptional eye appeal.
Where To Buy Or Sell 1935 Quarters?
As with almost all other silver coins, you’re unlikely to happen upon this type of currency in your pocket change because most savvy collectors have already snapped them up for their precious metal value. Therefore, buying and selling 1935 quarters is mostly an affair for specialist dealers and online marketplaces.
Remember, the 1935 Quarter has more numismatic value than its melt value, so while a silver merchant would be more than happy to take them off your hands, you won’t be getting the most bang for your buck or quarter in this case.
As you can see by the price chart above, 1935 Quarters up to EF40 can be purchased for under $50, meaning you’re pretty safe taking a chance on an eBay listing.
Coins graded AU-50 and above are better off being bought and sold at specialist auctions. This means that the seller gets the best possible price, and the buyer has complete peace of mind that the coin they are purchasing is genuine.
FAQs
Where is the mint mark on a 1935 quarter?
The mintmark on 1935 Quarters is situated in the middle of the two stems of the interwoven olive branches beneath the eagle, which is seated on a tidy bundle of arrows. Remember coins minted in Philadelphia do not have a mint mark.
What does it mean if a quarter has no mint mark?
Coins without a mint mark were struck at the Philadelphia mint.
Is a 1935 quarter rare?
While in the grand scheme of things, 1935 Quarters aren’t super rare, they’re still a nice find and certainly a fine piece in any collection.
Are quarters from the 1930s worth anything?
Yes, because they contain 90% silver, 1930s quarters have a decent melt value let alone any added numismatic value.
RELATED READING
1935 Dollar Value Guide
1935 Dime Value Guide
1935 Buffalo Nickel Value Guide (Incld. Rare Varieties)
1935 Wheat Penny Value Guide
1935 Half Dollar Value Guide
FAQs
What is the error on the 1935 quarter? ›
A 1935 quarter with a doubled die error will have a doubled image, slightly offset from the original design. As the name suggests, a doubled die error occurs when the image is stamped onto the coin more than once.
How much is a 1935 Washington quarter worth? ›1935 Washington Quarter Value
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of June 2023, a Washington Quarter from 1935 in circulated condition is worth between $7.50 and $30.
The 1935 quarter with no mint mark is worth around $8 in very good condition. In very fine condition the value is around $9. In extremely fine condition the value is around $11. In uncirculated condition the price is around $22 for coins with an MS 60 grade.
How do I know if I have a rare quarter? ›Ideally, the D-mark curving appears on the top right and bottom left of the S-mark. These quarter coins are rare; hence, you can earn a fortune by selling one in the best mint state. Uncirculated and high-mint state coins are a treasure.
Which error quarters are valuable? ›Some error quarters are even more valuable due to their rarity. For example, some 2005-P Minnesota quarters with a doubled die error can be worth up to $500.
What is spitting eagle error on quarter? ›As of July 18, 2013 NGC announced that it will now attribute the "Spitting Eagle" variety of the 1983-P Washington Quarters. The variety is identified by a die crack-- a raised line caused by the deterioration of a coining die--near the mouth of the eagle on the reverse.
What quarters are worth $2000? ›FOX Business Flash top headlines for March 13. There's a very specific quarter from 2004 that's reportedly worth up to $2,000. Wisconsin state quarters from the 50 State Quarters Program feature a limited-edition design that grows in value if there's a detectable difference in that design, according to coin collectors.
What year is a rare quarter? ›1982 and 1983 are interesting years for collectors of modern quarters. That's because the US Mint didn't produce any of their uncirculated mint sets in those years. And that makes finding the best quality examples even more challenging. Even mint state 67 examples from these years are very rare.
Is a 1935 quarter pure silver? ›Washington Quarter's produced in 1935 are 90% silver to be precise, and contain . 1808 troy oz or 5.623 grams in total of . 999 pure silver.
What is the rarest mint mark on a quarter? ›1932 D MS 66 Washington Quarter
The 1932 Washington quarter is one of two dates with mintages under one million, making it the key date and rarest in the series. The Denver mint produced only 436,800 silver specimens, worth $141 to $1,228 in circulated condition.
What quarters are 99.9 silver? ›
2021-S 99.9% Silver General George Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter. Get the 99.9% Silver Proof San Francisco "S" mint mark issue of the one-year-only 2021 Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter! Add this historic Proof 2021-S Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter to your collection today!
What quarters are pure silver? ›Washington quarters minted between 1932 and 1964 contain 90% pure silver. As a result, well-circulated coins that are worn are sometimes worth only the silver they contain. However, there are a few dates and mint mark combinations that coin collectors are willing to pay a premium to obtain.
Which quarter is worth $35000? ›And while it's no surprise that many 200-year-old coins are worth more than the standard value, it turns out that a 1970 quarter could be worth far more than 25 cents! How much more? Well, a quarter listed on eBay recently sold for a whopping $35,000.
What quarter is worth $10 000? ›One of those Georgia quarters sold for $10,000, U.S. Coins Guide noted. A Pennsylvania quarter brought nearly that much, selling for $9,775, Numismatic News reported. Look for these characteristics to help determine if you have one of the valuable Georgia quarters, according to U.S. Coins Guide.
What rare quarter has no date? ›The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter is often seen with no-date. Although the date is worn, it is still possible to differentiate between the 1916 and 1917 Type-One Quarters with no date. Type-one meaning a bare-breast on Liberty and no stars underneath the eagle on the reverse.
What is the rarest coin error? ›"Double die pennies are highly sought after by coin collectors because they are considered a rare and valuable error. The double image on the coin makes it unique and highly prized among collectors."
What years are error coins? ›Pennies with errors can be found from any year, although some years may have more errors than others. Some of the more common years for errors include 1955, 1956, 1972, 1989, and 1995.
What does a cud error on a coin look like? ›A cud on a coin is a damaged area resembling a blob on the surface of a coin. The cud is raised above the field, obliterating the device or inscription where it appears. Cuds result from die cracks or die breaks that have become severe.
What is the rarest quarter eagle? ›The 1854-S Liberty Head quarter eagle is among the rarest U.S. regular strike coins, with a mintage of only 346 coins. It appears that these coins were being used rather than collected early on because almost all of the known specimens are in no better than Very Fine condition now.
What is a broadstruck quarter? ›Broadstruck coins are those that are struck outside of the retaining collar. Without a collar there is nothing to contain the coin as it is struck and the planchet expands to a diameter larger than that for a coin struck in a collar.
What quarters are worth $400? ›
Some 2022 quarters are worth up to $400. They are part of the US Mint's American Women Quarters Program. George Washington is on one side with the year 2022 and the letter “P”. On the other side is Wilma Mankiller, the first women elected as principal chief of the Cherokee nation.
What quarters are worth $100? ›1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters
These quarters feature the iconic profile of George Washington on the obverse side and the classic American Eagle on the reverse. In poor condition, a 1932-D or S Washington Quarter can be worth around $100, while uncirculated examples can reach values of $10,000.
A quick separation of quarter values is the date 1964, the last year of silver era quarters. All silver quarter are worth a minimum of $3.81 each as of 6/26/2023 . Modern quarters minted beginning 1965 are worth a premium in Mint State (no wear) condition.
Why is 1965 quarter so rare? ›Why are silver 1965 quarters so rare? Silver 1965 quarters are special because they're transitional error coins. In 1964, quarters were still struck with a 90% silver planchet. In 1965, quarter production changed to a clad composition planchet made of copper and nickel.
What state quarters are rare? ›- Oklahoma: 416.6 million minted.
- Maine: 448.8 million minted.
- Wisconsin: 453.2 million minted.
- Missouri: 453.2 million minted.
- Alabama: 457.4 million minted.
Regular quarters produced by the U.S Mint after 1965 do not have silver in their metal content. They are made of a cupronickel clad composition. Yet, there were some quarters struck post-1965 that contained silver content.
What year is a full silver quarter? ›Years of Silver & Copper Quarters
Between 1796 and 1964, the coins were made with 90 percent silver. However, Washington quarters were made with 90 percent silver beginning in 1932. After 1964, the coins were minted with a copper-nickel alloy.
- 2002-P Ohio.
- 2003-P Maine.
- 2008-P Oklahoma.
- 2003-P Alabama.
- 2003-P Missouri.
- 2003-P Illinois.
- 2004-D Michigan.
- 2004-P Wisconsin.
1) 1944 Steel Wheat Penny - $408,000. 2) 1943 Copper Wheat Penny - $250,000. 3) 1856 Flying Eagle Penny - $25,000. 4) 1873 Indian Head Penny - $10,000.
What quarters are 40% silver? ›Dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier are typically bought and sold as 90% bullion. Half dollars dated 1965 through 1970 are typically considered 40% silver bullion.
How can you tell if a quarter is 90% silver? ›
All U.S. dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars minted before 1965 are 90% silver. You can also view the edge of the coin. If you see a solid silver strip, then you can be confident it's silver. If you see a copper (or reddish) stripe, then the coin is silver clad.
What quarters are 10 face value silver? ›Buy 90% Silver Quarters in $10 FV amounts to add 90% Silver to your precious metals holdings. These circulated Quarters are sold in $10 Face Value, comprised of 40 Quarters in total. Each of these Quarters that were minted prior to 1965 by the United States Mint, contain 90% Silver content.
How much pure silver is in a silver quarter? ›Each silver quarter contains 0.18084 troy ounce of pure silver. Simply multiply this number by the current spot price of silver in order to find their melt value today. Based on the average silver price over the past decade, the value is generally between $3 and $5.
How much is a 1776 to 1976 silver quarter worth? ›1776-1976 S SILVER Washington Quarter Value
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of June 2023, a Washington Quarter from 1776-1976 S in circulated condition is worth between $2.30 and $3.40. However, on the open market 1776-1976 S SILVER Quarters in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $10000.
A certain number of quarters produced in 1970 have a tiny misprint which makes them very valuable. According to Good Housekeeping magazine, the coins were printed over 1941 Canadian quarters and therefore a tiny "1941" marking appears above the word "dollar" on the back of the coin.
Which quarter is worth $1000000? ›Quarter shekel: US returns 'exceedingly rare' coin worth $1 million to Israel | CNN.
What quarter is worth 5000? ›| VALUABLE QUARTER⬇\AVERAGE QUALITY➜ | Poor Quality | Good |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 Silver Quarter | Less than $3000 | Around $5000 |
| 1982 Quarter | Face Value | $10 – $14 |
| 1983 Quarter | Face Value | $10 – $15 |
| 1984 Quarter | Face Value | $10 |
For evidence, look no further than a 1999 Georgia quarter whose value has been estimated as high as $10,000 due to errors. Georgia state quarters from 1999 have several types of errors, according to the U.S. Coins Guide website.
How much is a $2000 quarter? ›What is this? Because of their high production numbers and relatively recent production date, the 2000 quarter is typically worth its face value. Outstanding coins can sell for 69 cents, with uncirculated coins valued at $4.63 or more.
What is a 1999 Pennsylvania quarter worth? ›1999 P State Quarter Value
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of June 2023, a State Quarter from 1999 in circulated condition is worth between $0.30 and $0.40. However, on the open market 1999 P Quarters in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $475.
What year is the oldest quarter? ›
Quarter History
Mint made the first quarters in 1796. They were made of silver. The early quarters, like other silver coins, didn't show the value on the coin. At that time only copper coins like pennies were required to show their denominations.
The first quarter made by the U.S. Mint in 1796 was silver. The designs from 1796 to 1930 showed Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse.
What are the rarest quarters modern? ›5. 1932-S Washington Quarter. Alongside the D mint-marked 1932 quarters, the S mint 1932 quarter is also considered one of today's most valuable quarters. This coin is more sought after and valuable than the D mint-marked quarters due to its lower mintage numbers (408,000).
What is the most expensive error quarter? ›1. 2005-P Minnesota Quarter PCGS MS67 FS-801 Extra Tree DDR-001 $275. The Minnesota Quarter minted in Philadelphia in 2005 produced lots of error coins. There were more than 50 different varieties that featured a double die on the reverse side.
Are there any errors on the Pennsylvania State Quarter? ›The core of the coins were solid copper. These coins, however, were produced in silver for special Silver Proof Sets. The coins minted in included Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Errors on the 1999 Pennsylvania State Quarter There are currently no known errors of this coin.
How much is a crown error quarter worth? ›2021 (D) “Crown” Die Chip Error Washington Crossing The Delaware Quarter was rare. The USA Coin Book estimated the 2021-P Quarter Error Value at $7.88 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition.
What to look for in rare quarters? ›- 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter. ...
- 1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters. ...
- 1964-D Washington Quarter. ...
- 1999-P Delaware State Quarter. ...
- 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter. ...
- Franklin Half Dollars. ...
- Silver Mercury Dimes. ...
- American Gold Eagle Coins.
There's a very specific quarter from 2004 that's reportedly worth up to $2,000. Wisconsin state quarters from the 50 State Quarters Program feature a limited-edition design that grows in value if there's a detectable difference in that design, according to coin collectors.
Which state quarters are worth the most? ›Ohio quarters marked with an S (produced in San Francisco) can carry the highest value at $15. Of the less-minted states listed above, only a few are listed among the most valuable. A mint-condition Oklahoma or New Mexico quarter marked with an S could be worth up to $10.
What is a cud error? ›A cud on a coin is a damaged area resembling a blob on the surface of a coin. The cud is raised above the field, obliterating the device or inscription where it appears. Cuds result from die cracks or die breaks that have become severe.
What is the most rare error coin? ›
"Double die pennies are highly sought after by coin collectors because they are considered a rare and valuable error. The double image on the coin makes it unique and highly prized among collectors."
What is the rarest quarter and how much is it worth? ›Rare Washington quarters minted in 1932 can sell for as much as $13,573, according to USA Coin Book. Errors and rare mintages give coins the highest resale value, per The U.S. Sun. Error coins — like the Washington quarter which sold for $216 — are sometimes called double denominations or “planchet” errors.
How much is a bicentennial error quarter worth? ›While most bicentennial quarters are still worth their face value of 25 cents, those in excellent condition or with rare errors can be worth more to collectors. Uncirculated bicentennial quarters in their original packaging could sell for a few dollars, while those with errors could be worth hundreds or even thousands.