The coins are highly prized by collectors due to the fact that they are ancient and were made in small denominations.
The starting point of the Washington quarter
In 1932, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth, the US Mint struck the Washington quarter. Sculptor John Flanagan had designed the coin with a left-profile bust of Washington on the obverse side and the reverse with an eagle having spread-out wings. The single-year commemorative issue in 1932 was so much in demand that the design continued on a routine basis, replacing the Standing Liberty quarter.
Mintage and rarities of the 1932 quarters
The 1932 quarters were minted in three mints: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Philadelphia minted approximately 5.4 million quarters, whereas Denver and San Francisco minted extremely small amounts, 436,800 and 408,000 quarters, respectively. The lower mintage by Denver and San Francisco mints is the reason for the rarity and enhanced value of coins to collectors.
Factors that influence the quarter’s value
Various factors determine the value of a 1932 quarter:
- Mint mark: Denver (‘D’ mint mark) and San Francisco (‘S’ mint mark) quarters are more valuable as their mintage is smaller compared to Philadelphia (no mint mark) quarters.
- Condition: Coins range from 1 to 70, and higher grades indicate a superior condition. Uncirculated coins (60 and higher grade) command fair prices.
- Historic interest: As the first year of issue of the Washington quarter series, 1932 quarters are of special interest to collectors.
Record prices at auction
High-grade 1932-D and 1932-S quarters have brought neat prices at auction:
- A PCGS MS66 1932-D quarter brought $74,400 in 2018.
- The same-graded 1932-S quarter brought $143,750 at auction in 2008.
How to spot valuable quarters
To know if a 1932 quarter is valuable:
- Check the mint mark: on the back, under the eagle, a ‘D’ or ‘S’ indicates it was produced in Denver or San Francisco.
- Check the condition: Coins with fewer wear marks, sharp edges, and original luster are worth more.
- Obtain professional grading: Professional grading by reputable firms like PCGS or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) can authenticate and grade the coin, providing an authoritative estimate of the value.
Market factors and trends
Rare coin market prices are influenced by market economic conditions, demand from collectors, and the rarity of the coin. While better premium prices have been paid than others for 1932 quarters that are of high grade, a specific coin’s value depends upon its features and the nature of the marketplace at the moment that it sells.
