The Washington Quarter coin is one of the most famous US coins among collectors and enthusiasts. This isn’t surprising considering that it is one of the longest-running series ever. The first Washington Quarter coin was minted in 1932, and the last coin of this series was struck in 1998.
Explore the value and history, specification, design rarity, and condition, of the 1965 Washington Quarter. Know how this seemingly common coin can be an important addition to your collection. In this article we will uncover the fascinating nuances of this classic coin and why it’s so valuable in the world of numismatics.
History of 1965 Washington Modern Quarter:
The Washington Quarter series, first presented in 1932 to honor George Washington’s bicentennial, underwent a significant change in 1965. Early coins were made up of silver, but because of rising silver prices and hoarding, President Lyndon B. Johnson ended the use of silver in quarters and dimes in June 1965. Coins were then made with a copper-nickel alloy. The 1965 quarters were all minted in Philadelphia, without mint marks. In addition to circulation coins, the Philadelphia Mint had Special Mint Sets with a special satin finish, which are now considered among the Most Valuable Modern Quarters by collectors.
Design of 1965 Washington Modern Quarter
Obverse
The obverse side of the 1965 Washington Quarter has the image of the first president of the United States, George Washington, left facing.
John Flanagan designed this famous profile, which has been on the quarters since 1932 to commemorate President Washington’s 200th birth anniversary. It stayed untouched during the change to the clad coinage.
The inscription “LIBERTY” hovers written above his head the mint year “1965” is written on the more down edge, and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is written under the president’s chin.
Reverse Side
The reverse has a glorious bald eagle with its wings extended towards the coin’s edge, perched atop a bundle of arrows or laurels. Since its 1932 avoidance, this design has reached to describe the perseverance and power of the American people.
The Latin term “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, which indicates “out of all, one”, is shown above the bird. The outer edge of the coin is written with the phrases “QUARTER DOLLAR”, the nation name, and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”.
Specification:
Country: United States of America
Year Of Issue: 1965
Denomination: Quarter Dollar (25 Cents USD)
Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia and Denver)
Mintage: 1,819,717,540
Alloy: External layers of copper-nickel (75% copper and 25% nickel) related to a refined copper inner core.
Weight: 5.67 g
Diameter: 24.30 mm
Edge: Reeded
OBV Designer: John Flanagan
REV Designer: John Flanagan
Quality: Business Strike
Rarity and Condition:
- Rarity – whatever the kind of collection we are discussing, rare is valuable. However, a coin’s rarity can usually be determined by its material composition, mintmark, date of minting, etc. The historical importance of the 1965 Washington Quarter being the first series of Quarters to be made without 90% silver is what provides its value.
- Condition and Grade: Each coin is valued depending on the grade it carries. Collectors are mostly fascinated by the four grades: Uncirculated, Extremely Fine, Fine, and Good.
Errors found on 1965 Washington Quarter coins and their value
Errors are common in the minting of coins, and many valuable coins owe their high prices to these mistakes. The 1965 series has many errors:
- Broad-struck error: A damaged collar effects in a stretched coin with flat, spread letters, valued at $50+.
- Double die obverse error: Doubling on “Liberty” or “In God We Trust” makes these quarters worth $450–$1,100+.
- Double die reverse error: Doubling in “Quarter Dollar” on the reverse is valued at around $175.
- Double-struck error: Coins struck multiple times with rotated designs can sell for over $400.
- Struck through error: Foreign objects leave marks, with values starting at $140.
- Rotated die error: Misaligned sides result in coins worth around $300.
- Off-center error: The higher the off-center, the more valuable, often worth a few hundred dollars.
- Double tail quarter: This rare error has both sides as reverse, valued at $10,000+.
Also Read – The Complete Guide to the Presidential $1 Coin Program
Conclusion:
As the study of the 1965 Quarter comes to its conclusion, it is clear that this coin has more importance than just its face value and a fascinating history. Whether you’re a coin enthusiast or just curious about the history of coins, the 1965 Quarter value provides a fascinating look at an important period in American coinage. The fascinating story that is presented by its composition, design, and many different factors that influence its value fascinate collectors and historians. So, the next time you come across a 1965 Quarter, consider using a Coin Value Checker to explore its past and its unexplored potential.