Are you aware that some modern quarters are more valuable than they seem? Yes, most of them have been here for some time now. However, did you know that uncommon modern spaces can Some old coins have no value when it comes to coin collection. Some issues, even those that are very new, can make collectors uncomfortable.
With the coins we’re going to have a look at today, that is the case. We are going to investigate fifteen of the most valuable contemporary quarters that have sold already. And we’ll find out just what it is that drives consumers to be willing to pay out a lot of money to own them. So let’s explore more if you’re ready!
List Of Top 15 Most Valuable Modern Quarters
1. 1964-D Washington Modern Quarter PCGS MS68 $38,400
This 1964 Washington Modern Quarter, minted in 1964, was graded by PCGS as MS68. It’s in mint condition with excellent quality as the day it was made, with only minor imperfections. The “D” indicates it was minted at the Denver Mint. It’s a rare “Superb Gem” of over 700 million Washington quarters among modern quarters, with none in better condition known to exist. At auction in March 2021, it sold for $38,400, drawing strong competition from collectors seeking a complete set of modern quarters.
2. 1965 Washington Modern Quarter PCGS MS67+ $12,500
This 1965 Washington Modern Quarter, from the following year, is in excellent condition and was graded MS67+ by PCGS, classified as ‘GEM BU’ (Gem Brilliant Uncirculated). Only 10 coins from that year exist in such excellent quality, making it rare, and it set a record auction price at Stack’s in January 2005. Its final price was $12,500, including the buyer’s premium.
3. 1965 Washington Modern Quarter PCGS SP68 CAM $2,640
As a part of the Special Mint Series, this Washington quarter was minted in 1965. As a result, it is known as “SP” in the PCGS certification scheme. It had a 68 quality rating and was categorized as a cameo.
Most of these proof coins have survived in excellent condition since they were produced for collectors. However, cameos are still hard to come by.
Like to deep cameos, cameos have smooth, glossy grounds and frosting on the rising areas. However, there isn’t quite as much contrast as there would be with a deep cameo.
Only three MS68 cameos from the 1965 mintage are known to survive. When it came up for sale in February 2018, the sale brought in $2,640.
4. 1966 Washington Modern Quarter PCGS MS67 DCAM $3,738
Because of its deep cameo, this 1966 Washington Modern Quarter is extremely rare and valuable. It was given a grade by the PCGS as MS67, which is nearly the highest quality possible.
It was already in a protective holder when it was put up for sale. The auction house described the coin’s attractive patina as “champagne-rose” on both sides.
That year’s modern quarter had been graded higher, therefore it wasn’t the best example of its kind. As one of only two known MS67 deep cameos, it was still the next best option. When it came to sale in October 2006, it sold for $3,738 with the buyer’s premium had been included in that amount.
5. 1967 SMS Modern Quarter PCGS SP68 DCAM $4,465
In 1967 Washington Modern Quarter was designed as a part of a Special Mint Set, or SMS. Moreover, achieving the esteemed “deep cameo” label is a different story.
The PCGS graded SP68, which is the same as “Superb Gem.” This year had only four coins of this quality, and none are known to exist that are finer.
This meant that when it was put up for sale, collectors were ready to buy it. The largest coin auctioneers in the world, Heritage Auctions, held an auction of it in January 2017. It made $4,465 after the buyer’s premium was deducted.
6. 1968-S Washington Modern Quarter PCGS PR69 DCAM $2,875
The “S” behind Washington’s neck on this 1968 Washington modern quarter indicates that it was struck in San Francisco. It’s a very remarkable quality-proof coin and another deep cameo. The PCGS graded it a PR69.
The coin is rare even though it is a proof edition from quite recently. There seem to be 23 PR69 deep cameos from this mintage. Furthermore, no known specimen is finer.
Heritage Auctions handled the sale once more. When the coin was put up for auction in 2007, it brought in $2,875, buyer’s premium included.
7. 1969-S Washington Modern Quarter PCGS PR69 DCAM $1,410
This 1969 Washington Modern Quarter is almost perfect; the PCGS has graded it a proof 69. The fact that it’s categorized as a deep cameo piques collectors’ interests even more.
However, as evidence, it was likely that it was originally bought by a collector. And that suggests that like coins have been meticulously maintained and kept in excellent condition. There are only 45 coins around the world of this caliber. Thus, the price keeps going down. In July 2013, this gorgeous coin sold for just over $1,400 at auction.
8. 1970-S Washington Modern Quarter PCGS PR69 DCAM $2,760
This beautiful 1970 Washington Modern Quarter is almost pure. San Francisco is where it originated in 1970. In addition, the PCGS issued it a proof 69 grade and the Deep Cameo designation.
Coins of this caliber are quite difficult to find. Only thirty-one samples from this year are known to exist. As such, although not unique, it is rare.
It was offered at auction in November 2007 in Houston, Texas, as a part of a Michael Fuller collection. $2,760 was the total cost, adding a 15% buyer’s premium.
9. 1971-S Washington Modern Quarter PCGS PR69 DCAM $7,475
The “S” on the 1971 Washington Quarter indicates it was minted in San Francisco. It’s Graded PR69 by PCGS, which means a proof coin, meticulously struck using a hand-finished die in a time-consuming process. Each proof coin undergoes six strikes at the lowest speed and pressure, with the die cleaned before and after each strike.
This particular coin, labeled “deep cameo” by PCGS, features an intense frosted finish on raised parts of the design and contrasts with a reflective ground. Deep cameos are rare and only produced from new proof dies. All these qualities make the 1971 Washington Modern Quarter a special coin. Sold in November 2007, it fetched $7,475, making it a special and valuable coin.
10. 1981-S Washington Modern Quarter Type 2 PCGS PR70 DCAM $2,530
The San Francisco mint introduced two different modern quarter types in 1981, including the 1981 Washington Modern Quarter. Coins of Type 2 have a more bulbous mintmark than those of Type 1, and they are much rarer.
This Type 2 sample has a deep cameo by the PCGS, is graded proof 70, and is in pristine condition. This is the highest standard and cannot be surpassed.
The $2,530 sale price isn’t the highest on our list, despite that. This is so because other coins meet the same conditions. There are 23 that have been identified to exist that are deep cameo and rated 70, which keeps pricing more reasonable.
11. 1982 Washington Modern Quarter PCGS MS68 $4,242
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, like the 1982 Washington Modern Quarter, even more challenging.
Even mint state 67 examples from these years are very rare. But this 1982 Washington quarter was graded MS68 by the PCGS, making it the best quality specimen known to exist. And even more excitingly for numismatists, it’s the only such coin to have ever achieved this grading.
It was auctioned in Illinois in April 2015. And its best-in-class status saw it achieve a price, including buyer’s premium, of $4,242.
12. 1983-D Washington Modern Quarter PCGS MS67 $1,410
This Washington quarter, the Denver mint, was minted in 1983 and has a PCGS grade of MS67. Similarly to modern 1982 quarters, the 1983 Washington Modern Quarter specimens are valued more because no special mint sets were issued for that year. Because of this, high-quality coins are more rare and valuable.
There are only 13 coins of this caliber known to exist, and no better examples have been found to date. Because it was provided in a unique holder celebrating the PCGS’s 30th anniversary with a green label, this one had a special element of attractiveness. As it came up for sale in September 2016, $1,410 was the asking price.
13. 1984-P Washington Modern Quarter PCGS MS67 $1,293
It is tied with eleven other coins as the best specimen of that year’s PCGS grade, with nothing being better. However, another grading authority, the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), noticed 27 coins at this level, including the 1984 Washington Modern Quarter. And one in better condition was confirmed by them.
Even still, this is a unique specimen, given that over 676 million of these coins were produced in that year! In February 2016, it was put up for auction and brought in just under $1,300, including the buyer’s premium.
14. 1985-P Washington Modern Quarter PCGS MS67 $1,528
“The PCGS awarded this Philadelphia-minted coin, the 1985 Washington Modern Quarter, an MS67 grade. That is the best known grade for that year’s modern quarter, with just six coins in all matching that certification criteria. When it was put up for auction in June 2017, the estimated price was $700 to $750. However, the bidding was far more competitive in the end, and the coin brought in $1,528 with the buyer’s premium added.”
15. 1985-P Washington Modern Quarter Multiple Struck Obverse Die Cap MS68 NGC $1,495
The look of this coin is very different from the others on this list! This is due to a really notable error that happened in the Philadelphia Mint.
The coin somehow got stuck against the die used to make the obverse side when it was first minted. As a result, the coin’s right side developed a thick lip that revealed at least 4 different strikes.
Errors like this one are extremely rare and valuable, much like excellent coins. For $1,495 in January 2005, this coin was sold.
Also Read – Top 10 Most Valuable Presidential Dollar Coins
Conclusion:
You must have a lot more money than little change to buy one of these valuable quarter dollars. These are the top 15 most valuable quarters, including proof coins, sale prices, and an estimate of the current market value of their lesser-grade equivalents (prices vary).