The US Mint began the quarter era in 1932 when this coin appeared for the first time. The coin design honored former President George Washington. Initially, it contained 90% silver, but this composition was changed in 1965 due to the enormous increase in this precious metal price.
The 1934 Washington silver quarter is a specific coin because there are several types available. In addition to having two different mint marks, there are Light Motto, Medium Motto, and Heavy Motto types of these quarters. Therefore, it is advisable to leave the 1934 quarter value estimation to an expert before buying one.
1934 Washington Silver Quarter History
The Washington quarter was the first commemorative coin made in the US Mint. He appeared in 1932 to mark George Washington’s 200th birth anniversary. The competition for the conceptual solution conditioned the basis for the design to be a President statue, the French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon‘s work.
The US Mint leading engraver, John Flanagan, was the chosen design author. The original plan was to make a one-year commemorative coin, but its minting continued in 1934 and has lasted until today.
1934 Washington quarter |
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| Location | Year | Minted |
| Philadelphia | 1934 | 31,912,052 |
| Denver | 1934 D | 3,527,200 |
| Total | / | 35,439,252 |
A George Washington portrait facing left with the inscription LIBERTY and the date along the rim is on the quarter obverse. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is in front of the President’s image.
You can see an eagle with outstretched wings on the coin reverse holding olive branches below it. Above its head is the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the upper rim bears the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Beneath the olive twigs is struck the QUARTER DOLLAR denomination.
1934 Washington quarter |
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| Face value | 25 cents ($0.25) |
| Compound | Silver (90%) and copper (10%) |
| Coin weight | 0.20094 ounces (6.25 g) |
| Silver weight | 0.18084 troy ounces (5.62 g) |
| Coin thickness | 0.06889 inches (1.75 mm) |
| Coin diameter | 0.95669Â inches (24.3 mm) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Shape | Round |
This Quarter had three variations in the first three minting years, Light Moto, Medium Moto, and Heavy Moto. They referred to the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST on the coin obverse.
The 1934 Light Motto Washington silver quarter is a coin from the Philadelphia mint. It has blurry and vague letters in the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST.
1934 Washington quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1934 HM | 1934 MM | 1934 LM | 1934 D/D | 1934 D |
| Good | $6 | $6 | $6 | $75 | $6 |
| Very good | $6.7 | $6.7 | $6.7 | $85 | $6.7 |
| Fine | $7 | $7 | $7 | $95 | $7.2 |
| Very fine | $7.2 | $7.2 | $7.2 | $229 | $12 |
| Extra fine | $9.4 | $9.4 | $9.4 | $344 | $29 |
| AU | $15 | $29 | $29 | $659 | $95 |
| MS 60 | $36 | $57 | $57 | $1,135 | $287 |
| MS 63 | $150 | $401 | $401 | $4,948 | $972 |
*by USA Coin book
The 1934 Medium Motto Quarter is recognizable by the letter W appearance in the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. You can see that the top of this letter’s center point is below or flush with the two side points.
This Quarter will be easier to distinguish if you compare it with Heavy and Light Motto coins. Both Philadelphia and Denver mints produced Medium Motto in 1934.
The 1934 Heavy Motto Quarter has the most pronounced letters in the inscription IN GOD WE TRUST. The letter W stands out, so you can see that the center point is higher on both sides. You can find this quarter type struck in both mints.
1934 Washington Silver Quarter Type
Only two mints minted the Washington silver quarter in 1934, Philadelphia and Denver. They struck nearly 35,500,000 of these coins.
1934 Washington silver quarter
The Philadelphia mint produced 31,912,052 quarters in 1934, including three different types, Light Motto, Medium Motto, and Heavy Motto. As I have already mentioned, their difference relates to the letter clarity in the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST.
1934 Washington quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1934 LM | 1934 MM | 1934 HM |
| Good | $7.8 to $9.3 | $7.76 to $9.32 | $6.6 |
| Very good | $8 to $9.7 | $8.1 to $9.72 | $6.6 |
| Fine | $8.8 to $11.3 | $8.8 to $11.3 | $9.4 to $13 |
| Very fine | $11.5 to $16.2 | $10.1 to $13 | $12.1 to $19.4 |
| Extra fine | $14.8 to $21 | $11.5 to $13.8 | $17.5 to $24.3 |
| AU | $22.9 to $34 | $12.1 to $17.8 | $27 to $38.9 |
| MS 60 | $47.25 to $57 | $27 to $32.4 | $50 to $60 |
| MS 61 | $49.95 to $60 | $29.7 to $35.6 | $53 to $63 |
| MS 62 | $54 to $65 | $32.4 to $40.5 | $57 to $68 |
| MS 63 | $61 to $73 | $40.5 to $54 | $61 to $73 |
| MS 64 | $92 to $110 | $54 to $68 | $101 to $122 |
| MS 65 | $176 to $260 | $108 to $130 | $169 to $203 |
| MS 66 | $370 to $520 | $169 to $208 | $455 to $585 |
| MS 67 | $1,750 to $2,570 | $682 to $960 | $2,810 to $3,750 |
| MS 68 | / | $7,500 to $9,750 | / |
*by Greysheet
Therefore, you can notice significant variations in these coins’ prices. A piece in good condition will cost you about $6, regardless of the type, but things are entirely different in the high grades.
For instance, the 1934 MS 67 LM Quarter will be worth $2,570, while the 1934 MM Quarter with an MS 68 rating costs approximately $9,700. Finally, the 1934 MS 67 HM Quarter price is roughly $3,750.
1934 D Washington silver quarter
The Denver mint produced significantly fewer 1934 Washington silver quarters than Philadelphia, only 3,527,200. You can distinguish these two coins thanks to the D mint mark struck on the reverse.
While the Philadelphia mint produced all three coin types, Denver minted only the Medium Motto and Heavy Motto. Those Quarters can reach the price that typically ranges from barely $6 for a coin with a good rating to $14,500 for a quarter with an MS 67 grade.
1934 Washington Silver Quarter Rarities and Key Dates
1934 D/D Washington silver quarterÂ
In 1934, a Quarter with an error came out from the Philadelphia mint. You can see a doubled phrase IN GOD WE TRUST on the obverse. Since this coin is relatively rare, its price is not low.
1934 Washington quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1934 D MM | 1934 D HM | 1934 D/D |
| Good | $5.9 | $6.3 | $33.7 to $52 |
| Very good | $5.9 | $6.6 to $6.9 | $54 to $81 |
| Fine | $12.1 to $19.4 | $7.3 to $11.3 | $81 to $122 |
| Very fine | $20.2 to $35.6 | $10.1 to $21 | $122 to $211 |
| Extra fine | $33.75 to $73 | $20.2 to $40.5 | $195 to $284 |
| AU | $108 to $172 | $68 to $122 | $325 to $650 |
| MS 60 | $182 to $218 | $130 to $156 | $845 to $960 |
| MS 61 | $208 to $239 | $156 to $187 | $910 to $1,030 |
| MS 62 | $240 to $277 | $169 to $203 | $960 to $1,100 |
| MS 63 | $299 to $344 | $214 to $257 | $1,090 to $1,250 |
| MS 64 | $332 to $390 | $338 to $389 | $1,750 to $2,500 |
| MS 65 | $436 to $520 | $488 to $650 | $2,690 to $3,810 |
| MS 66 | $992 to $1,220 | $1,020 to $1,180 | $5,620 to $6,470 |
| MS 67 | $5,310 to $8,750 | $12,600 to $14,500 | / |
*by Greysheet
The price of a good-rated 1934 double dies Washington silver quarter is around $70. On the other hand, a coin in the MS 66 grade is typically worth $6,500.
1934 Washington Silver Quarter Grading
Every collector will first check the condition of such an old coin as the 1934 Washington silver quarter. It can vary as most of them were in circulation for a long.
It is always advisable to send your specimen to a professional appraisal company, but you can also do it yourself by following official guidelines.
Uncirculated – Coins with this rating are the most sought-after among collectors because they look like they have just come out of the mint. The original gloss is still present on the surface, there are no signs of wear, and all the design details are clearly expressed.
1934 Washington quarter value* |
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| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1934 | $4 | $4 | $5.14 | $25 |
| 1934 D | $4 | $4 | $21 | $118 |
*by CoinStudy
Extra fine – There are slight signs of wear on this coin because the circulation time was short. You will notice light flattening on prominent relief parts, particularly Washington’s hair. It is evident on his head top, cheek near the eye, and curls above the ear.
Fine – In this case, you will notice moderate signs of wear on the coin’s surface. The subtle relief details, like parts around Washington’s ear, have lost their expressiveness. All crucial design elements are clear, and the date and letters are legible.
1934 Washington quarter value* |
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| Year | Quality | ||
| Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1934 | $85 | $300 | $600 |
| 1934 D | $8 | $25 | $85 |
*by JM Bullion
Good – The coin with this grade was in circulation for a long time, showing significant wear signs and the barely legible date and letters. You can see only the most prominent relief details on its surface, but numerous scratches spoil the entire look.
Summary
It is necessary to determine the 1934 Quarter type and assess its condition to ensure that the price you should pay for it is realistic. Be aware that various coin types minted this year have different prices.
