The Washington quarters collection is an essential part of the US numismatic since it commemorates the first US President. Therefore, these coins are among the first on many beginner collectors’ wish lists.
The Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver mints have produced millions of Washington quarters annually since 1932, so finding any of them is not a challenge. As a result, the 1950 Quarter value primarily depends on its condition and possible errors. Let’s see.
1950 Quarter History
The 1950 Quarter share the same history as the rest of Washington quarters. It all started in 1932 during the Great Depression when the US Mint issued the new quarter. It celebrated the bicentennial anniversary of George Washington’s birthday.
1950 Quarter |
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| Location | Year | Minted |
| Philadelphia | 1950 | 24,920,126 |
| Philadelphia | 1940 proof | 51,386 |
| San Francisco | 1950 S | 10,284,004 |
| Denver | 1950 D | 21,075,600 |
| Total | / | 56,279,730 |
Sculptor John Flanagan created a winning design featuring George Washington’s bust on the obverse side. There are three engravings around the President’s image, IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and LIBERTY.
1950 Quarter |
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| Face value | $0.25 (25 cents) |
| Compound | Silver (90%) and copper (10%) |
| Coin weight | 0.20094 troy ounces (6.25 g) |
| Silver weight | 0.16493 troy ounces (5.13 g) |
| Coin thickness | 0.06889 inches (1.75 mm) |
| Coin diameter | 0.95512 inches (24.26 mm) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Shape | Round |
The opposite coin side has a bald eagle holding two olive branches. You can see the denomination below the bird and a traditional moto E PLURIBUS UNO above it. Of course, the reverse also contains the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA engraving.
1950 Quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1950 | 1950 S | 1950 S/ D | 1950 D | 1950 D/S |
| Good | $6 | $6 | $53 | $6 | $41 |
| Very good | $6 | $6 | $81 | $6 | $68 |
| Fine | $6 | $6 | $104 | $6 | $93 |
| Very fine | $6 | $6 | $113 | $6 | $104 |
| Extra fine | $6 | $6.6 | $171 | $6 | $171 |
| AU | $6.9 | $7.2 | $287 | $6.9 | $229 |
| MS 60 | $8.2 | $12 | $401 | $8.2 | $344 |
| MS 65 | $41 | $53 | $1,135 | $41 | $3,316 |
| PR 63 | $81 | / | / | / | |
*by USA Coin book
1950 Quarter Types
There are three 1950 Quarter types, depending on the mint mark. However, all share the same design, composition, and melt value.
1950 Quarter value* |
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| Year | Extra fine quality | Mint state |
| 1950 | $7 | $8 |
| 1950 S | $7.5 | $8 |
| 1950 D | $7 | $8 |
*by JM Bullion
Their current melt value is $4.16, but it would be a shame to sell a well-preserved 1950 Washington coin for so little money. Most coin dealers will offer you a more significant sum for pieces in the mint state.
1950 Quarter
As always, you should look for a mint mark to determine where the 1950 Quarters come from. Since the Philadelphia mint didn’t use the P letter until 1980, these pieces are without a mark.
1950 Quarter value* |
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| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1950 | $3.8 | $3.8 | $3.8 | $6.1 |
| 1950 S | $3.8 | $3.8 | $3.8 | $6.1 |
| 1950 D | $3.8 | $3.8 | $3.8 | $5.3 |
*by CoinStudy
Philadelphia 24,920,126 struck quarters in 1950, or almost half of the annual mintage. These coins were common and widely circulated. In other words, most are worn out and damaged nowadays, making rare uncirculated pieces highly valued and desirable.
1950 proof Quarter
In addition to circulated coins, the Philadelphia mint struck 51,386 proof quarters in 1950. Most collectors want to put their hands on one of these pieces since they have a higher value.
1950 Quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1950 | 1950 S | 1950 D |
| Very good | $8.7 | $8.8 | $8.8 |
| Fine | $8.9 | $8.9 | $8.9 |
| Very fine | $9 | $9 | $9 |
| Extra fine | $9.2 | $9.6 | $9.2 |
| AU | $9.6 | $10 | $9.6 |
| MS 63 | $15 | $13.5 | $14 |
| MS 65 | $38 | $32.5 | $37.5 |
*by WashingtonQuarters
These coins were multiple struck with more intense luster than the regular quarters. Since they were never circulated, most were undamaged and in perfect condition.
1950 S Quarter
All 1950 Quarters coming from the San Francisco mint have the S mint mark. You can find this letter engraved on the coin reverse, under the bald eagle.
1950 Quarter value* |
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| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1950 | $3.3 to $3.5 | $3.3 to $3.5 | $3.3 to $3.5 | $6+ |
| 1950 S | $3.3 to $3.5 | $3.3 to $3.5 | $3.5 to $3.8 | $19+ |
| 1950 D | $3.3 to $3.5 | $3.3 to $3.5 | $3.3 to $3.5 | $75+ |
*by Coinflation
This mint struck 10,284,004 Quarters in 1950, and there were no significant variations in their value.
1950 D Quarter
The Denver mint came close to the Philadelphia mintage in 1950, with 21,075,600 Washington quarters produced. These coins have the D letter on the reverse. Their value varies from $5 to $50, depending on their condition, but rare pieces can reach the price of a couple of hundred dollars.
1950 Quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1950 | 1950 S | 1950 S/D | 1950 D | 1950 D/S |
| Good | $8.1 | $8.1 | $27.3 | $8.1 | $27.3 |
| Very good | $8.3 | $8.3 | $32.8 | $8.3 | $32.8 |
| Fine | $8.6 | $8.6 | $43.8 | $8.6 | $43.8 |
| Very fine | $8.8 | $8.8 | $62 | $8.8 | $66 |
| Extra fine | $9.1 | $9.1 | $185 | $9.1 | $150 |
| Uncirculated | $15.2 | $9.5 | $380 | $15.2 | $380 |
| Brilliant uncirculated | $48 | $33.3 | $9,500 | $48 | $9,500 |
*by Hobbizine
1950 Quarter Key Dates and Rarities
Besides standard 1950 Quarters, you can also recognize two specific key date varieties. If you are lucky enough to find one of these two coin types, you can quickly earn up to several thousand dollars.
1950 Quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1950 | 1950 S | 1950 S/D | 1950 D | 1950 D/S |
| Very good | $4 | $4 | $35 | $4 | $35 |
| Very fine | $7 | $8 | $80 | $7 | $60 |
| Extra fine | $8 | $9 | $140 | $8 | $115 |
| AU 50 | $10 | $15 | $200 | $10 | $126 |
| AU 58 | $15 | $20 | $240 | $15 | $175 |
| MS 63 | $18 | $25 | $400 | $25 | $200 |
| MS 65 | $25 | $30 | $1,035 | $40 | $2,530 |
| PR 64 | $59 | / | / | / | / |
| PR 65 | $690 | / | / | / | / |
*by COIN HelpU
This year, mints struck two over punched mint mark Quarter variations, S over D and D over S. The total mintage of these rare coins is unknown.
Typically, their value starts at around $50 for good-graded specimens, but the ultimate challenge is finding them in mint condition. The 1950 D/S quarter is more in demand, and one coin reached record value at auction of an impressive $29,375.
1950 Quarter Grading
Regardless of the 1950 Quarter type you have, its final value depends on the wear level. Experts can determine your coin quality by examining every detail on both sides and the coin rim preservation. Based on the changes that each piece has undergone, these coins are classified into several grades.
Uncirculated – Nobody ever used this coin for any transaction. Its design remained flawless, the surface kept its original luster, and all letters and numbers kept precise edges. So, you can see the President’s face details untouched, as well as sharp hairlines and coat lines.
1950 Quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1950 | 1950 S | 1950 D |
| Good | $5.8 | $5.8 | $5.8 |
| Very good | $5.8 | $5.8 | $5.8 |
| Fine | $5.8 | $5.8 | $5.8 |
| Very fine | $5.8 | $5.8 | $5.8 |
| Extra fine | $5.8 | $5.8 | $5.8 |
| AU | $5.8 | $5.8 | $5.8 |
| MS 60 | $11.1 to $13.4 | $9.5 to $11.3 | $9.5 to $11.3 |
| MS 61 | $12.2 to $14.5 | $10.8 to $13 | $12.3 to $14.6 |
| MS 62 | $13.5 to $16.2 | $12.2 to $14.6 | $14.9 to $17.9 |
| MS 63 | $16.2 to $23 | $14.6 to $17.8 | $20.3 to $24.3 |
| MS 64 | $24.3 to 31.1 | $24.3 to $29.2 | $29.7 to $35.6 |
| MS 65 | $33.8 to $47.3 | $36.5 to $47.3 | $40.5 to $61 |
| MS 66 | $54 to $74 | $61 to $81 | $74 to $108 |
| MS 67 | $292 to $390 | $260 to $312 | $325 to $390 |
*by Greysheet
Extra fine – Crucial details are still sharp, and engravings are intact on this piece. However, you can feel some flatness under the finger and see discoloration on the surface.
Fine – This Quarter shows many traces of time because it was widely used, and the President’s bust is almost flat. You can recognize George Washington, but his curls and eyebrows are no longer there. The eagle also suffered visible damage, mainly around its claws and arrows.
1950 Quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1950 S/D | 1950 D/S |
| Good | $54 to $68 | $47.3 to $60 |
| Very good | $61 to $76 | $54 to$68 |
| Fine | $68 to 113 | $61 to $$89 |
| Very fine | $122 to $218 | $88 to $130 |
| Extra fine | $214 to $292 | $122 to $156 |
| AU | $292 to $390 | $162 to $232 |
| MS 60 | $390 to $448 | $247 to $284 |
| MS 61 | $422 to $486 | $299 to $$344 |
| MS 62 | $455 to $523 | $488 to $561 |
| MS 63 | $488 to $561 | $780 to $897 |
| MS 64 | $618 to $715 | $1,250 to $1,500 |
| MS 65 | $1,310 to $1,750 | $3,750 to $4.690 |
| MS 66 | $1,880 to $2,160 | $5,620 to$ 6,880 |
| MS 67 | $7,500 to $8,620 | $$24,000 to $27,400 |
*by Greysheet
Good – This coin spent years in circulation, so it typically gets this low grade. You can see that inscriptions merge with the coin rim while the vital design elements are almost entirely gone.
Summary
All 1950 Quarters are worth more than their denotation and melt value, while S/D and D/S errors are expensive and in high demand among numismatics. In some cases, these coins can bring you a fortune if you find any in the mint state.
