Although the Washington quarter may seem like a strange coin to collect because it is still in circulation, many collectors are interested in buying it. Keep in mind that it appeared in 1932, giving it great historical value besides its silver content.

With over 100 million minted specimens, the 1954 Quarter value is not remarkable, and you can collect these coins without any considerable investment. Some pieces have a higher price based on the mint mark and condition.

 

1954 Washington Silver Quarter History

1954 Washington Silver Quarter History
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The original plan was to mint the Washington quarter as a one-year commemorative coin. The US Mint planned to strike limited quantity in honor of the first American President, George Washington’s 200th birth anniversary. However, plans were changed, and this coin is still actual.

1954 Washington silver quarter

Location Year Minted
Philadelphia 1954 54,412,203
Philadelphia 1954 proof 233,300
Denver 1954 D 42,305,500
San Francisco 1954 S 11,834,722
Total / 108,785,725

In 1930, the American Congress established the George Washington Bicentennial Committee. It reviewed the submitted works for the jubilee coin design competition together with the Commission of Fine Arts.

Their choice was the sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser‘s design. However, they needed the consent of the Treasury Secretary, Andrew Mellon.

1954 Washington silver quarter

Face value 25 cents ($0.25)
Coin diameter 0.95669 inches (24.3 mm)
Coin thickness 0.06889 inches (1.75 mm)
Compound 90% silver and added copper
Coin weight 0.20094 ounces (6.25 g)
Coin silver weight 0.18084 troy ounces (5.62 g)
Shape Round
Edge Reeded

Even though they didn’t expect any problems with that decision, Minister Mellon objected and chose the sculptor John Flanagan‘s idea.

A few commission members believed that Fraser rejected the winner because she was a woman and accused Minister Mellon of gender discrimination. Unfortunately, that argument didn’t affect his decision.

1954 Washington silver quarter value*

Quality 1954 1954 S 1956 D
Good $6.5 $6.5 $6.5
Very good $6.5 $6.5 $6.5
Fine $6.5 $6.5 $6.5
Very fine $6.5 $6.5 $6.5
Extra fine $6.5 $6.53 $6.5
AU $7.4 $7.4 $7.4
MS 60 $8.7 $8.7 $8.7
MS 65 $38 $43 $41
PR 65 $30 / /

*by USA Coin book

Flanagan made his design based on Washington’s bust made by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon. A George Washington image facing left is on the coin obverse, with the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST on the left side.

The word LIBERTY is above Washington’s head, on the upper coin rim, while the date is below the bust.

1954 Washington silver quarter value*

Quality 1954 1954 S 1954 D
Good $8.1 $8.1 $8.1
Very good $8.3 $8.3 $8.3
Fine $8.5 $8.5 $8.5
Very fine $8.8 $8.8 $8.8
Extra fine $9 $9 $9
Uncirculated $9.5 $9.5 $9.5
Brilliant uncirculated $23.7 $21.9 $23.7

*by Hobbizine

The American bald eagle occupies a central part of the coin reverse. You can see an arrows bundle in its claws, while two olive branches and denomination QUARTER DOLLAR are struck along the bottom rim.

You can also see the Latin saying E PLURIBUS UNUM above the eagle’s head. Above it, on the top rim, is the inscription the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

 

1954 Washington Silver Quarter Types

Three mints in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, produced nearly 110,000,000 Washington quarters in 1954.

1954 Washington silver quarter

1954 Washington silver quarter

The Philadelphia mint struck 54,412,203 quarters, or half of the total circulation this year. Due to this number, these specimens’ availability on the coin market is significant nowadays.

1954 Washington silver quarter value*

Quality 1954 1954 S 1954 D
Very good $4 $4 $4
Very fine $5 $5 $5
Extra fine $5 $6 $5
AU $8 $10 $8
MS 63 $12 $15 $12
MS 65 $15 $25 $24
PR 64 $24 / /
PR 68 $400 / /

*by CoinHelpU

As you can guess, this availability affects the quarter’s value, so you will only need about $4 to buy a coin in poor condition. You won’t need much more for pieces in a mint state either, as their value varies from $5 to $260.

1954 proof Washington quarter

1954 proof Washington quarter

A significant number of 233,300 proof quarters came out from the Philadelphia mint in 1954. Thanks to high mintage, you won’t need too much money to get one of these coins.

Their value ranges from $6 to $390, depending on their condition. On the other hand, you need to pay $1,560 for a 1954 PR 69 D CAM Washington silver quarter.

1954 D Washington silver quarter

1954 D Washington silver quarter

The D mint mark is typical for coins coming from the Denver mint. In 1954, this mint produced precisely 42,305,500 Washington silver quarters. 

1954 Washington silver quarter value*

Quality 1954 1954 S 1954 D
Good $4.3 / $4.2
Very good $4.3 / $4.2
Fine $4.3 $3.3 $4.2
Very fine $4.3 $4.4 $4.2
Extra fine $4.3 $5.6 $4.2
AU $5.8 $9 $5.1
UNC $7.3 $11 $6.2

*by Numista

The value of pieces in poor condition is the same as those minted in the Philadelphia mint, and it will cost you approximately $4. The value of coins in the mint state varies from $6 to $960, depending on the delicate details you can see on their surface.

1954 S Washington silver quarter 

1954 S Washington silver quarter 

The San Francisco mint had the lowest Washington quarter mintage in 1954, only 11,834,722 specimens. You can quickly recognize these pieces by the S mint mark struck on the reverse.

1954 Washington silver quarter value*

Year Extra fine quality Uncirculated
1954 $7 $8
1954 S $7 $8
1954 D $7 $8

*by JM Bullion

The Washington quarter price is approximately $4 for pieces in poor condition. The 1954 MS 60 Washington silver quarter is worth $6, while you should set aside $12,000 for a coin with an MS 68 rating.

 

1954 Washington Silver Quarter Errors

As you know, the presence of error coins significantly affects the entire collection value. Unfortunately, the 1954 Washington silver quarter has neither rarities nor key dates.

 

1954 Washington Silver Quarter Grading

1954 Washington Silver Quarter Grading

When considering selling your quarter, it is better to leave its condition assessment to professional companies like NGC or PCGS.

Only that way can you be sure that your specimen value is precisely estimated. However, you can roughly determine its preservation level by following official guidelines.

Uncirculated – Such a coin is definitely the most desirable rated piece you can find. It never spent a single moment in regular circulation, and you can notice this by the original luster and texture present on its surface. In addition, all the relief details are clear and sharp, including roundness on Washington’s hair waves and cheek.

1954 Washington silver quarter value*

Year Quality
Good Fine Extra fine Uncirculated
1954 $4 $4 $4 $5.2
1954 S $4 $4 $4 $5.4
1954 D $4 $4 $4 $5.4

*by CoinStudy

Extra fine – The piece rated this way spent a short time in circulation and didn’t suffer significant damage. Although you can’t see the original luster on its surface, all the design details are still clearly defined.

However, close inspection with a magnifying glass will show you slight changes in Washington’s hairlines.

Fine – This grade indicates the coin was in circulation for a long time but avoided significant damage. Signs of wear are visible, especially on the subtle design parts.

For instance, you can see the flattening on Washington’s cheek and the hairlines around his ear, but the minting year and the inscriptions are still legible.

1954 Washington silver quarter value*

Quality 1954 1954 S 1954 D
Good $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4
Very good $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4
Fine $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4
Very fine $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4
Extra fine $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4
AU $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4 $4.8 to $6.4
MS 60 $4.9 to $6.6 $6 to $9.7 $6 to $9.7
MS 61 $4.9 to $6.6 $6 to $9.7 $6 to $9.7
MS 62 $4.9 to $6.6 $6.5 to $10.5 $6.5 to $10.5
MS 63 $6 to $8.05 $7 to $11.3 $7 to $11.34
MS 64 $6 to $10.7 $11 to $17.8 $13 to $21
MS 65 $12 to $20.2 $15 to $33.7 $18 to $33.7
MS 66 $25 to $40.5 $35 to $61 $45 to $88
MS 67 $145 to $260 $180 to $260 $650 to $960
MS 68 / $8,500 to $12,000 /

*by Greysheet

Good – You certainly won’t be delighted to get such a low rating for your Washington quarter. Since it is the worst possible grade for collectible coins, the presence of numerous scratches visible on the coin’s surface is not a surprise.

Although you can see the significant relief flatness, crucial details are still distinguished, such as Washington’s nose, eye, and lip line. Thanks to silver content, even such a coin will be worth something.

 

Summary

When you want to determine the 1954 Washington quarter value, it is necessary to pay attention to several details. The first thing is to determine the mint that produced a particular coin. Be aware that the coin condition is vital, but the current silver price will also affect the final price.

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