The US Mint struck the Washington silver quarter for the first time in 1932. This design adorned the half-dollar coin that paid homage to George Washington. The quarter initially contained 90% silver, but this composition underwent a change in 1965 due to a considerable increase in the silver price.
To successfully determine the 1962 quarter value, you need to pay attention to a few things. First of all, it is necessary to check the coin’s condition and the mint mark on the reverse. Remember that the current silver price significantly affects the coin value since this piece is both bullion and a collectible item.
1962 Washington Silver Quarter History
The first Washington quarter appeared in 1932 to mark the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. John Flanagan’s design was initially on a half-dollar coin. However, Congress decided to start using it to a quarter dollar in March 1931.
1962 quarter |
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| Location | Year | Minted | Value |
| Philadelphia | 1962 | 36,156,000 | $7 |
| Philadelphia | 1962 proof | 3,218,019 | $11 |
| Denver | 1962 D | 127,554,756 | $7 |
| Total | / | 166,928,775 | / |
Although the original plan for this coin was to be a one-year commemorative, the Washington silver quarter is still in circulation today. Due to the Great Depression in the 1930s, the US mint didn’t produce quarters, but the production continued as early as 1934 with the original Flanagan’s design.
Interestingly, the Washington quarters were minted by 1998 with an unchanged design. That year, the US Mint started the new, slightly modified Washington State quarter series. Since then, the quarter look has changed a few times.
1962 quarter |
|
| Face value | 25 cents ($0.25) |
| Compound | 90% silver + 10% copper |
| Coin weight | 0.20094 ounces (6.25 g) |
| Coin silver weight | 0.18084 troy ounces (5.62 g) |
| Coin diameter | 0.95669Â inches (24.3 mm) |
| Coin thickness | 0.06889 inches (1.75 mm) |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Original John Flanagan’s obverse included a George Washington portrait facing left. It was known that he made a portrait based on a bust created by the French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon in 1786.
The inscription LIBERTY is above the former President’s profile, and the minting year is written below. Ahead of Washington’s profile is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.
1962 quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1962 | 1962 D |
| Good | $5.9 | $5.9 |
| Very good | $5.9 | $5.9 |
| Fine | $5.9 | $5.9 |
| Very fine | $5.9 | $5.9 |
| Extra fine | $5.9 | $5.9 |
| AU | $6.8 | $6.8 |
| MS 60 | $8 | $8 |
| MS 65 | $15 | $15 |
| PR 65 | $11.3 | / |
*by USA Coin book
The reverse design features an eagle with outstretched wings and an olive branch below it. Above the eagle’s head is the Latin saying E PLURIBUS UNUM. The upper edge bears the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and the lower edge extends the QUARTER DOLLAR denomination.
1962 Washington Silver Quarter Type
Two mints, Philadelphia and Denver, produced Washington silver quarters in 1962. In addition to the regular pieces, Philadelphia also minted proof quarters that year. Both of these coins don’t have the mint mark, like usual. On the other hand, the Denver mint quarter has the D mark.
1962 Washington silver quarter
As always, Washington silvers quarters without the mint mark are from Philadelphia. This mint produced 36,156,000 coins in 1962.
1962 quarter value* |
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| Year | Quality | |
| Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1962 | $7 | $8 |
| 1962 D | $7 | $8 |
*by JM Bullion
You can buy one in good condition available on the money market for a reasonable price of $7, while a piece in an MS 67 grade can reach $ 2,100. In 2019, an MS 67+ rated quarter was sold for $ 26,400, making an auction record according to PCGS data.
1962 proof Washington silver quarter
The Philadelphia mint also struck 3,218,019 proof Washington silver quarters in 1962, which was an atypically large amount for proofs. That explains why this coin is not rare, and its price is pretty low on the coin market.
1962 proof quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1962 | 1962 CAM | 1962 D CAM |
| PR 60 | $5.6 | / | / |
| PR 61 | $5.6 | / | / |
| PR 62 | $5.6 | / | / |
| PR 63 | $6.3 | / | / |
| PR 64 | $7 | / | / |
| PR 65 | $10.8 | $13.5 | $16.2 |
| PR 66 | $12.5 | $14.8 | $24.3 |
| PR 67 | $13.5 | $20.2 | $47.2 |
| PR 68 | $20.2 | $27 | $61 |
| PR 69 | $40.5 | $81 | $358 |
| PR 70 | $228 | / | / |
*by Greysheet
Typically, it is enough to set aside $11 for a proof coin in decent condition. Even a PR 70 rating piece won’t provide you with big bucks since this quarter can reach not more than $200.
1962 D Washington silver quarter
In 1962, the Denver mint produced 127,554,765 quarters you can recognize by the mint mark on the coin reverse. These pieces are quite present on the coin market, and a specimen in decent condition can be yours for $3 to $7. However, you need to spend almost $3,800 for the one in an MS 67 grade.
1962 Washington Silver Quarter Rarities and Key Dates
You can occasionally see rare quarters with an error on the coin market. Most collectors look for such a piece and are often prepared to set aside significant money to enrich their collection with it. There are three scarce quarter errors variants minted in 1962.
1962 Type B reverse Washington silver quarter
This error is not unique to the 1962 quarter, and you can find it in all pieces minted from 1956 to 1964. For some reason, these quarters were struck with a proof-style reverse die.
1962 quarter value* |
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| Coin | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1962 | $3.2 to $3.5 | $3.2 to $3.5 | $3.5 to $3.7 | $5+ |
| 1962 D | $3.2 to $3.5 | $3.2 to $3.5 | $3.5 to $3.7 | $5+ |
*by Coinflation
On this quarter’s reverse, you can see a wider space between the letters E and S in the inscription STATES than in regular coins. Plus, the details on the eagle feathers are sharper than usual.
1962 D/D Washington silver quarter
This quarter comes from the Denver mint. You can notice that the mint mark on the coin reverse is re-punched. More precisely, it is possible to recognize a previously struck mint mark below the letter D.
1962 DDO Washington silver quarter
This error occurs while punching at the moment when a die accidentally moves. As a result, a slight doubling effect occurs. In the 1962 Washington quarter case, the doubling is visible in the inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.
1962 Washington Silver Quarter Grading
The most logical procedure would be to leave the assessment of the coin’s condition to an expert. If you want to evaluate the quarter on your own, you need to learn more about its characteristics.
1962 quarter value* |
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| Quality | 1962 | 1962 D |
| Good | $8.1 | $8.1 |
| Very good | $8.3 | $8.3 |
| Fine | $8.5 | $8.5 |
| Very fine | $8.8 | $8.8 |
| Extra fine | $9 | $9 |
| Uncirculated | $9.5 | $9.5 |
| Brilliant uncirculated | $14.3 | $23.7 |
*by Hobbizine
Uncirculated – The coin rated this way was not in circulation and has stayed in the mint state until these days. There are no traces of wear on its surface, and the relief is fully present with the original shine.
These characteristics make this coin a favorite among collectors since the whole series is worth more when containing quarters rated this way.
1962 quarter value* |
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| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1962 | $3.7 | $3.7 | $3.7 | $4.8 |
| 1962 D | $3.7 | $3.7 | $3.7 | $4.8 |
*by CoinStudy
Extra fine – You can see slight damage to this coin as a sign that it was in circulation for a short time. Luckily, the piece in this grade was withdrawn from use before becoming significantly damaged.
You can see some changes in Washington’s hair, neck, and cheeks, but that won’t diminish the coin value in the collector’s eyes. In fact, most consider this piece highly collectible.
Fine – The coin with this rating circulated for a while. Signs of wear are visible on its surface, and it looks a bit flattened. Smooth areas are most noticeable on Washington’s hair, where curls are no longer recognizable. However, the hairline on the forehead is still visible.
1962 quarter value* |
||
| Quality | 1962 | 1962 D |
| Good | $5.7 | $5.7 |
| Very good | $5.7 | $5.7 |
| Fine | $5.7 | $5.7 |
| Very fine | $5.7 | $5.7 |
| Extra fine | $5.7 | $5.7 |
| AU | $5.7 | $5.7 |
| MS 60 | $5.9 | $5.9 |
| MS 61 | $5.9 | $5.9 |
| MS 62 | $5.9 | $5.9 |
| MS 63 | $6 to $7.4 | $6 to $7.4 |
| MS 64 | $7.4 to $10 | $7.4 to $10 |
| MS 65 | $29.7 to $40.5 | $27 to $33.7 |
| MS 66 | $47.2 to $68 | $74 to $130 |
| MS 67 | $1,750 to $2,120 | $3,250 to $3,740 |
*by Greysheet
Good – It is the lowest rating a coin can receive and indicates it is significantly damaged. Although the portrait is still visible, there are a lot of scratches and signs of wear on the surface.
Due to its unattractive appearance, the quarter with this rating is often worth only the price of silver. Unfortunately, such a coin has no value as a collectible piece.
Summary
The Washington silver quarter is an impressive coin that can enrich your collection. Although only two mints produced it in 1962, you can still find fine specimens on the coin market at affordable prices. Even the pieces in the worst condition are worth something on the silver market, while well-preserved ones are highly collectible.
