If you are an avid coin enthusiast I’m sure you are curious about which modern quarters are worth money. What is interesting about modern coins is that many of them are still in circulation so every time you receive a pocket change you might land a big deal.
However, that means you need to keep a keen eye on every coin that goes through your hands and wallet. Moreover, scoring a rare and valuable coin isn’t as easy as it may seem, you’ll first need to know what exactly are you looking for.
To make your quest easier we decided to write a little guideline for those who are interested in collecting and learning all about the 1964 quarter value. Hopefully, it will be of great help to you, so shall we start?
Why Are 1964 Quarters So Special And Valuable?
There are many different reasons why the 1964 Washington Quarter series is so special and valuable to collectors.
First, this is the last quarter that was minted on a planchet made of 90% silver. The reason is that in 1965, the U.S. Mint decided to switch to a copper-nickel alloy considering the prices of silver went up.
Also, 1964 was as well the final year when the Washington Quarter was minted at the Philadelphia Mint. The following year the production of this coin was shifted to the Denver Mint. The third, and final reason why the 1964 quarter is so special is that this was the last time that Mint made major design changes to the Quarter’s design.
Please remember that all quarters minted from 1965 and up have the motto “In God We Trust” on the obverse side and an eagle on the reverse side.
The main features of the 1964 quarter coins?
Before we start discussing how to recognize a special and rare 1964 Washington Quarter let’s first mention some basic information. It is crucial to know the main features to be able to differentiate a real from a fake coin.
The obverse side of the 1964 coin features a portrait of George Washington facing left. Above Washington’s head, you’ll notice the word “Liberty”. Also, the date of minting curves around the lower edge of the coin. While the motto “In God We Trust” is placed on the left side of Washington’s bust, below his chin.
The reverse side of the coin shows an eagle with its wings outstretched, standing on a bundle of arrows. Near the lower edge, there are two olive branches that are curved upwards. Curving around the edge you’ll see the inscribed “Quarter dollar”.
On the top edge curving “United States of America” is written, and just below that on the horizontal, is the Latin motto “E pluribus unum”.
There are some other key features that will help you distinguish the 1964 quarter from modern examples. The first one is composition; the coins made in 1964 were made of 90% silver, while all after that were made from a combination of copper and nickel.
Also, pay attention to mint marks. The 1964 quarters were minted in both Philadelphia and Denver mints. Those minted in Philly don’t have a mint mark, while those from Denver have a D mark placed beneath the olive branches on the reverse side.
Finally, when dealing with silver and gold coins always turn them on their side. You’ll notice a reeded edge, a series of grooves that run perpendicular to the coin faces. This feature was intended to prevent clipping the edges of coins.
Comprehensive 1964 Quarter Value Guide
Since you already figured out that quarter coins are pretty common in today’s circulation, the question arises – which 1964 quarter coin is rare and valuable? Well, luckily for you the following section will answer that question. Here is the list of regular strike quarter coins as well as error strike coins that are attractive to collectors.
- 1964 Quarter, Regular Strike Value – First coins you should look for are 1964 quarters without a mint mark. These were struck in Philadelphia, and 1964 was the last year that this mint stuck the quarters. There were around 560 million coins struck in this series. However, you need a coin in a mint state, not one from circulation. Coin in the mint state will fetch you from $700 up to $4,000.
- 1964D Quarter, Regular Strike Value – Coins minted in Denver are a bit more common than those minted in Philly. A Denver coin that’s of excellent quality and condition has an estimated value of $450. The finest known specimens are two 1964D quarters which were sold for $38,400.
- 1964S Quarter, Proof Value – You should know that coins that were minted in the San Francisco mint weren’t made for circulation in 1964, these were strike-proof coins. They don’t have a mint mark and they were only destined for collectors. Around 4 million of these coins were produced. Only coins in perfect condition are worth collecting. A PR70-graded coin is worth around $1,150 while deep cameo coins are estimated to cost $750.
- 1964 Quarter, Special Mint Set – In the San Francisco mint a Special Mint Set was also produced in 1964. We do not know how many of these sets were produced but the estimation is no more than 50. The 1964 quarter from this set must have a satin finish. Depending on the condition, the estimated worth is from $1,500 to $25,000.
1964 quarter errors
Error coins always bring out the most value no matter which coin we talk about. What makes them so special is that they are unique and one of a kind, since no error can be exactly repeated, they do look alike but are still so different. If you strive to own a coin that no one has then look for the error coin. Here is the list of the most sought-after 1964 quarter error coins.
- 1964 Quarter, Double Die Obverse Side – There are a wide variety of different double die errors in the 1964 Washington quarter series. Remember, there is only one error on the obverse side and that is the doubling in the letters of the phrase “In God We Trust”. Depending on the condition of the coin, the price will be a few hundred dollars.
- 1964 Quarter, Double Die Reverse Side – Until today there are four different double die errors reverse side errors discovered. They are labeled with codes FS-801, FS-802, FS-803, and FS-804. In circulated extremely fine condition, they’ll be worth around $150, but if you have them in gem condition you are looking at $2,000 worth quarter.
- 1964 Quarter, Type B Reverse Side – This is the error that can be found on proof set coins. You’ll notice this error in the letters “E” and the “S” at the end of “States” in terms of a large gap between these two letters.
- 1964 D Quarter with 1965 Reverse Side – As you know 1964 was the last year when the quarters were minted in silver and in the old design. In 1965 changes to the design on the reverse side occurred. The transition from silver to copper and nickel led to an error where coins were struck with the 1964 obverse and the 1965 reverse. This is were rare error and it is called Type C reverse. A coin with an error like this can be sold for at least $2,000.
The 1964 quarter value by grade
Naturally, the most valuable coins are always labeled with the “Uncirculated” grade. The lowest value coin grade is “Good”, however, a lot of collectors tend to replace these coins with a higher graded example. Let’s learn since basics of the grading system:
- Uncirculated – This is the top grade in both quality and value perspectives. To get a grade like this a coin requires the highest points for design and fine details such as evidence of wear. These details are most noticeable as a dulling of the surface or breaks in the mint luster.
- Extremely fine – If there are slight signs of wear and abrasion showing in the hair and curls over Washington’s ear these coins are no longer graded “Uncirculated”. Minor details like this and small breaks in a mint luster from the neck and cheek will impact the grading.
- Fine – These coins show signs of moderate wear. The hair and curls above Washington’s ear show major details, while the neck and chin are worn and look like merging. However, the rim and date must be completely recognizable.
- Good – The coin is very flattened by wear but all the major details can be seen. In most cases, the top parts of the letters began to merge with the rim.
Table of the most valuable 1964 quarters
How To Determine The Value Of 1964 Quarter Coin?
It goes without saying that serious collectors always prefer buying professionally graded coins. So in case you think you have a few valuable ones in your possession make sure you take them for grading first to enhance your chances of selling them.
Three main factors will increase the value of your 1964 quarters, including:
- Rarity – Rare is valuable, no matter which type of collectible we are talking about. However, a rarity for coins is in most cases presented by the date of minting. For the Washington quarter the year 1964 is scarce since this is the last year when they used 90% silver in the composition of the planchet. An older quarter coin will be more valuable than a newer coin.
- Mintmark – To determine the value of a 1964 quarter make sure to locate the mintmark at the back of the coin. Keep in mind that coins with no mint mark are probably made as a proof set, SMS set, or minted in Philadelphia.
- Condition and grade – Quarter values are identified according to four primary grades. Uncirculated, Extremely Fine, Fine, and Good. Excellent grades have minor wear on the curls and hair of the president’s portrait. On the other hand, a good grade has significant details flattened by wear, and the letter tops seem to merge with the rim.
Where Should I Look For 1964 Washington Quarters?
Finding a rare and unique coin or error coin is not as easy as it may seem. First of all, not all errors are products of the minting process, some errors occurred during the circulation of coins, so they aren’t valuable at all. So you should keep an eye on things like that and buy coins only from reliable sellers to avoid being scammed, especially if you are a newbie.
When it comes to buying and selling valuable coins it is crucial to focus on finding the best dealer on the market. Your first option should always be a reliable auction house or reputable coin web pages such as Heritage Auctions, PCGS, Coins For Sale, or Littleton Coin Company.
Of course, you can explore places like eBay, Etsy, and LiveAuctioneers to get information about the particular coin such as price and how attractive are they to collectors. But, we don’t recommend buying valuable coins in here, especially not those that are too expensive. Look for a proven seller if you look for the coin on online platforms, and always consult with your mentor or specialist.
FAQ
Are all 1964 Quarters made from silver?
No. Some of the coins minted in 1964 were made with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. However, most were made from a composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel placed between two outer layers made from 60% silver and 40% copper.
This is a new “clad” composition for all dimes, quarters, and half dollars from 1965 and they started using it in late 1964 as well. The reason was that this clad combo was less expensive than using precious metals.
Here is a pro tip – if you have a 1964 quarter that doesn’t “ring” when you drop it on any solid surface or is attracted to a magnet, the chance is that is made from the new clad combination.
What is the meaning of Melt Value?
When we talk about coins made from precious metals you will most likely hear about the melt value often. The melt value is calculated from a combination of silver or gold spot price and the current silver or gold value.
This is why for instance a Washington quarter from 1964 and years before always has a higher face value than 25 cents.
Is Collecting 1964 Washington Quarters A Good Move?
Assembling a complete set of any coins that are popular among collectors increases your chances of selling them for higher prices. When we talk about the Washington quarters collecting them by date and mintmarks mean you’ll in total need to find 147 coins.
To make this more clear, there are 83 silver Washington quarters minted from 1932 until 1964, and 64 clad Washington quarters minted from 1965 until 1998. Keep in mind that almost all silver Washington quarters are removed from circulation, so they are pretty hard to find by chance.
All silver quarters are in high demand, especially the ones that are minted in 1964. They still fetch remarkable prices in their finest, uncirculated condition. Think about this before selling your valuable silver coin, no matter if you are a first-time seller or an expert in this field.
Hopefully, this article answered at least some of your burning questions and helped you figure out how to handle your precious coins. In case you know some information that we didn’t mention here, please do not hesitate to share your opinions and advice in the comment section below.
