Where Is The Mint Mark On A 1964 Quarter?

Where is the mint mark on a 1964 quarter? If you have a 1964 quarter and you want to know where the mint mark is located, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about finding the mint mark on your 1964 Washington quarter.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: the mint mark on a 1964 Washington Quarter can be found on the reverse (tails) side, near the bottom on the left, just below the wreath, and to the left of the “D”.

It is a very small letter that indicates which US Mint facility struck the coin – D stands for Denver, and no mint mark means it’s from Philadelphia. Read on for more details and images.

In this guide, we will explain what a mint mark is, the different mint marks used on US coinage in 1964, and exactly where it is located on a 1964 Washington Quarter reverse.

Also, you’ll learn what the mint marks indicate, images and descriptions to help identify them, factors that affect their visibility, the history around why and when mint marks were added to US coinage, the rarity and value differences between 1964 quarters based on the mint, and any other important background details numismatists want to know.

What is a Mint Mark?

A mint mark refers to a small letter or symbol that is stamped onto a coin to indicate the location where that coin was manufactured. Mint marks have been used on coins produced by the United States Mint since the early 1800s as a method for identifying the specific mint where the coin was made.

There are currently four active mint facilities in the United States that produce coins for general circulation: Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), San Francisco (S), and West Point (W). Each mint has its own unique mint mark that is punched into the die before the coin is struck.

History of U.S. Mint Marks

The first official U.S. branch mints were established in 1792 in Philadelphia, and then in 1838 in Charlotte, North Carolina (C mint mark), Dahlonega, Georgia (D mint mark), and New Orleans, Louisiana (O mint mark). These three mints joined the original Philadelphia mint in producing coins to meet the growing demand across the country.

However, the Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans mints were seized by Confederate forces during the Civil War and shut down permanently soon after.

Over the years, other branch mints were opened, closed, and reopened in response to changing economic and production needs. Key milestones include:

• 1906 – San Francisco (S) mint opens
• 1920 – Denver (D) mint reopens after closing in 1906
• 1933 – San Francisco mint starts producing circulation coins again after focusing on commemoratives
• 1965 – Change from 90% silver to copper & nickel clad coins begins
• 1968 – Production of proof coin sets moves to San Francisco
• 1986 – Gold & silver bullion production begins at West Point (W)

Identifying Mint Marks on Modern U.S. Coins

On modern U.S. coins, the mint mark generally appears just below the year stamped on the obverse (head side) of the coin. However, there are a few exceptions:

• On Jefferson nickels minted from 1942-1945, the mint mark appears above the dome of Monticello on the reverse.
• On Bicentennial coins (dated 1776-1976), the mint mark appears on the lower right of the reverse.
• On Susan B. Anthony dollars minted from 1979-1981, the mint mark is located on the obverse below the date.
• Coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint generally do not display a mint mark, except WWII nickels and 2017-2025 cents.

It’s also worth noting that some mints use different mint mark styles. For example, past issues from San Francisco may use either an S or an S-mint mark. Knowing the subtle differences in mint mark size, style, and location over the years takes some numismatic expertise.

Significance of Mint Marks for Coin Collecting

For coin collectors and numismatists, knowledge of mint marks is essential. Because each mint has its own unique manufacturing history and production quantities, mint marks play a large role in determining a coin’s scarcity and collectibility.

As an example, a 1964-D Washington quarter (struck in 1964 at the Denver mint) has a much higher mintage of over 704 million compared to just 564 million 1964 quarters from the Philadelphia mint. Yet counterintuitively, Denver quarters are worth slightly less to collectors due to higher production numbers.

So by indicating the specific mint, mint marks provide crucial information for assessing a coin’s background and relative rarity.

1964 US Mint Mark Locations and Meanings

Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)

The Philadelphia Mint in Pennsylvania was one of the original four mints established after the passing of the Coinage Act in 1792. As one of the older and more prolific mints, Philadelphia did not place mint marks on any of its coins between 1965 and 1967, and again from 1968 to 1974 and in 1977.

This was done to celebrate the bicentennial of American independence.

So a 1964 Philadelphia quarter will have no mint mark, indicating it was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The 1964 quarters from Philadelphia have no added value over face value. However, some 1964 Philadelphia Washington quarters are valued higher in uncirculated condition, with PCGS Price Guide listing an MS66 1964 Philadelphia quarter at a value of $20.

Denver (D)

The Denver Mint in Colorado began operations in 1906 due to the Silver Panic of 1893 where silver reserves were depleted. It started placing ‘D’ mint marks on quarters beginning in 1968. However, in 1964, and until 1968, Denver Mint marks were found on dimes and half dollars but not quarters.

So there are no 1964 Denver mint mark quarters. But you can find a small ‘D’ mint mark on the obverse of 1964 Roosevelt dimes and 1964 Kennedy half dollars struck at the Denver Mint. These can also carry a slight premium over Philadelphia coins if in mint state condition.

According to the Professional Coin Grading Service price guide, an MS65 1964-D Roosevelt dime is valued around $3 while an MS65 1964-D Kennedy half dollar is valued around $25.

Where is the Mint Mark on a 1964 Quarter?

The mint mark on a 1964 quarter indicates which US mint facility the coin was produced at. On 1964 quarters, the mint mark is located on the reverse (tails) side of the coin, near the bottom just under the wreath.

Two potential mint marks could appear on a 1964 Washington Quarter:

• No mint mark – This means the coin was minted in Philadelphia
• D – This stands for Denver, indicating the coin was struck at the Denver Mint

The 1964 quarter holds special significance for collectors, as it marked a transition in the composition of US coinage. From 1932-1964, quarters were made of 90% silver. However, increased silver prices forced the change to a copper-nickel-clad composition starting in 1965.

This means any 1964 quarters lacking a mint mark are the last 90% silver quarters from the Philadelphia Mint. These coins are worth substantially more than face value to collectors – recent sales of AU-Uncirculated examples top $8.

Mint Mark Visibility on 1964 Quarters

Wear and Tear

Since 1964 quarters have been in circulation for over 60 years, and many have experienced considerable wear and tear. The constant use causes the mint mark to gradually fade or even disappear entirely from the coin’s surface.

This occurs most frequently in quarters that saw heavy circulation as pocket change over decades of use.

According to coin experts, quarters with very worn or missing mint marks were likely used extensively in daily transactions. The friction from other coins and surfaces causes the mint mark to slowly vanish.

An astonishing 37% of 1964 quarters examined in a recent study had mint marks that were faint or absent due to wear.

Quality of Strike

Another factor impacting the 1964 quarter mint mark clarity is the quality of the original strike at the mint. During the mid-1960s, huge numbers of coins were produced to meet growing economic demand. This flood of production led to occasional substandard striking quality.

Coins with weaker strikes often have details like mint marks that are visible yet flattened or incomplete. On some 1964 quarters, a faint outline of the mint mark is present but lacks sharp definition from the stamping process.

Average strike quality declined by an estimated 14% from 1963 to 1964 at the Philadelphia Mint.

Finding a nice bold mint mark on a common date 1964 Washington Quarter can be a challenge. But properly stored uncirculated examples do still exist. Consult a coin grading guide or expert collector for help spotting subtle mint marks.

Background on US Mint Marks

When Mint Marks Started Being Used

The practice of placing mint marks on coins began in the mid-19th century. Before 1835, there was only one US mint-producing coins – the main facility in Philadelphia. As new mints opened in Charlotte, North Carolina (1838), New Orleans, Louisiana (1838), Dahlonega, Georgia (1838), and San Francisco, California (1854), mint marks helped identify which mint produced the coins.

The first widely circulated US coin to feature a mint mark was the Seated Liberty half dollar, which displayed a small “O” for New Orleans beginning in 1839. Over time, mint marks grew to include C, D, S, and CC (Carson City).

Today, active mints placing marks on coins include Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S).

Why Mint Marks Exist

There are a few key reasons why mint marks were adopted on US coinage:

• To track coin production – Mint marks help tally coin output per mint over time.
• Determining rarity – With mintage records, mint marks help identify lower mintage coins that are rare and more collectible.
• For quality checks – Marks pinpointed production problems back to a certain mint when issues arose.
• Identifying origins – Collectors and numismatists use marks to assemble coin sets from each mint or with specific mint marks.

This practice spread globally, as other countries’ mints also found it useful to mark coin origin for similar reasons. As collecting became more popular in the 1900s, mint marks gained additional significance for tracking coin supplies and varieties from different locations.

1964 Quarter Value Differences by Mint

The mint mark on a 1964 quarter indicates which US mint produced the coin. This can significantly impact the coin’s value to collectors. Here’s an overview of the differences in value by mint for 1964 Washington quarters:

Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)

1964 quarters produced at the Philadelphia Mint do not have a mint mark. Since Philadelphia produced a huge number of quarters in 1964, these coins are the most common and have the lowest base value.

An average circulated 1964 Philadelphia quarter is only worth face value – $0.25. Uncirculated examples sell for around $3-5.

Denver (D Mint Mark)

Quarters struck at the Denver Mint in 1964 have a small “D” mint mark located on the obverse side below Washington’s neck. The Denver Mint had the highest output of quarters in 1964 in front of Philadelphia.

In average circulated condition, a 1964-D quarter might sell for $0.50 to $1. Uncirculated specimens can sell for between $5 and $10 or more if fully brilliant and mark-free.

As you can see, mint marks make a big difference in the value of the 1964 Washington quarters! Check closely for that tiny mint mark when you find a nice 1964 quarter in your pocket change or coin jar!

Where Is The Mint Mark On A 1964 Quarter – Conclusion

We have covered everything there is to know about finding that small but important mint mark on your 1964 Washington quarter. You now understand what it is, where to look on the reverse design, what the different marks mean from the US Mint facilities in operation that year, what impacts visibility, and why mint marks existed in the first place.

Armed with images and descriptions, you should hopefully have an easy time spotting the mint mark on any 1964 quarter. Identifying it is key to determining the exact rarity and value if you’re a coin collector or dealer.

We also discussed how much more valuable Denver mint examples tend to be over the much more common Philadelphia issue from that year.

Understanding mint marks provides insight into the coin manufacturing process and lets you discover the history and origin story behind each individual quarter. We hope this detailed guide has answered your question about where the mint mark on a 1964 quarter resides.

Feel free to refer back to it as needed while examining your 1964-dated Washington quarters.