Where is the mint mark on a 1965 quarter? If you have a 1965 quarter lying around, you may be wondering where you can find the mint mark indicating which US mint it was made at. Knowing the mint is important for identifying more valuable coins as well as understanding the quarter’s history.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: there is no mint mark on 1965 Washington Quarter coins!
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the 1965 quarter, what the different mint marks mean, and how a mint mark can impact a coin’s value.
Identifying the 1965 Quarter Mint Mark Location
When examining the 1965 quarter, there are two main places where you can look for a mint mark. On the front of the coin and along the bottom rim on the reverse (tails) side. However, as already said, the 1965 Washington Quarters are a transitional series and there is no mint mark on them, as well as on the 1966 and 1967 Washington Quarters.
The obverse (front) side of the coin
On most quarters prior 1965 series look for the mint mark on the front of a Washington quarter below Washington’s neck, you’ll notice the initials of the designer, ‘FS’. To the right of these initials is where you’ll find the mint mark indicating which US mint the coin was made at.
There are three possible mint marks to look for in this location on Washington quarters:
- No mint mark – This means the coin was minted in Philadelphia
- D – This stands for the Denver mint
- S – This is for the San Francisco mint
Sometimes the mint mark can be quite faint or partially obscured by contact marks, so you may need to examine it closely under good lighting. A 10x jeweler’s loupe can help make the mint mark easier to see.
Along the bottom right rim below ‘In God We Trust’
The second place you can find a mint mark on Washington quarters is along the bottom rim of the reverse (tails) side below the motto ‘In God We Trust’.
This location was used solely by the San Francisco mint to supplement the traditional mint mark placement on the obverse. It helped confirm that a coin was struck at the San Francisco facility that year.
Checking this area, you may encounter one of three minting identifiers:
- No mint mark – Philadelphia or Denver mint
- S – San Francisco mint
- SMS – Special San Francisco mint set coins
These bottom rim marks are quite small, so a jeweler’s loupe is highly recommended to notice them. Soft cotton gloves while handling the coins also ensure the mint marks don’t get obscured by fingerprints.
What the 1965 Quarter Mint Marks Mean
No mint mark – Philadelphia mint
The Washington quarters without a mint mark were produced at the Philadelphia Mint. As the main US mint, Philadelphia has always been the one to strike coins without a mint mark. So if you find a quarter without one, you’ll know it hails from Philly.
D mint mark – Denver mint
The quarters bearing a ‘D’ mint mark to the right of Washington’s ponytail were struck at the Denver mint. The Denver mint produces coins for general circulation, unlike the San Francisco mint that year which struck coins mostly for collectors.
Examples and images of both versions
Here are clear photos showing the difference between a Philadelphia and Denver mint quarter:
| 1965 no mint mark (Philadelphia) | 1965 D mint mark (Denver) |
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As you can see, the ‘D’ mint mark is clear and bold on the Denver quarter. It’s always found on the reverse, right under the word “DOLLAR” beneath Washington’s ponytail.
On the Philadelphia coin, in that space, you just see the building with no letter. That lack of a mint tells you it’s from the main Philadelphia mint.
How the Mint Mark Impacts a 1965 Quarter’s Value
Condition is most important
When determining the value of a 1965 Washington quarter, the most important factor by far is the coin’s grade and condition. High-graded examples in pristine condition carry heavy premiums over lower grades or coins with damage or wear.
Professional coin grading services like PCGS and NGC assign numeric grades from 1 to 70 to coins based on their state of preservation. The higher the grade, the more desirable and valuable the quarter.
But mint marks can mean subtle differences
While the condition reigns supreme, the mint mark on a Washington quarter can impact value at the margins. Most quarters were produced at three different mints:
- No mint mark – Struck at the Philadelphia mint
- D mint mark – Struck at the Denver mint
- S mint mark – Struck at the San Francisco mint
Mint marks appear on the reverse of the coin below the wreath. An “S” mint quarter is scarcest and often commands a small premium over Philadelphia or Denver mint examples, but the condition is still paramount.
Checking coin grading guides for pricing
It’s important to consult an authoritative coin grading and pricing guide to properly determine a 1965 quarter’s value. Guides take into account factors like a mint mark, condition, die variety, toning, etc. Here’s a brief comparison of 1965 quarter values by grade:
| Grade | Value Range |
| MS-65 | $8 – $15 |
| MS-66 | $25 – $50 |
| MS-67 | $100 – $250 |
As you can see, gem quality examples graded MS-65 and higher escalate dramatically in price. Checking authoritative references ensures accurate valuations.
Tips for Verifying the Authenticity of Mint Marks
Look closely under magnification
Examining a Washington quarter under magnification can reveal key details about the mint mark that indicate whether it is genuine. Some things to look for:
- Clarity and precision of the mint mark letter, such as the “D” for the Denver mint. Counterfeits may have crude or blurred lettering.
- Proper size and location of the mint mark below the wreath, towards the right side. Fakes sometimes have mint marks in the wrong places.
- Consistent depth and relief of the mint mark compared to other design elements. Artificially added mint marks may sit higher or lower.
An eye loupe, magnifying glass, or microscope can help spot inconsistencies not visible to the naked eye. Pay attention to just the mint mark area when examining under magnification.
Evaluate wear patterns
Authentic 1965 quarters exhibit honest wear rather than artificial aging. Some signs of legitimate wear:
- Smooth, even wear across high points of the coin design like the hair details, facial features, and text edges.
- Wear patterns consistent with decades of circulation rather than intentional polishing.
- No discrepancies between the wear level of the mint mark compared to the rest of the coin.
Beware of 1965 quarters that show excessive smoothness or unusual surface disturbances isolated around the mint mark area only.
Research common counterfeits
Studying known counterfeit 1965 quarters, especially regarding mint mark frauds, gives reference points for comparison. Useful resources include:
- Coin community forums like CoinCommunity.com which document detected fakes.
- The NGC counterfeit detection resource (NGCcoin.com) with images of forged mint marks.
- The anti-counterfeiting committee of the American Numismatic Association, reporting updates on coin replicas.
Verifying a 1965 quarter against well-researched references can help ascertain legitimacy based on comparisons to real and fake coins.
Other Key Date Quarters to Look For
In addition to the 1965 quarter, there are several other key date quarters that collectors should keep an eye out for. Here are some of the most notable ones:
1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters
The 1932-D and 1932-S Washington quarters have very low mintages of only 436,800 and 408,000, respectively. This makes them quite rare and valuable to collectors, with the 1932-D quarter having a minimum value of around $500-$600 if in worn condition. Uncirculated examples can be worth over $2,000.
1955 Doubled Die Obverse Quarter
The 1955 doubled die quarter features a strong doubling of the words “In God We Trust” and LIBERTY due to a mint error during production. Only around 20,000 to 30,000 of these coins were produced before the error was corrected, making it highly prized. In mint state, the value starts around $2,000.
1950-D Quarter
With a relatively small mintage of “only” 2,630,030 pieces, the 1950-D Washington quarter is considered a semi-key date. It has a minimum value of around $20-25 in worn condition but can be worth up to $475 in MS65 grade.
Other Early Date Quarters
Other early-date Washington quarters to look out for include the 1934 (mintage of 3,527,200) and the 1938-S (mintage of only 575,000). While not the absolute rarest dates, they have lower mintages for the series and are worth a nice premium over face value, especially in uncirculated conditions.
So in your quarter searches, be sure to set aside any early dates from the 1930s as well as mint error coins like the 1955 doubled die.
Where Is The Mint Mark On A 1965 Quarter – Conclusion
Now that you know where to look on a Washington quarter for the mint mark and what it means, you’ll be better informed when coin collecting or assessing any old quarters that come your way.
A small detail like the mint can make a big difference in a coin’s story and value over time. Keep in mind that the 1965 Washington quarter does not bear any mint marks!
Learning to examine coins closely, grade condition, and spot authenticity markers takes some patience and practice. But the payoff is a deeper appreciation of these miniature pieces of history – including classic quarters like those from 1965.
