Where is the mint mark on a 1967 quarter? If you have a 1967 quarter and you want to know where the mint mark is located, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding the mint mark on your 1967 Washington quarter.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: There is no mint mark on a 1967 Washington Quarter! On most other Quarters mint mark is located on the obverse (heads) side, directly below the minting date.
What is a Mint Mark?
Definition and Purpose of a Mint Mark
A mint mark is a small letter or symbol that is stamped onto a coin to indicate at which United States mint the coin was manufactured. Mint marks help collectors and numismatists identify and attribute coins to their proper mint of origin.
The purpose of mint marks is to distinguish between coinages from different mints in the US. This is important because mintage figures and even subtle differences in coin dies can impact the rarity, condition, and value of a coin.
Different Mint Marks on US Coins
There are several official mint marks used on US coinage throughout history:
- P – Philadelphia Mint
- D – Denver Mint
- S – San Francisco Mint
- W – West Point Mint
- CC – Carson City Mint
- O – New Orleans Mint
- C – Charlotte Mint
The Philadelphia Mint does not use a mint mark since it was the first and main branch mint in the US. If a coin lacks a mint mark, it can be assumed it was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
The most common mint on coins is Philadelphia, followed by Denver and San Francisco. Marks from mints like Carson City and Charlotte are rare and can significantly influence collector coin values.
Details of the 1967 Washington Quarter
Design and Composition
The 1967 Washington quarter featured the same design as previous quarters in the series – a left-facing profile bust of George Washington on the obverse and an eagle motif on the reverse. The quarter is made of a copper-nickel-clad composition, with outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel surrounding an inner core of pure copper.
The dimensions of the 1967 quarter match previous versions, with a diameter of 24.26 mm and a mass of 5.670 grams. The raised rim along the edge of both sides helped protect the coin’s design from wear over time.
This practical element also made the quarter easier to stack and roll in paper coin wrappers.
There were no changes to the font styles used for the inscriptions, which were designed by John Flanagan when he created the Washington Quarter in 1932. “Liberty” arcs above Washington’s head on the obverse, while the national motto “E Pluribus Unum” sits below.
The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle holding an olive branch and arrows in its talons, with the inscriptions “United States of America,” “Quarter Dollar,” and the annual date of minting completing the motif.
No Proof Versions Minted
Unlike earlier years in the series, no proof versions were struck of the 1967 Washington quarter. Proof coins feature specially polished dies which impart a mirror-like surface on the coin. The absence of 1967 proof quarters was due to a temporary halt in proof coin production at the Philadelphia Mint that year.
While no official proof versions were minted, some 1967 quarters do exhibit proof-like surfaces. These likely represent special strikes made using polished dies intended for other denominations. However, they are considerably rarer than officially sanctioned proof issues.
The lack of proof of 1967 quarters means collectors must focus on acquiring higher-grade examples from the normal production runs if they want nicely preserved specimens. Certified coins showing minimal signs of wear and attractive toning command the highest premiums.
Finding the 1967 Quarter Mint Mark
Location on Obverse Below Date
On most quarters, the mint mark is located on the obverse (front) side of the coin below the year. However, on coins minted from 1965 to 1967, there was no mint mark! You’ll need to look carefully, as the mint mark on quarters is quite small, only around 2.5mm wide. Using a coin magnifying glass can make spotting the mint mark easier.
Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)
Quarters made at the Philadelphia Mint do not have a mint mark. This was common practice for coins made in Philadelphia dating back to the late 1700s when it was the only operational U.S. mint. If your 1967 quarter does not have a mint mark below the date, it was made in Philadelphia.
Denver (D Mint Mark)
The Denver mint used a ‘D’ mint mark. A 1967 Denver mint quarter does not have a mint mark.
San Francisco (S Mint Mark)
The San Francisco mint placed an ‘S’ mint mark on quarters. The 1967 San Francisco quarter does not have a mint mark.
Some useful references:
Tips for Identifying the Mint Mark
Use a Magnifying Glass
A key tip when looking for the mint mark on a Washington quarter is to use a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe. The mint mark is very small, only about 1-2 mm wide, and can be hard to see with the naked eye.
You’ll need at least 10x magnification to identify the tiny letter indicating the mint that produced the coin – D for Denver, S for San Francisco, or no mint mark for Philadelphia. Carefully examine the coin under bright light while slowly scanning the space around the base of the building on the reverse (tails) side.
Distinguishing Marks for Genuine Coins
When examining a 1967 quarter for authenticity, there are a few key things to look out for besides the mint mark:
- The rim should exhibit uniform reeding (serrated edges)
- Check for a complete and unbroken rim around the circumference
- Examine the fields closely for signs of smoothing, filing, or tampering
- Use a scale calibrated to 0.1 grams to check that the coin weighs 5.67 grams
- Compare images and details to authentic examples, like those on PCGS CoinFacts
1967 Quarter Mint Mark Error Varieties
Popular Doubled Die Obverse Variety
One of the most famous error varieties for the 1967 Washington quarter is the Doubled Die Obverse (DDO). This variety exhibits a strong doubling of the date, mottoes, and other design elements on the obverse (front) of the coin.
According to the authoritative site PCGS CoinFacts, over 40 million of these DDO quarters were struck before the issue was corrected, making it a prized find for a variety of collectors today.
The strong doubling evident on the 1967 DDO is considered a Class VIII doubled die, among the strongest classifications used in the numismatic community. This dramatic doubling extends to LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and nearly all lettering and design elements on the obverse.
Finding a 1967 doubled-die Washington quarter in circulation would be akin to winning the lottery for most hobbyists!
Evidence of Clashed Dies
In addition to doubled dies, the 1967 Washington quarter is also known for exhibiting clashed die varieties. Clashed die errors occur when the obverse and reverse dies impact each other without a coin blank between them, imparting details of one die onto the other.
For the 1967 quarters, often the eagle reverse design and motto lettering are visible impressed into the obverse die and visible on subsequent coin strikes.
There are several different confirmed clashed die pairs known on 1967 quarters, making these clashed die coins fun to hunt for and collect. The website ErrorRef provides great images and details on identifying the distinct clashed die pairs for this date.
While less dramatic than doubled dies, clashed dies add visual interest and appeal for specialists.
Where Is The Mint Mark On A 1967 Quarter – Conclusion
We’ve covered everything you need to know about locating the mint mark on your 1967 Washington quarter. To summarize: the mint mark on the 1967 Washington Quarter is absent.
With some close inspection and these helpful tips, you should have no problem finding and identifying the precise mint that produced your vintage 1967 quarter. Happy treasure hunting!
