1936 Quarter Value (2026 Guide): Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

The 1936 Washington quarter is far more than a 90-year-old coin — it is a tangible piece of American Depression-era history struck in 90% silver, and some examples are worth serious money today.

Values range from around $5 for a heavily worn circulated example all the way to over $31,000 for a pristine MS-68 survivor, so knowing exactly what you have makes all the difference.

 

1936 Quarter Value By Variety

This is a value chart for 1936 quarters displaying current market prices across different mint varieties (No Mint Mark, Denver, San Francisco, and Proof) and condition grades, with values ranging from $5 for common examples to over $4,000 for high-grade proof coins.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Quarter Worth Money (1932 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1936 Quarter Value Records

The top 10 most valuable 1936 quarter value records reveal an extraordinary spread, with the 1936-S in MS-68 condition leading all sales at a staggering $31,200.

That single coin proves how dramatically condition and mint origin combine to create numismatic rarities — even within a series that is technically not rare at lower grades.

The 1936 DDO FS-101 error variety has crossed the auction block at over $6,600 in MS-66, showing that minting anomalies can rival low-mintage issues in collector demand.

Professional authentication from PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) is essential before chasing these benchmark prices, because an unslabbed coin cannot reliably command top-tier premiums.

 

1936 Quarter Value History: The Silver Coin Behind the Number

The Washington Quarter series was authorized by Congress under the Act of March 4, 1931, which directed the U.S. Mint to replace the Standing Liberty Quarter — designed by sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil — with a new portrait honoring the first president.

The original intent was a single commemorative issue for the 1932 bicentennial of Washington’s birth, but the Treasury Department ultimately made it a permanent denomination.

A competition was held for the new design, and sculptor John Flanagan submitted the winning entry. Flanagan based his portrait directly on the celebrated 1785 Houdon bust of Washington, the same sculpture widely accepted as the most authentic likeness of the president.

The decision was not without controversy — a committee championed a rival portrait by American sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser, but Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon chose Flanagan’s design over their objection.

By the time the coin launched in 1932, Mellon had left office, and his successor Ogden L. Mills declined to reverse the decision. Flanagan’s initials, “JF,” were discreetly placed at the truncation of Washington’s bust.

In 1936, the Mint struck quarters at three facilities: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). That same year, the Philadelphia Mint resumed proof coin production for the first time since 1916 — a 20-year hiatus — making 1936 the inaugural year of Washington quarter proofs.

By 1936, the nation’s unemployment rate had dropped from its 1933 peak of roughly 25% to approximately 17%, and coinage circulation reflected that cautious economic recovery. Fewer coins were saved in pristine condition because money was still actively spent, which is precisely why high-grade 1936 quarters survive in such limited numbers.

The coins were struck in 90% silver and 10% copper — a composition maintained through 1964. From 1965 onward, silver was entirely replaced by a copper core with cupronickel cladding, the recipe still used today.

Also Read: Top 30 Most Valuable State Quarter Worth Money (1999 – 2008)

 

Is Your 1936 Quarter Rare? What Drives 1936 Quarter Value

Our CoinValueChecker App provides detailed rarity data and rankings to help make informed collecting decisions.

Rarity in the 1936 quarter series is heavily tied to the mint of origin. The Philadelphia issue had a mintage of 41.3 million — by far the most common — while the San Francisco issue came in at just 3.83 million, less than one-tenth as many.

However, mintage alone does not determine rarity at the grade level that drives top prices. Even the Philadelphia issue has almost no certified examples above MS-67, because nearly all circulated coins suffered heavy wear during the Depression years.

The key grading factor for 1936 Washington quarters is the sharpness of Washington’s hair detail above the ear and at the temple. Weakly struck examples show flat, blended hair lines in those areas, which limits their grade regardless of surface preservation.

Luster quality — whether the coin’s original mint shine is fully intact — is the second major factor. Any bag marks, hairlines, or cabinet friction that breaks up that luster will hold a coin below MS-65, where most of the serious value begins.

 

Key Features That Affect 1936 Quarter Value

The Obverse Of The 1936 Quarter

The obverse — the “heads” side — of the 1936 quarter shows Washington’s profile facing left, derived from John Flanagan’s adaptation of the Houdon bust. The word “LIBERTY” arches across the top, while the date appears at the bottom and “IN GOD WE TRUST” is positioned just below Washington’s chin.

When grading this coin, pay close attention to the hair above Washington’s ear — that high-relief area is the first to show wear, and even minor rubbing there drops a coin from Mint State (MS, meaning uncirculated) to About Uncirculated (AU) or lower.

The original design by Laura Gardin Fraser, which lost the 1932 competition, was eventually honored decades later when it appeared on a special commemorative gold issue, a testament to its enduring artistic merit. Flanagan’s portrait, though, has remained the definitive image of Washington in everyday American coinage for nearly a century.

The Reverse Of The 1936 Quarter

The reverse, also by Flanagan, depicts a heraldic bald eagle — confirmed by an ornithologist consulted by the New York Times at the time of issue — with outstretched wings perched on a bundle of arrows above an olive branch.

The mint mark for Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) issues appears below the center of the olive branch; if that space is blank, your coin came from Philadelphia.

“E PLURIBUS UNUM” (Latin for “From the many, one”) arches above the eagle’s head, and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the top rim with “QUARTER DOLLAR” at the bottom.

Physical Specifications and Silver Content

The 1936 quarter weighs 6.3 grams and measures 24.3 millimeters in diameter, with a reeded (grooved) edge that dates back to the 18th century as an anti-counterfeiting measure.

The 90% silver composition means each 1936 quarter contains exactly 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver. At a silver spot price of approximately $30 per troy ounce (a figure typical of 2024-2025 market levels), the intrinsic silver melt value of any 1936 quarter is roughly $5.40 — a meaningful floor that no circulated example should sell below.

The 1944 die revision slightly sharpened the lettering and enlarged the date, so if you are comparing coins from different years, minor design differences between 1936 and post-1944 quarters are expected and normal.

Also Read: Top 20 Most Valuable 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter

 

1936 Quarter Value and Mintage: Survival Data by Mint

The Philadelphia Mint produced 41,300,000 quarters in 1936 — the highest output by far — yet today only about 10% of those coins survive in any collectible form. That translates to roughly 4.13 million existing examples, most of them circulated.

Denver struck just 5,374,000 coins, and San Francisco struck only 3,828,000 — mintage figures that already reflect scarcity compared to Philadelphia. Survival rates for both hover near 10%, leaving approximately 537,000 Denver and 383,000 San Francisco examples in existence today.

The real standout is the 1936 Proof issue: only 3,837 were produced, and an extraordinary 78.2% survival rate means roughly 3,000 of those original proof coins still exist. Proof coins survived at such high rates because they were sold directly to collectors in protective packaging and never entered circulation.

These survival numbers become even more meaningful when filtered by grade — even if 4 million Philadelphia coins exist, fewer than a few hundred have ever been graded MS-67 or higher by PCGS or NGC, because most survivors are in heavily circulated grades like Fine (F-12) or Very Fine (VF-20).

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Washington Quarter Worth Money (1932 – 1998)

 

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1936 Quarter Value

Determining your 1936 quarter’s value requires identifying the mint mark, assessing the coin’s condition, and recognizing any special varieties or errors. While professional grading services provide the most accurate assessment, you can get an instant estimated value using the CoinValueChecker App.

Simply upload clear photos of both sides of your coin, and the app will analyze the mint mark, grade, and potential varieties to provide a reliable market value range — making coin evaluation quick and accessible for collectors of all levels.

 

 

1936 Quarter Value Guides

The 1936 Washington quarter was produced at three different U.S. Mint facilities, each creating distinct varieties identifiable by their mint marks.

The Philadelphia mint produced coins without mint marks, while Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) issues bear their respective letters on the reverse. Additionally, the Philadelphia mint struck special proof coins featuring mirror-like surfaces and sharp details for collectors.

Each variety has different mintage numbers and rarity levels, significantly affecting their current market values. Collectors often seek complete sets representing all mint locations from this pivotal year in Washington quarter history.

• 1936 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
• 1936-D (Denver Mint)
• 1936-S (San Francisco)
• 1936 Proof — Special proof production for collectors

 

1936 Quarter Value — No Mint Mark Philadelphia Edition

The 1936 No Mint Mark quarter from Philadelphia is the most common entry point into the 1936 Washington quarter series, with values starting as low as $5–$8 for heavily circulated examples in Good (G-4) to Fine (F-12) grades.

The jump into Mint State (MS) grades is where things get interesting: an MS-63 example typically sells for $30–$50, while MS-65 examples — meaning a coin with strong luster, sharp strike, and only minor contact marks — routinely bring $150 to $250.

Above MS-65, values escalate dramatically. PCGS has certified very few Philadelphia coins at MS-67 or higher, and those that clear that threshold can approach or exceed $19,000 — a reminder that condition rarity, not just mintage rarity, drives the highest numismatic premiums.

The key to identifying a high-grade Philadelphia issue is checking the hair above Washington’s ear for full detail and confirming that the coin’s luster is unbroken across both the obverse and reverse fields.

The auction records for this foundational coin reveal fascinating pricing trends across different grade levels, with premium examples commanding exceptional values.

Recent market activity data shows strong collector interest and trading volume for 1936 No Mint Mark quarters throughout the year.

 

1936 Quarter Value Guide: D Mint Mark (Denver) Prices and Varieties

The 1936-D Washington quarter is a genuinely scarce issue, with a mintage of just 5,374,000 coins — roughly one-eighth the output of the Philadelphia facility that year. Circulated examples in Good to Fine grades typically bring $12–$25, already a premium over the Philadelphia coin.

The 1936-D stands apart from other 1936 issues because Denver-struck quarters from this era are notoriously difficult to find with a sharp, full strike. The Denver Mint’s production conditions during the mid-1930s resulted in a high proportion of weakly struck coins, making fully struck, high-luster examples genuinely rare.

In MS-65, a well-struck 1936-D can bring $800–$1,000, and in MS-66, values frequently exceed $3,000 at major auction houses. PCGS has certified fewer than 15 examples at MS-67, making that grade level a legitimate rarity that commands four-figure prices.

Collectors pursuing a mint-state 1936-D should look for complete hair detail, strong eagle feathers on the reverse, and cartwheel luster that flows evenly across the coin’s surface — these are the hallmarks of a premium-quality Denver issue.

The comprehensive auction record chart below demonstrates the steady price appreciation for 1936-D quarters across all grade levels, reflecting their growing collector demand.

Current market activity data reveals consistent trading interest and robust participation from collectors throughout recent months.

 

1936 Quarter Value Guide: S Mint Mark (San Francisco) Key Date Prices

The 1936-S Washington quarter is the key date of the 1936 issue and one of the most coveted coins in the entire Washington quarter series, with a mintage of just 3,828,000 from the San Francisco Mint — the lowest of any business-strike Washington quarter produced in 1936.

Circulated examples in Good (G-4) start around $15–$25, but the price curve steepens sharply in higher grades. An MS-65 example will typically command $400–$600, while MS-66 specimens regularly sell for $1,500–$2,500 at Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers.

The record sale — $31,200 for an MS-68 example — reflects just how vanishingly rare top-grade 1936-S quarters are. PCGS has certified only a handful of coins at MS-67 and above for this date, and finding one with both sharp strike and original, undisturbed luster is a genuine challenge.

Most 1936-S quarters circulated heavily on the West Coast, suffering contact marks, cleaning, and wear that permanently limits their grade. When a truly original, uncirculated survivor surfaces, serious collectors take notice immediately.

The detailed auction record analysis below illustrates the remarkable price performance of this coveted key date across various condition levels.

Market activity trends demonstrate the sustained collector enthusiasm and competitive bidding environment surrounding 1936-S quarters throughout the collecting season.

 

1936 Quarter Value Guide: Proof Cameo and Deep Cameo Specimens

The 1936 Proof Washington quarter holds a unique place in American numismatic history: it was the very first proof Washington quarter ever produced, struck during the Mint’s revival of proof coinage after a 20-year gap since 1916.

Only 3,837 proof quarters were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1936. They were sold to collectors as part of complete proof sets priced at $1.81 per set for all denominations — an extraordinary bargain by today’s standards, considering what these coins are worth now.

Proof coins are distinguished from business strikes by their mirror-like fields (the flat background areas) and frosted, matte-finish devices (the raised portrait and design elements). This contrast between mirror and frost is what creates the “cameo” effect that collectors prize so highly.

A CAM (Cameo) designation from PCGS or NGC — meaning moderate contrast between fields and devices — significantly boosts value, while a DCAM (Deep Cameo) designation, indicating the strongest possible contrast, commands the greatest premiums of all. A PR-65 DCAM 1936 Proof quarter can sell for multiples of what a standard PR-65 example brings, because PCGS has certified only a tiny number of 1936 proofs with the DCAM designation.

At the PR-65 level without a cameo designation, values typically range from $350–$550. With a CAM designation, expect $600–$900 in PR-65. The very rarest DCAM examples in PR-66 or PR-67 have brought thousands of dollars at auction, reflecting their exceptional scarcity in the population reports.

The comprehensive price and grade chart below reveals the dramatic value escalation these exceptional proof coins achieve in today’s marketplace.

Current market activity statistics reflect the intense competition and premium pricing these rare numismatic treasures consistently generate among discerning collectors.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1936 Quarter Value Errors: Doubled Die and RPM List

Beyond the standard mint mark varieties, the 1936 Washington quarter series features several fascinating error coins and die varieties that can dramatically increase a coin’s value beyond its regular market price.

1936 DDO (FS-101) Doubled Die Obverse Error — 1936 Quarter Value Impact

A DDO — or Doubled Die Obverse — occurs when the working die receives multiple impressions from the master hub at slightly different angles, creating overlapping design elements on every coin struck from that die.

The 1936 DDO FS-101 variety is listed in the authoritative Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties by Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton, the standard reference work used by specialists to identify and authenticate die varieties across all U.S. coinage.

On this variety, the doubling is most visible in Washington’s hair details, particularly above the ear and at the temple, as well as in the letters of “IN GOD WE TRUST” and portions of the date. The displacement is strong enough that it can often be detected with a loupe (a small magnifying glass) or even the naked eye on well-preserved examples.

In MS-66, this variety has sold for over $6,600, firmly placing it among the most desirable 1936 quarter errors. Even lower-grade examples in VF-30 to EF-45 command meaningful premiums over a regular 1936 quarter, simply because the variety is genuinely rare and highly sought after by error-coin specialists.

1936-D and 1936-S RPM Varieties — Additional 1936 Quarter Value Opportunities

RPM stands for Repunched Mint Mark — a variety created when the mint mark was punched into the working die more than once at slightly different positions, leaving a secondary, ghost image of the “D” or “S” visible beside or below the primary mark.

Both the 1936-D and 1936-S are known to have RPM varieties, which are cataloged in the Cherrypickers’ Guide and can add a 20%–100% premium over a regular example at the same grade level, depending on the clarity of the repunching and the overall condition of the coin.

To identify an RPM, examine the mint mark under 5x–10x magnification, looking for a secondary outline of the letter that does not perfectly align with the primary mark. Clean, original coins where the mint mark area has not been polished or cleaned are the best candidates for this type of variety discovery.

Also Read: 20 Rare Washington Quarter Errors Worth Money (Full List with Pictures)

 

Where To Sell and Maximize Your 1936 Quarter Value

Now that you know the value of your 1936 quarter, do you know where to sell these coins for the best price? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide covering the top selling platforms, including their features, advantages, and potential drawbacks to help you make the right choice.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1936 Quarter Value Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About 1936 Quarter Value

1. What Is The 1936 Quarter Made Of?

The 1936 quarter is made of 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it a weight of 6.3 grams and a diameter of 24.3 millimeters.

Modern quarters from 1965 onward use a copper core with cupronickel cladding — you can spot the difference by checking the edge, where older clad coins often show a thin brown copper stripe.

2. What Year Quarters Are Silver?

Washington quarters were struck in 90% silver from their debut in 1932 all the way through 1964.

From 1965 onward, the Mint switched entirely to a copper-nickel clad composition with no silver content at all, so if your quarter has a date of 1964 or earlier, it contains real silver.

3. What Is The Silver Melt Value Of A 1936 Quarter?

Every 1936 quarter contains exactly 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver. At a silver spot price near $30 per troy ounce — roughly the range seen in 2024–2025 — the raw melt value works out to approximately $5.40 per coin, which acts as a price floor below which no 1936 quarter should reasonably sell.

4. How Do I Tell A 1936 Proof Quarter From A Regular Business Strike?

A genuine 1936 Proof quarter has deeply mirrored fields (the flat background areas) that reflect like a mirror, and frosted, matte-finish raised design elements — this contrast is called the “cameo” effect.

Business-strike (regular circulation) quarters from 1936 have normal cartwheel luster, not mirror-like fields, and they will show bag marks typical of coins produced in bulk. If you are unsure, submitting to PCGS or NGC for authentication is the safest course, especially given that genuine 1936 proof coins are worth hundreds to thousands of dollars.

5. What Does CAM or DCAM Mean on a 1936 Proof Quarter?

CAM stands for Cameo, meaning the coin has moderate contrast between its mirror fields and frosted devices; DCAM stands for Deep Cameo, the strongest possible contrast level. PCGS and NGC award these designations during grading, and they can multiply a coin’s value significantly.

A 1936 Proof in PR-65 without a cameo designation might sell for $400, while the same grade with a DCAM designation can bring several times that amount because so few 1936 proofs survive with that level of contrast.

6. What Makes The 1936-D Quarter More Valuable Than The Philadelphia Issue?

The 1936-D was struck at the Denver Mint with a mintage of just 5,374,000 — roughly one-eighth of the Philadelphia issue’s 41.3 million coins. Lower mintage means fewer survivors at every grade level.

Denver Mint quarters from this era are also notorious for weak strikes, so a sharply struck 1936-D in high Mint State grades is doubly rare — scarce by mintage and scarce by quality — which is why strong examples routinely sell for $800 to $3,000 or more.

7. Are There RPM (Repunched Mint Mark) Varieties For The 1936 Quarter?

Yes — both the 1936-D and 1936-S are known to have RPM (Repunched Mint Mark) varieties, where the “D” or “S” was punched into the working die more than once at slightly different positions. These varieties are cataloged in the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties by Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton.

RPM varieties are best identified under 5x–10x magnification by looking for a secondary outline of the mint mark letter that does not perfectly align with the main letter; confirmed examples can carry a 20%–100% premium over a standard coin of the same grade.

8. What Is The 1936 Quarter Worth In Average Circulated Condition?

A 1936 Philadelphia quarter in Good (G-4) to Fine (F-12) condition is worth roughly $5–$10, while Very Fine (VF-20 to VF-35) examples bring $10–$20.

The 1936-D in the same circulated grades starts at $12–$25, and the 1936-S — the key date — starts at $15–$30 even in heavily worn condition, reflecting its lower mintage and greater collector demand.

9. How Can I Tell Which Mint Made My 1936 Quarter?

Flip the coin to the reverse and look just below the center of the olive branch, beneath the eagle’s tail feathers. A “D” there means Denver, an “S” means San Francisco, and a blank space means Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Mint did not use a mint mark on business-strike coins during this era, so absence of a letter is itself an identification marker.

10. Is The 1936 Washington Quarter A Good Investment?

High-grade 1936-D and 1936-S quarters have shown consistent long-term appreciation at major auction houses, driven by their low surviving population at MS-65 and above combined with steady collector demand for complete Washington quarter date sets.

Even proof examples — especially those with CAM or DCAM designations — have been strong performers as the collector market increasingly values original, unimprovable coins. That said, any coin investment carries market risk, and professional grading (PCGS or NGC) is essential before committing significant money to any single piece.