1943 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Struck at the height of World War II with Philadelphia alone producing nearly 100 million pieces, the 1943 Washington quarter offers collectors both historical significance and tangible silver value.

Unlike nickels that switched to alternative metals during the war, these quarters maintained their 90% silver composition, providing a built-in investment floor currently around $4-5 in melt value alone.

While circulated examples trade modestly from $6.00 to $14.00 depending on mint mark and condition, Mint State specimens reveal the true investment potential—with 1943-S quarters reaching $54.67 and even common Philadelphia issues jumping to $30.33.

Despite massive wartime production, these “homefront” coins connect collectors to a pivotal historical moment while offering the dual appeal of numismatic and precious metal value.

 

1943 Quarter Value By Variety

Here’s what your 1943 quarters are actually worth. 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 1943 Quarter Worth Money

Based on the Top 10 Most Valuable 1943 Quarter data, these Washington quarters show remarkable investment potential. The market leaders are clear standouts. The 1943 68-grade and 1943-S 68-grade quarters both reach $23,000 valuations.

The 1943-D 68-grade follows at $17,625. Meanwhile, the 1943 DDO FS-103 66-grade commands $17,400. Additional varieties range from $3,120 to $10,281. These include “Goiter” specimens and other DDO examples.

Several factors drive these high valuations. Rarity plays a crucial role. Pristine condition significantly impacts pricing. The World War II historical context adds collector appeal. Professional grading and mint marks create substantial value differences.

 

History of the 1943 Quarter

The 1943 quarter represents a fascinating slice of American numismatic history. It was minted during World War II, not the Great Depression.

By 1943, the United States was fully engaged in the war effort. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was leading the nation through this global conflict.

The U.S. Mint continued producing Washington quarters during wartime. This design had debuted in 1932 to commemorate George Washington’s 200th birthday bicentennial. By 1943, the design was well-established in American coinage.

What makes 1943 quarters particularly interesting is their wartime production context. The Philadelphia mint (no mint mark) produced the majority of these quarters. The Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) mints contributed smaller quantities. Resource allocation during wartime affected mint operations significantly.

These quarters maintained the traditional 90% silver and 10% copper composition. This gave them substantial intrinsic precious metal value. The silver content was crucial during the war economy.

Notably, 1943 marked a period of metal conservation for the war effort. Many Americans were supporting the war through various means, including coin collecting.

The wartime context makes high-grade examples particularly scarce today. This scarcity, combined with their silver content and historical significance, contributes to their current collector appeal.

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

 

Is your 1943 Quarter rare?

You can check the exact rarity score for any Washington quarter using our CoinValueChecker App, which gives you real-time scarcity data.

 

Key Features of the 1943 Quarter

The 1943 quarter represents a continuation of the Washington quarter series during one of America’s most challenging periods – World War II. By this time, the Washington design had become the standard quarter format, moving far beyond its original commemorative purpose.

The Obverse Of The 1943 Quarter

The obverse maintains John Flanagan’s classic design featuring George Washington’s left-facing profile at the center. The word LIBERTY arcs along the top edge, while IN GOD WE TRUST appears to the left of Washington’s portrait.

The date 1943 is positioned at the bottom, marking this as a wartime issue when every coin carried extra significance for Americans on the home front.

The Reverse Of The 1943 Quarter

Flanagan’s heraldic eagle design takes on added meaning during wartime, with the spread-winged bird clutching arrows in one talon and olive branches in the other. This symbolism of preparedness for war while preferring peace resonated strongly during 1943.

The mint mark (D for Denver, S for San Francisco, or no mark for Philadelphia) appears beneath the eagle, along with QUARTER DOLLAR. Above the eagle, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM complete the patriotic message.

Other Features Of The 1943 Quarter

These wartime quarters maintained the traditional 90% silver and 10% copper composition, weighing 6.25 grams with a 24.30 mm diameter and distinctive reeded edges.

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

 

1943 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

The 1943 quarter production tells an interesting story of wartime coin manufacturing priorities. Philadelphia absolutely dominated production with nearly 100 million coins—almost five times more than Denver and San Francisco combined.

What’s fascinating is how survival rates differ across the three mints. While you’d expect the Philadelphia quarters to have the worst survival rate due to heavy circulation, they actually hold steady at around 10%.

The Denver mint shows a slightly lower survival rate at 9.94%, likely due to heavy use in western states during the war boom. Meanwhile, San Francisco quarters maintain exactly 10% survival—not bad for coins that circulated during one of America’s most economically active periods.

The survival distribution pie chart shows just how much Philadelphia quarters dominate the surviving population, making up the bulk of 1943 quarters you’ll encounter today. This heavy representation actually works in collectors’ favor for common grades.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1943 Quarter Value

Determining your 1943 quarter’s value involves understanding its wartime composition and condition. These silver quarters contain 90% silver, giving them inherent metal value beyond face value.

Check for mint marks—none (Philadelphia), D (Denver), or S (San Francisco)—on the reverse above the eagle. Condition dramatically affects worth: heavily worn examples may be valued primarily for silver content ($4-$8), while uncirculated pieces can command $15-$100+.

Watch for rare doubled dies and repunched mint marks that appeal to specialists. For precise grading and current market valuation without the hassle, our CoinValueChecker App will check the grade directly.

 

1943 Quarter Value Guides

The 1943 quarter comes in three distinct varieties, depending on which mint decided to churn them out during the war:

• 1943 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
• 1943-D Mint Mark (Denver)
• 1943-S Mint Mark (San Francisco)

The 1943 quarter comes in three distinct varieties based on their mint of origin, each with its own production story and collector appeal.

Philadelphia dominated with nearly 100 million coins—the workhorse of wartime production with no mint mark under the eagle. Denver produced about 16 million pieces marked with a small “D,” while San Francisco contributed around 21.7 million coins bearing the “S” mint mark.

While all three are technically classified as “scarce” in numismatic terms, their market performance tells completely different stories. That little mint mark (or lack thereof) can mean the difference between a $6 coin and a $1,250+ treasure, making mint mark identification the first step in determining your 1943 quarter’s true value.

 

1943 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

The 1943 Philadelphia quarter is the heavyweight champion of wartime coin production, with nearly 100 million pieces rolling off the presses. But here’s the kicker: despite being the most common of the three 1943 varieties, it still ranks dead last (#100) in the Washington quarter rarity rankings.

What makes it special? It’s a perfect example of how massive production doesn’t always mean worthless coins. While you’ll find plenty of these in lower grades for around $6-7, finding one in mint state condition is like striking silver—literally.

A pristine MS example can fetch $535, proving that even common dates can surprise you when condition is king.

The lack of a mint mark under the eagle is your telltale sign you’re holding Philadelphia’s wartime workhorse. Not rare, but not worthless either.

Curious about how much collectors have spent to acquire these coins? Let’s take a closer look at the auction records for 1943 No Mint Mark quarters across various grades.

Speaking of market activity, let’s dive into how much buzz this Philadelphia quarter is creating in today’s collector market.

 

1943-D Quarter Value

The 1943-D Denver quarter is the classic middle child of the wartime trio—not the most common, not the rarest, but definitely has its own personality. With about 16 million coins minted, it sits comfortably between Philadelphia’s mass production and San Francisco’s moderate output.

Here’s where it gets interesting: despite having the lowest mintage of the three, the 1943-D ranks better than its Philadelphia sibling at #68 in Washington quarter rarity.

That little “D” mint mark hiding under the eagle makes all the difference, pushing values from $8-9 in lower grades up to a respectable $1,045 in mint state condition.

It’s proof that sometimes being in the middle isn’t so bad, especially when collectors start paying attention to those mintage numbers.

Let’s dive into what serious collectors with deep pockets have actually paid for premium 1943-D quarters at major auction houses—because nothing tells the value story quite like real auction hammer prices.

Now let’s shift from auction history to current market dynamics and see how much collector buzz the 1943-D quarter is generating in today’s numismatic marketplace.

 

1943-S Quarter Value

The 1943-S San Francisco quarter is the wild card of the wartime trio—sitting pretty with around 21.7 million coins minted, more than Denver but way less than Philadelphia. But here’s where it gets crazy: this supposed “middle ground” coin delivers the biggest punch to your wallet.

That tiny “S” mint mark under the eagle is like finding a winning lottery ticket. While it ranks #81 in Washington quarter rarity (not even the rarest of the three 1943s), market values tell a completely different story.

It’s the perfect example of how collector demand can completely flip the script on what logic says should be valuable.

Recent auction results beautifully highlight the enduring popularity of the 1934-S Quarter, especially among passionate collectors.

Recent market activity indicates that this particular coin model is gaining increasing recognition and popularity among collectors.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1943 Quarter Error List

Error coins are where the real treasure hunting begins. Manufacturing mistakes that should have been caught at the mint instead became collector goldmines decades later.

The 1943 quarter series produced some fascinating errors across all three mints, from doubled dies to repunched mint marks. These aren’t just varieties—they’re legitimate minting errors that make certain 1943 quarters exponentially more valuable than their regular counterparts.

1. 1943 Doubled Die Obverse (FS-101, FS-102, FS-103)

The 1943 doubled die obverse varieties represent some of the most dramatic minting errors in the Washington quarter series, each with distinct doubling patterns that occurred during different stages of die production.

FS-101 displays dramatic doubling on LIBERTY and the date, commanding the highest premiums due to clearly visible separate letter impressions.

FS-102 shows distinct doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST with secondary impressions northeast of the primary design.

FS-103 presents subtle date doubling as slight thickening, often producing superior surface luster.

For instant grade verification and current market values, you can quickly assess your coin’s worth using our CoinValueChecker App, which provides real-time evaluations across different grading standards.

2. 1943-D Doubled Die Obverse FS-101

Denver’s FS-101 doubled die exhibits strong doubling on LIBERTY and Washington’s profile, with the secondary impression visible northwest of the primary design. The “D” mint mark also shows slight doubling effects, making this a true doubled die rather than just an obverse error.

Strike quality typically remains excellent since these errors occurred early in the die’s production life, before significant wear could affect the doubling visibility.

3. 1943-S Medium S FS-502

This variety showcases a distinctly different mint mark punch measuring approximately 1.5mm with thicker serif strokes. The die state during FS-502 production featured fresher dies with superior strike characteristics and more pronounced eagle feather details.

Surface luster patterns differ from standard 1943-S quarters due to different die polish states, often showing more reflective fields with frosty devices—a technical collector’s dream for variety hunting.

4. 1943-S/S RPM (FS-503, FS-504)

Both repunched mint mark varieties show clear evidence of double punching, with FS-503 displaying northwest shift and FS-504 showing southeast displacement.

The secondary impressions create distinctive “shadow” effects visible under magnification, resulting from die technicians attempting to correct mint mark placement but leaving both impressions visible. Die preparation typically occurred during earlier production stages, ensuring excellent strike quality and surface characteristics for these error varieties.

5. 1943-S “Goiter” FS-401

The “Goiter” variety gets its name from a distinctive die break or cud that appears as a bulge on Washington’s neck area, resembling a medical goiter.

This progressive die error became more pronounced as the die continued striking coins, with early die state examples showing just a small raised area that eventually developed into the full “goiter” appearance. Surface quality varies depending on the die stage, with earlier examples typically showing superior luster and detail.

6. 1943-S Trumpet Tail S FS-501

The Trumpet Tail S features a distinctive mint mark where the bottom serif flares outward like a trumpet bell, measuring approximately 1.6mm in height.

This punch style created superior metal flow around the mint mark area, often resulting in exceptional strike sharpness and surface luster. The positioning sits slightly lower than other varieties, creating tighter spacing with the quarter dollar inscription—a diagnostic feature that makes identification straightforward for experienced variety collectors.

7. 1943-S Doubled Die Obverse

San Francisco’s doubled die obverse varieties show clear separation on key design elements, particularly LIBERTY and Washington’s profile details.

The doubling typically appears as distinct shadows or secondary impressions visible under magnification, created during the die hubbing process when alignment shifted between impressions. These errors occurred early in die production, ensuring excellent strike characteristics and surface preservation that appeals strongly to error coin specialists seeking premium examples.

To get an immediate appraisal of your 1965 quarter’s value and compare prices across multiple marketplaces, simply use our CoinValueChecker App for comprehensive market data and grade estimates.

8. 1943-S DDO FS-101

This specific San Francisco doubled die designation shows pronounced doubling effects on the obverse design elements, with clear diagnostic patterns that distinguish it from other DDO varieties.

The doubling appears most dramatically on LIBERTY and date elements, with secondary impressions creating measurable separation visible even to casual collectors.

Strike quality typically remains superior due to early die state striking, and the specific FS-101 designation makes this variety trackable and valuable for serious error coin collectors.

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

 

Where to sell your 1943 Quarter?

Ready to turn your 1943 quarter discovery into cash? Professional coin dealers, certified auction houses, and reputable online platforms like Heritage Auctions are your best bets for getting top dollar—just make sure to get it graded first if you suspect you’ve found something special.

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

 

1943 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1943 Quarter

What is a 1943 silver quarter worth today?

Starting from $5, the 1943 quarter can go up to $110, depending on the grade, rarity, and condition. For rare coins, the worth of the 1943 silver quarter can shoot up to hundreds and thousands of dollars.

Is a 1943 quarter rare?

No, the 1943 quarter is readily available as the total mintage quantity was 137,495,600. The coins were widely circulated, so an MS 68 coin can be rare. Ultimately, errors, conditions, and grade help determine the rarity of a 1943 quarter.