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

1943 quarter value ranges from $0.25 face value to $23,000. That record was a Grade 68 example sold through Heritage Auctions in April 2012. Upload a photo of yours below and you’ll get a quick value range right away. You can also scroll down to browse recent eBay sales and see what collectors are paying today.

 

1943 Quarter Value By Variety: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco

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)

 

1943 Quarter Value: Top 10 Most Valuable Examples Worth Money

The coin sitting at the top of this list is an MS-68 Philadelphia quarter from the “George’s Army Collection.” It hammered for $23,000 at Heritage Auctions in April 2012. An MS-68 San Francisco example matched that price, while the MS-68 Denver coin trails slightly at $17,625.

But grade alone doesn’t tell the whole story. The 1943 DDO FS-103 in MS-66 brought $17,400 — nearly five times what a standard MS-66 Philly would sell for. According to PCGS numismatist Jaime Hernandez, the 1943 Doubled Die Obverse is the scarcest major doubled die in the entire Washington quarter series. PCGS has graded only about two dozen examples over more than 20 years. Other varieties — “Goiter,” RPM, and DDO — have sold between $3,120 and $10,281 at auction. Condition and error status are the two things that unlock real money here.

 

History of the 1943 Quarter Value: Wartime Production and Silver Legacy

The Washington quarter debuted on August 1, 1932, designed by New York sculptor John Flanagan for the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth. Here’s a fun detail most collectors never hear: Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon picked Flanagan’s portrait over the original Bicentennial Committee’s preferred design. Politics at the Mint is nothing new.

By 1943, the design was pocket change across America, and the Mint was scrambling to keep coins flowing during a world war. Proof production was suspended from 1943 through 1949 because of material shortages. Every 1943 quarter you find is a business strike — there’s no proof equivalent from that year.

Philadelphia carried the load, punching out 99,700,000 quarters — nearly 73% of the total 1943 output. Denver added 16,095,600, and San Francisco contributed 21,700,000, bringing the combined total just over 137 million. One thing most collectors miss: San Francisco repolished its dies more often than the other mints. That gave some 1943-S quarters a semi-proof-like look — mirrored fields with frosty devices — making gem San Francisco pieces real eye candy.

Unlike the cent, which switched to zinc-coated steel in 1943 to save copper for artillery, quarters kept their silver composition because no workable substitute existed at scale. Every 1943 quarter you hold is 90% silver, straight from the wartime economy.

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

 

Is Your 1943 Quarter Value Affected by Rarity?

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

 

Key Features That Determine Your 1943 Quarter Value

The 1943 quarter is a wartime issue in the Washington series. By this point the design was well established — no longer a commemorative, just everyday coinage struck under extraordinary circumstances.

The Obverse Of The 1943 Quarter

John Flanagan’s left-facing Washington portrait dominates the obverse. LIBERTY arcs along the top rim, IN GOD WE TRUST sits to the left of the profile, and the date 1943 appears at the bottom. If you’re hunting errors, start right here — the DDO varieties show their strongest doubling on LIBERTY and the date.

All three major doubled die varieties (FS-101, FS-102, and FS-103) show up on this side. Without a loupe, you could easily spend or sell a coin worth hundreds or thousands of dollars without ever knowing.

The Reverse Of The 1943 Quarter

Flip it over and you’ll see Flanagan’s heraldic eagle, wings spread, clutching arrows in one talon and olive branches in the other. In 1943, that strength-and-peace symbolism hit different. The mint mark sits directly below the eagle: “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, or blank for Philadelphia.

Variety hunters need to pay attention to this side too. RPM varieties like the 1943-S/S FS-503 and FS-504 show doubling of the “S” mint mark under magnification. The FS-502 “Medium S” and FS-501 “Trumpet Tail S” each use distinctly shaped punches you can learn to tell apart.

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 Value: Mintage & Survival Data by Mint

Philadelphia struck nearly five times more quarters than Denver and San Francisco combined. Yet the survival rates are almost identical: Philadelphia at around 10%, Denver at 9.94%, and San Francisco at exactly 10%.

That tells you something. Wartime Americans circulated coins hard from every mint — no hoarding preference. Philadelphia dominates the surviving population by sheer volume, while Denver pieces are proportionally scarcer thanks to that lowest-of-three mintage.

Here’s where it gets wild at the top end. For the Philadelphia issue alone, only 127 examples have been graded MS-67 by PCGS, and just two have ever reached MS-68 — out of nearly 100 million coins struck. That’s a survival rate for gem specimens measured in the tens of millionths of a percent.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1943 Quarter Value

Three quick checks: mint mark, condition, and any doubling or die errors. Every 1943 quarter contains 90% silver — 0.1808 troy ounces — so there’s always a melt-value floor no matter what.

Look on the reverse below the eagle for the mint mark — nothing means Philadelphia, “D” means Denver, “S” means San Francisco. A heavily worn coin might only be worth melt ($8–$10 at current prices). An uncirculated piece can bring $15 to $100+, and a top-grade MS-68 commands $23,000 or more.

Grab a loupe and check LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST for doubling — even circulated DDO examples sell for hundreds. For quick grading and current market pricing, our Coin Identifier and Value App will check the grade directly.

 

1943 Quarter Value Guides: Three Mint Varieties Explained

The 1943 quarter comes in three distinct varieties, depending on which mint struck them during the war:

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

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.

All three are technically “scarce” in numismatic terms, but their market performance tells very different stories. That little mint mark — or the lack of one — can mean the difference between a $6 coin and a $23,000 treasure. Identifying it is the single most important first step.

 

1943 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

Most collectors assume the highest-mintage coin is boring. Not always. The 1943 Philadelphia quarter had nearly 99.7 million pieces struck and ranks dead last (#100) in Washington quarter rarity — yet pristine examples still shock people at auction.

The PCGS population tells the real story: only 127 coins have graded MS-67, and just two in the world have hit MS-68. One of those MS-68 pieces, from the “George’s Army Collection,” sold at Heritage Auctions’ Central States sale in April 2012 for $23,000. That same auction week, two MS-67 examples from the same collection went for $299 and $632.50. One grade point. Massive price jump.

In circulated grades ($6–$9), the blank space below the eagle is your only clue you’re holding Philadelphia’s wartime workhorse. But once you get into MS-65 and above, condition is everything.

Here’s what collectors have actually paid for 1943 No Mint Mark quarters across various grades.

Now let’s look at how much activity this Philadelphia quarter is generating in today’s market.

Market activity score: 56/100 as of Sep 2026 — down 2 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 79 (Dec 2025).

 

1943-D Quarter Value

Here’s a question worth asking: if Denver had the lowest mintage of the three 1943 mints, why doesn’t it always bring the highest price? It ranks #68 in Washington quarter rarity — well ahead of Philadelphia — but at the very top grades, San Francisco sometimes edges it out.

That said, the “D” below the eagle still carries weight. Circulated pieces run $8–$9, while uncirculated examples climb to around $1,045. The Denver DDO FS-101 variety is a nice bonus — strong doubling on LIBERTY and Washington’s profile, plus a subtly doubled “D” mint mark. That makes it a true doubled die throughout, not just an obverse thing. At MS-68, the 1943-D is valued at $17,625, and with that low original mintage, condition rarity is even more extreme than Philadelphia.

Here’s what collectors have actually paid for premium 1943-D quarters at major auction houses.

Let’s see how much collector buzz the 1943-D quarter is generating right now.

Market activity score: 71/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 21 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1943-S Quarter Value

The 1943-S is the sleeper of this trio. It had a higher mintage than Denver — 21,700,000 versus 16,095,600 — yet it consistently brings stronger prices in circulated grades and fights for the top auction records. It ranks #81 in Washington quarter rarity, behind Denver but well ahead of Philadelphia.

Why the premium? San Francisco coins have always had strong collector demand in high grades. And remember those repolished dies — the San Francisco Mint’s habit of freshening its dies produced a noticeable number of semi-proof-like coins. Mirrored fields, frosty devices, almost proof quality from a business strike. An MS-68 example sold at the April 2008 Chicago Rarities Sale for $23,000, and a second MS-68 brought $20,400 at Heritage Auctions in 2019. Per PCGS reports, only a single coin has ever been graded MS-67+ with none certified higher. I think that makes the 1943-S the most exciting of the three for registry set collectors.

Here’s what recent auction results look like for the 1943-S Quarter.

Current market data shows this coin is picking up steam among collectors.

Market activity score: 82/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 37 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1943 Quarter Value Errors List: DDO, RPM, and Wrong Planchet Errors

This is where the real cherrypicking starts. All three 1943 mints produced documented die errors — doubled dies, repunched mint marks, even a wrong-planchet strike — and some of them are worth serious money.

Every error listed here carries a Fivaz-Stanton (FS) number, the standard reference that PCGS and NGC use for variety attribution. An FS number means the variety is officially catalogued and trackable in population reports. That matters when you’re buying or selling.

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

This is the big one. A DDO happens when the hub impresses the design onto a working die twice with slight misalignment, leaving doubled lettering on every coin struck from that die. The 1943 DDO is the single scarcest major doubled die in the entire Washington quarter series — PCGS has graded only approximately two dozen examples across more than 20 years of certification.

FS-101 shows the most dramatic doubling on LIBERTY and the date, with clearly separated letter impressions. It commands the highest premiums. FS-102 has distinct doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST, with secondary impressions northeast of the primary design. FS-103 is subtler — a slight thickening on the date — but the superior surface luster it produces earned one MS-66 example a hammer price of $17,400. An MS-67 sold at David Lawrence Rare Coins in March 2020 for $22,250. Only about two dozen known, and they still generate fierce bidding wars.

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

2. 1943-D Doubled Die Obverse FS-101

A lot of people don’t realize the “D” mint mark itself shows doubling on this variety. Denver’s FS-101 has strong doubling on LIBERTY and Washington’s profile, with the secondary impression visible northwest of the primary design. That doubled mint mark makes it a true doubled die throughout — not just an obverse phenomenon.

Strike quality is typically excellent because these errors happened early in the die’s life, before wear softened the doubling. Eye appeal tends to be strong, which is why Denver DDO examples pull significant premiums over standard 1943-D quarters.

3. 1943-S Medium S FS-502

If you’re new to mint mark punch varieties, this one is a good starting point. The FS-502 uses a distinctly different punch measuring approximately 1.5mm with thicker serif strokes than the standard “S” used elsewhere in 1943 production. Fresher dies during FS-502 production also gave these coins more pronounced eagle feather details on the reverse.

You’ll often notice more reflective fields with frosty devices on these — a result of different die polish states. They approach proof quality while remaining business strikes. Variety hunters love them for that reason.

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

Want to start cherrypicking varieties? RPMs are the easiest entry point. Die technicians hand-punched mint marks onto working dies, and sometimes they struck the “S” punch more than once in slightly different positions. Both impressions show on every coin from that die. FS-503 shows a northwest shift, FS-504 shows southeast displacement — each creating a distinctive “shadow” around the mint mark under moderate magnification.

Both varieties came from earlier production runs with excellent strike quality, so the RPM detail is crisp and easy to confirm. I’d recommend these to anyone just getting into variety attribution — the doubled mint mark is far easier to spot than the subtle letter-level doubling on DDO coins.

5. 1943-S “Goiter” FS-401

This one’s fun. Look at the junction of Washington’s jaw and throat — see a raised bulge? That’s the “Goiter,” named after the thyroid condition. The obverse die developed a depression beneath Washington’s chin, and struck metal flowed into that cavity, creating the bulge. It was bad enough to make the nearby letters in IN GOD WE TRUST lean visibly to the left.

PCGS has certified fewer than 100 examples total, with only six graded above MS-65 to MS-67. An MS-67 example sold at auction for approximately $4,935 in 2016. Current price guides list mint-state values from $125 to over $5,750 depending on grade and die state.

6. 1943-S Trumpet Tail S FS-501

The bottom serif on this mint mark flares outward like a trumpet bell — hence the name. It measures approximately 1.6mm in height, slightly taller than the Medium S FS-502. This punch style produced exceptional metal flow around the mint mark area, often resulting in sharp strikes and strong luster. These coins stand out on the bourse floor.

Here’s a quick attribution trick: the “S” sits slightly lower than on other varieties, creating tighter spacing with the QUARTER DOLLAR inscription below. Experienced collectors can spot this without even looking at the mint mark shape. For confirmation, measure the gap between the bottom of the “S” and the top of the Q in QUARTER.

7. 1943-S Doubled Die Obverse

San Francisco’s DDO varieties show clear separation on LIBERTY and Washington’s profile details, created during die hubbing when alignment shifted between impressions. You’ll see distinct shadows or secondary impressions under 5x to 10x magnification.

These errors happened early in die production, so strike quality and surface preservation are typically excellent. The 1943-S DDO carries a premium over standard 1943-S coins, and examples that also show that semi-proof-like surface quality from San Francisco’s repolished dies are especially sought by advanced collectors.

To get an immediate appraisal of your 1943 quarter’s value and compare prices across multiple marketplaces, simply use our Coin Identifier and Value App for comprehensive market data and grade estimates.

8. 1943-S DDO FS-101

This is the most dramatic doubling in the 1943-S DDO family. Pronounced doubling on LIBERTY and the date elements, with measurable separation between primary and secondary impressions. You don’t need extreme magnification — even collectors new to variety attribution can spot this one.

The FS-101 designation means it’s trackable in PCGS and NGC population reports, giving you real-time data on certified examples at each grade. Early die-state production ensures these coins present well in hand, which is why serious error collectors specifically target FS-101 over unattributed 1943-S DDO examples.

9. 1943 Quarter Struck on a Steel Cent Planchet (Off-Metal / Wrong Planchet Error)

This is the showstopper. A 1943 Washington Quarter struck on a 1943 Lincoln Steel Cent planchet instead of the correct silver blank. A wrong-planchet error like this happens when a blank disk meant for a different denomination sneaks into the press.

The discovery story is great: a U.S. Army Finance Officer first noticed the coin during World War II while counting bags of steel cents to pay soldiers. The quarter die had struck onto the much smaller, thinner steel cent planchet, so the coin couldn’t be rolled or stacked normally. It stood out immediately. Decades later, ANACS authenticated it as genuine, and it was offered publicly for the first time at GreatCollections in March 2023. Ian Russell, the auction house’s co-founder, described it as one of only a few known quarters struck on steel cent planchets. Two of the most collected WWII-era coin series, intersecting in one minting mistake. Hard to beat that.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 1943 Quarter for Full Value

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

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

 

1943 Quarter Value Market Trend: What the Data Shows in 2026

Market interest: 10,690 collectors tracking this coin as of Sep 2026 — up 900 from Mar 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

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

 

FAQ about the 1943 Quarter Value

1. What is a 1943 silver quarter worth today in 2026?

At minimum, melt value — approximately $8.53 based on 0.1808 troy ounces of silver at current spot prices. Nice circulated examples run $9–$14, while uncirculated coins range from around $15 to $535+ depending on grade. Rare DDO errors and top-grade MS-68 specimens can reach $17,000–$23,000 at major auction houses.

2. Is a 1943 quarter rare?

In circulated grades, no. Total 1943 mintage across all three mints hit 137,495,600 coins. But rarity is grade-dependent: only two Philadelphia 1943 quarters have ever been certified MS-68 by PCGS, and only about two dozen DDO examples are known total. At the top end, yes — genuinely rare.

3. How do I calculate the silver melt value of my 1943 quarter?

Multiply the current silver spot price (dollars per troy ounce) by 0.1808. At a silver price of $47.18 per ounce, that’s approximately $8.53. That’s the absolute floor — no problem-free 1943 quarter should sell for less, regardless of condition.

4. How do I identify the mint mark on my 1943 quarter and why does it matter?

Flip the coin to the reverse and look directly below the eagle, above the QUARTER DOLLAR inscription. A small “D” indicates Denver, a small “S” indicates San Francisco, and no letter at all means Philadelphia. The mint mark matters because it directly affects value: in MS-65, a 1943-S typically commands a premium over the 1943-P, and in MS-68 the difference between a Denver and Philadelphia coin can be thousands of dollars.

5. What is the most valuable error on a 1943 quarter and how do I spot it?

The 1943 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO), particularly FS-101 — the scarcest major doubled die in the entire Washington quarter series. An MS-67 example sold for $22,250 at David Lawrence Rare Coins in March 2020. Grab a 5x–10x loupe and check LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST for visible doubling or shadow impressions alongside the main lettering.

6. What does “MS” mean on a coin grade, and why does it matter so much for 1943 quarters?

MS stands for Mint State — the grade PCGS or NGC assigns to a coin showing no circulation wear. MS grades run from 60 (lowest) to 70 (theoretically perfect). For 1943 quarters, the jump from MS-65 ($60–$110) to MS-67 ($299–$632) to MS-68 ($23,000) is exponential because so few examples survived in perfect condition across eight decades.

7. Was there ever a 1943 quarter struck on the wrong metal?

Yes. One of the most extraordinary 1943 quarter errors is a coin struck on a 1943 Lincoln Steel Cent planchet instead of its proper silver planchet. A U.S. Army Finance Officer discovered it during World War II while counting steel cents to pay soldiers — the coin couldn’t be rolled or stacked normally. ANACS authenticated it decades later, and it was offered publicly for the first time at GreatCollections in March 2023. Only a few such examples are known.

8. What is the Fivaz-Stanton (FS) number on 1943 quarter errors, and why does it add value?

The Fivaz-Stanton (FS) numbering system is the standard reference PCGS and NGC use to identify die varieties on U.S. coins. When a 1943 quarter error gets an FS number (like FS-101 for the major DDO or FS-503 for an RPM), it’s officially catalogued, trackable in population reports, and recognized by major grading services. That boosts liquidity and auction value compared to unattributed errors.

9. Why do some 1943-S quarters look almost like proof coins?

San Francisco repolished its working dies more frequently than Philadelphia or Denver. A noticeable percentage of 1943-S quarters were struck from freshly polished dies, producing a semi-proof-like appearance: mirror-like reflective fields with frosty devices — similar to what Morgan dollar collectors call “Prooflike.” No proofs were officially made in 1943, but these SPL examples are real and genuinely more desirable.

10. Where is the best place to sell a high-grade or error 1943 quarter?

For coins worth more than $500, go with major auction houses — Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers Galleries, or GreatCollections. They all have documented 1943 quarter auction records and reach serious collectors nationwide. Always get the coin slabbed by PCGS or NGC before consigning — a certified holder dramatically improves buyer confidence and final hammer price. For lower-grade examples near melt value, reputable dealers or eBay with proper documentation work fine.