1945 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1945 Washington quarter presents an intriguing rarity story driven by Denver Mint scarcity. With only 12.3 million produced, the 1945-D represents the lowest mintage of all three varieties that year.

This scarcity translates into immediate premiums across all grades—while Philadelphia and San Francisco quarters start at $6.00 in Good condition, Denver issues command $6.79.

The premium widens dramatically in higher conditions, with AU examples reaching $11.50 for Denver compared to just $7.00 for the other mints.

The Philadelphia issue itself ranks as the fifth lowest mintage among P-mint quarters from 1932-1964, adding collector appeal to an already compelling wartime series.

 

1945 Quarter Value By Variety

The table below shows current market values for 1945 quarters across different mint marks and conditions—from heavily circulated coins worth a few dollars to pristine specimens that can fetch over $1,600.

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 1945 Quarter Worth Money

The most valuable 1945 quarters reveal a clear pattern: superb gem condition drives extraordinary prices, with MS-68 examples leading the market.

The 1945-D quarter in MS-68 condition tops the list at $20,400, followed by the Philadelphia issue at $16,450 and the San Francisco variety at $13,200.

What’s striking is the dramatic value jump between MS-67 and MS-68 grades—often representing a difference of tens of thousands of dollars.

Error varieties also command impressive premiums, with doubled die obverse examples ranging from $500 to $870 depending on grade and variety. These results demonstrate how condition sensitivity affects 1945 quarters, where even small grading differences create massive value gaps.

 

History Of The 1945 Quarter

The first silver American quarters appeared in 1796, and they lasted until 1964 when the US Mint decided to replace them with cupronickel coins. This unpopular decision was due to increased prices in the precious metal market.

Washington quarter minting in 1932 was one of the ways to celebrate the first President’s 200th birth anniversary. Interestingly, there was no production of coins with this denomination in the previous and following years. In 1934, the minting was stabilized and has continued until today.

The 1945 silver Washington quarters were minted in a specific year when World War II was finally finished. After returning American troops, it was crucial to adjust the economy to new peacetime conditions. That was one of the reasons for the slightly lower mintage than in the previous year.

You can notice significant sale price variations even among quarters of the same grade. The reasons for such a reality are numerous. In most cases, prices depend on the coins themselves, including their quality, rarity, and place of minting, but you should also be aware of the sailing place’s importance.

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

 

Is Your 1945 Quarter Rare?

For anyone building a collection, our CoinValueChecker App can instantly show you scarcity ratings and current market values for any Washington quarter date.

 

Key Features Of The 1945 Quarter

The Washington quarters replaced the Standing Liberty quarters in 1932. Interestingly, there are no coins with this denomination minted in 1930 and 1933. All coins produced by 1965, including 1945 quarters, were made of 0.900 silver.

The Obverse Of The 1945 Quarter

Officials decided to honor George Washington by placing his profile on the obverse. They chose a quarter for that purpose, replacing hard-to-mint Standing Liberty quarters. The decision was made despite this honorable President’s disdain for such a practice that was a standard for British coinage.

John Flanagan took the job seriously and depicted the first US President’s left profile. He paid particular attention to details and faithfully showed his authentic hairstyle, including the signature ponytail tied with a bow.

Interestingly, the artist based this image on his own sculpture. However, he made some changes, particularly in the hairstyle. Then, he added inscriptions required by federal law, including:

• IN GOD WE TRUST – This phrase is struck in two lines, left of Washington’s throat.
• LIBERTY – This word excellently describes the American nation’s aspirations, making it unavoidable on all metal coinage since the Coinage Act of 1792 was passed.
• 1945 – In most cases, you can see the minting date placed along the bottom coin rim, which was also the case with these quarters.
• JF – The designer incorporated his initials into a neck truncation, following the tradition of adding them to honor authors.

The Reverse Of The 1945 Quarter

Unlike the relatively simple coin obverse, the designer made the reverse too complicated. He planned to add all the necessary symbols crucial for the nation, but the result was somehow cluttered look.

A bald eagle is one of the oldest American symbols, representing freedom, courage, strength, and immortality. It spreads wings while standing on a bundle of arrows, symbolizing the nation’s power and readiness for war.

As a balance, there are two olive branches with tied ends as a generally accepted symbol of peace. The surrounding inscriptions include:

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – Each American coin includes the name of the country where it is used in everyday transactions.
• E PLURIBUS UNUM – This Latin phrase symbolizes the unity of many states that decided to unite and create one powerful country.
• QUARTER DOLLAR – This denomination is struck along the coin’s bottom rim, showing this coin is worth 25 cents.
• The S or D mint mark – Unlike pieces struck in Philadelphia that came without the P mint mark in 1945, the other two mints issued quarters with a tiny letter. Its place is under the olive twigs.

Other features of the 1945 Washington quarter

Like all quarters minted from 1932 to 1964, those from 1945 were made of 90% silver, which was 5.623 g (0.1808 troy ounces). Those coins had a total weight of 6.25 g (0,2009 troy ounces), a thickness of 1.75 mm (0,06870 inches), and a diameter of 24.3 mm (0,95669 inches).

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

 

1945 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

The 1945 quarter mintage and survival data tells a compelling story about post-war coin production and preservation. Philadelphia dominated production with over 74 million quarters struck, while Denver contributed 12.3 million and San Francisco minted 17 million pieces.

It is worth noting that the survival rates of all three mints are very similar, with the Philadelphia and Denver mints having a survival rate of approximately 9.999% and the San Francisco mint having a survival rate of approximately 9.997%.

The combination of large mintages and high survival rates explains why 1945 quarters, while collectible, aren’t considered rare in most grades.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1945 quarter Value

The key areas to examine include Washington’s hair details, the eagle’s feathers on the reverse, and overall surface preservation. Look for signs of wear on the high points like Washington’s cheekbone and the eagle’s breast, which are the first areas to show circulation damage.

Most 1945 quarters found in circulation will grade Good to Fine, showing significant wear but retaining all major design elements. Higher grades like About Uncirculated and Mint State examples command premium prices due to their sharp details and original luster.

For quick grade estimates on the go, you can use our CoinValueChecker App to get instant grading guidance and current market values.

 

 

1945 Quarter Value Guides

The 1945 Washington quarter series consists of three distinct varieties based on their mint of origin:

• 1945 No Mint Mark Quarter– Produced at the Philadelphia Mint with over 74 million coins struck
• 1945-D Quarter– Minted in Denver with “D” mint mark, featuring a mintage of 12.3 million pieces
• 1945-S Quarter– Struck at the San Francisco Mint with “S” mint mark, totaling 17 million coins

Each variety represents different production facilities operating during the post-war recovery period. While all three share identical designs, their mint marks and production numbers create subtle collectibility differences.

The Philadelphia issue dominates availability due to its massive mintage, while the Denver variety is the scarcest in terms of original production. Collectors typically seek all three varieties to complete their 1945 quarter collection, with values varying primarily by condition rather than mint mark.

 

1945 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

The 1945 No Mint Mark quarter stands out as the highest-mintage coin of the year, with Philadelphia producing over 74 million pieces during the post-war economic boom. What makes this variety particularly interesting to collectors is its role as the “workhorse” quarter of 1945—these coins saw extensive circulation as America transitioned back to a peacetime economy.

Despite the massive production numbers, finding high-grade examples with original mint luster remains challenging due to their heavy use in commerce.

Recent auction results reveal the premium that top-condition examples can command in today’s market.

Current market activity shows steady collector interest, particularly for coins grading MS-65 and above.

 

1945-D Quarter Value

The 1945-D quarter represents the lowest mintage of the three 1945 varieties, with Denver producing just 12.3 million coins compared to the massive Philadelphia output. This scarcity factor makes it particularly appealing to collectors seeking the more elusive dates in the Washington quarter series.

The Denver mint’s post-war production resumption resulted in quarters with slightly different die characteristics and striking quality compared to other facilities. Despite being the lowest-mintage 1945 quarter, it’s still relatively accessible to collectors, though high-grade specimens command respectable premiums.

Auction records demonstrate the consistent demand for premium examples of this Denver-minted variety.

Market activity reflects growing collector appreciation for this lower-mintage issue within the 1945 quarter family.

 

1945-S Quarter Value

The 1945-S quarter occupies the middle ground in terms of mintage, with San Francisco producing 17 million coins during the final year of World War II. What makes this variety distinctive is its connection to the West Coast’s wartime coin production, as the San Francisco Mint played a crucial role in supplying currency to the Pacific region during the war effort.

The “S” mint mark quarters often exhibit slightly different striking characteristics and luster patterns compared to their Philadelphia and Denver counterparts, making them particularly appealing to variety collectors who appreciate subtle mint-to-mint differences.

Auction performance shows strong collector demand for high-grade examples of this West Coast variety.

Market activity indicates steady interest from both general collectors and those specializing in San Francisco Mint issues.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1945 Quarter Error List

Even with standardized post-war production, 1945 quarters occasionally left the mint with interesting errors that make them highly sought-after by specialists. These minting mistakes range from minor die cracks to dramatic double strikes, creating unique varieties that can be worth significantly more than regular examples.

1. 1945 DDO FS-101

This doubled die obverse error shows clear doubling in Washington’s profile and the surrounding inscriptions, particularly visible in “LIBERTY” and the date “1945.” The doubling occurs when the die receives multiple impressions during the hubbing process, creating a distinctive shadow effect that’s most pronounced under magnification.

Philadelphia mint examples with this error are considerably scarcer than normal strikes, making them prized additions to error coin collections. The doubling is strong enough to be visible to the naked eye on well-preserved specimens.

2. 1945-S DDO (FS-101 And FS-102)

The San Francisco Mint produced two distinct doubled die obverse varieties in 1945, each with unique doubling characteristics. FS-101 exhibits prominent doubling in the motto and date, while FS-102 shows more subtle doubling concentrated in Washington’s profile details.

Both varieties are significantly scarcer than regular 1945-S quarters, with FS-101 being the more dramatic and sought-after of the two. These West Coast errors represent some of the most collectible mistakes from the 1945 quarter series.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 1945 Quarter?

Now that you know the value of your 1945 quarter, do you know where to sell it for the best price? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of the top selling platforms, including their fees, pros, and cons to help you choose the right option.

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

 

1945 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1934 Quarter

1. What makes the 1945 Washington quarters unique?

Even though most quarters from 1945 are common coins without valuable pieces and sought-after errors, you can find a few ultra-quality and beautiful coins that cost a lot of money. In this case, the highest-graded coins produced in Denver are the rarest.

2. What are the 1945 Washington quarter auction records?

• The 1945 D Washington quarter in MS 68 grade won $20,400 at an auction in 2021
• The 1945 Washington quarter in MS 68 grade won $16,450 at an auction in 2015
• The 1945 S Washington quarter in MS 67 grade won $7,200 at an auction in 2020
• The 1945 S Washington quarter in MS 66 grade with DDO error won $870 at an auction in 2018
• The 1945 S Washington quarter in MS 66 grade with DDO error won $840 at an auction in 2018
• The 1945 Washington quarter in MS 65 grade with DDO error won $552 at an auction in 2018

3. How much is each Washington quarter minted in Philadelphia in 1945 worth?

The No Mint mark quarters from 1945 are worth approximately $5 to $8.50, but uncirculated specimens can reach up to $480. If you are lucky and find one MS 68-rated coin, you can count on about $7,000 to $8,400. This sum results from a professional assessment.

4. What is the most pricey Washington quarter?

The most expensive quarter ever sold at an auction is the 1932 D MS 66 silver coin Type 1. Its price was $143,750, reached at Bowers & Merena in 2008. The priciest silver quarter (proof) Type 1 that reached $31,200 at Heritage Auctions in 2022 was the 1950 PR 68 coin.

As for clad quarters Type 2 from this series, the most valuable is the 1966 MS 68+ one with an auction record of $21,000 from 2023. The costliest proof coin with the same features is the 1974 S PR 70 quarter, sold at $10,925 in 2009.