1946 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1946 Washington quarter represents the first full peacetime year of silver coinage production, minted as America settled into postwar economic recovery.

With consistent values across all three mint marks—ranging from around $6 in Good condition to roughly $22-26 in Mint State—these quarters demonstrate remarkable market stability that reflects their similar availability to collectors.

The 1946-S, despite its notably lower mintage of just 4.2 million compared to Philadelphia’s 53 million, trades at nearly identical prices, suggesting that sufficient quantities survived in all grades to meet collector demand.

This price equilibrium makes 1946 quarters particularly attractive for type collectors seeking affordable examples of immediate post-war 90% silver coinage, offering historical significance without the premium typically associated with true key dates.

 

1946 Quarter Value By Variety

So what’s a 1946 quarter actually worth? Here’s the breakdown by mint mark and condition—and you’ll see the 1946-S jumps to over $700 in mint state while the others stay around $230.

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 1946 Quarter Worth Money

The 1946 quarter series contains some of the most sought-after Washington quarters in numismatic history, with values ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on condition and variety.

Leading the pack is the exceptional 1946-S in MS-68 condition, commanding an impressive $11,400 at auction. High-grade specimens consistently outperform their lower-grade counterparts, with the regular 1946 quarter in MS-67 fetching $4,320.

Notable error varieties like the 1946-S/S RPM FS-501 in MS-67 condition achieve $3,819, demonstrating the premium collectors place on scarce re-punched mint marks.

Even the doubled die reverse varieties, such as the 1946 DDR FS-801, show strong market performance with values reaching $1,260 in MS-65 condition.

 

History Of The 1946 Quarter

The Washington quarter takes its name from the first president of the USA, George Washington. His portrait appears on the obverse, otherwise known as the “heads” side of the coin. The first Washington quarters were produced in 1932, and they continue to be made to this day.

The series was originally conceived to mark the bicentenary of Washington’s birth. The coins were made of 90 per cent silver and 10 per cent copper, the same recipe that was used for the 1946 version. But by 1965, the rising price of silver was hitting production costs.

To add to the Treasury’s woes, the public was also hoarding quarters. It was hoped that the silver content might soon be worth more than the face value of the coins.The Treasury responded by removing silver from both quarters and dimes. The new versions of both denominations had a copper core. And to retain the silver color, they were clad in an alloy of copper and silver.

The new quarters had the same dimensions as the pre-1965 versions. But the different recipe meant they were slightly lighter – 5.67 grams, compared to 6.3 grams for the silver versions.

The new coins were harder too. That meant that it was more difficult to get a successful strike. Minor changes were made to the design as a result – the areas of highest relief were lowered to ensure all the detail could be captured.

The design otherwise remained unchanged from 1932 through to 1998. The latter year saw a new reverse to celebrate the bicentenary of American independence. Since then, there have been several new series of Washington quarters, including the widely collected 50 States quarters.

1944 saw business strike quarters struck at the Mint facilities in Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. The latter two locations placed mint marks on their coins, while the Philadelphia quarters are unmarked.

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

 

Is Your 1946 Quarter Rare?

Want to see how these stack up against the real heavy hitters? Check our CoinValueChecker App to explore rarity scores for any coin.

 

Key Features Of The 1946 Quarter

The Obverse Of The 1946 Quarter

The portrait of George Washington which appears on the 1946 quarter was used from 1932 to 2022. It was the work of an artist called John Flanagan. But it wasn’t everyone’s first choice for the obverse.

The original plan to honor Washington on the nation’s coinage would have seen his image appear on the half dollar. The intention was that the coins would be minted for a single year, 1932, to mark the bicentenary of Washington’s birth.

A committee had been set up to oversee the celebrations. They had got so far as choosing a portrait of the former president for the obverse of the coin. Their preferred option was an image by Laura Gardin Fraser.But the plan changed. It was decided that the Washington coin should be a permanent fixture. And instead of it being a half dollar, it would be a quarter.

As such the decision on the design passed from the Bicentennial Committee to the Treasury. And the Treasury Secretary, Andrew W. Mellon, preferred Flanagan’s portrait.

Mellon left his position before the coins were struck, and the Committee appealed to his successor Ogden L. Mills.But Mills refused to reopen the debate, and it was Flanagan’s portrait which won the day. Look closely at your 1946 quarter, and you’ll see the artist’s initials at the bottom.

Laura Gardin Fraser’s portrait did, however, eventually get its turn. It is being used on the American Women series of quarters, which was launched in 2022.

Above Washington’s portrait on the 1944 quarter is the word “Liberty”. The date is at the bottom, inscribed on a curve to follow the lower edge of the coin.The familiar motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears to the left of the portrait, tucked just beneath Washington’s chin.

The Reverse Of The 1946 Quarter

The design on the tails side of the 1946 quarter was also the work of John Flanagan. The dramatic image shows a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings. The bird is perched on a bundle of arrows, while below it is a garland of olive leaves symbolizing peace.

The country name is inscribed between the eagle’s wings and the edge of the coin. Above the head of the bird is the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. The words are Latin, and they mean “From the many, one”. It’s a reference to the country’s creation as a union of states.

The denomination appears at the bottom of the coin, curving parallel to the lower coin edge. It’s written in full as “ONE DOLLAR”.

In later years, the mint marks on Denver and San Francisco quarters would appear on the obverse. But in 1946, they appear on the reverse. Look for a small “D” or “S” just below the center of the olive leaf garland.

Other Features Of The 1946 Quarter

The 1946 quarter weighs 6.3 grams and measures 24.3 millimeters across. It’s made mostly of silver, distinguishing it from the clad quarters that were produced from 1965 onwards.

Turn it on its side, and you’ll see a series of grooves running at right angles to the coin faces. These are known as reeds, and they’re formed by the collar which holds the planchet in place as it’s struck.

The reeded edge was first introduced in the eighteenth century as a means to guard against fraud. The pattern meant that it was possible to see immediately if any of the precious metal had been clipped from the edge.

The 1946 quarter benefits from a clearer typeface and larger date than the original Washington quarters. The dies were refined in 1944 to create a sharper finish.

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

 

1946 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

Now here’s where the numbers get really interesting: mintage versus survival tells the complete story.

The Philadelphia Mint absolutely dominated 1946 quarter production, cranking out over 53 million coins—that’s roughly six times more than Denver and over twelve times more than San Francisco. The regular 1946 is the most common.

But here’s the fascinating part: survival rates are surprisingly consistent across all three mints, Despite the massive difference in original mintages, hovering around 9.99%.

So why is the 1946-S worth so much more in mint state? It’s not about rarity—it’s about collector demand meeting limited high-grade supply. Even though 420,000 San Francisco quarters survived, finding one in pristine condition is the real challenge.

This survival data explains a lot about Washington quarter values, but 1946 is just scratching the surface.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1946 Quarter Value

Finding your 1946 quarter’s value is now simpler than ever. These coins typically range from $6-$12 due to their 90% silver content, but exceptional specimens can fetch $30-$50 or more depending on condition, mint mark, and rarity.

Traditionally, valuing coins required heavy price guides or visiting multiple dealers. Today, technology offers a better solution. The  CoinValueChecker App brings professional coin evaluation to your smartphone. Simply photograph your 1946 quarter, and the app instantly identifies its mint mark, assesses condition, and provides current market values based on real sales data.

 

1946 Quarter Value Guides

The Three Types of 1946 Quarters:

• 1946 No Mint Mark(Philadelphia)
• 1946-D(Denver mint)
• 1946-S(San Francisco )

All 1946 quarters feature the same Washington design, but that little mint mark makes all the difference in value.

The Philadelphia quarters (no mint mark) are the most common since they had the highest production. Denver quarters fall in the middle, while San Francisco quarters command the highest premiums despite being labeled “scarce” rather than truly rare.

 

1946 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

The Philadelphia-minted 1946 quarter represents the post-war return to normalcy in American coinage. With over 53 million produced, it was the U.S. Mint’s way of saying “we’re back to business” after years of wartime material constraints.

These quarters marked the first full year of peacetime production, making them historically significant beyond their silver content.

Despite the massive mintage, finding high-quality quarters is harder than you think. The auction records tell an interesting story about what collectors are willing to pay for pristine examples.

Market activity has been equally telling, showing distinct seasonal patterns and collector behavior that reveal when serious buyers are most active in pursuing these post-war classics.

 

1946-D Quarter Value

What makes the 1946-D quarter stand out from the crowd?The Denver-minted 1946-D represents the sweet spot of the three varieties—not as common as Philadelphia’s massive production, but not as scarce as San Francisco’s limited run.

With around 9 million minted, it strikes that perfect balance collectors love: accessible enough to find, but rare enough to feel special in your collection.

The auction market has reflected this middle-ground positioning consistently over the years.

Recent market activity shows how collector interest ebbs and flows with this particular mint mark, revealing interesting  patterns that savvy buyers have learned to capitalize on.

 

1946-S Quarter Value

Why the 1946-S quarter is the crown jewel of the series?The San Francisco-minted 1946-S is where things get serious for collectors. With only 4.2 million produced, it had the lowest mintage of all three varieties, but that’s just the beginning of the story.

What really sets it apart is the dramatic price jump in high grades—while the other two variants see modest increases, the 1946-S explodes in value once you hit mint state condition.

The auction records paint a picture of collectors willing to pay premium prices for quality examples.

Market activity trends show this isn’t just theoretical—there’s genuine demand driving real transactions throughout the year.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1946 Quarter Error List

The 1946 Washington quarter represents a fascinating period in American numismatics, marking the post-World War II era when coin production resumed at full capacity.

During this transition year, several notable minting errors occurred that have become highly sought after by collectors today.

These errors showcase the mechanical challenges faced by the U.S. Mint as they ramped up production, creating valuable varieties that command premium prices in today’s market.

1. 1946 DDO FS-101 Errors

The 1946 DDO FS-101 is one of the most prominent doubled die obverse errors of the Washington quarter series.This variety exhibits clear doubling on key design elements, particularly visible in the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” and Washington’s profile details.

The doubling effect occurred when the working die received multiple impressions from the master hub that were slightly misaligned.

Collectors can identify this error by examining the letters with a magnifying glass, where the doubled impressions create a distinctive shadow effect. Well-preserved specimens can command significant premiums over regular 1946 quarters.

2. 1946 DDR FS-801 Errors

The 1946 DDR FS-801 represents a scarce doubled die reverse variety that affects the back side of the coin.The most notable doubling appears in the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “QUARTER DOLLAR,” along with subtle doubling in the eagle’s features.

This error resulted from the same die-making process issues that created obverse doubled dies, but reverse varieties are generally less common and often more challenging to detect.The doubling is best observed under proper lighting conditions, and this variety is particularly prized by specialists who focus on Washington quarter errors.

3. 1946-D/D RPM FS-501 Errors

The 1946-D/D RPM FS-501 features a re-punched mintmark where the “D” mintmark from the Denver Mint shows evidence of multiple punchings.This error occurred when the mintmark punch was applied more than once in slightly different positions, creating overlapping impressions that are visible under magnification.

The re-punched mintmark appears as a doubled or thickened “D” with traces of the underlying punch marks.Denver Mint re-punched mint marks from this era are relatively scarce, making this variety a desirable addition to any Washington quarter collection focused on mint errors.

4. 1946-S/S RPM FS-501 Errors

The 1946-S/S RPM FS-501 showcases a re-punched mintmark from the San Francisco Mint, where the “S” mintmark displays clear evidence of multiple punch applications.This variety exhibits doubling or spreading in the “S” mintmark, often with visible remnants of the initial punch mark beneath the final impression.

San Francisco re-punched mint marks from 1946 are particularly noteworthy because they represent the mint’s post-war production challenges as they adjusted to increased demand.Collectors value this variety for its historical significance and the technical insight it provides into mid-1940s minting processes.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 1946 Quarter

Now that you understand what makes your 1946 quarter valuable, are you ready to find the right buyer? I’ve researched the best marketplaces and auction houses to help you get top dollar for these sought-after Washington quarters.

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

 

1946 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1946 Quarter

1. How Much Silver Is In A 1946 Quarter?

Like all Washington quarters struck from 1932 to 1964, the 1946 quarter is 90 percent silver. The remainder of the coin is made of copper.

Each coin weighs 6.3 grams in total, giving a silver weight of 5.67 grams per coin.

2. What Year Is A Rare Quarter?

Two of the rarest Washington quarters are the 1932 D and 1932 S. Their original mintages were 436,800 and 408,000 respectively. And today, it’s estimated that just one in ten of those coins survive.