1947 Quarter Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

Still holding onto that 1947 quarter? You may be sitting on more than just pocket change—but the coins worth real money might surprise you.

Most people focus on low-mintage dates and shiny surfaces, but the 1947 quarter market tells a deeper story. According to PCGS CoinFacts expert David Hall, the Philadelphia-minted 1947 quarter is actually the rarest of the three 1947 issues in top grades—even though it had the highest original mintage. That’s the kind of counterintuitive fact that separates serious collectors from casual ones.

The numbers back it up: only an estimated 12,000 examples of the 1947-P survive in MS-65 or better, compared to 21,000 for the Denver issue and 33,000 for San Francisco. A single MS-68-graded Philadelphia coin sold for $32,400 at Stack’s Bowers in March 2021—nearly double the price of the Denver counterpart.

Here’s what the real data shows about 1947 quarter values across all varieties, errors, and grades in 2026.

 

1947 Quarter Value By Variety

Here’s the current market data for all 1947 quarter varieties—Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), San Francisco (S), and the special Proof-Like (PL) edition—showing values across every grade from Good to Mint State.

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 1947 Quarter Value: Auction Records

Looking at over 15 years of auction data, the 1947 quarter market reveals a clear hierarchy built on condition scarcity rather than mintage alone. The Philadelphia MS-68 dominates at $32,400—a coin sold at Stack’s Bowers in March 2021 that carried PCGS grading plus the coveted CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation) sticker, indicating it was among the finest examples of its grade.

The Denver MS-68, which set its own record of $16,675 at the Bowers & Merena auction in March 2009, and the San Francisco MS-68, which brought $11,500 at Heritage Auctions in April 2010, both trail the Philadelphia coin by a wide margin—a dramatic spread between mints sharing the same grade that is unusual for Washington quarters.

What’s particularly striking is how error varieties compete with top-grade regular strikes. The 1947-S/S RPM FS-502 in MS-67 achieved $1,058, while the 1947 DDO FS-101 in MS-66 sold for $1,020—both coins outperforming ordinary MS-67 examples from any mint. This shows that collectors value interesting die varieties as much as they value raw condition rarity.

The list also demonstrates how sharply values drop between grades. Moving from MS-68 to MS-67 often cuts realized prices by 70–90%, while MS-66 examples barely crack the top 10 despite being genuinely scarce in their own right.

 

History of the 1947 Quarter Value and Post-War Mintage

The 1947 quarter arrived during one of the most transformative years in modern American history. As the nation pivoted from wartime production to peacetime prosperity, the U.S. Mint faced enormous pressure to produce coinage quickly enough to serve a booming consumer economy.

Production numbers reflect that urgency: Philadelphia struck 22,556,000 quarters, Denver added 15,338,400, and San Francisco contributed 5,532,000—a combined total exceeding 43 million coins in a single year.

An important footnote for collectors: the U.S. Mint had suspended proof coin production during World War II and did not resume making proof sets until 1950. This means no official proof 1947 quarters exist, and any coin marketed as a “1947 proof” is either a high-grade business strike or a misrepresented coin—a distinction that matters greatly for valuation.

The coin’s design traces back to sculptor John Flanagan, whose portrait of Washington was selected in 1932 after a national competition. The heraldic eagle on the reverse, clutching 13 arrows and an olive branch, gained special symbolic resonance in 1947 as a nation fresh from global conflict embraced the imagery of peace.

Strike quality across the three mints varied noticeably. San Francisco was known for sharper, more carefully produced strikes—a result of lower production volumes and historically tighter quality control on the West Coast. Because of the 1947-S’s low mintage (third lowest of all Washington quarters from 1941 to 1964), collectors and speculators began saving rolls and examples at the time of issue, which explains why more MS-65+ examples of the 1947-S survive today than either the P or D issues—despite its lower original mintage.

The discovery of proof-like specimens from San Francisco added another dimension to this date decades after minting, turning what many considered a common year into a multi-variety collecting target.

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

 

Is Your 1947 Quarter Value Rare?

The rarity scores for 1947 quarters reveal a paradox in conventional collecting wisdom. Despite Philadelphia having the highest mintage at 22.5 million, it scores 29 and ranks 80th—actually rarer in gem grades than the Denver issue, which scores only 27 and ranks 112th despite having fewer total coins struck.

PCGS survival data offers the key explanation: only an estimated 12,000 Philadelphia quarters survive in MS-65 or better, compared to 21,000 Denver examples and 33,000 San Francisco examples. West Coast collectors historically saved S-mint coins at higher rates, while Philadelphia quarters were spent more freely—creating the unexpected condition scarcity that defines the 1947-P today.

The 1947-S Proof-Like variety, despite being the most visually impressive, scores just 12 and ranks 305th as “Common.” This counterintuitive ranking shows that even coins struck with exceptional care can be undervalued when their discovery comes decades after the fact.

Want to check your own quarters quickly? The Coin Value Checker App instantly identifies rarity scores with a quick photo scan.

 

Key Features of the 1947 Quarter Value

The 1947 Washington quarter is a 90% silver coin—part of the unbroken silver-composition run that began in 1932 and continued until 1964. These coins carry a floor value tied directly to the silver market, and at current silver spot prices they’re worth at least their melt value as a starting point.

The Obverse of The 1947 Quarter

The obverse features Washington’s left-facing profile with LIBERTY arcing above and “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the left of his neck. Flanagan’s initials “JF” appear at the base of the neck truncation, and the date “1947” sits prominently at the bottom—the same area collectors should examine closely for doubled die doubling on the DDO FS-101 variety.

The Reverse of The 1947 Quarter

The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with spread wings, clutching 13 arrows symbolizing the original colonies. An olive branch beneath represents peace—particularly meaningful in the post-war era—while “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” arc above, with “QUARTER DOLLAR” below and the mint mark (D or S) placed just beneath the olive branch center.

Other Features of The 1947 Quarter

The 1947 quarter contains 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams with exactly 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver. Specifications include a 24.3 mm diameter, a reeded edge with 119 reeds, and a 1.75 mm thickness—all identical across Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco strikes.

One quick way to confirm silver content: look at the coin’s edge. A genuine 1947 quarter shows a uniform silver-white edge with no copper stripe visible. Modern clad quarters (made after 1964) show a reddish-copper layer sandwiched in the middle—a clear visual difference even for beginners.

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

 

1947 Quarter Value: Mintage & Survival Data

The 1947 quarter mintage data shows classic post-war production: Philadelphia led with 22.5 million, Denver followed with 15.3 million, and San Francisco produced 5.5 million. Combined, over 43 million quarters entered circulation—slightly down from the prior year but still substantial.

All three mints show a survival rate of roughly 10%, meaning approximately 90% of 1947 quarters have been lost to silver melting (most significantly after 1965 when silver prices rose) or heavy circulation wear. This leaves an estimated 4.3 million coins surviving today across all three mints combined.

Here’s where it gets surprising: despite the 1947-S having the lowest original mintage, PCGS estimates it has the highest survival in gem grades—approximately 33,000 examples in MS-65 or better. The 1947-D has roughly 21,000 in that range, and the 1947-P only about 12,000. West Coast collectors historically preserved S-mint coins at higher rates, while Philadelphia coins circulated more heavily in the eastern states with less coin-collecting culture at the time.

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

 

1947 Quarter Value Grading Guide

Assessing a 1947 quarter’s market value depends primarily on its grade and which mint struck it. Grading (MS stands for Mint State, meaning uncirculated) is done on a scale from 1 to 70, where higher numbers mean better preservation and higher value.

A key detail for 1947 quarters: look for the “cartwheel effect” when you tilt the coin under a light source. This rotating band of brightness created by microscopic radial flow lines from the striking process is the hallmark of original mint luster—and its presence in a circulated coin can mean a significant premium. Also examine eagle breast feathers and Washington’s hair curls; sharply struck 1947 quarters with full feather and hair detail command notable premiums over weakly struck examples of the same numerical grade.

If you want a streamlined appraisal experience, download the Coin Value Checker App  to get instant value estimates based on your quarter’s characteristics.

 

1947 Quarter Value Guides by Mint

Each 1947 quarter variety offers unique collecting opportunities—from the common Philadelphia strikes to the scarce Proof-Like specimens that weren’t discovered until decades after minting.

• 1947 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
• 1947-D (Denver)
• 1947-S (San Francisco)
• 1947-S PL (San Francisco Proof-Like)

The 1947 quarter series presents a fascinating value hierarchy that defies simple mintage logic. While Philadelphia produced the most coins and San Francisco the fewest, mintage alone doesn’t dictate value in lower grades—all three regular strikes trade near their silver melt floor when worn. The real premiums emerge in Mint State grades, where subtle differences in strike quality and preservation separate $100 coins from $1,000+ examples.

 

1947 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

The 1947 Philadelphia quarter is the dark horse of this three-mint set—widely overlooked by collectors who assume higher mintage means lower value, when the opposite is true in gem grades. PCGS CoinFacts co-founder David Hall has specifically noted that “The 1947 is the rarest of the three 1947 issues” in top Mint State condition, since neither Denver nor San Francisco collectors sought out the Philadelphia coins at the time of issue.

With only an estimated 12,000 Philadelphia 1947 quarters surviving in MS-65 or better—and just a handful reaching MS-67 or MS-68—this is genuinely the toughest 1947 quarter to find in superb condition. In March 2021, one of only four MS-68-graded examples crossed the block at Stack’s Bowers, carrying a CAC sticker and selling for $32,400—the all-time auction record for any 1947 quarter.

Recent auction records reveal the dramatic spreads that define this coin’s market.

The steady market activity throughout 2024–2026 reflects growing collector awareness of this overlooked Philadelphia issue.

 

1947-D Quarter Value

The 1947-D quarter represents Denver’s contribution to post-war coinage, with a mintage of 15.3 million that sits between Philadelphia’s high output and San Francisco’s lower production. PCGS estimates roughly 21,000 Denver examples survive in MS-65 or better—more than the Philadelphia issue but fewer than the San Francisco coins that were actively saved by West Coast collectors.

The Denver Mint’s quality control varied considerably in 1947, resulting in many coins with weak strikes or distracting bag marks from bulk handling. Collectors prize examples with sharp eagle breast feathers and crisp hairlines on Washington’s portrait—details that separate a $50 coin from a $500 one in the MS-65 to MS-67 range. Certified MS-67+ examples (the PCGS “Plus” designation for coins in the top 30% of their grade) have brought $780 to $1,080 at recent auctions—five to seven times the standard MS-67 value.

Let’s examine how these quality variations impact prices across different grades in recent auctions.

The surge in market activity during mid-2025 reveals growing collector awareness of this overlooked Denver issue.

 

1947-S Quarter Value

The 1947-S quarter holds the distinction of the lowest original mintage of the three regular 1947 issues at just 5,532,000 pieces. Its status as the third-lowest mintage Washington quarter from 1941 to 1964 caused collectors and speculators to save examples at the time of issue, explaining why PCGS now estimates some 33,000 survive in MS-65 or better—paradoxically more than either the Philadelphia or Denver coins.

San Francisco’s reputation for sharper business strikes shines through in these quarters, with most examples displaying crisper eagle feather detail than their eastern counterparts. The auction record for this issue—$11,500 for a PCGS MS-68 at Heritage Auctions in April 2010—reflects both the quality ceiling and the strong collector premium attached to low-mintage S-mint coins.

The auction record demonstrates how dramatically values escalate for the finest known examples of this San Francisco issue.

Recent market activity shows renewed collector interest, with notable increases through mid-2025.

 

1947-S Proof-Like Quarter Value

The 1947-S Proof-Like quarter is one of numismatics’ most intriguing accidents—coins that were never intended to look like proofs but ended up displaying mirror-like fields and sharply frosted devices that rival intentionally made proof coins. They resulted from fresh, highly polished dies and carefully prepared planchets used early in the San Francisco production run, before normal die wear dulled the surfaces.

Remember: no true proof Washington quarters exist for 1947. The U.S. Mint suspended proof production during World War II and did not resume until 1950. The Proof-Like (PL) designation simply means the coin has mirror-like reflective fields that meet PCGS or NGC standards—it is still a business strike, not a collector proof. With estimates suggesting fewer than 1,000 Proof-Like examples survive, each one found in a roll of old quarters feels like genuine buried treasure.

The market activity chart reveals interesting trading patterns that suggest growing collector recognition of this scarce variety.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1947 Quarter Value: Error List

While 1947 quarters are relatively common in circulated grades, several mint errors can transform these everyday coins into valuable collectibles. The post-war production rush at all three mints—combined with the era’s hand-punched mint marks—created conditions ripe for striking errors, from dramatic doubled dies to subtle repunched mint marks. Let’s examine the most significant errors that collectors actively seek in the 1947 quarter series.

1. 1947 DDO FS-101 Errors

The 1947 DDO FS-101 (Doubled Die Obverse) is one of the more sought-after die varieties in the Washington quarter series. A Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) occurs when the die used to strike coins receives two slightly misaligned impressions from the hub, creating a doubling effect that transfers to every coin struck from that die.

The doubling on the FS-101 variety is most visible on “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” where letters show a clear shelf-like separation. Under 10x magnification, look for the characteristic raised, rounded doubling on the “B” in LIBERTY and the letters “US” in TRUST—true die doubling appears raised and rounded, unlike the flat, smeared look of machine doubling, which adds no value. CONECA (Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America) also documents several minor 1947 DDO sub-varieties beyond the FS-101, though most currently lack established price premiums. The FS-101 commands $100–$1,020 depending on grade—a verified MS-66 sold for $1,020—making it worth examining every 1947 quarter carefully under magnification.

2. 1947-S/S RPM Errors (FS-501 And FS-502)

The 1947-S quarter features two distinct Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) varieties. RPM errors happened because, before 1990, mint mark letters were punched into working dies by hand—and sometimes the punch was applied twice in slightly different positions, leaving a “ghost” image of a second S on the coin.

FS-501 shows the secondary S punched slightly south of the primary position, creating a shadow below the mint mark visible under 10x magnification. FS-502 shows the repunching to the west, with a ghost S visible to the left. Both varieties are common in lower grades ($18–$50), but become surprisingly scarce and valuable in MS-65 and above. A PCGS MS-67+ example of the FS-501 variety sold for $2,050 on eBay in August 2018, while the FS-502 in MS-67 achieved $1,058 at auction—confirming that high-grade RPMs can outperform regular strikes by a wide margin.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 1947 Quarter for Maximum Value

Ready to turn your 1947 quarter into cash? Selling online opens up a world of buyers, but choosing the right platform matters. Whether you’re moving a single coin or an entire collection, raw or professionally graded, each online venue offers different advantages—from instant sales to competitive auctions.

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

 

1947 Quarter Value Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1947 Quarter Value

1. Are all 1947 quarters made of silver?

Yes, every 1947 quarter—regardless of mint—contains 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams with exactly 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver. The U.S. Mint did not switch to copper-nickel clad quarters until 1965, making every 1947 quarter worth at least its silver melt value as a starting point.

To confirm silver content, look at the coin’s edge: a genuine 1947 quarter shows a uniform silver-white edge with no visible copper layer, unlike modern clad quarters that display a reddish copper stripe sandwiched in the center.

2. What is the current silver melt value of a 1947 quarter?

The silver melt value fluctuates daily with silver spot prices. You can calculate it by multiplying 0.1808 (the coin’s silver content in troy ounces) by the current silver price per troy ounce.

At silver’s November 2025 spot price of approximately $48.61 per troy ounce, the melt value was about $8.79 per coin—meaning even the most worn, common-grade 1947 quarter is worth several dollars just for its metal content. This silver floor means you should never sell a 1947 quarter for face value.

3. What’s the difference between a regular 1947-S quarter and a Proof-Like (PL)?

Proof-Like (PL) 1947-S quarters were not intentionally made—they resulted from fresh, highly polished dies and specially prepared planchets used at the very start of the San Francisco production run. These coins display mirror-like reflective fields and sharply frosted design details that closely resemble actual proof coins, despite being ordinary business strikes.

Regular 1947-S quarters have a normal, satiny (non-reflective) surface. The PL variety is much scarcer—fewer than 1,000 are believed to survive—and commands significant premiums. While a regular MS-65 example might bring $200, a PL in the same grade can fetch $400–$500. PCGS or NGC authentication is recommended before buying or selling any PL-designated coin.

4. How can I tell if my 1947 quarter has the DDO error?

The 1947 DDO FS-101 (Doubled Die Obverse) shows doubling primarily on “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Look for thick, shelf-like letters with visible separation between the primary and secondary images—most noticeable on the “B” in LIBERTY and the “US” in TRUST under 10x magnification.

The critical test: true doubled die doubling appears raised and rounded on both sides of the letter. Machine doubling (which adds no value) looks flat and smeared, with the doubled area appearing squashed and dull. Even worn DDO FS-101 examples bring $50–$100, while Mint State pieces can reach $500–$1,000.

5. Why is the 1947 Philadelphia quarter rarer than the 1947-S in top grades if it had a higher mintage?

This is one of the great paradoxes of Washington quarter collecting. The 1947-S had a lower original mintage but was actively saved by collectors at the time of issue because its “S” mint mark signaled scarcity. West Coast collectors in particular hoarded rolls of San Francisco coins, which is why PCGS estimates 33,000 1947-S quarters survive in MS-65 or better today.

The Philadelphia 1947 quarter, by contrast, was widely spent and circulated without being saved, leaving only an estimated 12,000 examples in MS-65 or better. This is why PCGS CoinFacts expert David Hall specifically identified the 1947-P as “the rarest of the three 1947 issues” in gem condition—and why its MS-68 auction record of $32,400 far exceeds the records for either the D or S mint.

6. What are the most valuable 1947 quarter errors to look for?

The three most valuable 1947 quarter errors are: (1) the 1947 DDO FS-101, with a verified auction record of $1,020 in MS-66; (2) the 1947-S/S RPM FS-502, which achieved $1,058 in MS-67; and (3) the 1947-S/S RPM FS-501, which sold for $2,050 in MS-67+ on eBay in August 2018.

All three errors require examination under 10x magnification. The DDO shows doubling on the obverse lettering, while the two RPM varieties show ghost impressions of a second “S” mint mark either south (FS-501) or west (FS-502) of the primary punch. CONECA also documents minor RPM varieties on the 1947-D, though these currently lack established price premiums.

7. Does the 1947 quarter have a proof version?

No—there are no true proof 1947 Washington quarters. The U.S. Mint suspended proof coin production during World War II and did not resume making proof sets for collectors until 1950.

Any coin labeled or sold as a “1947 proof quarter” is either a high-grade Mint State business strike being misrepresented, a counterfeit, or a coin that has been improperly altered. The 1947-S Proof-Like (PL) variety exists and is valuable, but it is a business strike—not an intentional proof.

8. Is the 1947-D quarter worth more than the 1947 Philadelphia issue?

In circulated grades, the 1947-D and 1947-P are essentially equal in value, both trading near silver melt. In lower Mint State grades (MS-60 to MS-64), the Denver coin is also comparable to Philadelphia.

However, in gem grades of MS-65 and above, the Philadelphia coin is actually scarcer and typically commands higher premiums despite its higher original mintage. PCGS survival estimates show only 12,000 Philadelphia examples survive in MS-65+, compared to 21,000 Denver coins—and the 1947-P auction record of $32,400 dwarfs the 1947-D record of $16,675.

9. How should I store a 1947 quarter to preserve its value?

The biggest enemies of a silver quarter’s value are moisture, chemicals, and physical contact. Store 1947 quarters in inert, non-PVC holders—soft PVC flips commonly sold in craft stores contain plasticizers that react with silver over time, leaving a sticky green residue that can permanently damage surfaces and eliminate premium value.

For coins in Mint State condition, hard plastic coin flips, archival-quality 2×2 cardboard holders with Mylar windows, or PCGS/NGC slabs (if already certified) are the best options. Keep stored coins away from humidity, rubber bands, and paper towels, as all three contain sulfur compounds that accelerate toning and surface damage.

10. What should I do before submitting a 1947 quarter for professional grading?

Before submitting to PCGS or NGC (Professional Coin Grading Service or Numismatic Guaranty Company—the two leading third-party grading services), first determine whether your coin is likely to benefit financially. Grading fees typically start at $30–$50 per coin, so it only makes sense for examples you believe are Mint State (uncirculated) or confirmed error varieties.

Never clean a coin before submission—even gentle polishing removes microscopic surface metal that graders can detect and will penalize with a “cleaned” or “altered surfaces” designation, dramatically reducing value. Simply place the coin in a non-PVC flip and submit with accurate description notes. For suspected DDO or RPM varieties, photograph the coin under magnification and reference the CONECA or Cherrypickers’ Guide variety number in your submission notes to help the grader identify the variety.