1948 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1948 Washington Quarter represents a solid investment opportunity that deserves closer examination by collectors. These quarters offer dual appeal through their 90% silver content and historical significance as post-war American coinage.

Market prices appear modest at $6.00 in Good condition across all three mint marks. However, the silver content alone provides intrinsic value protection, and higher-grade specimens reveal notable premiums.

MS condition examples reach $21.50 for Philadelphia issues, and $24.33 for San Francisco quarters, reflecting both collector demand and the coin’s precious metal foundation.

 

1948 Quarter Value By Variety

The table below shows current market values for 1948 quarters across different mint marks and conditions. 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 1948 Quarter Worth Money

This top 10 chart reveals the extreme value potential hiding in 1948 quarters, with the right combination of mint mark and grade creating five-figure coins.

The 1948 No Mint Mark in MS68 condition dominates at $43,200, proving that Philadelphia quarters aren’t always the “common” option collectors assume. What’s particularly striking is how the 1948-S follows at $23,500 in the same grade, nearly double the Denver version’s $3,120.

The 1948-S/S RPM FS-501 error at $4,000 in MS64 shows how mint mistakes can create serious value, outperforming even high-grade regular strikes from Denver. Notice how dramatically values drop between grade levels—a single point difference from MS67 to MS66 can mean losing over $1,000 in value.

These auction records from 2006 to present demonstrate why condition is everything in Washington quarter collecting. Even the lowest entry at $384 for a 1948-D MS65 represents substantial money for the right coin.

 

History of the 1948 Quarter

Understanding the 1948 quarter means looking at a pivotal moment in American coinage history. By 1948, the Washington quarter had been in production for 15 years, but this particular year stands out for reasons most collectors overlook.

The 1948 quarter continued the design introduced in 1932 to commemorate George Washington’s 200th birthday. What started as a one year commemorative became permanent when the public embraced John Flanagan’s classic design over the previous Standing Liberty quarter.

Three mints produced 1948 quarters: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). The Philadelphia mint struck over 35 million coins, making it the most common by far. Denver produced about 16 million, while San Francisco contributed roughly 15 million to the total.

What makes 1948 particularly interesting is the post World War II economic boom driving increased coin production. Americans were spending again, businesses needed change, and the mints were working overtime to meet demand after wartime metal restrictions.

The real story lies in survival rates. While millions were minted, most entered heavy circulation during the prosperous late 1940s, making high grade examples surprisingly scarce today.

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

 

Is Your 1948 Quarter Rare?

For serious collectors, understanding these rarity rankings is crucial for building a strategic collection. You can quickly check the scarcity ranking of any coin you’re considering with our CoinValueChecker App, which provides real-time rarity data alongside current market values.

 

Key Features of the 1948 Quarter

Crucial features of the 1948 Washington quarters include John Flanagan’s obverse and reverse designs. Besides, there are coins’ composition and standard measurements for each piece. Unlike modern coinage, all quarters minted from 1932 to 1965, including those from 1948, were made of silver.

The Obverse of the 1948 Washington Quarter

The 1948 quarters have a standard obverse look with George Washington in the central position, which is typical for this type of coin. The LIBERTY word occupies the edge and the date of the set’s minting. Finally, a designer added – IN GOD WE TRUST in front of the President’s neck.

The Reverse of the 1948 Washington Quarter

An image of a proud eagle is on the 1948 quarter reverse. Its outstretched wings occupy most of the space, while a Latin motto broken in two rows and the full name of the US are engraved above.

The bottom coin half is reserved for arrows in eagle’s claws, a wreath made of olive twigs, and a denomination. Quarters coming from two mints of three have a small letter under a bow, representing the mint mark.

Other Features of the 1948 Washington Quarter

The 1948 quarters are silver coins with a face value of $0.25. Each piece weighs 6.25 g (0.20094 troy ounces). Since the compound is 90% silver, the precious metal share is 5.623 g (0.1808 troy ounces).

The remaining 10% is copper. You can expect these coins to have a diameter of 24.3 mm (0.95669 inches) while their thickness is 1.75 mm (0.06870 inches).

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

 

1948 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

This mintage and survival data reveals why the 1948-D quarter commands premium prices despite not having the lowest original mintage. Philadelphia produced over 35 million quarters in 1948, making it the most common by sheer numbers. Denver and San Francisco struck roughly similar amounts at 16.8 million and 16 million respectively.

While all three mints show survival rates above 9.9%, the tiny differences matter enormously to collectors. The San Francisco mint achieved the best survival rate at 10%, followed closely by Philadelphia at 9.9983%.

What’s particularly interesting is how Philadelphia’s massive original mintage translates to over 3.5 million surviving coins today, yet the Denver version with only 1.67 million survivors often trades at higher premiums. This demonstrates how collector psychology values scarcity over absolute numbers.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1948 Quarter Value

Assessing your 1948 quarter’s worth starts by locating any mintmark below the eagle, which identifies the production facility. Examine wear on Washington’s profile and the eagle’s feathers, as these high points reveal circulation history.

Coins retaining sharp strikes with intact design details and reflective surfaces command stronger premiums than heavily worn specimens. Identifying potential varieties or unusual features can unlock additional value beyond typical prices.

Skip the guesswork and simply scan your quarter with the CoinValueChecker App for an immediate professional grade assessment and current pricing.

 

1948 Quarter Value Guides

The 1948 quarter comes in three distinct varieties based on where they were minted:

• 1948 No Mint Mark Quarter – Produced at the Philadelphia Mint
• 1948-D Quarter – Produced at the Denver Mint (D mint mark)
• 1948-S Quarter – Produced at the San Francisco Mint (S mint mark)

Understanding these three varieties is essential because each commands different values in today’s market. The mint mark appears on the reverse side, just below the eagle’s tail feathers. Philadelphia quarters show no mark at all, while Denver and San Francisco coins display their respective letters clearly.

Despite similar original mintages between the D and S versions, survival rates and collector demand have created notable price differences. The Denver mint mark version typically brings the highest premiums, followed by the San Francisco, with Philadelphia being the most common and affordable option for budget-conscious collectors.

 

1948 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

The 1948 No Mint Mark quarter stands out as the most paradoxical coin in the series. Despite having the highest original mintage at over 35 million coins, it commands the highest prices in Mint State condition, reaching over $3,400 in MS grades.

This counterintuitive pricing reflects the coin’s widespread circulation during the post-war economic boom, when Americans were spending freely and coins rarely stayed in collections.

What makes this Philadelphia-minted quarter truly special is its survival story. While millions were produced, most entered heavy commerce immediately, creating an unusual situation where the most common becomes the scarcest in top grades.

Recent auction records reveal just how competitive bidding can get for premium examples of this seemingly ordinary quarter.

Meanwhile, current market activity shows sustained collector interest driven by both seasoned numismatists and newcomers discovering the value hidden in everyday pocket change.

 

1948-D Quarter Value

The 1948-D quarter represents the sweet spot for Washington quarter collectors seeking both rarity and affordability. With a mintage of 16.8 million coins, it sits in the middle ground between the common Philadelphia version and the San Francisco mint.

Despite having fewer surviving coins than the Philadelphia version, the 1948-D consistently attracts strong collector interest due to its superior rarity ranking of 59th among all Washington quarters. It remains accessible to collectors who can’t afford the premium Philadelphia MS examples command.

The coin’s balanced combination of reasonable availability in lower grades and genuine scarcity in Mint State has created consistent auction performance over the years.

Current market activity reflects steady collector demand, particularly from investors seeking undervalued Washington quarter key dates.

 

1948-S Quarter Value

The 1948-S quarter tells a fascinating story of West Coast circulation patterns that dramatically affected its survival. With the mintage at 15.96 million coins and a 10% survival rate, this San Francisco-minted quarter is a study in regional economic activity during the post-war boom.

What makes the 1948-S particularly intriguing is how it ranks 107th in Washington quarter rarity despite having the lowest original production numbers. This suggests that California’s booming economy in the late 1940s kept these quarters in active commerce far longer than coins from other mints, creating genuine scarcity through heavy use rather than low mintage.

Historical auction records demonstrate how this survival story translates into real market premiums for quality examples.

Today’s market activity shows growing recognition among collectors who are finally appreciating this overlooked key date.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1948 Quarter Error List

Even common date quarters like the 1948 can hide valuable errors that most collectors walk right past. These minting mistakes, from doubled dies to repunched mint marks, can transform an ordinary quarter into a significant find worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

1948-S/S RPM FS-501

The 1948-S/S RPM FS-501 represents one of the most dramatic repunched mint mark errors in the Washington quarter series. This variety shows the S mint mark punched multiple times in slightly different positions, creating a distinctive overlapping effect that’s visible even to the naked eye. The error occurred when the San Francisco mint worker repositioned the mint mark punch, leaving clear evidence of both the original and final positions.

What makes this RPM particularly collectible is its bold appearance and strong market recognition. Unlike subtle doubled dies that require magnification, the 1948-S/S shows obvious doubling that makes authentication straightforward.

Advanced collectors actively seek this variety, and certified examples consistently command premium prices at auction, making it one of the most accessible yet valuable Washington quarter errors.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 1948 Quarter?

Now that you know the value of your 1948 quarters, do you know where to sell these coins to get the best return? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of the top platforms for selling 1948 quarters, including their specialties, advantages, and potential drawbacks to help you maximize your coin’s value.

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

 

1948 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1948 Quarter

1. What Makes A 1948 Quarter Rare?

Since only 519 quarters minted in Philadelphia in 1948 are rated at MS 67 and above, you can consider these coins conditionally rare. Specimens from the other two mints had a significantly lower mintage, but they are still not a great rarity except for those in Gem condition.

2. Which 1948 Quarter Is Worth A Lot Of Money?

• The costliest Washington quarter from Philadelphia became the 1948 MS 68+ coin after selling at $43,200 at Stack’s Bowers in 2021
• The costliest Washington quarter from San Francisco became the 1948 S MS 68 CAC coin after selling at $23,500 at Heritage Auctions in 2013
• The costliest Washington quarter from Denver became the 1948 D MS 67+ coin after selling at $8,050 at Heritage Auctions in 2012
• The costliest Washington quarter error became the 1948 S/S MS 64 coin with the re-punched mint mark after selling at $4,000 at Heritage Auctions in 2018

3. How Much Are The 1948 Philadelphia Quarters Worth?

Washington quarters minted in Philadelphia in 1948 were coins with No Mint mark. Their typical value on the current market is $5 to $6 for used pieces and $7 to $50 for those kept safe and far away from circulation for decades.

The best-ranked MS 67 quarters are the most expensive, and you can expect their price range to be $115 to $180.

4. What Is The Most Valuable Washington Quarter?

The US Mint produced quarters in two compositions in their long history from 1932 to the present. Expectedly, the most valuable are silver coins from the earliest period.

So, the best-paid coin in the series is the 1932 D MS 66 quarter made of precious metal. One collector purchased it in 2008 for $143,750. The most expensive piece from San Francisco is the coin of the same grade, minted in the same year. Its auction price in 2020 was $45,500.

Finally, the most valuable quarter without the mint mark is the one struck in 1948. This quarter in MS 68+ ranking won the auction record after selling at $43,200 in 2021. The 1966 MS 68+ coin is the costliest among clad quarters since one collector paid $21,000 for it in 2023.

As for proofs, the 1950 PR 68 quarter made of silver reached the highest price of $31,200 in 2022. The clad recorder is the PR 70-ranked coin struck in 1974 in San Francisco. Its price at a 2009 auction was $10,925.