1949 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Production of the 1949 Washington quarter fell off precipitously compared to 1948, with only 20 million pieces made across just two mints—making it one of the scarcer post-war silver quarters.

Philadelphia produced 9.3 million without mint marks while Denver struck slightly over 10 million, with San Francisco sitting out production entirely that year.

This dramatic mintage reduction transforms even well-circulated examples into collectible coins, with values average at $6.00-$7.00 in Good condition and climbing to $36.50-$39.33 in Mint State.

The Philadelphia issue is considered a semi-key coin by some collectors, reflecting how post-war economic recovery and limited production created unexpected scarcity in what should have been a common circulation coin.

 

1949 Quarter Value By Variety

The 1949 Washington Quarter comes in two distinct varieties: the Philadelphia mint (no mintmark) and Denver mint (D mintmark), each with significantly different values based on mintage and surviving condition.

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 1949 Quarter Worth Money

The most valuable 1949 quarters demonstrate the dramatic impact of condition and variety on coin values.

Leading the list is the exceptional 1949-D in MS-68 grade, commanding an impressive $43,475 due to its superb preservation and rarity at this condition level. The Philadelphia mint’s 1949 MS-68 follows at $10,925, showcasing how even common dates become treasures in top grades.

Notably, several mint error varieties appear in the rankings, including the 1949-D OMM FS-601 and 1949-D/D RPM FS-501, proving that specialized collectors actively pursue these manufacturing anomalies.

The value hierarchy clearly illustrates the exponential price appreciation that occurs in the highest preservation levels, with MS-67 examples valued significantly lower than their MS-68 counterparts. Even error varieties in lower grades like MS-40 can achieve substantial premiums, reflecting their inherent scarcity. These results highlight the importance of both condition and variety identification for collectors and investors seeking maximum value potential.

 

History of the 1949 Quarter

The 1949 Washington Quarter represents a pivotal moment in American numismatic history, marking the post-World War II economic recovery and the return to peacetime coinage production.

By 1949, the United States Mint had fully resumed normal operations after the wartime disruptions that had affected coin production throughout the 1940s. This year saw the continuation of the beloved Washington Quarter design, first introduced in 1932 to commemorate George Washington’s 200th birthday.

The 1949 quarters were struck at two facilities: the Philadelphia Mint, which produced coins without mintmarks, and the Denver Mint, identifiable by the small “D” mintmark on the reverse. Both varieties maintained the classic 90% silver composition that had been standard since the series’ inception.

The coins featured John Flanagan’s iconic obverse design of Washington’s profile and the heraldic eagle reverse that collectors cherish today.

Production levels in 1949 reflected America’s growing post-war prosperity, with millions of quarters needed for expanding commerce. However, the surviving population in high grades remains remarkably scarce, making pristine examples highly sought after by collectors who appreciate both the historical significance and the inherent beauty of these early post-war silver quarters.

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

 

Is your 1949 Quarter rare?

Both 1949 Washington Quarter varieties demonstrate impressive scarcity within the Washington Quarter series, with rarity scores that place them among the more challenging dates to find in high grades.

The Philadelphia mint quarter (no mintmark) achieves a rarity score of 32 and ranks 55th among all Washington Quarter issues, while the Denver mint variety scores 30 and holds the 66th position.

These closely matched scarcity ratings reflect similar survival rates despite different original mintages, indicating that both varieties faced comparable attrition rates over the decades.

The “Scarce” designation for both coins underscores their appeal to serious collectors who appreciate the difficulty of locating quality examples. While not among the absolute key dates of the series, these 1949 quarters represent solid collecting opportunities for those building complete Washington Quarter sets.

The relatively close rarity scores suggest that collectors should expect similar premiums and availability challenges when pursuing either variety.

Use our CoinValueChecker App to instantly assess the rarity and current market value of your 1949 Washington quarters.

 

Key Features of the 1949 Quarter

John Flanagan’s Washington quarter design continued into its tenth year of production in 1942. During this wartime period, three mints operated at full capacity to meet economic demands. The Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco facilities each produced quarters with consistent design elements, while a special proof version was also struck for collectors.

The obverse of the 1949 quarter

The obverse of the 1949 quarter features the classic Washington portrait designed by John Flanagan, depicting George Washington in left-facing profile. The inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the top rim, while “QUARTER DOLLAR” appears at the bottom. “LIBERTY” is inscribed on the left side, with the mint year “1949” positioned on the right side of Washington’s portrait.

The reverse of the 1949 quarter

The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, clutching arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in its right. Above the eagle appears “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” in an arc, while “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (Out of Many, One) is inscribed on a banner held in the eagle’s beak. “QUARTER DOLLAR” is positioned at the bottom of the design.

Other features of the 1949 quarter

The 1949 quarter was minted in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.3mm. It features a reeded edge with 119 ridges. Minted in Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S), with mint marks located on the reverse below the eagle. This was part of the final years of silver quarter production before the 1965 composition change.

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

 

1949 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

The 1949 Washington quarter was produced at two mint facilities with substantial mintages totaling over 19.3 million coins.

The Denver Mint (D) produced the higher quantity at 10,068,400 pieces, while the Philadelphia Mint (no mint mark) struck 9,312,000 quarters. Despite the Denver mint’s higher production, both varieties show remarkably similar survival rates of approximately 10%.

The Philadelphia issue has a slightly better survival rate at 9.9871% with an estimated 930,000 coins remaining, compared to the Denver mint’s 9.9321% survival rate with about 1,000,000 surviving pieces.

The survival distribution shows an almost even split between the two varieties, with the Denver mint accounting for a marginally larger portion of surviving coins. These survival statistics place both 1949 quarter varieties among the more commonly available Washington quarters from the 1940s era, making them accessible options for collectors seeking high-grade examples from this silver quarter series.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know your 1949 quarter value

Knowing your 1949 quarter’s worth requires examining two critical factors: the coin’s condition and its mint mark location on the reverse.

Worn pieces generally sell for $8-14, while uncirculated coins in MS-63 grade can reach $27-33, and gem-quality MS-65 specimens may exceed $74-86.

You can determine accurate pricing by referencing online valuation guides, visiting reputable coin shops, or obtaining professional certification from PCGS or NGC. For convenient on-the-go estimates, the CoinValueChecker App offers quick assessments by examining your quarter’s unique attributes.

 

1949 Quarter Value Guides

1949 Quarter Varieties:

• 1949 Washington Quarter (No Mint Mark) – Philadelphia Mint
• 1949-D Washington Quarter – Denver Mint

The 1949 Washington quarter was produced at two U.S. Mint facilities, creating distinct varieties for collectors. The Philadelphia Mint produced the base issue without a mint mark, while Denver added its “D” mint mark below the eagle on the reverse.

Each variety has different mintage figures and availability in the collector market, with the Denver mint producing a slightly higher quantity at over 10 million pieces compared to Philadelphia’s 9.3 million.

Both varieties share the same silver composition and design features, with the mint mark being the primary distinguishing characteristic for identification and valuation purposes. These two varieties offer collectors accessible options from the post-World War II era of Washington quarter production.

 

1949 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

The 1949 Philadelphia quarter holds particular significance as one of the final silver Washington quarters before the composition change in 1965. What makes this issue especially noteworthy is its dramatic price appreciation curve, remaining relatively affordable through most circulated and lower uncirculated grades before experiencing an exponential price jump at the highest preservation levels.

This pricing pattern reflects the rarity of pristine examples, as most survivors show typical wear from circulation. The coin’s 90% silver content adds intrinsic value beyond its numismatic worth, making it appealing to both collectors and precious metal investors. Despite its substantial original mintage of over 9.3 million pieces, finding gem-quality specimens remains challenging for collectors.

Our comprehensive auction record chart tracks the remarkable price performance of top-grade examples across major auction platforms over recent years.

Additionally, the market activity data reveals the growing collector interest and trading frequency for this classic silver quarter issue.

 

1949-D Quarter Value

The 1949-D Washington quarter stands out as the highest mintage issue of the year with over 10 million pieces produced at the Denver Mint.

Despite this substantial production, the coin exhibits an even more dramatic price appreciation curve than its Philadelphia counterpart, with superb gem examples commanding significantly higher premiums.

The “D” mint mark below the eagle distinguishes this variety, and while circulated examples remain common and affordable, the scarcity of top-condition specimens creates exceptional value disparities.

This pricing structure reflects the coin’s dual appeal to both silver stackers seeking the precious metal content and serious collectors pursuing registry-quality examples. The Denver issue represents one of the final high-production silver quarters before the series transitioned away from precious metal composition.

The detailed auction records demonstrate the remarkable price performance achieved by premium-grade specimens across various selling platforms.

Market activity trends reveal consistent collector engagement and trading volume for this popular Denver Mint silver quarter.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1949 Quarter Error List

The 1949 Washington quarter series, while not renowned for dramatic error varieties like some other years, does feature several collectible mint errors that command premium prices among specialists.

These errors occurred during the coining process at both Philadelphia and Denver facilities, creating unique varieties that differ from standard production coins. Error collectors particularly seek these variants for their rarity and the insight they provide into 1940s minting procedures.

1. 1949-D OMM FS-601 (Over Mint Mark) Errors

The 1949-D OMM FS-601 represents a fascinating minting anomaly where one mint mark was punched over another during die preparation.

This over mint mark error occurred when Denver Mint personnel initially punched an incorrect or misaligned mint mark, then attempted to correct it by punching the proper “D” mint mark over the original impression. The result creates a distinctive doubling effect visible under magnification, with remnants of the underlying mint mark creating a shadow or outline around the primary “D.”

This variety is highly sought after by error collectors due to its clear diagnostic features and the interesting story it tells about the manual mint mark punching process used in 1949. Premium examples with sharp doubling details can command significant prices above regular 1949-D quarters.

 

2. 1949-D/D RPM FS-501 (Repunched Mint Mark) Errors

The 1949-D/D RPM FS-501 showcases a repunched mint mark where the “D” was punched multiple times in slightly different positions, creating a doubled appearance.

This error occurred during the die preparation process when the mint mark punch was applied more than once, with slight movement between strikes resulting in overlapping impressions. The doubling is most visible on the lower portion of the “D,” where the secondary punch mark creates a distinct shadow or partial outline.

This variety demonstrates the hand-punching techniques employed by the Denver Mint in 1949, before the adoption of more precise mechanical processes. Collectors value this error for its clear visual impact and historical significance, with well-preserved examples showing strong doubling commanding premium prices in the specialized error coin market.

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

 

Where to sell Your 1949 Quarter?

When selling your 1949 quarter, choose the right venue based on your coin’s condition and value. Professional authentication through reputable grading services maximizes your selling potential and ensures you receive fair market value for your quarter.

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

 

1949 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1949 Quarter

1. Is a 1949 quarter worth anything?

1949 quarters have value beyond face value due to their 90% silver content, worth approximately $4-6 in current silver prices. Higher grade examples and error varieties can be worth significantly more, with top condition specimens selling for thousands of dollars at auction.

2. Is a 1949 quarter silver?

Yes, the 1949 quarter contains 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams total. This silver composition continued until 1964, when the U.S. Mint switched to copper-nickel clad quarters, making all 1949 quarters valuable for their precious metal content.

3. How can I tell if I have a rare quarter?

Check the date, mint mark location, and condition carefully. Look for error varieties like doubled mint marks, examine wear patterns under magnification, and compare against known valuable dates. Professional grading services can authenticate rare specimens and provide accurate condition assessments for valuable quarters.