1949 Quarter Value (2026 Guide): Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth

Production of the 1949 Washington quarter dropped sharply compared to 1948, when the Denver Mint alone struck over 16.7 million pieces. In 1949, only around 19.4 million quarters were made across just two mints — and San Francisco sat out entirely — making this one of the scarcer post-war silver issues in the Washington Quarter series.

The Philadelphia Mint produced 9,312,000 pieces without a mint mark, while the Denver Mint struck 10,068,400 with the small “D” mint mark on the reverse. This dramatic production cut transforms even well-circulated examples into collectible coins, with values starting around $11–$14 in Fine condition and climbing steeply into the thousands for top-grade survivors.

What makes this year particularly challenging for collectors is strike quality. PCGS CoinFacts notes that the 1949-P Washington Quarter is considered one of the worst coins produced by the Philadelphia Mint between 1940 and 1964, making examples above MS-66 exceptionally rare. That hidden difficulty explains why MS-68 examples have commanded breathtaking auction prices — including a record $43,475 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in June 2019.

 

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 prove that condition — not mintage — is the ultimate driver of value in this series.

Leading the list is the extraordinary 1949-D graded MS-68 (Mint State-68, meaning virtually flawless) by PCGS. It sold for $43,475 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions on June 27, 2019 — a result that shocked the numismatic community given the coin’s relatively high original mintage. Only three examples have been certified MS-68 at PCGS, three at NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company), and three approved by CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation), making this a true condition rarity.

The Philadelphia 1949 MS-68 CAC followed with a $17,625 result at Heritage Auctions on January 9, 2013. PCGS expert David Hall has described the 1949 Philadelphia issue as “one of the rarer Washingtons of the 1940s in Gem condition,” directly attributing its scarcity to the notoriously poor striking quality at the Philadelphia Mint that year.

Error varieties including the 1949-D OMM FS-601 and the 1949-D/D RPM FS-501 also appear in the top tier rankings, confirming strong collector demand for manufacturing anomalies from this year.

 

History of the 1949 Quarter

The 1949 Washington Quarter tells a story of post-war economic adjustment, minting challenges, and a design that has endured for nearly a century.

The Washington Quarter series began in 1932 as a commemorative issue honoring the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. Sculptor John Flanagan won a design competition organized by the U.S. Treasury and the Fine Arts Commission. His obverse portrait of Washington was based on a 1786 bust created by the French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon — the same likeness that appears on the coin today.

By 1949, the United States was four years into peacetime economic recovery. Demand for coinage had shifted dramatically from the wartime peaks of the early 1940s, which explains why combined 1949 production at Philadelphia and Denver (about 19.4 million) was a fraction of what the three mints had produced just a few years earlier.

Critically, 1949 was also a year marked by poor minting quality at the Philadelphia Mint. Researchers at PCGS have documented that the 1949-P Washington Quarter — along with the 1949-P Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, and Franklin Half Dollar — ranks among the weakest-struck Philadelphia issues of the entire 1940–1964 period. Worn dies and inadequate quality control meant most coins left the press with soft details and reduced luster, severely limiting the number of high-grade survivors today.

The Denver Mint performed somewhat better in 1949, producing coins with marginally sharper strikes. This explains why the 1949-D is described by PCGS as “marginally easier to find in Gem condition than the 1949,” even though Denver struck more coins that year.

Both varieties maintained the classic 90% silver and 10% copper composition that had been standard since 1932. Each coin contains exactly 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver, giving every 1949 quarter a measurable precious metal floor value regardless of condition.

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

 

Is Your 1949 Quarter Rare?

Both 1949 Washington Quarter varieties rank as “Scarce” within the Washington Quarter series — but the real rarity story lies at the high end of the grading scale, not in circulated condition.

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 both varieties faced comparable attrition over decades of circulation.

In circulated grades (Good through AU-58), both coins are accessible to collectors. The real challenge begins at MS-65 and above. The notoriously poor strike quality of 1949 Philadelphia issues means coins that technically grade MS-65 often lack the sharp detail and full luster that advanced collectors demand. The PCGS population at MS-68 remains at just three coins for the Philadelphia issue — a number that has not changed in years, suggesting the supply of hidden MS-68 examples is essentially exhausted.

For Denver, the slightly better strike quality gives collectors somewhat more options in Gem grades, though MS-68 examples remain extraordinarily rare at just three PCGS-certified coins.

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

 

Key Features of the 1949 Quarter

The 1949 Washington Quarter entered its 18th year of production with the same iconic design that debuted in 1932. Unlike the wartime years when three mints ran at full capacity, 1949 saw only Philadelphia and Denver contribute to quarter production, with San Francisco absent from quarter production entirely.

The obverse of the 1949 quarter

The obverse of the 1949 quarter features John Flanagan’s portrait of George Washington in left-facing profile, derived from Jean-Antoine Houdon’s 1786 bust. “LIBERTY” curves along the upper left, “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears to the left of the portrait, and the date “1949” sits below Washington’s neck — just above Flanagan’s small “JF” initials, which are a design feature and not a mint mark.

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. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs above the eagle, while “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (Out of Many, One) appears on a banner in the eagle’s beak. “QUARTER DOLLAR” sits at the bottom, and Denver coins show a small “D” mint mark directly below the eagle — the primary way to distinguish the two 1949 varieties.

Other features of the 1949 quarter

The 1949 quarter contains 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.3mm and a reeded edge with 119 ridges. Each coin holds exactly 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver — to find the current melt value, simply multiply the live silver spot price by 0.18084. The composition remained unchanged until 1965, when the U.S. Mint switched to copper-nickel clad coinage, making all pre-1965 Washington quarters valuable for their precious metal content alone.

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, totaling just over 19.3 million coins — a steep drop from 1948, when combined output from three mints exceeded 47 million pieces.

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 Denver’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 Denver’s 9.9321% with about 1,000,000 surviving pieces. However, survival rate across all grades tells only part of the story — the survival rate of high-grade examples (MS-65 and above) is far smaller, a direct consequence of the poor strike quality that plagued Philadelphia production in 1949.

Understanding this distinction helps collectors set realistic expectations: circulated 1949 quarters are accessible, but certified gem examples require patience, expertise, and a meaningful budget.

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 (grade) and its mint mark — or the absence of one — on the reverse below the eagle.

Worn pieces in Fine condition generally sell for $11–$14, while uncirculated coins graded MS-63 (Choice Uncirculated — a few blemishes but strong luster) can reach $50–$60 for Philadelphia and $40–$50 for Denver examples. Gem-quality MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated — strong luster, sharp details, minimal marks) specimens can exceed $70 each, and they are genuinely difficult to find because of the 1949 Philadelphia strike issues.

You can determine accurate pricing by referencing the PCGS Price Guide or NGC Coin Explorer online, visiting reputable coin dealers, or obtaining professional certification. 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 two 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 — that tiny letter is the fastest way to tell the two apart.

Each variety has different mintage figures and availability in the collector market, with Denver producing slightly more at over 10 million pieces versus Philadelphia’s 9.3 million. Both share the same silver composition and design features, but the Philadelphia issue’s poor strike quality means that genuinely sharp, well-preserved examples are rarer than raw mintage numbers suggest.

These two varieties offer collectors accessible entry points into the post-World War II era of Washington quarter production, with room to discover exceptional examples for those willing to search carefully.

 

1949 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

The 1949 Philadelphia quarter (no mint mark) stands as one of the most challenging Washington Quarters to find in truly high grades, thanks to a documented history of poor die quality at the Philadelphia Mint in 1949. PCGS CoinFacts explicitly notes this is among the worst Philadelphia issues produced between 1940 and 1964, explaining why examples above MS-66 are extraordinarily rare.

The auction record for this issue is $17,625, achieved by a PCGS MS-68 CAC coin at Heritage Auctions on January 9, 2013. CAC approval (from the Certified Acceptance Corporation) means an independent expert verified the coin met the high end of its grade — a significant endorsement for such a challenging date. PCGS expert David Hall has described the 1949 no-mint-mark as “a pretty tough BU roll to find in quantity” in its day and “one of the rarer Washingtons of the 1940s in Gem condition” today.

For collectors who appreciate the silver bullion angle, each coin contains 0.18084 oz of pure silver, providing a floor value that moves with the silver market regardless of grade.

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 is the highest-mintage issue of the year at 10,068,400 pieces, yet it achieved the single most stunning price result in the series — $43,475 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions on June 27, 2019. That record-shattering sale reflected a coin graded PCGS MS-68, a standard achieved by only three known examples across all grading services.

Before that landmark result, earlier MS-68 examples of the 1949-D sold for $17,256 in April 2010 and $17,038 at the 2013 FUN (Florida United Numismatists) convention auction — already eye-catching prices that foreshadowed the coin’s eventual trajectory. PCGS notes that the 1949-D is “marginally easier to find in Gem condition than the 1949,” meaning slightly more MS-65 and MS-66 examples survive, but the MS-68 population remains identical at just three coins.

In circulated grades, the 1949-D is the more affordable of the two varieties — typically valued around $10 in Fine and $35–$43 in MS-63. This accessibility at the lower end contrasts sharply with its near-impossible rarity at the top, making the 1949-D a fascinating study in condition rarity.

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 features two well-documented mint error varieties, both from the Denver Mint. These errors occurred because mint marks were punched into working dies by hand in 1949 — a process that left room for human error and created the distinctive doubled impressions collectors prize today.

Both varieties are catalogued in the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties (the standard reference for U.S. coin varieties) and recognized by PCGS under the FS (Fivaz-Stanton) variety attribution system.

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

An OMM — short for Over Mint Mark — occurs when one mint mark impression is punched directly over a prior, misaligned, or incorrect impression on the working die. The result is visible under magnification as a shadow or ghost impression surrounding or underlying the primary “D.”

On the 1949-D OMM FS-601, the secondary impression is most clearly visible on the lower portion of the “D” mint mark, where the original punch left a partial outline before the correct punch was applied. This variety tells a direct story about the hand-punching process used at the Denver Mint in 1949 — a labor-intensive method that was later replaced by more precise mechanical techniques.

Collectors value this error both for its visual impact under magnification and for the historical context it provides. Well-preserved examples with sharp, easily visible doubling command the strongest premiums above regular 1949-D values.

 

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

An RPM — short for Repunched Mint Mark — occurs when the mint mark punch was applied to the die more than once, with a slight shift in position between strikes. Unlike the OMM error, both impressions on an RPM are the same letter from the same mint — just slightly offset.

On the 1949-D/D RPM FS-501, the “D” mint mark was punched twice with the second impression shifted slightly relative to the first. The resulting doubled outline is most visible on the lower loop of the “D,” where the secondary impression creates a distinct shadow or stepped appearance. The designation “D/D” in the coin’s name signals that a Denver “D” was punched over another Denver “D.”

This variety appeared in the Top 10 Most Valuable 1949 Quarter rankings, confirming active collector demand. Under 10x magnification (a standard coin loupe), the RPM doubling is clearly visible on sharp examples, making this an accessible and rewarding cherry-pick for collectors who examine 1949-D quarters carefully.

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 PCGS or NGC 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 Value

1. Is a 1949 quarter worth anything?

Yes — every 1949 quarter is worth more than face value due to its 90% silver content. Each coin contains 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver, which at current prices gives it a melt value of roughly $14–$18 depending on the silver spot price. Higher-grade examples and error varieties are worth significantly more, with MS-68 coins fetching as much as $43,475 at major auction houses.

2. Is a 1949 quarter silver?

Yes — the 1949 quarter is 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams. This silver composition was standard for Washington Quarters from 1932 through 1964, when the U.S. Mint switched to copper-nickel clad. You can verify a 1949 quarter is silver by checking the edge: a solid silver-colored edge (no copper stripe) confirms the 90% silver composition.

3. What is the 1949 quarter value with no mint mark?

The 1949 no-mint-mark quarter (Philadelphia issue) is worth about $11–$14 in Fine condition and $50–$60 in MS-63 (Choice Uncirculated). Gem MS-65 examples sell for approximately $60–$80, while the all-time auction record — a PCGS MS-68 CAC — reached $17,625 at Heritage Auctions in January 2013.

4. Why is the 1949 Philadelphia quarter hard to find in high grades?

PCGS CoinFacts documents that 1949 was a notoriously poor year for strike quality at the Philadelphia Mint. The 1949-P Washington Quarter ranks among the weakest Philadelphia strikes produced between 1940 and 1964, the result of worn dies and inadequate quality control. Finding examples above MS-66 is extremely difficult, and only three PCGS-certified MS-68 coins are known for the Philadelphia issue.

5. What is the 1949-D quarter worth?

The 1949-D quarter is worth approximately $10–$13 in Fine condition, $35–$50 in MS-63, and around $43–$74 in MS-65. At the highest levels, the 1949-D MS-68 set the all-time record for this date at $43,475 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions on June 27, 2019 — the top result in the entire Washington Quarter series for that year.

6. How much silver is in a 1949 quarter?

Each 1949 Washington Quarter contains exactly 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver. To calculate its current melt value, multiply 0.18084 by the live silver spot price. For example, if silver is trading at $90 per troy ounce, the melt value of any 1949 quarter is approximately $16.28 — setting the absolute floor price for any example regardless of condition.

7. What are the error varieties for 1949 quarters?

Two documented error varieties exist for the 1949 issue, both from the Denver Mint. The 1949-D OMM FS-601 is an Over Mint Mark error where one “D” impression was punched over another misaligned impression. The 1949-D/D RPM FS-501 is a Repunched Mint Mark where the “D” was punched twice in slightly different positions. Both are visible under 10x magnification and command premiums above standard 1949-D values.

8. Did the San Francisco Mint make 1949 quarters?

No — the San Francisco Mint did not strike Washington Quarters in 1949. Only Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (“D” mint mark) produced quarters that year. San Francisco did continue producing other denominations in 1949, but chose not to participate in quarter production — one reason the combined mintage that year was so much lower than surrounding years.

9. How can I tell if my 1949 quarter is a Philadelphia or Denver coin?

Flip the coin over to the reverse (eagle side). Look directly below the eagle for a small letter — if you see a “D,” you have the Denver Mint variety. If there is no letter, you have the Philadelphia issue. Use a magnifying glass for clarity since the mint mark is small. The Denver “D” mint mark appears below the eagle, above the “Q” in “QUARTER DOLLAR.”

10. Should I clean my 1949 quarter before selling it?

Never clean a 1949 quarter — or any collectible coin. Cleaning removes the natural patina and original surface luster, permanently damaging the coin’s grade and value. A cleaned coin that might otherwise grade MS-63 could be rejected by PCGS or NGC for “cleaning” and assigned a lower “details” grade, cutting its value significantly. Professional graders can detect even light cleaning under magnification, so the only safe approach is to leave the coin in its natural state.