Coin Value Contents Table
If you are reading this article, you are probably interested in the value of the 1950 Silver Quarter! Whether you found one or thinking about buying one, these coins are very appealing to collectors for their metal composition and the interesting design featuring Washington!
The 1950 Quarters are not particularly scarce, meaning you can quickly come across them and buy them in different conditions. Given that they are made of 90% silver, you can sell them for their worth in silver, which fluctuates.
The 1950 Quarter in the average state can cost you from $6 to $8, which is not exceptionally high. However, certain specimens of the 1950 Quarters can be precious if they are in mint states and have a defect. Let’s check the value, history, varieties, grading, and defects of the 1950 Quarter.
1950 Quarter Details
- Category: Washington Quarters
- Mint: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
- Total Mintage: 56,279,730
- Obverse/Reverse Designer: John Flanagan
- Composition: 90% Silver and 10% Copper
- Fineness:9
- Weight:25g
- ASW:1808oz
- Melt Value: $4.40
- Diameter:3mm
- Edge: Reeded
The 1950 Washington Quarter had a high mintage of 56, 278,830, which means that these coins are readily available and can be easily purchased, especially in lower grades. The coins were minted at three mints, including Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
John Flanagan, the sculptor, engraver, and medallic artist, made the coin’s design. The obverse features the bust of George Washington, the first American president and one of the Founding Fathers.
The president’s bust is facing the left, and the inscription “LIBERTY” is above his head. On the left side of the coin is the American motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The mintage date is right underneath Washington’s truncated torso or at the lower rim.
The reverse is a bit more complex in design and displays the American Bald Eagle at the center of the coin with its wings outstretched. The eagle holds arrows in his talons, and we see two olive branches underneath the bird.
Above the eagle’s head is the second American motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” divided into two rows, meaning “One from many.” The capitalized inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is alongside the upper coin’s rim.
The coin’s denomination is placed underneath the eagle and the olive branches “QUARTER DOLLAR.” Between the denomination and the olive branches is the mint mark.
1950 Quarter Value Chart |
|||||
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extra Fine | MS 60 | MS 65 |
| 1950 No Mint Mark Quarter Value | $6 | $6 | $6 | $10 | $40 |
| 1950 D Quarter Value | $6 | $6 | $6 | $10 | $36 |
| 1950 S Quarter Value | $6 | $6 | $6 | $11 | $35 |
| 1950 Proof Quarter Value | / | / | / | $32 | $80 |
1950 Quarter Grading
The most complex issue regarding the coins is the grading process, which seems challenging and confusing, especially for those new to the field.
The most popular and known grading agencies are the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), which use the Sheldon scale.
| # | Grade |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basal State-1 |
| 2 | Fair |
| 3 | Very Fair |
| 4, 5, 6 | Good |
| 7, 8, 10 | Very Good |
| 12, 15 | Fine |
| 20, 30 | Very Fine |
| 40 | Extremely Fine |
| 50 | About Uncirculated |
| 60 | Mint State |
| 65 | Mint State |
| 70 | Mint State |
Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.
Check out now: How to Grade Washington Quarter?
1950 Quarter Value and Varieties Guide
So, given that the coin’s weight is 0.20094 troy ounces or 6.25 grams, the current value or melt value of the coin is $4. The 1950 Quarter has a relatively high mintage, so finding these coins will not be challenging.
Given the total mintage number, the value of the 1950 Quarter mainly depends on the coin’s condition, such as whether it is in mint state or below.
Furthermore, specific errors can boost the price of the 1950 Quarter. Either way, many collectors seek this coin due to its design and metal composition. The fact that it features the first American president raises its value among collectors who want to have it, regardless of its value.
1950 No Mint Mark Quarter Value
- Mint: Philadelphia
- Designer: John Flanagan
- Mintage: 24, 920,126
- Composition: 90% and 10% copper
- Mass: 6.25g (20094 troy ounces)
- Face value: $0.25 (25 cents)
- Diameter: 24.2mm (0.95512 inches)
- Shape: Round
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: /
- Thickness: 1.75mm (0.06889)
The Philadelphia Mint had the highest mintage number in the series-24,920,126. Most of these circulated, meaning they have visible marks and tears and can be easily found in lower grades.
Considering the high mintage, they are not particularly valuable in average condition or sought-after, which explains why they cost around $6. However, the pieces in mint states can reach $10 or even more.
The price for specimens in fine or extra fine condition does not differ gravely; those pieces cost around $6. As noted, the 1950 Quarters in mint state and with a defect cost a fortune.
The mint mark also plays a role in the value of the coins, and the ones minted in Philadelphia are not very interesting to collectors unless they have a high grade, such as MS 68 which can cost over $300.
1950 D Quarter value
- Mint: Denver
- Designer: John Flanagan
- Mintage:21, 075,000
- Composition: 90% and 10% copper
- Mass: 6.25g (20094 troy ounces)
- Face value: $0.25 (25 cents)
- Diameter: 24.2mm (0.95512 inches)
- Shape: Round
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: D
- Thickness: 1.75mm (0.06889)
The Denver had the second-highest mintage in the series, which renders these coins very common and easily accessible. Therefore, in lower, average, and fine conditions, they are not very popular unless the collectors value the coins as a tangible piece of history with the image of Washington.
The difference in total mintage between Denver and Philadelphia Mint is not very high, and the price range for the 1950 D Quarters is also similar to those with no mint mark-they are usually worth around $6 in fine or average condition.
The price for the 1950 D Quarter in uncirculated condition ranges between $10 and $450. The most crucial factor that might turn the situation upside down in terms of value is the presence of errors.
For example, the 1950 Quarter with a D mint mark over an S mint mark, and in MS 67 sold for over $29,000.
1950 S Quarter Value
- Mint: San Francisco
- Designer: John Flanagan
- Mintage:10, 0285,004
- Composition: 90% and 10% copper
- Mass: 6.25g (20094 troy ounces)
- Face value: $0.25 (25 cents)
- Diameter: 24.2mm (0.95512 inches)
- Shape: Round
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: S
- Thickness: 1.75mm (0.06889)
The San Francisco Mint had the lowest mintage in the series, but interestingly these coins are also not very collectible in lower grades. The condition ultimately dictates the value of a coin, and when certain coins are abundant, such as the 1950 quarters, they are not very valuable.
Hence, expect to pay $6 for the 1950 S Quarter in fine condition. Those pieces in higher grades or mint states are the most attractive and in demand.
For the 1950 S Quarter in MS 66, expect to pay around $70 or even more. Ultimately, the collectors or buyers also set the price to be able to overpay or underpay a specific coin.
Then, the coins, regardless of their high condition, can be sold for $30, but also the same specimen with D over S mint mark error can cost several thousand. This is why coin grading and generally determining value is confusing to people.
1950 Proof Quarter Value
- Mint: Philadelphia
- Designer: John Flanagan
- Mintage: 51, 386
- Composition: 90% and 10% copper
- Mass: 6.25g (20094 troy ounces)
- Face value: $0.25 (25 cents)
- Diameter: 24.2mm (0.95512 inches)
- Shape: Round
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: /
- Thickness: 1.75mm (0.06889)
The Philadelphia Mint also struck 1950 Proof Quarters– 51, 386. The mintage of proof coins is generally very low compared to the other series because the purpose of these coins was not for circulation.
Therefore, these coins are also always in good condition, and interestingly, they were made using a different minting process from the other series. The purpose of the proofs is for archival purposes.
They have the finest quality as they were treated specially, hand-polished, and have a high-quality strike. The proofs are also graded with the Sheldon scale, used for grading other coins, and it assigns grades ranging from 1 through 70.
The 1950 Proof Quarters are high value; their price range starts at $100 and can reach $10,000 or even more.
Also read: Top 16 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money
1950 Quarter History
Washington quarters were first produced in 1932 and are still minted to this day. These quarters with the image of Washington replaced the Standing Liberty Quarter.
The design featuring the image of George Washington was chosen because the bicentennial anniversary of Washington’s birth was approaching. What better way to honor the anniversary than to put his bust on the new quarter?
Initially, the design was supposed to be done by Laura Fraser, who was hired by the bicentennial committee. However, even though her work was supported by the Commission of Fine Arts, Andrew Mellon, the Treasury Secretary, opted for Flanagan’s design.
The coins started circulating in August 1932 and were made of silver until 1965, when the Mint switched to copper-nickel coinage. Interestingly the coin’s design was changed throughout the years, and in 1999, Washington’s bust was slightly changed and made smaller than the original one.
Also, the reverse design was modified in 1999 to commemorate the 50 states and various American historical and natural sites. The original Flanagan design was kept on the obverse, and the reverse saw some modifications depending on the mintage date.
Also read: Top 13 Most Valuable State Quarters Worth Money
Rare 1950 Quarter Errors List
1. 1950 Quarter D over S Mint Mark Error
The most valuable error found on the Washington quarters is the D mint mark over the S mint mark.
This error happens when the wrong die is used to strike the mint mark, and then the correct one is laid over the first one.
In AU 55, the 1950 Quarter with this error is worth around $150, while the exact specimen in MS 64 is worth $1,400 or more. In MS 65, the 1950 D Quarter can cost up to $3,500.
2. 1950 Quarter S over D Mint Mark Error
This error is almost the same as the one mentioned, with the difference in the mint mark initially struck on the coin. In this case, the S is over the D mint mark, and this error is a bit less valuable than D over the S mint mark error.
In AU 55, you can expect to pay up to $200, while for the exact specimen in MS 63, expect to pay around $500. MS 65’s 1950 Quarter with this error is worth around $1,000.
3. 1950 Quarter Double Die Reverse Error
A common mistake or defect on Washington quarters is double die reverse, which refers to doubling or duplicating design elements. This defect happens due to the incorrect manufacturing process caused by the misalignment of the die or the hub in the hubbing process.
For 1950 No Mint Mark Quarter with double die reverse (DDR) in AU 55 condition, you can get around $25. The same specimen in MS 63 can cost around $35, while in MS 65, it can reach $100. On the other hand, the 1950 D Quarter in MS 65 with this type of error can cost around $150.
4. 1950 Quarter Re-punched Mint Mark Error
The re-punched mint mark occurs when the letter punch used to create the mint mark leaves two impressions or the image of the same mint mark twice. Basically, the same mint mark was punched twice onto the coin under different angles, resulting in almost a doubling effect.
This very lucrative error is worth big bucks on most coins, not only 1950 Washington Quarters. In AU 55, the 1950 D Quarter is worth around $40, while the exact specimen in MS 63 can cost around $80.
For the same piece in MS 65, you can expect to pay around $150.
Also read: 17 Most Valuable Quarter Errors Worth Money
Where to Sell Your 1950 Quarter ?
Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons.
Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)
1950 Quarter FAQ
Are 1950 quarters worth anything?
The 1950 Washington Quarters were made of silver, meaning you can always get their value in silver. The melt value is around $4.50. Generally, in fine condition, they cost around $6.
Is a 1950 quarter all silver?
The 1950 Washington Quarter’s metal composition is 90% silver and 10% copper.
What is the rarest date in a quarter?
The most attractive and rarest date on a quarter is the 1932 Washington Quarter due to its very low total mintage number, which was 6.2 million. The Denver and San Francisco Mint produced less than half a million coins in 1932, making them rare and collectible.
In circulated conditions, they can be worth from $150 to $1,230.
