1957 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1957 Washington Quarter represents one of the final chapters in America’s silver coinage era, struck just eight years before the Coinage Act of 1965 authorized the production of copper-nickel clad coins to replace silver quarters, marking the end of an era for silver quarters.

Washington quarters were struck in silver until 1964, when silver prices skyrocketed, and the Mint transitioned to the use of copper in the production of coins, making 1957’s 90% silver composition increasingly precious to collectors.

Today’s values reflect this historical significance: while circulated examples trade near silver content at $6.00-$6.17, proof specimens command premiums from $18.75 for regular proofs to $738.40 for Deep Cameo examples, demonstrating how these final silver quarters have evolved from everyday currency into treasured reminders of America’s precious metal heritage.

 

1957 Quarter Value By Variety

The 1957 quarter offers several collecting opportunities across different varieties, from affordable circulated business strikes worth $6-7 to premium proof coins, with the rare Deep Cameo proofs commanding over $1,500 due to their exceptional contrast and scarcity.

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 1957 Quarter Worth Money

The 1957 quarter showcases the dramatic divide between business strikes and proof varieties, with the 1957-D MS68 and 1957 DCAM 69 both commanding identical $11,400 values at the top. Denver’s massive production of approximately 77,924,160 quarters—the most since 1944—creates abundant supply, yet finding MS68 examples remains exceptionally challenging.

The Deep Cameo proof varieties dominate the value rankings despite their large original mintage of over 1.2 million pieces, with DCAM examples surviving at only 2.64% rates, creating genuine scarcity that drives premium pricing.

The striking visual contrast that defines DCAM proofs—frosted devices against deeply mirrored fields—requires perfect die preparation and can only be achieved during the earliest strikes from fresh dies.

Regular proof coins at PR69 ($548) demonstrate how dramatically the cameo effect impacts value, as the DCAM designation transforms the same grade into a $11,400 coin.

Business strike pricing shows more gradual progression, with MS67 examples ranging from $646-$960 and MS66 pieces around $230, reflecting the natural scarcity curve at higher preservation levels.

To explore how these 1957 varieties compare against the most valuable Washington quarters across all dates and discover which issues command the highest premiums, check out our comprehensive 100 Most Valuable Washington Quarters Worth Money ranking.

 

History of the 1957 Quarter

The 1957 quarter belongs to the Washington quarter dollar series, first struck in 1932 to commemorate President George Washington’s bicentennial birth anniversary.

Preparations for the bicentennial celebrations began almost ten years earlier when Congress established a Bicentennial Commission in 1924. This group, however, became dormant and was replaced by a new Commission in 1930 to oversee the celebrations, which would include the introduction of a Washington coin.

The Commission proposed replacing the Walking Liberty half dollar with the new Washington coin. But Congress was more inclined to replace the Standing Liberty Quarter instead.

Although half-heartedly, it was agreed that the new Washington coin would replace the Standing Liberty Quarter. The Commission already had a designer in mind, Lauren Gardin Fraser, for the new commemorative quarter dollar.

Although Fraser had extensive experience designing coins, the Treasury rejected the Commission’s choice and instead opted to hold a competition to find another designer.

Ultimately, the Mint and Treasury chose designer John Flanagan to create the obverse and reverse designs. Flanagan based his design on a 1785 Washington portrait designed by sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.

Production of the new Washington Quarter began in early July 1932, and by August, the Mint began releasing these quarter dollars into circulation.

Washington quarters were struck in silver until 1964, when silver prices skyrocketed, and the Mint transitioned to the use of copper in the production of coins.

As you will see in the following sections, Washington quarters, including those produced in 1957, are highly collectible, especially in uncirculated condition.

This is one of the longest-running coin series in American coinage history, but this fact does not take away from the coin’s collectability within numismatic circles.

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

 

Is your 1957 Quarter rare?

Use our CoinValueChecker App to instantly assess the specific rarity and current value of your 1957 quarter varieties.

 

Key Features of the 1957 Quarter

John Flanagan’s Washington quarter design continued its mature form in 1957, maintaining the refined elements established over two decades of production.

During this record-breaking mintage year, both Philadelphia and Denver mints produced quarters using well-established dies, though production challenges would create unique striking variations that distinguish 1957 quarters from other years in the series.

The Obverse of the 1957 Quarter

The 1957 quarter obverse displays George Washington’s dignified left-facing profile surrounded by:

• LIBERTY inscribed above along the rim
• 1957 (the date) positioned below
• IN GOD WE TRUST along the left side
• JF initials (John Flanagan’s mark) at the base of Washington’s neck

The Reverse of the 1957 Quarter

The reverse continues Flanagan’s iconic heraldic eagle design featuring:

• A centrally positioned American bald eagle with outstretched wings
• Arrow bundle beneath the eagle’s talons, symbolizing military strength
• Two olive branches representing peace
• QUARTER DOLLAR inscription below
• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the top
• E PLURIBUS UNUM motto
• Mint mark D positioned between the eagle’s tail and QUARTER DOLLAR (Philadelphia coins have no mint mark)

Other features of the 1957 Quarter

The 1957 quarters maintain the classic Washington specifications with 25 cents face value and premium 90% silver composition containing 0.1808 troy ounces (5.623 g) of pure silver within the total weight of 0.2204 troy ounces (6.25 g).

Each perfectly round specimen features a reeded edge with standardized dimensions of 0.06870 inches (1.75 mm) thickness and 0.95669 inches (24.3 mm) diameter, representing the continued tradition of silver quarters that would end just seven years later with the 1965 composition change.

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

 

1957 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

The 1957 quarter mintage and survival data reveals fascinating insights into both business strike and proof production during this record-breaking year.

Denver dominated with nearly 78 million quarters compared to Philadelphia’s 46.5 million, yet both varieties show remarkably similar survival rates around 10%.

This translates to approximately 7.79 million surviving Denver quarters versus 4.65 million Philadelphia examples, with Denver’s massive production creating the largest surviving population of any single Washington quarter variety.

The proof story is dramatically different, showcasing the rarity pyramid that makes collecting so compelling.

While over 1.2 million proofs were originally struck, survival rates drop precipitously based on quality level. Regular proofs maintain a healthy 42% survival rate with 525,000 examples remaining, but Cameo proofs plummet to just 12.8% survival (160,000 pieces), and the coveted Deep Cameo variety survives at only 2.6% – a mere 33,000 specimens from the original mintage.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1957 Quarter Value

Evaluating your 1957 quarter requires understanding three critical factors. First, assess business strike quality—Philadelphia’s weak strikes from worn dies contrast sharply with Denver’s superior production, creating $685-832 value gaps at MS67 grade.

Second, identify proof finish types—regular proofs trade at $26 while Deep Cameo specimens command $1,553 due to their 2.64% survival rate. Third, recognize error varieties like Type B Reverse hybrids using mixed proof/business dies, worth $200+.

The 90% silver content provides $6-7 baseline value, but identifying cameo contrast—frosted devices against mirrored fields—multiplies worth exponentially. Strike weakness on Philadelphia issues versus Denver’s sharp details significantly impacts grading potential.

CoinValueChecker App eliminates guesswork—photograph your quarter to instantly distinguish proof finishes from business strikes, detect cameo designations, identify Type B Reverse errors, and receive accurate valuations reflecting survival data and market premiums for this final-era silver quarter.

 

1957 Quarter Guides

• 1957 No Mint Mark Quarter (Philadelphia)
• 1957-D Quarter (Denver)
• 1957 Proof Quarter (Philadelphia)
• 1957 Cameo Proof Quarter (Philadelphia)
• 1957 Deep Cameo Proof Quarter (Philadelphia)

The 1957 Washington quarter series offers collectors an unusually diverse range of varieties, from business strikes to premium proof finishes. Philadelphia produced both regular strikes and an extensive proof program totaling over 1.2 million specimens, while Denver focused solely on business strike production with a record-breaking 77.9 million coins.

The proof varieties showcase different levels of contrast and eye appeal, from standard proofs to the highly coveted Deep Cameo examples with frosted devices and mirror-like fields. This variety makes 1957 an interesting year for collectors seeking both affordable entry points and challenging condition rarities within a single date.

 

1957 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

The 1957 No Mint Mark quarter from Philadelphia stands out as a fascinating study in production challenges and collector opportunity. With 46.5 million coins struck, these quarters were generally poorly struck due to Philadelphia mint workers using worn and re-polished dies carried over from 1956’s record production year.

In an attempt to improve quality, the mint experimented with proof dies on some regular strikes, creating coins with dull obverses but brighter, sharper reverses – a unique characteristic specific to 1957. This production inconsistency makes gem-quality examples exceptionally rare, with most specimens showing strike weakness that dramatically impacts their collectibility and value.

Premium examples and condition rarities have achieved notable results at major numismatic auctions over the decades.

The ongoing collector interest in these challenging Philadelphia quarters continues to generate steady market activity across all grade levels.

 

1957-D Quarter Value

The 1957-D quarter from Denver represents a remarkable achievement in mint production, striking a record-breaking 77.9 million coins – the highest mintage in Washington quarter history since 1944. What makes this variety particularly special is Denver’s superior striking quality compared to Philadelphia’s problematic production that same year.

While Philadelphia struggled with worn dies and inconsistent strikes, Denver maintained high production standards, resulting in better-defined details and more available gem-quality specimens.

This technical superiority, combined with the massive mintage, created an unusual situation where high-grade examples are more accessible despite the enormous production numbers, making 1957-D quarters popular among collectors seeking well-struck silver quarters.

Top-quality specimens and condition rarities have established impressive performance records at prestigious numismatic auction houses throughout the years.

The sustained collector appreciation for Denver’s superior striking quality continues to drive active market participation across all collecting levels.

 

1957 Proof Quarter Value

The 1957 Proof quarter from Philadelphia represents a pivotal moment in US Mint proof production, with an enormous mintage of 1.24 million pieces that shocked the numismatic community.

What makes this variety particularly notable is how excessive speculation around 1956 proof sets led collectors to over-order 1957 sets, forcing the mint to strike unprecedented quantities to meet demand. This massive production unfortunately compromised quality, as proof dies became worn and over-polished, resulting in coins that lacked the sharp detail and brilliant contrast expected from proof coinage.

The market immediately collapsed when collectors realized the huge mintage, creating a cautionary tale about speculation in numismatics and establishing 1957 proofs as accessible entry points into proof collecting.

Exceptional quality examples and rare contrast varieties have achieved solid results at major auction events over the collecting decades.

The enduring appeal of affordable proof quarters continues to maintain consistent market interest among both novice and experienced collectors.

 

1957 CAM Quarter Value

The 1957 Cameo Proof quarter represents a significant step up in visual appeal and scarcity from regular 1957 proofs, featuring frosted devices that contrast beautifully against mirror-like fields.

What makes this variety particularly special is its survival rate of just 12.8%, meaning only about 160,000 examples remain from the original 1.24 million proof mintage. This dramatic attrition reflects the rigorous standards required for Cameo designation – many proofs that initially displayed contrast have lost their frosting over time through handling or environmental factors.

The $77 premium over regular proofs demonstrates how collectors value the enhanced eye appeal and technical quality that proper Cameo contrast provides, making these coins sought-after upgrades for proof set collectors.

Premium Cameo examples and exceptional quality specimens have delivered strong performance records at numismatic auction houses throughout the years.

The growing appreciation for proof varieties with superior contrast continues to fuel active collector interest in these visually striking quarters.

 

1957 DCAM Quarter Value

The 1957 Deep Cameo Proof quarter represents the pinnacle of 1957 proof production, featuring dramatic contrast between heavily frosted devices and deeply mirrored fields that creates a stunning cameo effect.

What makes this variety exceptionally special is its minuscule 2.64% survival rate, meaning only about 33,000 examples remain from the original 1.24 million proof mintage – making it nearly 16 times rarer than regular proofs. This extreme scarcity reflects the rigorous standards for Deep Cameo designation, requiring perfect preservation of the original frosting and mirror surfaces that most proofs have lost over six decades.

The remarkable $1,553 value compared to $26 for regular proofs demonstrates the premium collectors place on this ultimate expression of proof craftsmanship and rarity.

The finest Deep Cameo specimens and record-setting examples have achieved exceptional results at premier numismatic auction events over the years.

The intense collector demand for these ultimate condition rarities continues to drive premium market activity among serious proof specialists.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1957 Quarter Error List

Error coins add excitement to 1957 quarter collecting, transforming common high-mintage coins into valuable numismatic treasures.

With over 125 million quarters produced across Philadelphia and Denver that year, minting mistakes were inevitable, creating unique varieties that often command significant premiums over regular strikes and offer collectors fascinating insights into the minting process.

1. 1957 Type B Reverse FS-901

The 1957 Type B Reverse FS-901 represents the most common and distinctive error in the entire 1957 Washington quarter series.

This fascinating variety occurred when Philadelphia mint workers, struggling with poorly striking regular dies, resorted to using proof dies on the reverse while maintaining regular dies on the obverse. The result creates coins with characteristically dull obverses showing weak strike details, contrasted by bright, sharp reverses with proof-like qualities and superior definition.

This hybrid striking technique was an attempt to improve the overall appearance of 1957 quarters during a year plagued by production challenges.

While relatively common among 1957 errors, Type B reverses still command premiums of $200 or more, making them accessible entry points into Washington quarter error collecting while representing a unique chapter in US Mint problem-solving during challenging production periods.

2. 1957-D Misplaced MM FS-501

The 1957-D Misplaced Mint Mark FS-501 represents a subtle but collectible error where Denver’s “D” mint mark appears slightly out of its normal position on the reverse.

Instead of being perfectly centered between the “E” and “R” in “QUARTER DOLLAR,” the mint mark is shifted noticeably toward the “R,” creating an obvious misalignment visible to collectors. This error occurred when the mint mark punching tool was positioned incorrectly during the die preparation process. While not as dramatic as some minting errors, the misplaced mint mark is readily identifiable and adds significant value to what would otherwise be a common 1957-D quarter.

Depending on the degree of misplacement and overall coin condition, these errors typically command premiums of $200-270, making them attractive targets for error coin enthusiasts seeking affordable entry points into Washington quarter variety collecting.

3. 1957-D Re-engraved TF FS-901

The 1957-D Re-engraved TF FS-901 represents a fascinating die preparation error where the letters “TF” in “TRUST” show evidence of re-engraving or strengthening during the die-making process.

This error occurred when mint engravers attempted to sharpen or correct the letter details on a working die, creating visible doubling or strengthened lines within the “TF” portion of “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The re-engraving is most apparent under magnification, where collectors can observe the enhanced letter definition that differs from the surrounding text. This type of die modification error reflects the mint’s quality control efforts during 1957’s challenging production year.

While more subtle than dramatic doubled dies, the re-engraved TF variety appeals to specialists who appreciate the technical aspects of die preparation and the historical context of Denver’s efforts to maintain striking quality during this high-mintage period.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 1957 Quarter ?

Whether you’re selling common circulated examples for their silver content or premium Deep Cameo proofs for serious collector money, 1957 quarters offer multiple paths to profit while representing an accessible entry point into the fascinating world of Washington quarter collecting.

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

 

1957 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1957 Quarter

Is a 1957 quarter made out of silver?

Yes, all Washington quarters before 1964, including those struck in 1957, are made of 95% silver and 10% copper. However, smelting these coins for their silver value is not recommended.

What is special about the 1957 quarter?

Honestly, there is nothing special about the 1957 quarter except for the fact that it recorded the highest mintage in the Washington quarter series since 1944. The 1957 quarter is, therefore, very common across all grades.

How much does a 1957 silver quarter weigh?

A 1957 quarter is pretty heavy, weighing $6.35 grams and measuring about 24 millimeters in diameter. The silver content in the coin contributes to the coin’s heaviness.