1965 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List & No Mint Mark Worth)

The year 1965 marked a pivotal transition in American coinage history when rising silver prices forced the elimination of silver content from quarters.

This compositional change from 90% silver to copper-nickel clad represented the end of an era. Regular 1965 quarters average $12.50 in MS condition, reflecting their clad composition and common availability.

However, Special Mint Set specimens command significant premiums, with cameo examples averaging $86.71 in MS grade and deep cameo versions reaching $310.67. This year represents both numismatic history and modern collecting opportunity.

 

1965 Quarter Value By Variety

The chart below reveals some surprising insights about 1965 quarter varieties and their market prices.

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 1965 Quarter Worth Money

The most valuable 1965 quarters reveal some stunning price realizations that challenge the common perception of these coins as worthless transition-year pieces.

Leading the pack is a remarkable 1965 MS-68 specimen that achieved an astounding $11,400 at auction, demonstrating that even common-date coins can reach extraordinary values in perfect condition.

The SMS varieties continue to impress, with a 1965 SMS MS-68 bringing $2,640, while error coins like the 1965 DDO FS-102 in MS-65 commanded $1,650.

What’s particularly interesting is how the condition dramatically affects values across all varieties. Regular business strikes show significant jumps from MS-63 ($528) to MS-67 ($1,440), while SMS coins maintain premium pricing even in lower grades.

These impressive results demonstrate that 1965 quarters, despite their common reputation, can surprise collectors with substantial returns when properly identified and preserved.

 

History of the 1965 Quarter

Quarter coins bearing the date of 1965 are part of the Washington quarter series.

The first Washington quarter was struck in 1932, commemorating the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth. Washington was the first president of the USA, and the coin was an important part of the bicentennial celebrations.

Those early coins contained 90% silver and 10% copper, but that composition changed dramatically in 1965. By the mid-1960s, silver prices were rising rapidly. The cost of producing silver coins was becoming problematic.

The increasing value of silver meant the public started hoarding coins. The intrinsic metal value was approaching the coins’ face value. This created a coin shortage crisis.

The Mint’s initial response was to continue issuing coins dated 1964 well into 1965. This strategy failed to stop people from removing silver coins from circulation.

In July 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Coinage Act of 1965. This legislation ended silver content in dimes and quarters. Future quarters would feature a copper core clad in copper-nickel alloy.

The new composition required design modifications. The harder metals demanded lower relief to capture design details properly.

All quarters dated 1965 were struck at Philadelphia without mint marks. This policy continued through 1967. Denver and San Francisco resumed quarter production in 1968, when mint marks returned to the reverse.

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

 

Is your 1965 Quarter rare?

For collectors looking to assess rarity across different grading services and get real-time market data, our CoinValueChecker App provides comprehensive rarity rankings and current valuations.

 

Key Features of the 1965 Quarter

The Washington quarters replaced the Standing Liberty quarters in 1932. Interestingly, there are no coins with this denomination minted in 1930 and 1933. All coins produced through 1964, including pre-1965 quarters, were made of 0.900 silver.

However, the 1965 quarter marked a pivotal transition, becoming the first Washington quarter produced with a copper-nickel clad composition instead of silver.

The Obverse of the 1965 Quarter

The obverse of all Washington quarters features the same portrait of George Washington, created by sculptor John Flanagan.

Originally, the plan was to celebrate Washington’s bicentenary with a half dollar designed by Laura Gardin Fraser. However, when it was decided to create a permanent quarter instead, Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon chose Flanagan’s design over Fraser’s recommendation.

Flanagan’s portrait, like Fraser’s, was based on an earlier bust by French artist Jean-Antoine Houdon. The design shows Washington in profile facing left, with “Liberty” curved along the top edge, the date at the bottom, and “In God We Trust” to the left of the portrait.

While later quarters would feature mint marks to the right of Washington, none of the 1965 quarters have mint marks.

The Reverse of the 1965 Quarter

It was also John Flanagan who designed the reverse of the Washington quarter. That shows an eagle, patriotic symbol of the USA, perched on a bundle of arrows. Its wings are outstretched, and below the image are two olive branches to symbolize peace.

When the first quarter was launched in 1932, there was some speculation about the species of eagle shown on the coin. The New York Times took the debate particularly seriously, consulting an ornithologist to decide the matter. He confirmed that the bird depicted was a bald eagle.

It’s a large and striking image, taking up almost the whole surface of the coin. The country name appears above it, and just below that is the motto “E pluribus unum”. That’s Latin for “From the many, one”, and it refers to the creation of the USA.

The denomination is inscribed at the bottom of the reverse, curving to follow its edge.

Other Features of the 1965 Quarter

The 1965 Quarter marked a significant change in composition, being the first Washington quarter made of copper-nickel clad rather than silver.

It weighed 5.67g, was 24.3mm in diameter, 1.75mm thick, and had 119 reeds on its edge. The reeds remained as both a design element and security feature, maintaining consistency with previous quarters despite the change in metal content.

Notably, 1965 quarters bear no mint mark, as the U.S. Mint temporarily eliminated mint marks from 1965-1967 to discourage hoarding during the national coin shortage.

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

 

1965 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

The standard 1965 No Mint Mark quarter achieved massive production. Over 1.8 billion coins were minted. This makes it one of the highest production quarters in U.S. history.

Today, approximately 455 million coins survive. This represents a 25% survival rate. Hundreds of millions of specimens remain available to collectors.

The SMS varieties present completely different scenarios. The SP variant shows “unknown” mintage figures. Survival data remains equally mysterious.

This uncertainty creates significant value. The experimental coins were produced in extremely limited quantities. Production occurred during a unique transition period. Regular proof production was suspended at this time.

Missing production data contributes to collector mystique. Unknown quantities drive market premiums higher. The scarcity factor becomes more pronounced when numbers remain unclear.

This combination of factors makes SMS varieties particularly appealing. Collectors value both rarity and mystery. The 1965 SMS quarters deliver both elements effectively.

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

 

1965 Quarter Grading

Understanding the grading of 1965 quarters is crucial for determining their true market value, especially when distinguishing between regular circulation strikes and the valuable SMS varieties.

The grading process becomes particularly important for 1965 quarters because condition dramatically affects pricing—while a circulated regular quarter remains at face value, an MS-grade specimen might command a small premium, and SMS varieties can reach hundreds of dollars depending on their cameo designation.

The key challenge with 1965 quarters lies in identifying SMS specimens, which require careful examination of surface quality, strike characteristics, and cameo contrast.

Regular 1965 quarters follow standard grading protocols from Good through MS grades, but SMS coins introduce additional designations like SP (Special Strike), CAM (Cameo), and DCAM (Deep Cameo) that significantly impact value.

For quick grade verification and current market values, you can instantly check grade estimates using our CoinValueChecker App, which provides real-time assessments across different grading standards.

 

1965 Quarter Value Guides

These four distinct varieties of 1965 quarters represent a fascinating chapter in U.S. coinage history. The regular 1965 No Mint Mark quarter, produced in massive quantities of over 1.8 billion, remains common and worth face value in most conditions.

However, the three SMS (Special Mint Set) varieties tell a different story entirely. These experimental coins were created during the transition period when regular proof production was suspended, making them highly sought after by collectors.

The progression from SMS SP to SMS CAM to SMS DCAM reflects increasing levels of cameo contrast and mirror-like fields, with values ranging from $84 to $705 respectively.

• No Mint Mark(Philadelphia)
• SMS SP(Philadelphia)
• SMS CAM(Philadelphia)
• SMS DCAM(Philadelphia)

 

1965 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

The 1956 No Mint Mark Quarter represents a unique anomaly in the Washington quarter series due to its extremely low survival rate despite having a substantial original mintage.

What makes this coin particularly special is the combination of heavy circulation and widespread melting that occurred during the silver boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when rising silver prices led many people to liquidate their pre-1965 silver quarters.

Unlike other common-date Washington quarters from the 1950s, the 1956 has become surprisingly scarce in higher grades, making well-preserved specimens increasingly valuable to collectors who recognize this sleeper rarity.

Recent auction results demonstrate how this scarcity has begun to translate into stronger market performance.

The collector interest and trading frequency also reveal shifting market activity.

 

1965 SMS SP Quarter Value

The 1965 SMS SP Quarter represents a pivotal experiment in U.S. coinage history, created during the transitional year when the Mint suspended regular proof production due to the national coin shortage.

These Special Mint Set coins were struck with enhanced care using polished dies and multiple strikes, resulting in superior surface quality compared to regular circulation quarters.

What makes the SMS SP particularly distinctive is its satin-like finish and sharper strike details, falling between regular business strikes and full proof quality. The “SP” designation acknowledges these coins as special strikes that don’t quite reach cameo contrast levels, making them an important bridge variety that documents the Mint’s experimental approach during this chaotic period in American coinage.

Recent auction performance data reveals how collectors have begun to recognize and value this transitional variety.

The market activity surrounding these experimental coins also demonstrates growing collector awareness of their historical significance.

 

1965 SMS CAM Quarter Value

The 1965 SMS CAM Quarter represents a significant step up in the Special Mint Set hierarchy, distinguished by its notable cameo contrast between frosted devices and mirror-like fields.

This variety was created using specially prepared dies that produced the distinctive cameo effect, where Washington’s portrait and the eagle appear with a frosted, matte finish against deeply reflective background fields.

What makes the SMS CAM particularly special is that it bridges the gap between the basic SMS SP and the premium SMS DCAM, offering collectors a taste of proof-like quality during a year when traditional proofs were unavailable.

The cameo contrast gives these coins an almost proof-like appearance, making them highly sought after by collectors who appreciate the technical achievement and historical significance of these experimental strikes.

Let’s examine how this enhanced visual appeal has translated into auction results over time.

The trading patterns and collector demand for these cameo varieties also reflect their activity in the marketplace.

 

1965 SMS DCAM Quarter Value

The 1965 SMS DCAM Quarter stands as the crown jewel of the Special Mint Set series, featuring exceptional deep cameo contrast that rivals the finest proof coins. This variety showcases heavily frosted devices against deeply mirrored fields, creating a dramatic black-and-white contrast effect that’s truly stunning to behold.

What makes the SMS DCAM extraordinarily special is its rarity—achieving this level of cameo contrast required perfectly prepared dies and optimal striking conditions, resulting in very few coins meeting the strict DCAM standards.

These coins represent the pinnacle of the Mint’s experimental efforts during 1965, essentially serving as substitute proofs during the suspension of regular proof production. The combination of historical significance, technical excellence, and extreme scarcity has made this the most coveted variety among 1965 quarters.

The collector interest and market activity surrounding these top-tier specimens also reveal their status as serious numismatic investments.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1965 Quarter Error List

While 1965 quarters are generally common, certain error varieties are highly sought-after. These minting errors occurred during the chaotic transition period.

The U.S. Mint faced massive production demands. The switch from silver to clad composition created opportunities. Die varieties and striking anomalies emerged. Eagle-eyed collectors prize these errors today.

1. 1965 DDO(FS-101 And FS-102) Erros

The 1965 Doubled Die Obverse varieties, designated as FS-101 and FS-102, represent some of the most significant error coins in the Washington quarter series. These errors occurred when the working dies received multiple impressions from the master hub, creating distinct doubling on the obverse elements.

FS-101 shows pronounced doubling in the date and “LIBERTY,” while FS-102 displays doubling primarily in “IN GOD WE TRUST” and Washington’s profile details.

Both varieties are extremely rare and highly valued by error coin specialists, with clear examples commanding substantial premiums due to their dramatic visual impact and scarcity.

2. 1965 DDR FS-801 Erros

The 1965 Doubled Die Reverse FS-801 showcases dramatic doubling on the reverse design elements, particularly visible in “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”

This error occurred during the die preparation process when the reverse die received multiple impressions, creating a distinctive spread that’s easily identifiable under magnification. The doubling is most pronounced in the lettering around the rim, giving the coin a distinctive “shadow” effect.

FS-801 examples are considerably scarcer than regular 1965 quarters and represent a significant find for collectors specializing in Washington quarter varieties and mint errors.

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

 

Where to sell Your 1965 Quarter ?

Now that you know the value of your 1965 quarter, do you know where to sell it for the best price? Whether you’ve discovered a valuable SMS variety, identified a rare error coin, or simply have a high-grade specimen, finding the right marketplace can make a significant difference in your final return.

Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of the top-selling platforms, including their fees, pros, and cons, to help you choose the right option.

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

 

1965 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1965 Quarter

What makes a 1965 quarter rare?

Most 1965 quarters aren’t rare. But coins with interesting errors, or those that are in the very finest condition, are much rarer.

Look out for coins that have doubling on one of their faces. The rarest are those with doubling on all the letters of “In God We Trust” and “Liberty”, as well as the date and the left side of Washington’s image.

How much is a 1965 quarter worth?

Almost half a billion 1965 quarters still survive. The vast majority of those are worth only 25 cents.

But coins with unusual errors, or those that are top of the class for quality, are worth much more. The finest quality regular 1965 quarter known to exist is valued at $20,000.

And a 1965 quarter graded XF45, and mistakenly struck on a silver planchet, sold at auction in 2022 for $9,300.