1969 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

In 1969, three mints were engaged in producing the Washington quarters. Those in Philadelphia and Denver struck coins from regular strikes, while the one in San Francisco exclusively produced proofs. The 1969 quarter value depends on the mint they came from and numerous other characteristics. Let’s see.

1969 quarter value Chart
Condition	1969 No Mint Mark quarter	1969 D quarter	1969 S quarter
MS 65	$32	$20	/
PR 65	/	/	$8

History of the 1969 Quarters

The Washington quarters were issued for the first time in 1932 to celebrate George Washington’s birthday anniversary. John Flanagan’s design defining both coin sides won the competition.

The simplicity of this design solution made minting easy and uncomplicated due to the thin relief. On the other hand, it required frequent hub modifications. The first Washington quarters contained 90% silver and 10% copper, and their composition stayed the same until 1965.

In 1964, the silver price significantly increased, making silver coins very popular. That led to their hoarding and a severe shortage in circulation. The initial response to this situation was minting more coins, but it severely emptied the silver stock.

As metal prices continued to rise, US President at the time, Lyndon Johnson, announced the decision to eliminate silver from quarters and dimes. According to this decision, the silver quarters were replaced with cupronickel coins in 1965.

1969 quarter Types
Location	Year	Minted
Philadelphia	1969 No Mint Mark quarter	176,212,000
Denver	1969 D quarter	114,372,000
San Francisco	1969 S quarter (proof)	2,934,631
Total	/	293,518,631

The transition from silver to clad composition caused such a minting delay that the release of the first 1966 Washington quarters started in August 1966. Besides, the US Mint struck only No Mint mark coins between 1965 and 1968.

During these three years, there were no proof coins minted. Instead, the US Mint produced special strike quarters. Their quality was better than the circulated pieces but not as good as the proof strike ones. Quarters from the Special Mint Set had either special die preparation or a unique way of planchet manipulation.

At the beginning of 1967, the crisis slowly started to vanish when the minting dates delay stabilized. In 1968, the US Mint continued rereleasing proof coins, opening the way for regular quarter mintage in 1969. However, the 1969 quarters were blemished because of the inadequate die condition, imperfect strikes, and low planchet quality.

Also read: Top 13 Most Valuable State Quarters Worth Money

Features of the 1969 Quarter

The 1969 quarter design includes George Washington’s profile on the obverse coin side. Designer John Flanagan placed the American eagle on the reverse, symbolizing a strong striving for freedom.

The obverse of the 1969 quarter

The Washington’s bust profile facing left dominates the obverse coin’s side. The design is John Flanagan’s work, but the idea originated from a bust sculpted by Jean-Antoine Houdon in 1786. The Flanagan’s initials (JF) are imprinted under the central figure’s right corner.

Other obverse side details are LIBERTY, above the bust, and 1969 below it. The motto, IN GOOD WE TRUST, is positioned in the left area and lined with the President’s neck.

The reverse of the 1969 quarter

This reverse side has a heraldic eagle, an archetype of freedom, with outspread wings dominating the field. The eagle carries a bundle of arrows in its claws, and its head and arrows are turned to the left.

Two olive branches representing peace are below the arrows, a well-known symbol of war. In the lower area along the rim is the denomination QUARTER DOLLAR.

The space above the eagle is reserved for the UNITED STATES oF AMERICA struck along the edge. The E PLURIBUS UNUM is a required motto, and you can see it between the eagle and the state name.

1969 quarter Details
Coin diameter	0.95669 inches (24.30 mm)
Compound	91.67% Cu, 8.33% Ni
Face value	Twenty-five cents ($0.25)
Shape	Round
Coin thickness	0.069 inches (1.75 mm)
Coin weight	0.2000034 ounces (5.67 g)
Edge	Reeded
Number of reeds	119 reeds

Other features of the 1969 Washington quarter

This round cupronickel-clad twenty-five cent coin has a reeded rim. Its composition gives it a silvery color. It is 0.95669 inches (24.30 mm) in diameter and weighs 0.2000034 ounces (5.67 g).

The 1969 quarter’s core is pure copper covered with a nickel coating. The composition ratio is 91.67% Cu, 8.33% Ni. Its thickness is 0.069 inches (1.75 mm).

1969 Washington Quarter Grading

Examining the coin to determine its condition is known as the grading process. Various factors, such as look, scratches, contact marks, and die condition, are considered when evaluating each piece.

Be prepared that quarters show different degrees of wear. The most worn-out or damaged pieces get a Poor grade, while those in the best condition are classified as perfectly uncirculated. The 1969 Washington quarter’s highest grade is Superb Gem Uncirculated, ranked MS 68.

#	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?

Rare 1969 Washington Quarter Value Guides

Most 1969 Washington quarters of 293,518,631 minted are in circulated condition. Their face value and current price are the same, $0.25. An uncirculated quarter’s value starts at $1 for an MS 60-grade coin and is significantly higher for excellent pieces.

1969 No Mint Mark quarter Value

The Philadelphia mint produced 176,212,000 Washington quarters in 1969. The value of circulated coins from grade XF 40 to AU 55 is $0.25. The uncirculated ones ranked MS 60 to MS 63 are worth $1 to $1.20, while the most valuable are specimens in the highest grades:

• The 1969 quarters in MS 64 grade is $2 to $2.40
• The 1969 quarters in MS 65 grade is $9 to $10.8
• The 1969 quarters in MS 66 grade is $70 to $84

The most valuable are MS 67-ranked pieces. Their price is $1,900 and can go up to $2,400. In January 2015, the 1969 No Mint mark quarter in MS 67+ grade reached $3,290 at Heritage Auctions.

1969 D Washington quarter Value 

In 1969, 114,372,000 quarters came out from the Denver mint. These coins’ value in grades MS 60 to MS 62 goes from $1 to $1.20, while those ranked in MS 63 and MS 64 grades have a value between $2 and $2.40. Let’s see what they are worth in higher ranks:

• In MS 65 grade, the 1969 quarters cost $6 to $7.20
• In MS 66 grade, the 1969 quarters cost $10 to $12
• In MS 67 grade, the 1969 quarters cost $65 to $78

Coins with MS 68 rank are even more valuable, and their price varies from $1,500 to $1,800. The record price for the Denver coin in this grade is $3,819, achieved in November 2013 at Heritage Auction.

1969 S Washington quarter (proof) Value

The San Francisco mint struck all proof quarters in 1969, and its mintage was 2,934,631 coins. The lowest valued are those in PR 67 grade with a price of $10. In the PR 68 grade, they cost $12, while the coins in grade PR 69 are worth $15.

Proof quarter coins from 1969 have an additional two varieties. The first one is the 1969 S CAM proof quarters. Their value is $12 for the PR 67-grade coins, $15 for those ranked PR 68, and $36 for the PR 69-graded pieces.

Another variety is the 1969 S DCAM error quarters. They are typically better evaluated than others minted this year. In the PR 67 grade, their cost is $42, while PR 67-ranked pieces quickly reach $60 on the market.

The most valuable DCAM proof quarters costing $300 are in grade MS 69. However, the record auction price paid for the PR 69 quarter from 1969 was $1,410 in July 2013.

Also read: Top 16 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money

Rare 1969 Washington Error Quarters List

Any coin that comes imperfect from a minting process is an error. Every minting year faced some standard errors, and 1969 was no different.

Doubled die obverse

When the working die is not aligned with the hub during the minting, the result is a doubled die error. It can affect both coin’s sides, but quarters from 1969 are known for DDO.

The doubling effect is usually visible in lettering but sometimes affects other design parts. One 1969 DDO error quarter in PR 66 grade reached a $316 price on eBay in 2020.

Quarter struck on a penny planchet

This mint error occurs when a wrong planchet from the previous minting gets stuck in a transporting bin and mixes up with quarter planchets. Coins with this error are missing parts of the design because the cent planchet is smaller than the quarter diameter.

The most common error among quarters is the absence of the word LIBERTY on the obverse side and denomination on the reverse. The country name is also partially cut. These coins weigh 0.109702 ounces (3.11 g) instead of the standard 0.2000034 ounces (5.67 g).

Quarter struck on a nickel planchet

It is another error type when the quarters are struck on the wrong planchet. Since the nickel planchet is smaller, it interrupts the quarter design and reduces its diameter to 0.835 inches (21.21 mm) instead of the required 0.95669 inches (24.30 mm). Besides, the word LIBERTY and the denomination are incomplete due to size differences.

Mated error pair

A mated error happened when the two planchets, one on top of the other, were inserted between the 1969 dies simultaneously. As a result, one planchet came out with the visible obverse, and the other had only the reverse. Both coins had one blank side. They are identically graded and certified as Top Half Coin 1/2 and Bottom Half Coin 2/2.

RPM

The RPM is an error that occurs when the mint mark is punched twice, leaving more than one offset imprint. This error happens for several reasons:

• Imprecise positioning of the punch during the first attempt
• Punch bounce and rebound, causing a second punch
• Punch is not held vertically
• A try to correct the first punch

The second mint mark can be positioned in different directions relative to the first one and can also be rotated. The separate second mint mark appears very rare. RPM variety is considered scarce and can sell at premium prices if in good condition. One of this variety’s specimens reached $2,640 at an auction in 2022.

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Quarter Errors Worth Money

Where to Sell Your 1969 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)

FAQ about the 1969 Quarters

What makes a 1969 quarter rare?

1969 was not the best year for quality quarters, making it almost impossible to find the coin in excellent condition. Therefore, both high-grade regular quarters and errors with this date are scarce.

Which 1969 quarters are worth a lot?

• The 1969 D quarter in MS 68 grade sold for 3,819 in November 2013
• The 1969 quarter in MS 67+ grade sold for $3,290 in January 2015
• The 1969 D RPM quarter in MS 66 grade sold for $2,640 in August 2022
• The 1969 S quarter DCAM in PR 69 grade sold for $1,410 in July 2013
• The 1969 S quarter in PR 66 grade sold for $504 in January 2022
• The 1969 S DDO quarter in PR 66 grade sold for $316 in April 2020
• The 1969 D RPM quarter in MS 66 grade sold for $237 in June 2018
• The 1969 S RPM quarter in PR 68 grade sold for $195 in February 2019
• The 1969 S quarter CAM in PR 66 grade sold for $127 in September 2003

How much is the 1969 No Mint mark quarter worth?

The 1969 quarters in circulated condition are worth their face value, $0.25. The uncirculated high-grade quarters are worth from a few bucks to $2,400, depending on grading.

What are the priciest quarters?

• The 1932 D quarter (silver) in MS 66 sold for $143,750 at the Chicago Rarities Sale in April 2008
• The 1932 S quarter (silver) in MS 66 sold for $45,500 at the DLRC Internet Auction in March 2020
• The 1949 D quarter in MS 68 sold for $43,475 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions, LLC in June 2019
• The 1948 quarter in MS 68 sold for $43,200 at Stack’s and Bowers in March 2021
• The 1932 quarter in MS 67 sold for $40,250 at Heritage Auctions in April 2012
• The 1964 D quarter in MS 68 sold for $38,400 at Stack’s and Bowers in March 2021
• The 1947 quarter in MS 68 sold for $32,400 at Stack’s and Bowers in March 2021