1989 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth)

The 1989 Washington quarter continues the long-running design that debuted in 1932 to commemorate George Washington’s bicentennial. Unlike earlier quarters made from 90% silver, the 1989 issue was struck from copper-nickel clad over a pure copper core, reflecting the composition change implemented in 1965 due to rising silver prices.

Most circulated examples trade close to face value, with worn pieces worth around $0.25 to $0.29. The real story emerges with higher grades and special varieties. The San Francisco Deep Cameo proofs maintain steady collector demand around $6.00.

Collectors who recognize these variations can identify which 1989 quarters merit closer examination beyond their standard 25-cent face value.

 

1989 Quarter Value By Variety

Here’s the current market value breakdown for 1989 quarters across different mint marks and conditions, showing how grade dramatically impacts worth. 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 1989 Quarter Worth Money

The most valuable 1989 quarters reveal a fascinating hierarchy dominated by Philadelphia Mint strikes in superb grades. The 1989-P MS-67 commands an impressive $1,955, making it the clear champion among all 1989 varieties.

Denver examples follow at significantly lower but still substantial premiums, with the 1989-D MS-67 reaching $764. What’s particularly striking is how Philadelphia coins consistently outperform their Denver counterparts at identical grade levels—a 1989-P MS-66 brings $216 compared to just $114 for the Denver equivalent.

The San Francisco Deep Cameo proofs represent the most affordable path to four-figure values, though even these require perfect PR-70 grades to crack the top rankings. This data underscores the critical importance of condition when evaluating modern quarters, where single grade point differences can mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars in market value.

 

History of The 1989 Quarter

Quarters began their history back in 1796. The design of the first coins featured a bust of Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse.

These coins got a new design after 134 years. The appearance known as Standing Liberty thematically followed their previous look. Lady Liberty remained on the obverse, and the American bald eagle on the reverse.

The Washington quarter minting began in 1932. Its original purpose was to mark the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth, the Founding Father and America’s first President.

Already in 1924, the Congress began preparations for this jubilee celebration by establishing a Commission. Its members proposed that the US Mint issue a commemorative half-dollar coin in Washington’s honor.

With that goal in mind, they announced a competition for a new design and requested that the obverse feature the image based on the bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon. On the other hand, there were no particular demands for the reverse design. The Commission members chose the sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser’s work.

In the meantime, Congress decided to redesign quarters instead of half-dollars in honor of the upcoming jubilee. Mrs. Fraser won once more the renewed competition with her elegant conceptual solution.

However, the then-Treasury Secretary chose another artist, John Flanagan, to design these coins, ignoring protests from officials. His decision remained even after the appointment of a new finance minister.

The original composition of the Washington quarter was 90 percent silver. In 1965, this precious metal price on the stock market rose significantly, and the US Mint had to change the coins’ composition to lower production costs. However, the coin design remained unchanged until 1998.

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

 

Is Your 1989 Quarter Rare?

For instant rarity verification of any coin in your collection, try our CoinValueChecker App which provides real-time scarcity ratings and market data.

 

Key Features of The 1989 Quarter

It was the US Mint’s usual practice to change the coins’ appearance and composition occasionally. However, Washington quarters didn’t change their look for a long time and kept the original, recognizable design from the first minted quarter in 1932 until 1998.

On the other hand, the US Mint changed these coins’ composition in 1965. The rapid rise in the silver price forced it to replace the precious metal with a more profitable metal combination.

The Obverse Of The 1989 Quarter

The central part of this coin obverse features a George Washington portrait. His profile facing left is based on Jean-Antoine Houdon’s sculpture from 1785. With this bust, the sculptor succeeded in portraying the first President’s dignified appearance in the proper way.

You can see the word “LIBERTY” on the upper rim above the President’s bust. The minting year stretches along the lower rim, just below his neck.

You can read the phrase, “IN GOD WE TRUST”, in front of the portrait, at the height of the President’s chin. The mint mark is struck on the right. Depending on which mint the quarter is from, you can also see the letters P, D, or S there.

The Reverse Of The 1989 Quarter

The American bald eagle, the well-known national symbol of America, is dominantly positioned on the coin reverse. The bird is represented with spread wings while looking to the left. He carries an arrow bundle in his claws, symbolizing America’s ability to defend the country.

Under the arrow bundle, you can see two crossed olive branches. They are a recognizable symbol of peace, which balances the presence of arrows in some way.

You can see the Latin saying above the eagle’s head, while the name of the country stretches along the upper rim. You can find the “QUARTER DOLLAR” on the coin’s bottom rim.

Other Features Of The 1989 Quarter

These 25-cent coins from 1989 have 75% copper in their compositions, while the remaining 25% is nickel. The Washington quarters are round in shape, with a reed rim.

With a weight of 0.2 ounces (5.67 g) and a thickness of 0.06889 inches (1.75 mm), they fit perfectly with the standards of quarters minted in other years. Likewise, the diameter of 0.95669 inches (24.3 mm) doesn’t deviate from the standard measurements.

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

 

1989 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

The mintage and survival data for 1989 quarters reveals fascinating insights into their current availability.

The Denver mint dominated with nearly 897 million pieces, while Philadelphia struck approximately 513 million for circulation. However, survival rates tell a different story—both D and P quarters show identical 35% survival rates, meaning roughly two-thirds of originally minted coins have been lost to circulation wear, damage, or destruction.

The San Francisco Deep Cameo proofs present a striking contrast, with over 3.2 million minted and an impressive 85.5% survival rate. This dramatically higher preservation rate reflects the careful handling these collector-oriented pieces typically receive. The Philadelphia Proof (PL) data remains unknown, adding an element of mystery to this variety’s true scarcity.

These survival patterns significantly impact today’s collecting landscape, as lower survival rates create relative scarcity even among high-mintage issues.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1989 Quarter Value

Grade determines value dramatically: worn examples worth face value contrast sharply with MS67 specimens commanding $764-$1,955. Look for minting errors including off-center strikes, missing clad layers, and doubled dies that can significantly boost value. San Francisco proof varieties with Deep Cameo contrast between mirror fields and frosted devices deserve special attention.

Our CoinValueChecker App streamlines authentication by detecting errors, assessing grades, and delivering current market prices through simple photo capture.

 

1989 Quarter Value Guides

Understanding the different types of 1989 quarters is essential for collectors looking to build complete sets or identify valuable varieties.

Each type represents a distinct minting process and intended purpose, from circulation strikes designed for everyday commerce to special proof coins crafted exclusively for collectors.

The Denver and Philadelphia mints handled regular circulation strikes, while San Francisco focused on proof coins with mirror-like surfaces and frosted devices. The Philadelphia Proof (PL) represents a transitional variety that bridges regular mint state coins and full proof strikes, making it particularly interesting to specialists who appreciate these nuanced differences in the minting process.

1989 Quarter Types:

• 1989-D (Denver Mint)
• 1989-P (Philadelphia Mint State)
• 1989-P PL (Philadelphia Proof-Like)
• 1989-S DCAM (San Francisco Deep Cameo)

 

1989-D Quarter Value

The 1989-D quarter represents the highest mintage Washington quarter of that year, with Denver striking nearly 897 million pieces for circulation.

What makes this coin particularly noteworthy is its dramatic price curve in top grades—while most examples trade at face value, pristine MS-70 specimens have reached over $300 at auction.

This steep grade-to-value relationship reflects the challenge of finding perfectly preserved examples from such a high-circulation issue, where even minor contact marks or weak strikes significantly impact desirability among registry set collectors.

The following auction records demonstrate how condition-sensitive pricing has evolved for this variety over recent years.

Current market activity reveals strong collector interest, with patterns showing significant momentum building through 2025.

 

1989-P Quarter Value

The 1989-P quarter stands out as the most condition-sensitive variety among 1989 quarters, with an extraordinary price curve that showcases extreme rarity in top grades.

While common examples trade near face value, the leap to superb gem grades creates astronomical premiums—MS-67 specimens have reached nearly $1,400 at auction. This dramatic grade-to-value relationship reflects the Philadelphia Mint’s challenging strike quality that year, making truly pristine examples exceptionally scarce among the 513 million coins originally minted for circulation.

Recent auction records highlight the volatility and opportunity present in this market, with significant price variations even within the same grade levels.

Current market activity shows sustained collector engagement, with spikes during key periods throughout 2025.

 

1989-P PL Quarter Value

The 1989-P PL quarter represents one of the most enigmatic varieties in the Washington quarter series, with “PL” denoting “Proof-Like” characteristics that bridge regular mint state and full proof strikes.

This transitional variety exhibits the steepest price curve among all 1989 quarters, with MS-67 examples reaching an impressive $1,840 at auction.

The unknown mintage and survival data adds mystery to its scarcity, but market performance clearly indicates exceptional rarity in top grades, making it a serious target for advanced collectors seeking condition rarities.

Market activity shows consistent collector interest throughout 2025, with a notable surge in March reflecting growing awareness of this variety’s unique characteristics and investment potential.

 

1989-S DCAM Quarter Value

The 1989-S DCAM quarter offers the most accessible entry point among proof varieties from 1989, yet still rewards condition-conscious collectors seeking superb examples.

With an 85.5% survival rate from the original 3.2 million mintage, these coins are relatively available in lower proof grades, but the price curve shows meaningful premiums emerging in superb gem territory, with PR-70 examples reaching $31 at recent auctions.

Historical auction reveals the steady appreciation this variety has experienced over the past decade, with consistent collector demand across all grade levels.

Market activity throughout 2025 demonstrate robust collector engagement, highlighted by particularly strong activity in March and a notable resurgence in August as summer auction season peaked.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1989 Quarter Error List

It is rare to find the coin series without error specimens. Although they are a nightmare for mints, these pieces are collectible and often more valuable than regular ones. There are even collectors who collect exclusively such quarters.

As the circulation of the 1989 Washington quarters is abundant, it is realistic to expect that there are pieces with errors. Nevertheless, their value is not particularly significant.

1. Off-Center

An off-center error is one of the most common during minting. It occurs when the die hits a planchet that is not adequately aligned. That results in a missing part of the design that numismatists express in percentages.

That percentage directly affects coins’ value, but the minting date and the mint mark must be visible. The value of the 1989 Washington quarter with this error ranges from $10 to over $100, depending on the error percentage.

2. Broad Struck

To obtain a coin of standard thickness and round shape, the workers at the mint used collars. It sometimes happened that the collar was damaged or loosened, resulting in coins that were thinner and wider than usual but with a standard weight. The value of the 1989 quarter minted this way was modest, $4 to $80.

3. Doubled Die

Doubled die error is frequent, but such coins sometimes have high values. This error shows a doubling of letters and design elements that may change each specimen’s appearance. The more visible the doublings, the higher the coin’s value. Therefore, you can expect the price of the 1989 error quarter to range from $3.50 to $20 on eBay.

4.Re-punched Mint  Mark

As the name indicates, these coins have visible errors in the mint mark. Such a thing happens when it is hit several times, and the strikes don’t coincide. The 1989 Washington quarters with this error typically cost $2 to $20.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 1989 Quarter?

Whether you choose online platforms for maximum reach, local coin shops for immediate transactions, or auction houses for rare high-grade specimens, success depends on accurate grading, competitive research, and selecting the right venue for your coin’s condition and rarity level.

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

 

1989 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1989 Quarter

1. What makes a 1989 Washington 25-cent coin rare?

With a circulation of almost 1.5 billion, you can’t say 1989 quarters are rare. However, well-preserved specimens in the highest grades can reach significant values at auctions.

2. Which 1989 Washington 25-cent coins are worth a lot of money?

• The 1989 P MS 67 quarter sold at $1,955 in 2007
• The 1989 D MS 67 quarter sold at $764 in 2017
• The 1989 MS 67 PL quarter sold at $338 in 2020
• The 1989 S PR 70 with DCAM quality sold at $253 in 2004

3. How much are the 1989 Washington 25-cent coins from Philadelphia worth?

These coins’ values primarily depend on their condition. You can buy specimens from circulation for $0.25, while those in the mint state are more expensive. Their price can be up to $2,4000.

4. What are the priciest Washington coins in coinage history?

You can distinguish coins from this series by composition. Type 1 are silver quarters, while Type 2 are clad quarters. Accordingly, their values can significantly vary.

The most expensive Washington quarters Type 1:

• The 1932 D MS 66 specimen priced at $143,750 from 2008
• The 1932 S MS 66 specimen priced at $45,500 from 2020
• The 1949 D MS 68 specimen priced at $43,475 from 2019

The most expensive Washington quarters Type 2:

• The 1966 MS 68+ specimen priced at $21,000 from 2023
• The 1983 P MS 65 specimen priced at $15,862.50 from 2014
• The 1970 D MS 69 specimen priced at $15,000 from 2023