1993 Quarter Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth

By 1993, the Washington quarter design had been in continuous use for over 60 years — making it one of the most enduring coin designs in American numismatic history. John Flanagan’s portrait of George Washington first debuted in 1932 and remained virtually unchanged through 1998.

The 1993 quarters were produced during the final years of this classic era, just before the U.S. Mint would launch the enormously popular 50 State Quarters program in 1999. Over 1.2 billion coins were struck across three mint facilities that year, which is why most circulated examples are still worth only face value today.

However, the story changes dramatically for well-preserved specimens. Denver mint state examples can reach $8.83, Philadelphia strikes command up to $34.43 at higher grades, and the scarce silver proof versions achieve premium values — especially in Deep Cameo (DCAM) condition. That term means the coin displays striking contrast between frosted raised images (called “devices”) and deeply mirrored flat areas (the “fields”).

 

1993 Quarter Value By Variety

The mint mark and coin type determine everything — here’s what each 1993 Quarter variety is actually 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 1993 Quarter Worth Money

This ranking powerfully illustrates the grade-driven nature of 1993 Quarter values — and reveals some genuinely surprising results for newer collectors.

Circulation strikes dominate the top positions. The 1993-P quarter in MS-66 and MS-67 commands $780 and $690 respectively based on Heritage Auctions records, while the 1993-D in MS-67 has achieved $516. The “MS” designation means “Mint State” — a coin that shows no sign of wear from circulation, graded on a scale from MS-60 (barely uncirculated) to MS-70 (perfect).

What makes this ranking surprising is the market performance of proof coins. Despite their lower mintages and specially prepared finishes, the 1993-S proof issues occupy the middle and lower portions of the ranking. This creates an unusual dynamic: a perfectly preserved circulation strike can be more rewarding to own than a certified proof.

The steep drop in value between MS-67 and MS-66 — nearly $100 in some cases — shows just how unforgiving the modern coin market is for minor condition differences. This pattern reflects a broader collector reality: gem-quality circulation strikes from the clad era are genuine condition rarities, not just common coins.

 

History Of The 1993 Quarter

The 1993 quarter sits at a fascinating crossroads in U.S. coinage history. It was struck during the final calm years before the U.S. Mint would completely transform the quarter forever.

The Washington quarter design debuted in 1932, created by sculptor John Flanagan. Flanagan had developed his skills working as a young assistant to the legendary Augustus Saint-Gaudens starting in 1885, which shaped his mastery of portrait sculpture. His Washington portrait was based on a famous 1785 bust by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.

However, Flanagan was not the first choice. A competition drew over 100 entries, and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) voted to recommend the design by Laura Gardin Fraser — a prolific sculptor who was the first woman ever credited with designing a U.S. coin. Fraser was born in 1889 and studied at New York’s Art Students League, where she had met and later married James Earle Fraser, the famous designer of the Buffalo nickel.

Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon overrode the CFA’s recommendation and selected Flanagan’s design instead. The controversy never fully faded — Fraser’s rejected Washington portrait finally appeared on a coin in 1999 on a $5 commemorative gold piece, and then permanently on the American Women Quarters starting in 2022, some 90 years after it was first intended for the quarter.

By 1993, the original Flanagan design had been on the quarter for 61 years with only minor changes. The composition had shifted in 1965 from 90% silver to a copper-nickel clad sandwich, but the portrait itself was largely intact. When the 50 State Quarters program launched in 1999, sculptor-engraver William Cousins would modify Flanagan’s Washington design, shrinking the portrait by approximately 15% to make room for new reverse designs.

The 1993 quarter was therefore one of the last years to feature the classic, unmodified Flanagan portrait at full size — a detail that lends these coins a small but real historical significance for Washington quarter specialists.

From a collector standpoint, 1993 was also part of a numismatic renaissance driven by increased interest in American history and the approaching millennium. The San Francisco Mint responded with higher-quality proof sets and greater attention to collector demand.

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

 

Is Your 1993 Quarter Rare?

For quick access to rarity data on any coin in your collection, our Coin Value Checker App provides instant rankings and current market assessments.

 

Key Features Of The 1993 Quarter

The Obverse Of The 1993 Quarter

The “heads” side of the 1993 quarter is called the obverse. This side carries John Flanagan’s portrait of George Washington, which is why the entire series is nicknamed “Washington quarters.”

Flanagan based his portrait on the famous 1785 Houdon bust, and it shows Washington’s head in left-facing profile. The word “LIBERTY” curves above the portrait, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears to Washington’s left. The mint mark — a small letter showing where the coin was made — sits to the right of Washington’s portrait, just below his braid. A “P” means Philadelphia, a “D” means Denver, and an “S” means San Francisco.

The date appears at the very bottom of the coin. One thing worth noting for collectors: this 1993 version still carries the original full-size Flanagan portrait. When the 50 State Quarters launched in 1999, William Cousins redesigned the obverse and reduced Washington’s portrait by about 15% to accommodate the new reverse formats.

The Reverse Of The 1993 Quarter

The “tails” side is called the reverse. Flanagan designed this side as well, making him responsible for both faces of the quarter — an unusual creative unity.

His reverse shows a heraldic eagle in a classic pose, wings spread, perched on a bundle of arrows. An olive branch below the eagle symbolizes peace. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the top, while “QUARTER DOLLAR” mirrors it along the bottom. The Latin phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM” — meaning “From the many, one” — appears between the eagle and the country name.

One historical note: earlier Washington quarters placed the mint mark on the reverse side, just below the olive branch. By 1993, it had been moved to the obverse, where it still sits on modern quarters today.

Other Features Of The 1993 Quarter

The 1993 quarter exists in both clad and silver versions — but only proof coins are silver. All coins struck for everyday circulation use a copper-nickel clad construction: a pure copper core sandwiched between an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This composition was adopted in 1965 to replace the 90% silver quarters used before that year.

Proof quarters — those struck specifically for collectors using polished dies and specially prepared planchets — were produced at the San Francisco Mint and come in two types: clad and 90% silver. Telling them apart without a scale is tricky, but there’s a simple visual trick. Hold the coin on its edge. If you see a thin line of reddish-brown or copper-colored metal, it’s a clad proof — that copper core is showing. If the edge looks uniformly silver-white, it may be the silver version.

The most reliable method is weighing the coin. The clad quarter weighs 5.67 grams, while the 90% silver proof weighs 6.25 grams. You’ll need a very precise digital scale for this test to work correctly.

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

 

1993 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

The mintage and survival data for the 1993 Quarter reveals a stark contrast between coins struck for commerce and those made purely for collectors.

Philadelphia and Denver produced nearly identical massive quantities — 639 million and 645 million respectively. Both show approximately 50% survival rates, meaning roughly half of all 1993-P and 1993-D quarters have been lost to wear, damage, or removal from circulation over the past three decades.

The proof issues tell a completely different story. The 1993-S Silver DCAM, with just 761,353 pieces minted as part of silver proof sets, survives at a 95% rate because collectors purchased and preserved them intentionally. The 1993-S Clad DCAM, from its 2.6 million mintage in standard proof sets, shows a similarly high 95% survival rate.

Here is an important update for 2025: the silver melt value of the 1993-S silver quarter now sits at approximately $8.78 per coin, based on late-2025 silver spot prices near $48.52 per troy ounce. This melt value has actually risen above the retail price of certified examples in grades PR-65 through PR-67. In practical terms, the precious metal content has created a new effective floor for what this coin is worth, regardless of grade.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1993 Quarter Value

Grading a 1993 quarter means checking for signs of wear on its highest points — the areas that rub against other coins or surfaces first. For Washington quarters, the key spots are Washington’s cheekbone and the eagle’s breast feathers on the reverse.

One important and often overlooked factor is strike quality. Research from NGC’s grading resources specifically notes that Philadelphia clad-era quarters from the early 1990s frequently suffered from “poor strikes and indifferent luster.” This means that even an uncirculated 1993-P quarter may look flat or dull if it was weakly struck — and such coins will grade lower than a sharply struck Denver example. This is a key reason why MS-67 and MS-68 examples of the 1993-P are genuine condition rarities despite the enormous mintage.

When evaluating any 1993 quarter for high-grade submission, look for: full, sharp detail across Washington’s hair strands, strong luster (a cartwheel-like shine that shifts as you tilt the coin), and a surface free from visible contact marks — called “bag marks” — in the coin’s open fields.

If you need help determining your coin’s grade quickly, our Coin Value Checker App can guide you through the key grading indicators and provide grade estimates.

 

1993 Quarter Value Guides

Each 1993 Quarter variety has distinct characteristics that affect both availability and collector demand. The mint mark — found on the obverse behind Washington’s hair braid — identifies the production facility. The composition and finish then determine the collector market for that coin.

1993 Washington Quarter Varieties:

• 1993-P Quarter — Philadelphia Mint, “P” mint mark on obverse, copper-nickel clad composition, mintage of 639,276,000 coins, a condition rarity at MS-67 and above due to documented strike quality issues at this era’s Philadelphia Mint
• 1993-D Quarter — Denver Mint, “D” mint mark on obverse, copper-nickel clad composition, mintage of 645 million coins, consistently strong strike quality makes Denver examples slightly more common at higher grades than their Philadelphia counterparts
• 1993-S Silver DCAM Quarter — San Francisco Mint proof coin, “S” mint mark on obverse, 90% silver composition (6.25 grams), Deep Cameo (DCAM) finish with frosted devices contrasting against mirror fields, lowest mintage of all varieties at 761,353 pieces — the “DCAM” designation is the highest proof quality designation awarded by PCGS and NGC
• 1993-S Clad DCAM Quarter — San Francisco Mint proof coin, “S” mint mark on obverse, standard copper-nickel clad composition (5.67 grams), Deep Cameo finish, moderate mintage of 2.6 million pieces from standard proof sets

 

1993-P Quarter Value

The 1993-P quarter comes from Philadelphia’s massive production run of 639,276,000 coins. Despite this enormous mintage, examples in the highest grades are genuine rarities — and that makes them surprisingly collectible.

Here is a key insight most beginners miss: NGC’s own grading documentation notes that clad-era Philadelphia coins from this period “often suffered from poor strikes and indifferent luster.” Finding a 1993-P quarter with sharp, full detail and bright, original cartwheel luster is genuinely difficult. This is why PCGS and NGC both value MS-67 and MS-68 examples so highly despite the coin’s common status in lower grades.

A 1993-P quarter graded MS-66 sold for $780.00 at Heritage Auctions on July 5, 2022. That’s a remarkable result for a coin with a 639-million mintage. An MS-67 example has also realized strong prices, though a PCGS-graded MS-67 sold for just $55 in May 2023 — showing how much individual auction results can vary.

Additionally, no major Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) or Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) varieties have been assigned Fivaz-Stanton (FS) numbers by NGC or PCGS for the 1993-P. Any value for the 1993-P comes purely from condition, not die variety. If you see a coin being sold as a “1993-P DDO” without an FS number or professional certification, treat it with caution.

Here’s the auction performance history for premium 1993-P quarters over recent years:

Recent market activity shows fluctuating collector engagement with high-grade Philadelphia examples:

 

1993-D Quarter Value

The 1993-D quarter comes from Denver’s output of over 645 million coins — slightly more than Philadelphia that year. Denver’s striking quality in 1993 was consistently strong, which is important for collectors targeting high grades.

Unlike the 1993-P — where poor striking makes truly sharp examples rare — well-struck Denver examples are somewhat more available at the MS-65 and MS-66 levels. However, MS-67 examples remain very scarce for both mint facilities. A Heritage Auctions lot for a 1993-D MS-67 noted an NGC Census of 30 examples and a PCGS population of just 6 — remarkable scarcity for a coin struck over 645 million times.

The verified auction record for the 1993-D in MS-67 is $516.00 at Heritage Auctions on February 22, 2018. Another example sold for $408.00 on June 24, 2020, also at Heritage. Like the Philadelphia issue, no recognized DDO or DDR varieties with FS numbers exist for the 1993-D. Value is entirely condition-driven.

Here’s how 1993-D quarters have performed in major auction venues:

Current market activity demonstrates steady collector engagement with premium Denver examples:

 

1993-S Silver DCAM Quarter Value

The 1993-S Silver DCAM quarter is the premium collectible of the year. It combines 90% silver content with the coveted Deep Cameo finish — the highest-quality visual designation in the proof coin world. With only 761,353 pieces minted as part of silver proof sets, this is the scarcest 1993 Quarter variety by a wide margin.

A “Deep Cameo” or “DCAM” designation — awarded by both PCGS and NGC — means the coin displays dramatic, high-contrast imagery: the raised design elements (devices) appear snow-white and frosted, while the flat background areas (fields) look like a polished black mirror. Only the sharpest, most visually striking examples earn this designation.

There is a critical market development for 2025 that every collector should understand. The 1993-S silver quarter’s intrinsic melt value — based on its 90% silver composition and late-2025 silver spot prices near $48.52 per troy ounce — now sits at approximately $8.78 per coin. This silver floor has risen above the retail price for certified examples graded PR-65 through PR-67. In practical terms, the precious metal content now sets the minimum value for this coin regardless of its certified grade.

The all-time auction record for this coin in a perfect PR-70 grade was $1,380, achieved at Heritage Auctions in February 2007. As more coins have been certified in top grades since then, the market has softened considerably at the PR-70 level. Recent auction results from 2014–2020 for PR-70 examples have ranged from $32 to $88.

Here’s the auction track record for 1993-S Silver DCAM quarters across major platforms:

Market activity patterns reveal consistent collector interest in this premium silver proof issue:

 

1993-S Clad DCAM Quarter Value

The 1993-S Clad DCAM quarter offers the premium Deep Cameo proof experience without the silver price premium. This makes it the most accessible entry point into high-quality 1993 Quarter collecting.

With 2.6 million pieces produced from standard proof sets, this variety is more widely available than its silver counterpart. It delivers the same frosted devices and mirror fields that define a true Deep Cameo proof — the dramatic visual contrast that makes proof coins so appealing to collectors who value aesthetics. Because it lacks the precious metal content of the silver version, values are more modest and stable.

One important caution: some sources have cited a $1,200 auction record for a “1993-S Washington Quarter Proof PR-70 Deep Cameo” — but numismatic researchers have identified this as a likely misattribution confusing the clad with the silver proof. The verified retail market for a perfect PCGS PR-70 DCAM clad example is $30–$40 based on confirmed 2024 retail listings.

Here’s the auction performance record for 1993-S Clad DCAM quarters across major selling platforms:

Market activity data shows consistent collector engagement with this accessible proof variety:

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1993 Quarter Errors List

Error coins are produced when something goes wrong during the minting process — before the coin is ever released into circulation. These mistakes are almost always unique, which is exactly what makes them so appealing to collectors.

An important note for 1993 specifically: no major Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) or Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) varieties have been formally recognized with Fivaz-Stanton (FS) numbers by PCGS or NGC for either the 1993-P or 1993-D business strikes. Variety Vista and NGC’s VarietyPlus guide show essentially empty entries for 1993 clad business strikes. If you see a coin marketed as a “1993 DDO” online without third-party certification, exercise caution — minor machine doubling (a different, less valuable phenomenon) is sometimes mistaken for a true doubled die.

The errors that do have confirmed auction records for 1993 quarters are striking errors — physical accidents during the minting press cycle.

1. 1993-P Quarter, Double Struck — Second Strike 60% Off Center

Sometimes a planchet — the blank metal disk before it’s struck — isn’t properly ejected from the press after the first strike. The press cycles again, and the coin receives a second impression, usually at a different angle.

One 1993-P quarter suffered exactly this fate. The second strike landed approximately 60% off-center, creating a dramatically misaligned coin where portions of Washington’s portrait appear twice on opposite sides of the planchet. This coin was graded MS-64 by the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation — one of the two most trusted third-party grading services) and sold at auction for $280.

For off-center double strikes, value generally increases with the percentage of misalignment — more dramatic examples attract higher bids from error specialists.

2. 1993-P Quarter, Double Struck — Second Strike 10% Off Center

Heritage Auctions has also handled a second documented double-strike example from the Philadelphia Mint. This coin’s second strike was 10% off center, with the second strike displaced toward the 12 o’clock position. It was graded AU-58 by NGC — meaning it showed a trace of rub from handling before it was recognized and saved as an error coin. Both the 10% and 60% off-center versions demonstrate that double strikes were a real, documented production issue for 1993-P quarters.

3. 1993-D Quarter, Missing Clad Layer (Reverse)

The sandwich construction of the clad quarter — copper core with cupronickel outer layers — opened up a category of errors unique to the modern coinage era. In rare cases, one or both outer layers fail to bond properly to the planchet.

One 1993-D quarter left the Denver Mint missing its entire reverse clad layer. The front (obverse) appeared in the usual silver-white color, but the back (reverse) showed the warm reddish tone of raw copper — an arresting and highly visible error. This coin was graded MS-62 Red by ANACS (another professional grading service) and sold at auction for $155. The “Red” designation refers specifically to the fresh copper color showing through the missing clad layer on the reverse.

 

Where to Sell Your 1993 Quarter?

Found a valuable 1993 quarter and ready to sell? Choosing the right platform is crucial — some venues excel at premium grades, while others serve proof coins and silver varieties better.

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

 

1993 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1993 Quarter

1. Is A 1993 Quarter Silver?

Standard circulation 1993 quarters — the ones you find in pocket change — are not silver. They use a copper core clad with an outer layer of copper-nickel, which gives them their silver-like appearance without the precious metal content.

However, some 1993 proof quarters are indeed silver. All proof coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint and carry an “S” mint mark on the obverse. The silver proof version contains 90% silver and weighs 6.25 grams, while the clad proof weighs 5.67 grams. Checking the coin’s edge for a visible copper line is a good first test; weighing it on a precise digital scale is the most reliable method.

2. How Much Is A 1993 Quarter Worth In Circulated Condition?

A worn 1993-P or 1993-D quarter in typical circulated condition is worth its face value of 25 cents. These coins were struck in the hundreds of millions, and circulated examples are so common that no collector premium exists below grades of MS-63 or higher.

Circulated 1993-S clad proof quarters are worth around $3.50 in PR-65 condition, while circulated silver proof examples carry at least their silver melt value — currently around $8.78 based on late-2025 silver prices.

3. What Is The Highest Grade 1993 Quarter Ever Certified?

For business strikes, MS-67 examples of both the 1993-P and 1993-D represent the pinnacle of known certification for these coins. The NGC census for the 1993-D MS-67 showed only 30 examples, while PCGS had certified just 6 at the time one was auctioned at Heritage.

These grades are not theoretical — they are genuine condition rarities that sell for hundreds of dollars. An MS-67 1993-D realized $516.00 at Heritage Auctions in February 2018, demonstrating real collector demand for the finest examples.

4. Why Are High-Grade 1993-P Quarters So Rare?

This is one of the most overlooked facts about this series. NGC’s grading resources document that Philadelphia Mint clad coins from the early 1990s frequently suffered from “poor strikes and indifferent luster” due to production quality issues of that era.

This means that even coins that never circulated may show flat, weakly struck details — earning lower grades than a well-struck Denver example. Finding a 1993-P with sharp, full detail and vibrant original cartwheel luster is genuinely difficult, which is why MS-67 and higher grades are true condition rarities despite the 639-million mintage.

5. What Does Deep Cameo (DCAM) Mean On A 1993 Quarter?

Deep Cameo — abbreviated DCAM by PCGS and Ultra Cameo (UCAM) by NGC — is the highest visual quality designation for proof coins. It means the coin’s raised design elements (called “devices”) appear bright white and heavily frosted, while the flat background areas (the “fields”) look like a polished black mirror.

Only the finest proof coins with the strongest, most dramatic contrast earn this designation. On a 1993-S quarter, a DCAM grade typically adds significant value compared to a standard proof. Most collector-quality 1993-S examples have already been certified DCAM or CAM (Cameo, which shows less dramatic contrast).

6. Does A 1993 Quarter Have Any Recognized Doubled Die Varieties?

No. This is an important point that separates fact from common online misconceptions. According to NGC’s VarietyPlus guide and Variety Vista’s comprehensive listings, no major Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) or Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) varieties have been assigned Fivaz-Stanton (FS) numbers for the 1993-P or 1993-D business strikes.

Some raw (uncertified) coins appear on retail platforms with doubling claims, but numismatic researchers have confirmed these typically show minor machine doubling — a mechanical phenomenon that adds little to no value. True doubled die errors are hub-related and produce dramatic, distinct doubling of lettering or design elements. Always look for FS numbers and professional grading service certification before paying a premium for any supposed 1993 quarter variety.

7. How Do I Tell A 1993-S Clad Proof From A 1993-S Silver Proof?

Both the clad and silver proof versions carry an “S” mint mark, have Deep Cameo finishes, and look virtually identical to the naked eye. The fastest visual check is to look at the coin’s edge: if you can see any trace of reddish-brown copper, it’s a clad coin. If the edge looks uniformly silver-white, it could be the silver version.

The definitive test is weight. The clad proof weighs 5.67 grams, while the silver proof weighs 6.25 grams. You need a highly precise digital scale (accurate to 0.01 grams) to make this determination reliably.

8. What Is The Silver Melt Value Of A 1993-S Silver Quarter In 2025-2026?

This is a particularly timely question. Based on late-2025 silver spot prices near $48.52 per troy ounce, the silver melt value of a 1993-S silver quarter is approximately $8.78.

This figure has surpassed the retail value of certified examples in grades PR-65 through PR-67 — meaning the metal content itself now sets the market floor. Even a coin with a modest certified grade is worth at least its silver melt value. For the finest examples (PR-69 and PR-70 DCAM), numismatic premiums still apply above the melt value.

9. What Are The Most Valuable 1993 Quarter Errors To Look For?

The two most valuable and documented categories are off-center double strikes and missing clad layer errors. A 1993-P quarter with a second strike 60% off center graded MS-64 by NGC sold for $280. A separate 1993-P AU-58 example with a 10% off-center second strike has also been handled by Heritage Auctions.

A 1993-D quarter missing its entire reverse clad layer — exposing the raw copper core — graded MS-62 Red by ANACS and sold for $155. Both types of error are dramatically visible, which is what makes them desirable to collectors. Any suspected error coin should be authenticated by PCGS or NGC before purchase or sale, as post-mint damage is sometimes mistaken for genuine errors.

10. Is It Worth Getting A 1993 Quarter Professionally Graded?

Professional grading (called “slabbing”) makes sense only for coins in exceptional condition or with major errors. PCGS and NGC charge submission fees that typically start around $30–$50 per coin for standard services, plus shipping. For a common grade (MS-63 or lower), the coin’s value — often under $5 — will not justify the cost.

The cases where professional grading adds clear value for 1993 quarters are: business strikes that appear to be MS-66 or higher (where small grade differences create large price jumps), 1993-S silver proof coins that could grade PR-69 or PR-70 DCAM, and genuine mint errors like double strikes or missing clad layers. Certification also confirms authenticity, which typically increases realized value by 30–50% compared to equivalent raw (uncertified) examples.