1996 Quarter Coin Value: Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth

1996-P Quarter value ranges from $0.25 face value to $1,998. That record sale was a Grade 68 example sold through Heritage Auctions in November 2012. Upload a photo of yours below and we’ll give you a quick value range based on your coin’s condition. You can also scroll down to check recent eBay sales to see what buyers are paying today.

 

1996 Quarter Value By Variety And Mint Mark

This chart breaks down 1996 quarter values by mint mark and condition. Grading makes a huge difference in what collectors will pay. If you already know your coin’s grade, jump to the Value Guides section below for exact pricing.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Quarter Worth Money (1932 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1996 Quarter Value Auction Records

The biggest surprise here? A 1996-D graded just MS-63 sold for $504. That’s a mid-grade circulation coin beating out coins graded five points higher. Eye appeal and two aggressive bidders can do that.

Business strikes own the top spots. A 1996-P MS-68 brought $411 and a 1996-D MS-68 hit $300, both at Heritage Auctions. These superb survivors consistently outperform even perfect PR-70 proofs. That sounds backwards, but it makes sense — finding a flawless coin that went through high-speed production and bin handling is far harder than pulling a pristine proof from a sealed Mint set. Proof coins in the $28–$86 range for top grades are nice, but they can’t compete with the premiums gem business strikes command.

 

1996 Quarter Value History: The Last Classic Year Before State Quarters

The 1996 Washington quarter sits at a turning point. Just three years later, the 50 State Quarters Program completely replaced the classic eagle reverse. President Bill Clinton signed the authorization act on December 1, 1997, launching what became the most popular coin collecting program in U.S. history. After 1998, the original Washington quarter reverse was gone for good.

The design itself has a great backstory. Congress originally approved a commemorative half-dollar for Washington’s 200th birthday in 1932. Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon redirected it to quarters instead — then overruled the competition judges and rejected sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser’s winning design in favor of John Flanagan’s portrait. Flanagan based his work on the 1785 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon, sculpted from life sittings at Mount Vernon.

By 1996, silver was long gone from circulating quarters. The Coinage Act of 1965 swapped out the 90% silver alloy for copper-nickel clad to stop coins from disappearing into melt pots. The only exception? The special 90% silver proof sold exclusively through the U.S. Mint’s Premier Silver Proof Sets.

Here’s a fun detail: the Silver Proof quarter came back in 1992 after a 27-year gap. That revival set the stage for silver versions of the State Quarter proofs starting in 1999. The 1996-S Silver DCAM is one of only seven traditional Washington quarter designs ever struck in silver proof format for modern collectors.

Quarters remain profitable for the Mint thanks to seigniorage — the gap between face value and production cost. A clad quarter costs about 11 cents to make, netting the Mint roughly 14 cents per coin. That revenue funds broader Mint operations and keeps the numismatic program going strong.

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

 

Is Your 1996 Quarter Value Above Face Value? Check Rarity Here

You can use our Coin Identifier and Value App to instantly assess the rarity and value of any quarter in your collection.

 

1996 Quarter Value Key Features And Specifications

A few quick terms before we dig in. The thin side of a coin is its edge. The raised border is the rim. Words on a coin are mottos or legends. Raised images are devices, and the flat background is the field. The blank metal disc before striking? That’s a planchet. Knowing these helps when you’re describing your coin to a dealer or grading service.

Want a quick way to tell a silver 1996-S proof from a clad one? Pick it up. The silver version weighs 6.25 grams versus 5.67 grams for the clad. Tap it on a hard surface — silver rings longer and clearer. The clad coin sounds dull by comparison.

The Obverse Of The 1996 Quarter

George Washington faces left, based on Houdon’s 1785 bust. “LIBERTY” arcs above his head. “IN GOD WE TRUST” sits beneath his chin. The mint mark is to the right, near his ponytail. Look at the bottom rim for the date “1996,” and check the neck truncation toward the right for “JF” — John Flanagan’s initials.

One thing most people miss: there’s no designer mark on the reverse at all. Flanagan’s “JF” on the obverse is the only attribution, and it’s small enough that you’ll need a loupe to spot it.

The Reverse Of The 1996 Quarter

Flip it over and you’ll see an American bald eagle with spread wings. An olive wreath spans from wingtip to wingtip beneath it, with a bundle of arrows in the talons. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” arcs above the eagle’s head. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” runs along the upper rim, and “QUARTER DOLLAR” sits along the bottom.

This is the same eagle Flanagan designed in 1932. By 1996, it had run unchanged for 66 years — one of the longest uninterrupted designs in U.S. coinage.

Other Features Of The 1996 Quarter

Circulating 1996 quarters use copper-nickel clad planchets: an outer layer of 8.33% nickel bonded to a core that brings the total composition to 91.67% copper overall. Some proofs share this clad makeup, while the special silver proofs are 90% silver and 10% copper. Both types measure 24.3mm in diameter and 1.75mm thick, with 119 reeds along the edge — and the silver version weighs 6.25g compared to the clad’s 5.67g.

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

 

1996 Quarter Value Mintage And Survival Data

Philadelphia cranked out over 925 million quarters. Denver added roughly 906 million. Combined, that’s over 1.83 billion circulation coins — making these among the highest-mintage Washington quarters ever struck.

About half survived in collectible condition. The rest were lost, damaged, hoarded carelessly, or worn smooth. That 50% survival rate is typical for modern business strikes.

The proofs are a completely different story. The 1996-S DCAM clad proof had a mintage of just 1,750,244, with a 42.07% survival rate — even carefully stored proofs face attrition over time. The silver DCAM proof came in even lower, estimated at approximately 775,021 pieces. To put that in perspective, Philadelphia alone struck more quarters in a single day than the entire silver proof run.

Total mintage across all 1996 quarter varieties: approximately 1,834,433,265. Despite that massive number, top-grade certified examples at PCGS and NGC are genuinely scarce.

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

 

The Rare 1996-W Quarter Value: The Variety Most Collectors Overlook

Here’s the single most important thing about 1996 quarters that most collectors don’t know: there’s a fourth circulating-design variety carrying the “W” mint mark from West Point.

The 1996-W never entered general circulation. It was made exclusively for the 1996 Young Collectors Edition coin set, a Mint product sold for about $8.00 to get kids into the hobby. Total mintage was just 1,457,967 pieces — compare that to 925 million from Philadelphia.

So how do they end up in pocket change? People broke the sets apart and spent the coins without realizing what they had. Finding a 1996-W in your change jar is legitimately possible. Worn examples run $3 to $5. Certified MS-65 coins sell for around $20 to $30. High-grade MS-67 specimens can bring $75 or more at auction.

To identify one, look for the “W” mint mark on the obverse, right of Washington’s portrait — same spot where you’d normally see a “P” or “D.” No other Washington quarter before or after 1996 carries the West Point “W” mint mark. It’s a true one-year-only variety.

 

The Easy Way To Know Your 1996 Quarter Value

Three things matter most: (1) the mint mark — P, D, S, or the rare W; (2) whether an S-mint coin is clad proof or silver proof; and (3) the grade. Silver proofs contain 90% silver with a melt value around $6.63 at current prices. Regular circulation quarters are copper-nickel clad, worth face value when worn.

Look for the “S” mint mark paired with a mirror-like proof finish and Deep Cameo contrast — sharp white-frosted devices against a jet-black mirror field. Silver proof versions can reach $86–$334 in perfect grades. Our Coin Identifier and Value App identifies silver content, proof designations, mint marks including the rare W, and errors instantly through simple photo capture, ensuring you never overlook a valuable 1996 variety.

 

1996 Quarter Value Guides By Type

The U.S. Mint produced four varieties of the traditional Washington quarter in 1996 — five if you count the West Point issue above. Philadelphia and Denver handled everyday commerce. San Francisco focused on collector-quality proofs in both clad and silver.

The big distinction among S-mint coins is clad versus 90% silver, both with Deep Cameo finishes. PCGS calls their top cameo designation Deep Cameo (DCAM); NGC uses Ultra Cameo (UCAM). Same thing, different label. Each of the four main types — plus the 1996-W — follows its own market dynamics.

1996 Quarter Types:

• 1996-P (Philadelphia Mint)
• 1996-D (Denver Mint)
• 1996-S DCAM (San Francisco Deep Cameo)
• 1996-S Silver DCAM (San Francisco Silver Deep Cameo)

 

1996-P Quarter Value: Philadelphia Mint Guide

Over 925 million struck, and you’d think nice ones would be everywhere. They’re not. The jump from MS-66 to MS-67 on a 1996-P is where prices get serious. Mint State grades run from MS-60 (lowest uncirculated) to MS-70 (theoretically perfect), and most 1996-P quarters top out well below MS-67.

PCGS has certified fewer than 50 examples at MS-68 or above. Out of nearly a billion coins. That’s the kind of stat that makes cherrypicking worthwhile. MS-70 specimens have brought over $225 at auction. Three decades of bag marks, handling scuffs, and storage damage wiped out almost everything at the top of the grade scale.

Here’s how those high-grade survivors have performed at auction over recent years.

Current market activity shows how collector demand for this deceptively tough modern quarter shifts over time.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 3 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1996-D Quarter Value: Denver Mint Guide

Remember that $504 MS-63? That’s the coin that makes you double-check every Denver quarter in your junk box. Something about that particular coin — luster, toning, eye appeal — drove two bidders way past what the grade alone would suggest. I think it proves that raw visual impact can matter more than the number on the slab.

With roughly 906 million struck, the Denver issue follows the same pattern as Philadelphia: flat pricing through MS-66, then a sharp spike at MS-67 and above. MS-70 specimens have commanded over $325 at recent auctions. The premium curve runs steeper than the 1996-P, which hints that fewer Denver coins survived in top condition despite similar original mintage.

Recent auction records show strong demand for top-tier examples across multiple sale venues.

Market activity shows sustained collector interest, with spikes during key periods throughout 2025.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 7 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1996-S DCAM Quarter Value: San Francisco Clad Proof Guide

Can a proof coin with a mintage under two million still be common? In lower grades, yes. The 1996-S DCAM clad proof was part of the 1996 U.S. Proof Set, which retailed at $12.50 from the Mint. Total mintage: 1,750,244 coins — less than 0.2% of the Philadelphia run.

Pricing stays flat from PR-60 through PR-67, hovering around $4–$5. Not much to get excited about. The action starts at PR-69, where values climb to approximately $14. PR-70 brings around $34, though auction records show wild swings — anywhere from $7 to $61 depending on the day and who’s bidding.

Auction records reveal real price volatility for top-grade examples, with March 2025 as a notable peak.

The market activity chart shows seasonal patterns worth watching, especially that March 2025 spike.

Market activity score: 40/100 as of Oct 2026 — down 7 points from Jul 2026. 12-month peak: 53 (Sep 2026).

 

1996-S Silver DCAM Quarter Value: Premium Proof Guide

This is the coin you want if you’re building a registry set. The 1996-S Silver DCAM combines 90% silver content with full Deep Cameo contrast. It came in the 1996 U.S. Mint Premier Silver Proof Set at $37.50 retail — aimed at collectors who wanted real precious metal in their proofs.

Even a damaged example has a floor. Melt value sits at approximately $6.63 at current silver prices, so you’ll never lose everything. Perfect PR-70 examples reach approximately $44 at auction, with historical sales ranging from $39 to $86 depending on market conditions. We think the silver proof offers the best long-term value play among 1996 quarter varieties.

Auction records show real swings at the PR-70 level, with prices ranging from $39 to $86 based on timing and buyer competition.

Market activity shows pronounced seasonal patterns, with notable peaks in March and July 2025.

Market activity score: 50/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 3 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1996 Quarter Value Errors And What They’re Worth

Errors happen when machines running at high speed do something unplanned. For collectors, those accidents can turn a 25-cent coin into a serious find. A designation called First Strike (FS) goes to errors discovered within 30 days of release — none were documented for 1996 quarters. But several dramatic mistakes have been authenticated and sold. Here are the big ones.

1. 1996-P Quarter Struck On A Nickel Planchet

To make coins, a coiled metal strip enters the Mint, gets flattened by a blanking machine, and is punched into disc-shaped planchets (blanks) sized for each denomination. Occasionally a wrong-sized blank finds its way into the press — here, a quarter die struck a five-cent nickel planchet weighing only 4.9 grams instead of the quarter’s standard 5.67 grams. The result is a recognizable quarter design on a noticeably smaller, lighter disc. Graded MS-62, this wrong-planchet error sold for $204.

2. 1996-D Quarter Clad Reverse Layer Missing

Since 1965, U.S. quarters have been made using the “Johnson Sandwich” — a pure copper core bonded to outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel (cupronickel). During production, the upper cladding layer occasionally separates or fails to bond properly, leaving one side of the coin with exposed copper rather than the silver-colored nickel face. The result is a two-toned coin: normal grey-silver on one side, orange-copper on the other. Graded MS-63, this missing clad layer error sold for $79.

3. 1996-P Quarter Struck Through Late Cap Die

A capped die error happens when a planchet gets stuck on the die face and won’t eject. The next blank strikes against the back of that stuck coin instead of the die itself, producing a blurry or fully obscured impression. The longer the cap stays on, the worse it gets. A 1996-P quarter with a late capped die error, graded MS-61, sold for $59 at auction.

4. 1996-P Quarter Struck 65% Off-Center

Planchets enter the press via feeder fingers on a conveyor. When a blank lands crooked under the die, you get a partial strike — part of the design shows, the rest is blank metal. A 65% off-center coin has roughly two-thirds of its design missing. The date needs to be visible for maximum value. This 65% off-center 1996-P, graded MS-64, sold for $156.

5. 1996-P Quarter Double Struck Error

A double strike happens when a coin gets hit twice — either it didn’t eject after the first blow, or it caught a second strike on the way out. You’ll see overlapping or offset design elements. Severe cases distort the coin into an oval or figure-eight shape. An ungraded 1996-P double strike sold for $800. That’s the kind of dramatic error that gets competitive bidders fired up.

6. 1996 Quarter Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)

A DDO forms during die manufacturing when the hub presses into the working die at a slightly different angle on a second impression. On Washington quarters, look for doubling on the letters of “LIBERTY,” the date, or Washington’s profile. Grab a 5x loupe and check closely. The stronger the doubling, the more it’s worth. Circulated 1996 DDO quarters typically sell for $5 to $50, with bolder varieties at the higher end.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 1996 Quarter Value For Maximum Return

For high-grade examples — MS-67 and above — and major errors, go with established auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers. They attract competitive bidding from serious collectors worldwide, and that competition drives your price up.

If you have a 1996-W West Point quarter, get it slabbed by PCGS or NGC before selling. A certified 1996-W commands far more than a raw example because buyers worry about faked “W” mint marks added to ordinary 1996-P quarters. Circulated coins and lower-grade Mint State pieces sell fine on eBay or at local coin shows with minimal overhead.

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

 

1996 Quarter Value Market Trend

Market interest: 4,930 collectors tracking this coin as of Oct 2026 — up 1,000 from Mar 2026. 12-month peak: 5,000 (Nov 2025).

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

 

FAQ About The 1996 Quarter Value

1. How many 1996 quarters were made in total?

Approximately 1,834,433,265 across all varieties. That breaks down to roughly 925 million from Philadelphia, 906 million from Denver, about 1.75 million clad proofs from San Francisco, approximately 775,000 silver proofs from San Francisco, and 1,457,967 special West Point issues. The silver proofs had the lowest production at around 775,000 pieces.

2. What is the most valuable 1996 quarter ever sold?

A 1996-D MS-63 hit $504 — wild money for a mid-grade circulation coin, driven by eye appeal and aggressive bidding. For more conventional top grades, a 1996-P MS-68 sold for $411 and a 1996-D MS-68 brought $300, both at Heritage Auctions. A 1996-P MS-70 has also surpassed $225 at auction.

3. Is there really a 1996-W West Point quarter, and how do I find one?

Yes. The 1996-W was struck at West Point exclusively for the 1996 Young Collectors Edition set. Only 1,457,967 were made. Some entered circulation when people broke the sets apart and spent the coins. Finding one in change is uncommon but possible. Look for the “W” mint mark to the right of Washington’s portrait. Certified examples sell for roughly $20–$75+ depending on grade.

4. How much is a 1996-S silver proof quarter worth?

It contains 90% silver with a melt value of approximately $6.63 at current prices, so even damaged examples have a floor above face value. In lower proof grades (PR-60 to PR-67), expect $5 to $15. PR-69 examples typically sell for $20 to $30. Perfect PR-70 specimens have reached $44 to $86 at auction. Confirm the “S” mint mark and weigh it — the silver version is 6.25 grams versus 5.67 grams for clad.

5. What does “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) mean on a 1996-S proof quarter?

DCAM stands for Deep Cameo — PCGS’s highest cameo designation. It describes proof coins with maximum contrast between jet-black mirror fields and brilliantly frosted white devices. NGC calls the same thing Ultra Cameo (UCAM). Tilt a DCAM coin under a light and you’ll see dramatic black-and-white contrast. It’s far more visually striking than a standard proof or regular Cameo (CAM) coin.

6. What is the 1996 quarter made of, and does it contain any silver?

Most are copper-nickel clad: 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel overall, bonded over a pure copper core. No silver. Worth face value when worn. The exception is the 1996-S Silver DCAM proof — 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams versus the clad’s 5.67 grams. It was never circulated and sold exclusively in the 1996 Premier Silver Proof Set.

7. How can I tell if my 1996 quarter has an error that adds value?

Check for three things first: off-center strike (design shifted with blank metal on one side), missing clad layer (one side looks copper-orange instead of silver-grey), and doubled die (letters or portrait showing a ghost image). Use a 5x to 10x loupe to examine “LIBERTY,” the date, and Washington’s portrait. Known 1996 error sales range from $59 for a capped die to $800 for a dramatic double strike.

8. Why did the 1996 Washington quarter design end after 1998?

The 50 State Quarters Program Authorization Act, signed by President Clinton on December 1, 1997, required a new reverse for each of the 50 states starting in 1999. Flanagan’s eagle reverse — used continuously since 1932 — was retired. The program ran from 1999 through 2008, making 1998 the final year for the traditional eagle reverse.

9. Should I get my high-grade 1996 quarter certified by PCGS or NGC?

If you think it grades MS-67 or higher, or if it’s a 1996-W, absolutely. A slabbed coin commands significantly more than raw because buyers trust the independent grade. Certification fees run $20 to $50 per coin depending on service level, so it only makes economic sense for coins worth $50 or more. Don’t bother certifying common circulated examples.

10. What is seigniorage, and why does it matter for 1996 quarters?

Seigniorage is the Mint’s profit — the difference between face value and production cost. A 1996 clad quarter cost about 11 cents to make but circulates at 25 cents, netting roughly 14 cents per coin. Multiply that across 1.83 billion circulation strikes and you’re looking at hundreds of millions in revenue for the Treasury. That’s why the government keeps supporting coin programs even in the digital payment era.