1998 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth)

The 1998 Washington Quarter holds special significance as the final year of the classic design before the revolutionary 50 State Quarters Program began in 1999.

While most examples trade at or near face value, with circulated pieces worth 25-67 cents and typical mint state examples reaching $12-$47, special varieties and premium proof coins command higher prices. The Denver mint’s Prooflike (PL) variety can reach nearly $69, while San Francisco proof coins with Deep Cameo (DCAM) contrast trade for around $6-$10.

As collectors recognize this transitional year’s historical importance—marking the end of an era that began in 1932—understanding the different mint marks, proof designations, and condition grades becomes essential for identifying valuable examples among billions of common circulation strikes.

 

1998 Quarter Value By Variety

Based on our analysis of current market data, the 1998 quarters show a clear preference for higher-grade specimens. 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 1998 Quarter Worth Money

The Most Valuable 1998 Quarter Chart from 2006 to present reveals remarkable price variations based on grade and mint mark, with some examples reaching extraordinary values that few collectors would expect from such a recent date.

The chart demonstrates how condition dramatically impacts value, with a 1998-D MS-67 commanding an impressive $1,528 and a 1998-P MS-66 reaching $1,440 – prices that rival many classic rarities.

What’s particularly striking is the performance gap between grades: while a 1998-P MS-65 sells for $125, upgrading to MS-66 jumps the value to $1,440, illustrating the premium collectors pay for exceptional preservation.

The 1998-S Silver 68 at $930 shows strong performance for proof coins, while other examples like the 1998-S DCAM PR-70 at $219 remain accessible to budget-conscious collectors.

These results highlight how modern coins can achieve significant values when preservation meets scarcity at the highest grade levels.

 

History of the 1998 Quarter

The 1998 quarter belongs to the Washington Quarter Series, which has been in circulation since 1932 to date. The sculptor John Flanagan designed the Washington quarter to commemorate the country’s first president and his great achievements as a Founding Father and politician.

As early as 1930, Congress established a Bicentennial Committee to prepare for Washington’s bicentennial birth anniversary. The Committee proposed a Washington commemorative half dollar for the anniversary year.

The Committee, alongside the Commission of Fine Arts, held a competition to find a designer for the new commemorative. After reviewing several submissions, they selected designs from Laura Gardin Fraser, a renowned and experienced coin designer.

To the Committee and Commission’s surprise, the House Committee of Coinage moved fast, proposing that Congress permanently replace the Standing Liberty Quarter with a Washington Quarter.

Despite protests by the Bicentennial Committee and Fine Arts Commission, Congress passed an Act authorizing the U.S. Mint to produce a new quarter featuring Washington’s portrait on the obverse and a national image on the reverse.

Another hurdle the Commission and Committee faced was the Mint’s decision to turn down their choice of designer, Laura Gardin Fraser. Instead, the Mint held a new competition and ultimately chose John Flanagan to design the new Washington quarter.

Production of the new coin began in July 1932, and by August, the Mint had released the Washington quarters into circulation. These quarters were struck in silver until 1965 when the Mint began using copper-nickel cladding in the face of rising silver prices.

The obverse design depicting President George Washington has remained largely unchanged since 1932, but the reverse has undergone several design changes. 1998 was the last year in which the reverse of the Washington quarter featured the heraldic eagle.

In the following years, until 2021, the reverse has changed several times to commemorate the country’s other jurisdictions, national sites, historical figures, and the fifty states.

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

 

Is Your 1998 Quarter Rare?

For collectors looking to identify the rarest dates and their current market values, tools like our CoinValueChecker App can quickly analyze rarity rankings and provide real-time pricing data across the entire Washington Quarter series.

 

Key Features of The 1998 Quarter

Let’s now look at the unique physical attributes of the 1998 quarter. A greater understanding of these features will help you know what to look for in 1998 quarters worth money and generally identify Washington quarters worth adding to your collection.

The Obverse Of The 1998 Quarter

President George Washington’s portrait is the most prominent feature on the obverse of the 1998 quarter. The coin’s designer, John Flanagan, based his design on Washington’s bust created by the renowned sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon in the 1780s.

In the portrait, Washington appears in left-facing profile, displaying the classical 18th-century hairstyle typical of his era.

At the top of the coin, around the inner rim, you will see the word LIBERTY. The country’s motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, appears on the left surface while the date, 1998, appears at the bottom.

The Reverse Of The 1998 Quarter

The reverse of the 1999 quarter is more detailed. It features the bald, flying eagle with its wings spread out while perched on several arrows. The arrows represent liberty and a readiness to defend the country’s sovereignty.

An olive branch underscores the image of the eagle perched on the arrows. This branch symbolizes peace.

The country’s name boldly appears at the top along the inner rim, while the coin’s denomination, QUARTER DOLLAR, appears directly opposite at the bottom.

Above the eagle’s head, you will also notice the motto, E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Other Features Of The 1998 Quarter

The 1998 Washington quarter has a pure copper core and an outer cladding comprising 75% copper and 25% nickel. It measures 24.30 millimeters in diameter, weighs 5.67 grams, and has a reeded edge.

The Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints produced Washington quarters in 1998. You can identify these quarters by their P and D mint marks, which appear on the obverse next to Washington’s ponytail.

The San Francisco mint produced only silver-proof coins with a mint mark S on the obverse.

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

 

1998 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

The 1998 Quarter Mintage & Survival Chart reveals fascinating patterns in coin production and preservation rates across different mint varieties.

The Philadelphia and Denver mints produced massive quantities – over 896 million and 821 million coins respectively – yet both maintained identical 50% survival rates, meaning roughly half of all circulated quarters from 1998 remain in collectible condition today.

What’s particularly striking is the contrast with proof coins: the 1998-S DCAM had a mintage of just over 2 million but boasts an exceptional 95% survival rate, reflecting collectors’ careful preservation of these special strikes.

Meanwhile, the 1998-S Silver DCAM shows 834,852 survivors despite unknown original mintage figures, suggesting strong collector demand for silver proof varieties.

These survival statistics directly impact rarity rankings and market values, as lower survival numbers often correlate with higher collectibility.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1998 Quarter Value

Spotting the value of a 1998 quarter is easier when you know where to look. Examine Washington’s hair, the eagle’s breast feathers, and the coin’s overall shine to judge wear and preservation. Circulated coins show varying degrees of flattening, while mint state examples stand out with crisp details. Even small differences in condition can dramatically affect price.

For a quick, reliable estimate, the CoinValueChecker App lets you see your coin’s condition and current market value in seconds, without needing professional grading experience.

 

1998 Quarter Value Guides

The 1998 Washington Quarter production involved three major U.S. Mint facilities.

The Philadelphia Mint produced standard business strike quarters for circulation, while the Denver Mint handled both regular circulation coins and special Prooflike versions with enhanced surface quality.

The San Francisco Mint specialized in premium collector products, manufacturing both silver and clad proof quarters with Deep Cameo finishes.

This distribution reflects the traditional roles of each mint facility: Philadelphia and Denver focusing on circulation coinage, while San Francisco concentrates on proof and special collector editions featuring superior strikes and finishes.

1998 Washington Quarter Varieties:

• 1998-P (Philadelphia)
• 1998-D (Denver Mint)
• 1998-D PL (Denver Mint)
• 1998-S Silver DCAM (San Francisco Mint)
• 1998-S DCAM (San Francisco Mint)

 

1998-P Quarter Value 

The mint at Philadelphia produced 896,268,000 Washington quarters in 1998. This mintage is extremely high but unsurprising given that the Washington Quarter series is known for its high mintages almost every year.

The 1998-P quarter is abundant across all grades, and the high mintage also makes it affordable. This coin will fetch between $0.25 and $0.67 in circulated condition. Even in some mint state grades, the 1998-P quarter is affordable.

These coins become harder to find in MS66 and higher, but enough examples have been graded to meet collectors’ demands.

According to auction records, the most expensive 1998-P quarter is graded MS66 and was sold for a whopping $1,440 at a 2024 Stack’s Bowers sale.

Recent auction results reveal the surprising value potential of top-condition 1998-P quarters across various grading services.

Current market activity shows steady collector interest driven by both completion-focused Washington Quarter set builders and investors recognizing the coin’s transitional historical significance.

 

1998-D Quarter Value 

The 1998-D Quarter stands out as the Denver Mint’s contribution to the final year of traditional Washington Quarter production before the revolutionary State Quarter series began.

With a mintage of 821 million coins, it represents one of the last high-production runs of the classic design that collectors had known for decades.

What distinguishes the 1998-D from its Philadelphia counterpart is the Denver Mint’s slightly different striking characteristics and the coin’s role in completing the final pre-State Quarter mint set.

Additionally, the 1998-D is notable for having both regular business strikes and special Prooflike versions, making it one of the few Denver quarters to receive such premium treatment during this transitional period.

Auction records demonstrate how premium-grade 1998-D quarters have performed significantly better than their common-grade counterparts in recent sales.

Market activity reflects growing recognition among collectors who view the 1998-D as an essential piece of Washington Quarter history, driving consistent demand across multiple collecting segments.

 

1998-D PL Quarter Value 

The 1998-D PL Quarter represents a rare and exceptional variety that combines Denver Mint production with Prooflike surface quality, making it one of the most distinctive Washington Quarters of its era.

The “PL” designation indicates mirror-like fields and frosted devices typically associated with proof coins, yet this specimen was struck at Denver rather than San Francisco’s proof facility.

This unusual combination creates a coin with superior eye appeal and reflectivity compared to standard business strikes.

The 1998-D PL is particularly significant because Denver rarely produced Prooflike quarters, making this variety a true anomaly in the Washington Quarter series and highly sought after by specialists who appreciate its unique manufacturing characteristics and scarcity.

Market enthusiasm for this variety remains strong among advanced collectors who recognize the 1998-D PL as one of the most underappreciated rarities in modern Washington Quarter collecting.

 

1998-S Silver DCAM Quarter Value 

The 1998-S Silver DCAM Quarter represents the pinnacle of Washington Quarter production quality, combining 90% silver composition with Deep Cameo contrast for exceptional visual appeal.

This San Francisco proof features frosted devices against deeply mirrored fields, creating the dramatic black-and-white contrast that defines the DCAM designation.

What makes this coin particularly special is its dual significance: the precious metal content appeals to both collectors and silver stackers, while the superior proof striking quality showcases the Washington design at its finest.

As one of the final silver Washington Quarters before the State Quarter era, the 1998-S Silver DCAM holds both numismatic and historical importance, representing the culmination of traditional proof manufacturing techniques.

Recent auction records highlight the performance of high-grade 1998-S Silver DCAM quarters, reflecting their dual appeal to quality-focused collectors.

Market activity demonstrates consistent demand driven by collectors seeking the finest examples of pre-State Quarter Washington proofs combined with silver’s intrinsic value appeal.

 

1998-S DCAM Quarter Value 

The 1998-S DCAM Quarter stands as the clad proof offering from the San Francisco Mint’s final year of traditional Washington Quarter production.

This Deep Cameo specimen showcases the mint’s mastery of contrast techniques, featuring heavily frosted raised elements against deeply polished mirror fields that create striking visual drama.

What sets the 1998-S DCAM apart is its accessibility compared to the silver version while still maintaining exceptional proof quality and eye appeal.

With a mintage of over 2 million coins and an impressive 95% survival rate, it represents one of the most well-preserved examples of late 20th-century proof craftsmanship. This coin captures the essence of modern proof technology applied to the classic Washington design.

Auction record shows how top-grade 1998-S DCAM quarters have established themselves as reliable performers in the proof Washington Quarter market.

Market activity reflects steady collector interest from both proof specialists and date-run completists who value the coin’s superior strike quality and historical significance.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1998 Quarter Error List

Although 1998 quarters are typically not worth a fortune, coins with errors can fetch significantly more than the face value. Here are some of the 1998 quarter errors worth money:

1. 1998 Wounded Eagle Quarter Errors

The wounded eagle quarter error is unique to the Washington quarters. This error gains its name from a line or what appears to be a cut across the eagle on the reverse, leading collectors to name this as a wounded eagle.

This error is rare and fascinating to collectors looking for unique 1998 quarters. The price might be high for an uncirculated Washington quarter in mint state.

2. 1998 Die Crack Quarter Errors

Die crack errors are common in high-mintage series such as the Washington quarter series. This error occurs when the die develops cracks due to the immense pressure of the minting process.

If the Mint continues striking planchets with this die, metal from the planchet fills in the cracks. This results in a line of raised metal on the coin’s surface.

The value of a die crack error will depend on the size and visibility of the raised line. Larger, more visible errors are usually worth more.

3. 1998 Off-center Quarter Errors

Off-center errors are not too common in the 1998 Washington quarter series and can be quite valuable if you are lucky enough to come across a coin with such an error.

Off-set or off-center errors occur when the working die is not properly centered over the planchet. This results in the die striking the design elements away from the center.

The value will depend on how ‘’off’’ from the center the design element is struck. Off-center strikes 50% or more away from the center will fetch more than a 2% or 10% off-center strike.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 1998 Quarter?

Armed with comprehensive knowledge about 1998 quarter values and grading, wondering where to find these collectible coins or sell your existing collection? I’ve thoroughly researched the best online platforms and selling strategies, detailing their unique features, advantages, and potential drawbacks.

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

 

1998 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1998 Quarter

1. Are 1998 silver quarters worth anything?

While one would expect silver proofs to be worth a fortune, the 1998 silver quarters struck as proofs at the San Francisco mint are very affordable. The 1998 silver quarters are worth about $10, allowing any collector to acquire a nice-looking proof quarter.

2. How do you know if you have a valuable 1998 quarter?

An uncirculated 1998 quarter in a mint state will generally be worth more than the face value of a circulated quarter. Check for full luster from one end of the coin to the other on the obverse and reverse. Examine high points on both sides of the coin for signs of wear; an uncirculated 1998 quarter worth money should show no sign of wear, dullness, or smoothness.

3. Is a 1998 D quarter worth a lot of money?

A 1998-D quarter is only valuable in uncirculated grades. Even then, you can only expect as much as $250 for specimens graded MS67. All in all, do not expect a large profit from your 1998-D quarter.