Are you curious about the 1971 Washington quarter? Do you wonder whether your coin is worth any money?
The Washington quarter is quite popular among coin collectors, and yours might be worth something depending on the coin’s condition and grade.
This article explains everything you need to know about the 1971 quarter value. You will discover the coin’s interesting history, features, and rare errors that might be worth millions of dollars if you know what to look for.
Let’s get started!
1971 Quarter Value Chart | ||||
| Mint mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1971 No mint mark Quarter Value | $0.30 | $0.30 | $0.30 | $1250 |
| 1971-D Quarter Value | $0.30 | $0.30 | $0.30 | $1,100 |
| 1971-S Proof Quarter Value | – | – | – | $7,574 |
History of the 1971 Quarter
The 1971 quarter is part of the Washington quarter coin series, first struck in 1932 to commemorate President George Washington’s 200th birthday anniversary.
Congress wanted to replace the Standing Liberty quarter with a new quarter depicting Washington’s portrait. The Bicentennial Committee congress, established to oversee the celebrations, thought it best to temporarily replace the Walking Liberty half dollar with the new commemorative coin.
In the end, despite protestations by members of the Bicentennial Committee, Congress settled on permanently replacing the Standing Liberty with a Washington quarter.
The Committee, alongside the Commission of Fine Arts, held a competition to select an artist to design the coin. The obverse design was to be based on Jean-Antoine Houdon’s sculpture of George Washington (1786), while the reverse design was left up to the artist.
Ultimately, the Committee and Commission chose Laura Gardin Fraser’s design after the competition. But, Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, the final decision maker, rejected Fraser as the chosen artist despite her experience as a sculptor and coin designer. Mellon instead opted for John Flanagan’s design.
Production of the Washington quarter began immediately, and the coins were in circulation by August 1, 1932.
The 1971 quarter features the same obverse and reverse design features as the original 1932 quarter. But these early coins were struck in silver up until 1964, after which the Mint changed the coin’s composition to copper and nickel.
The mint struck more than 371 million Washington quarters in 1971 across all three mints: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. As you can tell, the 1971 Washington quarter is common, but is it worth any money? Let’s find out.
Features of the 1971 Quarter
Familiarizing yourself with a coin’s features can help you know what to look for to determine if your 1971 Washington quarter is worth anything more than face value.
The Obverse of the 1971 Quarter
The obverse is the top side of a coin. The 1971 Washington quarter derives its name from the obverse design, which features the left-facing portrait of President George Washington.
The word LIBERTY appears at the top while the date, 1971, is etched at the bottom.
The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears on the left field.
The obverse design of the 1971 quarter is the same as the original John Flanagan design of 1932 based on Jean-Antoine Houdon, sculptor of Washington (1786).
The Reverse of the 1971 Quarter
While the coin’s obverse was strictly based on Jean-Antoine Houdon’s bust sculpture, the artist was free to create their own design at the back of the Washington quarters, including the 1971 quarter.
Flanagan’s reverse design of the 1971 quarter features a left-facing heraldic eagle with wings spread out. The bird is perched on a bunch of arrows.
At the top of the bird’s head are the words E PLURIBUS UNUM, Latin for “Out of many, One.” At the bottom, underneath the bunch of arrows, are two olive branches tied together to form a laurel.
The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appear at the very top of the coin, while the coin’s denomination, QUARTER DOLLAR, is etched at the bottom.
Other Features of the 1971 Quarter
The earlier versions of the Washington quarters, between 1932 and 1964, were made of 90% silver and 10% copper. Starting in 1965, the coin’s composition changed to a copper and nickel clad over a copper center.
The 1971 quarter is therefore made of 75% copper and 25% nickel over a pure copper center.
It weighs 5.67 grams, measures 24.30 millimeters in diameter, and has a reeded edge.
The 1971 quarters struck at the Philadelphia coin presses do not have a mintmark. The proofs minted in San Francisco have no mintmark either. But, a mintmark D appears on the obverse on the right field next to Washington’s ponytail for coins minted in Denver.
1971Quarter Value Guides
In this section, we will find out just how much is a 1971 quarter worth. There are three varieties of Washington quarters minted in 1971. These are:
- 1971 No-mint mark Quarter
- 1971-D Quarter
- 1971-S Proof Quarter
Let’s look at each coin variety and find out whether your 1971 Washington quarter is worth more than the face value of 25 cents.
1971 No-Mint mark Quarter Value
Image: usacoinbook
Out of all the three mints that struck the Washington quarter in 1971, the Philadelphia facility produced the second most quarters, estimated to be 109,284,000.
With such a high mintage, the no-mintmark 1971 quarter is certainly not rare, and you can easily find a relatively nice-looking one in both circulated and uncirculated condition.
The quarters struck in 1971 are generally of poor quality due to the Philadelphia mint overusing their die. A large number of poor-quality quarters means you must search a little longer for a fine-looking coin, even in uncirculated condition.
If you are not picky with the coins you collect, this is good, and you should easily acquire a circulated 1971 quarter at a pocket-friendly price of between $0.30 and $0.85.
As mentioned, even in uncirculated condition, 1971-P quarters still have a lot of scarring, faint lines, and understated luster. In mint state (MS) 63, you can obtain one for as little as $8 and $10 for a quarter graded MS65.
According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), there are eight examples of the finest 1971 quarters graded MS67. The most recent example, graded MS67, was sold in 2019 at $3840.
1971-D Quarter Value
The Denver coin presses struck the highest number of Washington quarters in 1971 at over 250 million. The quality of coins that came out of Denver was much better than their Philadelphian counterparts, but this doesn’t make the Denver coins any cheaper than the Philly ones.
The high mintage means the 1971-D is readily available in circulation. You can easily and cheaply get your hands on a quarter in grades MS63 and lower. Quarters from this year in MS66 to MS67 are quite rare and will command a premium.
In circulated condition, for example, from Grade Good (G) all through to About Uncirculated 58 (AU), you can easily grab yourself a 1971-D quarter for between $0.30 and $0.85.
Going a little higher, in grade MS63, you can get your hands on a good-looking quarter for about $8 and as much as $1,100 for the finest example, graded MS68.
PCGS’s most recent records show only six examples of 1971-D in MS67 and only 2 in MS68.
The finest example, graded M68, was sold at an auction in 2019 at $4,560.
1971-S Proof Quarter Value
The United States Mint produces proof sets with a few highlight, cameo and deep cameo, uncirculated coins for collectors.
In 1971, the proof sets came from the San Francisco facility, known for better strikes than the Denver and Philadelphia ones. That year, the mint produced about 3,200,000 proof coins, significantly more than the low number of proofs that mints typically strike.
Examples of the 1971-S proof are available in Proof, Cameo, and Deep Cameo conditions. The latest PCGS records show about 429 examples of 1971-S proof quarters in grade PR67, 1228 in PR68, 1722 in PR69, and just 1 Deep Cameo grade PR70.
Proof quarters from 1971 are quite affordable, mostly because of the high mintage, which makes these coins readily available in the open market.
Expect to pay about $2.30 for a 1971-S proof graded MS60 and $10 for one graded PR65.
The finest example of a 1971-proof quarter with a red-brownish patina was graded PR70 and sold for $4,000 in 2023. A Cameo example graded PR69 was sold in an auction in 2003, fetching $242, while a Deep Cameo graded PR69 was sold for $7574 at auction.
1971 Quarter Errors
As you can tell from the high mintage, 1971 Washington quarters are not rare; you can get your hands on the remaining examples at a relatively affordable price.
That said, some quarters from 1917 are rare, particularly those with minting-related errors. These rare error coins can be worth hundreds of thousands.
Here are some common error coins from 1971.
1971 Quarter Doubled Die Reverse Error
Image: pcgs
A doubled die error occurs when there is a misalignment between the hub and die. There are several types of doubled die errors occurring from such a misalignment. For example, you might encounter a design hub doubling error or a distended, distorted, offset, or even pivoted error.
Ultimately, a doubled die error will result in the doubling of one or more design elements on the coin. The doubling can be extreme or subtle; the more extreme, the more valuable the error becomes.
Some 1971 quarters will show doubling on the date and the word LIBERTY on the obverse. Depending on the extent of doubling, a doubled die error on a 1971 quarter can fetch between $10 and $100, with extreme doubling increasing the coin’s value.
1971 Quarter Broad Struck Error
Broad strikes are quite common, especially among 1971-P quarters that were generally poorly struck.
A broad-struck error happens when the coin is struck outside its retaining collar. The collar is responsible for holding the coin and defining its diameter. A broad strike error is inevitable when the die strikes the coin beyond its normal diameter.
A properly centred coin struck outside the collar is known as a general strike, while an improperly centred one is known as an uncentered broad strike error.
For a coin to qualify as a broad strike, the obverse and reverse designs must be fully present.
Broad strikes are quite fascinating to coin collectors. One 1971 quarter broad strike error with its obverse and reverse designs intact sold for $400
1971 Quarter Clipped Planchet Error
Image: ebay
A clipped planchet error is also fascinating and sought-after. The error occurs when a blanking die overlaps a punched hole in the coin’s rim. This mishap results in blank edges with a concave shape, as if a piece of the coin was bitten out.
It is common for people to claim that their coin error is a clipped planchet when it actually isn’t. Whether you are buying or selling your 1971 quarter with a supposed planchet error, you should ensure that it is an actual error.
There are five things to look for to identify a clipped planchet error:
Blakesley effect: Check that the edge opposite the clip has a weak or missing rim.
The design along the clip looks smeared or stretched out.
The clip’s exposed edge will show a breakaway line in which the upper or lower half will be smooth and the other half rough.
The rim tapers toward and fades into the clipped edge.
In copper-clad coins, the normal position of the exposed copper core and normal coin edge is reversed.
A 1971 quarter clipped planchet coin can fetch anything between $10 and $100, with error coins with the date visible and intact attracting premium prices.
FAQs
Where is the mintmark on a 1971 Washington quarter?
Only the quarters minted in Denver have a mintmark; those minted in Philadelphia and the proofs struck in San Francisco do not have one. You can sport the D for Denver mintmark on the obverse of the 1971 quarter on the right field next to Washington’s ponytail.
Does the 1971 quarter have silver?
The Mint stopped using silver in coin-making starting in 1965 onward. The high silver metal prices and the depleting bullion reserves saw the mint switch to copper and alloys. As such, 1979 quarters do not contain silver; rather, they are made up of a pure copper center clad with 75 percent silver and 25 percent copper.
Why are 1971 quarters rare?
A 1971 quarter with an error might be a rare find. Aside from the coins struck in Philadelphia, the ones from Denver and the proofs from San Francisco were generally well-struck with few error examples. That said, 1971 quarters are not rare; with more than 350 million minted that year, you can easily and affordably get your hands on a 1971 Washington quarter.
Rob Paulsen Coin Related posts:
- 1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar Value (Rare Errors, “D”, “S” and No Mint Mark)
- 23 Most Valuable State Quarters Worth Money
- 1976 Bicentennial Quarter Value Guides (Rare Errors, “D”, “S” and No Mint Mark)
- 1941 Quarter Value (Rare Errors, “D” and “S” Mint Marks)
- 1982 Quarter Value (Rare Errors, “P”, “D” and “S” Mint Marks)
FAQs
How much is a 1971 quarter worth with no mint mark? ›
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of February 2023, a Washington Quarter from 1971 in circulated condition is worth between $0.30 and $0.85. However, on the open market 1971 Quarters in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $1250.
What is the error on the 1971 quarter? ›1971-D Quarter On A Dime Planchet
The date and mintmark are complete, LIBERTY and QUARTER DOLLAR are off the flan. Well struck for the error type. From The Houston Collection of Washington Quarters.
If the date of a US coin is written without a mintmark, it means that the coin has no mintmark and was (usually) minted in Philadelphia. Coins without mintmarks made in Philadelphia are sometimes referred to as, for example, 1927-P, even though there may be no mintmark on the coin.
Is a coin valuable if it has no mint mark? ›Typically, no mint mark coins are not worth much at face value. Still, coins minted with an error or those produced in a small volume may be worth significant money. For example, the San Francisco No S Proof coins mentioned above are more valuable than other counterparts without a mint mark.
What year is a rare quarter? ›The 1932 Washington quarter is one of two dates with mintages under one million, making it the key date and rarest in the series. The Denver mint produced only 436,800 silver specimens, worth $141 to $1,228 in circulated condition. However, collectors often pay $13,910 for pieces in the mint state.
What quarter is a rare quarter? ›1950-D Washington Quarter (D over S)
The uncirculated grade 1950-D Washington quarter coin has a high value because of its rarity. These coins integrate a mint mark error of the letter 'D' appearing over 'S .' These rare gems' average value is $68, whereas best-mint state coins are worth $29,375.
- 2002-P Indiana Quarter (Strike on the Planchet)
- 2005 Kansas Quarter Error.
- 2006 Colorado Quarter (Cud Error)
- 2006-P North Dakota Quarter (Steel Washer Strike)
- 2006-P Nevada Quarter (Striking Error)
- 2008 Arizona Quarter (Die Break)
- 2009-D District of Columbia Quarter (Double Die Error)
Some Wisconsin quarters have an error. The rare coins could sell for far beyond 25 cents. MILWAUKEE – More than 17 years later, the revelation that some Wisconsin state quarters have a flaw (and could be worth more than 25 cents) has begun to make the rounds, thanks to a TikTok video.
What quarters have valuable errors? ›Draped Bust Quarter – these coins are very rare and scarce even without minting errors. Capped Bust Quarter – low mintage makes them extremely rare and valuable. Barber Quarter – rare minting dates and uncommon combinations. Liberty Seated Quarter – rich with rare dates, minting errors, and varieties.
How can you tell if a quarter is rare? ›Budding collectors and profiteers alike, you'll want to keep an eye out for the 1970-S Proof Washington quarter. Some of its telltale signs include an “S” on the head side, which denotes the San Francisco mint where it was made. On its tail side, look for the year “1941” printed upside down above the word “Dollar.”
What letter is rare on a quarter? ›
On the heads side of these, under where it says "In God We Trust," if there is a letter W, you're in luck. That letter is the mint mark, and a W means it was created in West Point, New York. Only ten million quarters were minted there in 2019 and another ten million in 2020 - two million of each design.
What does no mint mark error mean? ›These are coins where the mint mark was not punched into the die so never had a mint mark. The 1922 No D Lincoln Cent is a no mint mark variety but the mint mark was on the die but accidentally removed by a mint employee.
How can you tell if a coin is rare and valuable? ›One quick way to determine if a coin is rare or valuable is to look at the mintage. That's the number of copies of the coin that the US mint produced (aka issued). The lower the original number of copies printed, the more valuable a coin will likely become.
How much is a 1971 no s dime worth? ›USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1971 Roosevelt Dime is Worth $2.81 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts.
What quarter is worth $200? ›A single quarter could be worth more than $200 — and it has nothing to do with inflation. The U.S. Sun recently reported that a rare quarter — minted in the year 2000 with an error on it — has sold for $216 on eBay.
What are the 10 rarest state quarters? ›| 1. | 2008-D Oklahoma | 2003-P Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| 2. | 2004-P Iowa | 2003-P Missouri |
| 3. | 2002-P Ohio | 2003-P Illinois |
| 4. | 2003-P Maine | 2004-D Michigan |
| 5. | 2008-P Oklahoma | 2004-P Wisconsin |
1970s Quarters with Varieties or Errors
The most notable 1970s quarter errors are the 1974 and 1977 quarters that were accidentally struck on 40% silver clad planchets. These transitional errors are very rare and valuable, generally selling for more than $1,000 each.
1963-D Washington Quarter
This gem that the mint released in 1963 is worth a great fortune in the eyes of most miners. Collectors love it because it's the rarest of the versions of the 1963 Washington quarters. You'll sell the coin for more dollars if you have one with a few marks.
Some 1970 Quarters Are Worth $35,000. Here's How To Spot Them! Rare coins worth money, Old coins price, Old pennies worth money.
Is there a list of error coins? ›List of Error Coins Worth Money 1922-D Plain Lincoln Cent. ... 1943 Copper Lincoln Cent. ... 1944 Steel Lincoln Cent. ... 1955 DDO Lincoln Cent. ... 1974-D Aluminum Lincoln Cent. ...
What is a planchet error? ›
A split planchet coin error occurs when, during the preparation of the planchet strip, impurities such as gas, dirt, or grease become trapped under the surface of the metal blank, creating a weakness or lamination defect.
What are the most common error coins? ›The most common ones include coins struck off center or with a wrong blank planchet, coins bearing doubled dies strikes, missing edge lettering, or even missing elements on the coin's design.
What is the most valuable coin error? ›The 1955 doubled die obverse Lincoln cent remains one of the most iconic coins—of any kind—in United States history. Today, it still ranks as perhaps the most well-known error among all American coins.
What makes a 1971 quarter rare? ›However, there are those that are extremely rare 1971 quarter coins. These coins are usually the coins struck incorrectly. The errors made in minting make a coin unique and different from the rest. The error makes the coin rare and difficult to find.
How much is a 1971 all silver quarter worth? ›USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1971 Washington Quarter is Worth $7.88 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition.
What are rare quarters to look for? ›- 1943 Washington Quarter: Double Die.
- 2004 Wisconsin State Quarter.
- 2000 New Hampshire State Quarter.
- 1976-S Washington Quarter.
- 1950-S Washington Quarter (S Over D)
- 1962 D Washington Quarter.
- 1965 Washington Quarter.
- 1999-S Delaware State Quarter Proof.
Here's How To Spot Them! Do you notice anything different about this quarter? Believe it or not, this quarter sold on eBay for $35,000.
What year quarters have high silver content? ›If you are looking to acquire Silver in the form of U.S. quarters, you need to look for quarters minted in 1964 or earlier. These coins were struck in 90% Silver and have a melt value today just above $3.
What year were quarters pure silver? ›In the U.S., silver quarters were minted from 1796 to 1964. Therefore, if you have any standard U.S. Quarter with a mint date between those years, it's made with pure silver. However, this all changed with the Coinage Act of 1965.
How do you tell if a quarter is all silver? ›The simplest method to find out if your quarter is silver is to check the date. It will appear on the front (obverse) of the coin. Any quarter with a date earlier than 1965 will be silver.