This 1979 Washington Quarter Could Be Hiding $1,440 In Your Pocket

1979 Quarter Value

The Washington quarter was first issued by the U.S. Mint in 1932 to honor the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. Although initially intended as a special commemorative coin, the design featuring Washington became the standard for quarters.

From 1965 to 1998, quarters were made using a copper-nickel clad composition instead of silver. In 1979, Philadelphia minted its last quarters without a mint mark. These coins are generally common due to their large production numbers, so only those in excellent condition hold significant value.

1979 Quarter Value Chart

Condition	1979 No Mint Mark	1979 D Quarter	1979 S Type 1	1979 S Type 2
MS 65	$6.65	$6.65	—	—
Proof 65	—	—	$9.14	$11

1979 Quarter Value Guides

In 1979, the total number of Washington quarters minted was 1,012,174,955. This total includes 3,677,175 proof coins struck at the San Francisco Mint, with the rest produced at the Denver and Philadelphia Mints. There are two distinct versions of the 1979 San Francisco proof quarters: Type 1, which features a filled-in “S” mint mark, and Type 2, which has a clearer “S.” Type 2 proofs are generally more sought after by collectors and command higher prices.

1979 No Mint Quarter Value

Philadelphia produced 518,708,000 quarters in 1979, all without a mint mark. These coins are abundant and typically sell close to their face value unless in uncirculated condition. Prices range from about 25 cents in lower grades to several dollars for coins in mint state. Examples graded MS 67 and higher can fetch significantly more, with one MS 68 coin selling for $1,440 at Heritage Auctions in 2022.

Condition	1979 No Mint Mark	1979 D Quarter
Good to AU	$0.25	$0.25
MS 60–62	$0.35	$0.35
MS 63	$0.50	$0.50
MS 64	$0.75	$0.75
MS 65	$1	$1
MS 66	$20–$24	$18–$21.60
MS 67	$120–$144	$275–$330

1979 D Quarter Value

The Denver Mint struck 489,789,780 quarters in 1979. Like Philadelphia coins, their value depends heavily on condition. Most range from 25 cents up to $20 for higher grades. The most prized examples, especially those graded MS 67, can be worth over $1,000. For instance, a 1979 D MS 67 quarter was sold for $1,078 through Great Collections in 2014.

1979 S Proof Quarter Type 1 and Type 2

The San Francisco Mint produced 3,677,000 proof quarters in 1979, which exist in two types. Type 1 proofs display a filled “S” mint mark and generally have a market value between $4 and $20 depending on grade. Type 2 proofs have a clearer “S” and are more valuable among collectors.

Grade	1979 S Type 1	1979 S Type 2
PR 67	$4	$2
PR 68	$5	$4
PR 69	$8	$10
PR 70	$20	$30

A 1979 S Proof 70 Type 2 coin fetched $495 at Heritage Auctions in 2003, while the Type 1 version with the same grade sold for $403 that year.

1979 Quarter Errors

Although errors in 1979 quarters are uncommon, certain varieties exist that are valuable due to minting mistakes. Broad strike and double rim errors, which feature missing reeded edges and flatter shapes, typically sell for $20 to $90. The Triple D error shows a tripled “D” mint mark and can be worth about $175. The Filled D error, caused by clogged dies making the “D” appear blurry, is usually valued at around $150. The Double Filling on D error, where a small “D” appears inside a larger one, can fetch approximately $180.

History of the 1979 Washington Quarter

The quarter dollar coin has origins dating back to the Spanish dollar, which was divided into eight pieces. Early American quarters were composed of silver and featured various designs between 1796 and 1930. The Washington quarter was introduced in 1932 to celebrate George Washington’s 200th birthday. Though initially intended as a one-time commemorative issue, the design remained in use for decades. The portrait by John Flanagan was chosen over Laura Gardin Fraser’s, likely influenced by the Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon’s bias against a female artist. The shift from silver to a copper-nickel clad composition began in 1965 due to rising silver prices, with the 1979 quarter continuing this clad tradition. Notably, the 1979 Philadelphia quarters were the last to be minted without a mint mark.

How to Identify a 1979 Washington Quarter

On the front (obverse) of the coin, Washington’s left-facing profile is featured. The word “LIBERTY” appears at the top, “IN GOD WE TRUST” is on the left, and the year “1979” is at the bottom. The mint mark, if present, is located on the right side; Philadelphia quarters from 1979 have no mint mark. The back (reverse) shows an eagle with its wings spread, clutching arrows and olive branches that symbolize war and peace. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are also present.

1979 Washington Quarter Specifications

The coin has a face value of 25 cents and is made of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. It weighs 5.67 grams and measures 24.26 millimeters in diameter with a thickness of 1.75 millimeters. The coin is round in shape and has a reeded edge with 119 ridges.

What Makes a 1979 Quarter Rare?

While most 1979 quarters are abundant and not highly valuable, certain error coins and examples in exceptional condition are considered rare. These special coins tend to attract collectors and can fetch higher prices.

Most Valuable 1979 Quarters

• No Mint Mark MS 68: Sold for $1,440 at Heritage Auctions in 2022
• 1979 D MS 67: Sold for $1,078 at Great Collections in 2014
• 1979 S PR 70 Type 2: Sold for $495 at Heritage Auctions in 2003
• 1979 S PR 70 Type 1: Sold for $403 at Heritage Auctions in 2003

How Much is a 1979 No Mint Mark Quarter Worth?

Most quarters without a mint mark from 1979 typically sell for between 25 cents and $25. However, coins graded at the highest levels, such as MS 67 or above, can reach prices as high as $145 or more.

Rarest Washington Quarter

Among Washington quarters, the rarest are from 1932, specifically the 1932-D and 1932-S, with fewer than half a million minted at each location. A 1932-D graded MS 65 was sold for more than $32,000, making it highly prized among collectors.

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