The quarter coin also known as the Washington quarter saw a pretty rich production, especially during the times following World War 2. With the great and scary war ending in 1945, the USA economy had to stabilize, utilizing its three biggest mints to produce more quarters. All Washington quarter coins struck by 1965 were made out of 90% silver, and the 1945 quarter coin is no exception.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector, or you want to sail into the collector waters, know that silver coins are attractive and sought after by most collectors. That being said, if you have a few silver coins in your collection, including the Washington quarter coin, you already have something worth checking in your collection.
If you are not a collector now but want to become one after discovering the 1945 quarter laying in the attic or the basement, you will have to be able to evaluate it, which can take years to master. Nevertheless, in this article, we’re going to teach you about the basics of coin evaluation.
Keep in mind that the Washington quarter coin has a vast value among collectors, especially if it’s from 1945 because that time marks the process of end of the World War 2 and the stabilization of the country. But that alone is not enough to make the coin you found valuable.
A coin that has good value has to be well maintained and show minimal signs of age and wear. Other things that affect its value are the silver price, mint mark, and some other, more minor signs. That being said, continue if you want to learn more about the Washington quarters.
About the Washington Quarter
The Washington quarter which was also used for the 1945 quarter was initially designed by John Flanagan who was an engraver. It’s interesting to note that the Washington quarter is still in circulation. Many people think that this information makes it less valuable, but thing is that silver coins are still quite popular and desirable among collectors.
The initial value of the coin was made with 90% silver and 10% copper. However, due to changes in production, it has been changed over time. After 1965, the composition of the quarter changed so other metals were used, particularly for the clad coins.
When it was first introduced, the Washington silver quarter had a huge value for a lot of Americans and was also considered a revolutionary piece of coin. Considering that the 1945 quarter silver coin marked the end of World War II which probably gives a special boost to its value. In addition to the important historical value, it also has numismatic value.
Now that the modern quarter is made with a combination of nickel and copper, a lot of collectors appreciate a good silver quarter find. Nevertheless, many of the quarters were heavily circulated so it’s hard to find the most pristine pieces out there.
During World War 2, hundreds of millions of Washington quarters were struck in the major mints of the United States, which meant that there were more than enough coins in circulation during that time. That way, the economy could eventually sustain itself, and keep up with the necessary market.
It’s interesting to note that the mintage during the years of war was higher compared to the mintage in the 1930s. Still, it remained higher also compared to the coins struck in 1945.
Does the 1945 Washington Quarter Have Any Value?
Collectors are always striving to find coins that are in near-pristine condition. The quality needs to be supreme, and the coin must be in mint station state. However, considering that these coins have been in circulation for a good while, most of them show signs of wearing.
Additionally, the silver coins are rarer to find compared to their nickel counterparts that are circulating today and have been circulating for decades. That being said, the coins that are made of silver and have the brilliant condition will be more sought after by the collectors, and thus harder to find.
Although the Washington quarter coins made in the 1930s are the most popular options among collectors, it’s important to note that the 1945 quarter has a great value too, considering its historical value.
The Washington quarter silver coins weren’t prone to striking mistakes, unlike the earlier counterparts, meaning that they all are in better condition compared to the earlier versions. That makes it more challenging for collectors to find the ultimately rare coin because even those that are in good or fine condition have a very brilliant look.
1945 Quarter Value Chart: How Much is an 1945 Silver Quarter Worth?
You will always have a chance to get a decent amount of money for one 1945 quarter silver coin. According to different appraising sites, you can find the Washington quarter from 1945 for at least $3.45. However, you should consider its price in silver bullions too.
How much you’ll get for your coin depends on several conditions such as the condition it is in, whether there are signs of wear, tear, and coloring, the mint mark, the silver price, and others.
Even though you’ll get decent money for a silver coin from 1945, it’s worth noting that collectors always look for the best possible coin to buy so that their condition can stand out more, and are willing to give a lot of money to get a satisfying coin.
The 1945 quarter was minted by three United States mint – Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. The Philadelphia-struck coins didn’t have a mint mark, while the San Francisco and Denver quarters were known as the 1945 S quarter and 1945 D quarter respectively.
If you’re curious about where you can find the mint mark, they’re located on the reverse of the coin, although you won’t find any on the coin struck in the Philadelphia mint. If you take a look at the value chart we made before you can see that the coins struck at San Francisco and Denver mints are worth more than those struck in Philadelphia, which is because they’re rarer.
If you’re reading this article because you want to evaluate the 1945 Washington quarter, but you’re worried that it won’t be worth much, you can always consider the value from its silver weight. The current value of silver is about $23 per 1 troy ounce, when calculated, the value for the 1945 Quarter is about $4.
Still, many collectors give it a minimum value of $3.45 and around that value. This is the value of an older, heavily-circulated coin that shows visible signs of wear. It’s also worth mentioning that these coins and other Washington quarters made in the 1940s have a similar value as the one mentioned above.
If your coin is one from the uncirculated collection, then you’re truly in luck. You can sell it for quite some money, especially if it was struck in Denver or San Francisco mint. But, how to know whether your coin is worth a premium? Check our value chart to get a better understanding of mint values.
| Mint Type | Condition: Good | Condition: Fine | Condition: Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1945 | $3.45 | $3.45 | $3.66 | $5.5+ |
| 1945 D | $3.45 | $3.45 | $5 | $12+ |
| 1945 S | $3.45 | $3.45 | $3.66 | $5.5+ |
Depending on the overall state of the coin, you may get even more value for it. If the coin is of superb technical quality and was graded to be in gem-like mint state, it will be worth a lot. For example, this option was sold on an auction for $20,000, detailing the natural toning of the coin, but also pristine technical quality.
1945 Quarter Error Value
Some coins ship out from the mints with an error that can change their value. Those coins can still be in flawless condition, but the error was made during the striking process, which affected its value. Nevertheless, a lot of collectors are on the hunt for those coins because they may represent a higher value for them and their collection.
While there is no official error that affected a series of the 1945 quarters, some of the minor errors may change its value significantly. Some of the errors are located on the band, while some other ones include a reversed side of the mint mark or double punching of the mint mark.
Keep in mind that it’s important to make a difference between the error that happened in the production and damage that the coin withstood over time of circulation. It’d be the best to have someone help you evaluate the coin and whether there’s an error that could have occurred.
This video below may explain why some of the errors on the coins happens and provides a careful examination of the 1945 Quarter coin and what kind of error occurred in its production. It is also in a great condition so it got the nice value.
This option here has the clam shell peeled off the coin, which may have affected its value. Some of the collectors may find this attractive, so these coins are often being sold a bit higher than their actual worth. Checking auctions for the coins can also help with finding the right value for the coin you’re trying to sell.
1945 Quarter Grading System
Every coin has a general grading system that helps appraisers, as well as collectors, determine its true value. However, some grading systems differ, which may confuse both novice and professional collectors.
We’re also going to introduce you to the Mint State value which helps determine how close to the original coin, the coin you own is. Continue reading.
- Good – Although its name may suggest otherwise, a good coin has been worn and circulated for a long time. It’s also known as a misnomer. They have a rough shape and have completely lost the shine and luster that they’ve been known for once they exited the mint.
- Fine – Fine coins are those that have a better quality than good ones, but it’s still not perfect-looking coins and it’s unlikely that you will get a lot for them. It has been in circulation for a while, causing it to lose its luster and part of its fine rim.
- Extremely Fine – Extremely fine, or extra fine coins weren’t in circulation for a very long time. Even if they were, that circulation didn’t do them so much damage and has managed to preserve part of its luster and brilliance.
- Uncirculated – Uncirculated coins have the best Mint State grade, meaning that they preserved their grade as it was from the moment it was struck. That’s because it’s likely stayed in mint or locked for decoration so it wouldn’t be used. These coins have preserved all of their lusters and pretty much don’t have any kind of imperfections or wear. They shine beautifully.
Editor’s notes: If you’re struggling with grading the coin on your own, you can watch this video to help you evaluate it on your own:
Frequently Asked Questions
Evaluating and selling the coin from 1945 you just discovered is not easy. Here is a list of questions that are commonly asked about this coin.
Are the 1945 Quarters Rare?
They can be quite rare depending on which mint they were struck in. If they were minted in the Philadelphia mint, they’re more common and have a lower value. You can recognize them because they don’t have any mint mark on them.
On the other hand, Washington silver quarters made in San Francisco and Denver are rarer, and have the greater value. Despite being rare, they aren’t too hard to find. This being a frequent coin, there are many coins graded to be in mint state which you can find.
How Much is a Washington Silver Quarter Worth?
The starting value for the Washington silver quarter from 1945 starts at $3.45 and has a tendency of growing depending on the condition and other qualities that the coin may have.
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