1964 was the final year when US silver quarters and many other quarters were minted; hence, passionate collectors are always eager to have this piece in their possession. The face value of 1964 quarters is only $0.25, but the auction record for a 1964-D quarter was $38,400 in 2021!
Due to their numismatic value, as well as their sentimental symbolism, we have brought together the essential information about the 1964 quarter’s history, features, and value. Whether you want to add this coin to your collection or work out how much your quarter could sell for, you have come to the right place!
The History Of The 1964 Quarter
The primary purpose for producing the 1964 quarters was to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first president of the USA, George Washington.
Nobody can dispute the unique historic design of quarters. On top of that, the mintage of these coins is also standout. 1964 was the last year for producing coins with high silver content. After this period, all quarter coins had a copper base as the principal material.
But why this change in the coins’ content? It was all about the increasing silver prices. Consequently, President Lyndon Johnson ordered the mints to produce coins of cheaper and more readily available metals. This decision got a legal base by passing the 1965 Coinage Act, a law that eliminated the production of silver-based coins for good.
However, due to the increasing value of silver, the public was still hoarding precious coins as their primary source of savings. To prevent this mass hoarding of rare silver coins, the mints continued to produce significant amounts of quarter silver. Thus, the quarter dollar continued to exist in two main series: silver and copper-nickel clad series.
Features And Design Of 1964 Quarters
1964 Washington quarters can be considered as precious items, especially if you can find rare versions of them, as detailed here.
1964 brought changes to the design on the reverse side and the composition of quarters.
1964 Quarter Obverse Side
The obverse, or head side, of the coin features the image of George Washington. He is facing to the left as seen when you hold the coin in your palm.
The designer of the 1964 quarter, sculptor John Flanagan, was inspired by one of his sculptor colleagues who created the portrait of George Washington in 1786. Also, on the obverse side of the coin, you can read the word LIBERTY above the president’s portrait as well as the year of minting.
1964 Quarter Reverse Side
The reverse, or the tail side, features the bald eagle with long and open wings, standing right in the middle of the coin. The design is filled with a set of olive sprays, the symbol of peace and friendship.
The reverse displays the inscription of the famous motto. Last but not least, look below the eagle, and you should see the QUARTER DOLLAR inscribed, which indicates the face value of the 1964 coin.
1964 Quarter Material
Initially, the quarter dollars were made of 90% silver and 10% copper (from 1932 to 1964) and weighed 6.25 grams. Things changed in 1965 when the mint removed silver from all Washington quarters. The new series was made of more than 90% copper and nickel for the remainder.
Weight And Dimensions
The 1964 quarter weighs 6.30 grams and has a diameter of 24.30 mm. The edges are reeded.
Fact: not all quarter coins have the same weight due to the historical change in materials. The coins minted in 1964 are lighter than the previous quarter and are commonly named “clad sandwiches” due to the inner copper plate and the nickel cover.
1964 Quarter Mintmarks
Passionate collectors always look for unique pieces, and mintmarks play an essential role in determining the value of a precious coin. Regarding 1964 quarters, these coins bear a mint mark on the reverse side, right below the eagle’s wreath. You may have to look very closely.
The quarters from 1964 were minted at Denver and Phliadelphia. Therefore, expect to see the D mintmark, or no mintmark.
| Series | Mint Location | Amount of coins produced (mintage) |
| 1964 | Philadelphia | Over 560 million coins |
| 1964 D | Denver | Around 7 million coins |
The 1964 Quarter Value
There are a lot of discussions about the value of 1964 quarters, how to evaluate them, as well as some tips for selling these coins at best prices. However, before you start to check how much you can make from 1964 quarters, it is essential to know the factors influencing the final price.
Since most collectors prefer to look for professionally graded coins like these here, you may want to consider grading the coins before selling them.
Grading System
Uncirculated – these coins have minimum wear and tear signs, especially on the president’s portrait and eagle’s legs.
Extremely fine – when the hair lines are still sharp, and the only wear signs appear on the eagle’s breast and legs.
MS 60 uncirculated – expect no sign of wear but a luster surface. However, some coins may have little stains and surface marks.
MS 65 uncirculated – these coins are appealing and have almost the original luster. There might be some light contact marks, although almost unnoticeable.
PR 65 proof – every coin collector is looking for these types of coins. Only a few blemishes are present.
Rarity
Of course, the rarity of a 1964 quarter dollar influences the final value greatly. Coins with particular errors are rare and highly sought after. These fetch a higher value compared to non-error coins. Try to conduct some research about any peculiarities you find on your coin such as signs of double minting or mis-printed details. However, be aware that some mistakes may actually indicate fake coins rather than error coins.
Also Read: Comprehensive List Of Quarter Errors Worth Money (Most Valuable Sold For $352,500)
1964 Quarter Value Chart
Please note that the values indicated here are based on the “average” coin within each grading and are accurate at the time of writing. Values are based on the USA Coin Book.
| COIN TYPE⬇
QUALITY➜ |
Good | Very Good | Fine | Very Fine | Extremely Fine | MS-60 | MS-65 | PR-65 |
| 1964 Quarter | $5.13 | $5.13 | $5.13 | $5.13 | $5.13 | $7.41 | $14 | $11 |
| 1964 D Quarter | $5.13 | $5.13 | $5.13 | $5.13 | $5.13 | $7.41 | $14 | – |
These are the average values but coins in absolute mint condition and those with rare errors can fetch a much higher price. The auction record for a 1964 25C MS67 (no mintmark) was $7,188 USD in 2004! However, the most expensive 1964 quarter ever sold was a 1964-D 25C MS-68 which hit an auction record of $38,400 USD in 2021!
Editor’s Note
Coins that are in circulated condition are usually worth at least their silver weight. According to numbers in 2023, the silver melt value per coin is around $4. This number is calculated according to the current silver spot price ($18.10 per ounce).
1964 Washington Quarter Errors
Errors and little flaws can make the 1964 quarters even more valuable. Here are some key errors you should be aware of…
The Blakesley Effect
This error appears when the opposite edge of the coin presents some weakness around the rim. It mainly happens when the metal has not filled the dies and collar properly. The result is a clipped planchet.
Other errors include:
- 1964-D Washington, Reverse of 1965. This error is popular as Type C Reverse or RDV-003.
- 1964-D doubled die (like here)
- 1964-D RPM (when D mintmark is printed over D mintmark)
FAQs
There is still so much to say about the 1964 Washington quarters value, so we hope we will answer most of your additional questions…
Q: What is the face value of Washington quarters?
A: The face value is 25 cents, the common denomination appearing on the coin’s reverse side.
Q: What does the Melt Value mean?
A: The melt value is calculated from a combination of silver spot price and silver value. The silver quarter has around -.181 troy ounces of pure silver, and the melt value is around $4.
Q: Where is it safe to buy and sell silver quarter coins?
A: We recommend you look for trustworthy sources: reputable coin dealers, private transactions with coin collectors, online auctions, and online marketplaces like eBay. Make sure you look for listings with plenty of details including condition, grading and rarity. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller for more information in order to make a safe purchase. Similarly, make sure you include plenty of details and a fair price when listing your silver quarters.
Q: What quarters should I keep?
A: All quarters minted in 1964 or before are precious, considering their high content of silver.
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