The Washington quarter was introduced in 1932 to mark the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. John Flanagan’s portrait was selected by the Treasury (over Laura Gardin Fraser’s competition-winning design, which was finally adopted on the quarter in 2022). What began as a one-year commemorative became a long-running workhorse of American coinage.
Key facts
- Designed by: John Flanagan
- Issue dates: 1932–1998 (design continues in later programs)
- Composition: 90% silver (1932–1964); copper-nickel clad (1965 onward)
- Diameter: 24.3 mm
- Weight: 6.25 grams (silver); 5.67 grams (clad)
- Edge: Reeded
All types: The Silver type (1932–1964) is 90% silver. In 1965 the alloy changed to a Clad copper-nickel “sandwich” (1965–1998). The one-year Bicentennial type (1976, dated 1776–1976) carried Jack Ahr’s colonial drummer reverse. The later circulating programs — 50 State Quarters (1999–2008), the National Park/America the Beautiful quarters (2010–2021), and newer series — continue the Washington obverse and are covered in their own guides.
Most Washington quarters are readily available. The traditional keys are the first-year mintmarked 1932-D and 1932-S. Several doubled-die obverses are valuable (notably 1937, 1942-D, 1943, and 1943-S), as are the two 1950 over-mintmarks (1950-D/S and 1950-S/D). Ultra-high-grade coins (MS67 and above) command strong premiums.
We actively buy Washington quarters in every grade, from circulated silver rolls to the 1932-D and 1932-S keys, doubled dies, and top-grade examples. Send photos for a free, no-obligation offer.