Most people toss a 1983 quarter into a jar without thinking twice. But a small number of these seemingly ordinary coins have shocked collectors by selling for up to $250,000 — yes, a quarter worth more than a Lamborghini. 😱
Here’s your complete step-by-step guide to identifying the valuable 1983 quarters hiding in pocket change, drawers, and old coin jars.
🧾 Quick History: Why the 1983 Quarter Is Special
The Washington Quarter began in 1932 to honor George Washington’s 200th birthday.
In 1983, the Mint was producing copper-nickel clad quarters — not silver — and over 1.29 billion were struck across three U.S. mints:
- 🇺🇸 P – Philadelphia (no mint mark)
- 🇺🇸 D – Denver
- 🇺🇸 S – San Francisco (Proofs only)
Even though production was huge, high-grade survivors are extremely rare because the U.S. Mint did not sell mint sets in 1983 — meaning collectors had far fewer pristine examples to save.
🔍 Fast Facts: 1983 Washington Quarter
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Core | Copper |
| Diameter | 24.26 mm |
| Thickness | 1.75 mm |
| Weight | 5.67 g |
| Mint Marks | P, D, S |
| Designer | John Flanagan |
| Total Mintage | 1,294,620,572 |
| Face Value | 25¢ |
🧠 Design Details to Know (Front & Back)
Obverse (Front):
- Washington’s profile
- “LIBERTY” above
- “IN GOD WE TRUST” left side
- Year 1983 below
- Mint mark near the ponytail
Reverse (Back):
- Bald eagle with open wings
- Arrows in its talons
- Olive branches below
- “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above
- “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” + “QUARTER DOLLAR” around the rim
💎 1983 Quarter Value Chart (Up to $250,000!)
Even worn, these coins are worth face value — but in top grades, the value skyrockets.
| Grade | 1983-P Value | 1983-D Value |
|---|---|---|
| Poor – XF45 | $0.25 – $0.40 | $0.25 – $0.40 |
| AU50 – AU58+ | $0.50 – $0.80 | $0.50 – $1 |
| MS60 – MS64 | $2 – $10 | $5 – $12 |
| MS65 – MS66+ | $10 – $230 | $12 – $250 |
| MS67 – MS67+ | $280 – $2,500 | $320 – $1,500 |
| MS68+ (Rare) | Up to $250,000 | Up to $250,000 |
🏛 Mint-by-Mint Breakdown
✅ 1. 1983-P Quarter (Philadelphia)
- Mintage: 673,535,000
- Rare in high grade
- MS66: Up to $230
- MS67+: Up to $2,500
- MS68 (the jackpot): Up to $250,000
💡 One MS67 sold for $2,596 — experts believe a flawless MS68+ could hit $250K at auction.
✅ 2. 1983-D Quarter (Denver)
- Mintage: 617,806,446
- Scarcer than the P-mint in gem condition
- MS66: $60 – $110
- MS67: $320 – $1,350
- MS68+: Up to $250,000
✅ 3. 1983-S Proof Quarter (San Francisco)
- Mintage: 3,279,126
- Made for collectors only
- Proof value: $2 – $15
- Deep Cameo PR70: $500+
🧬 Rare 1983 Quarter Errors That Make Big Money
🦅 1. “Spitting Eagle” Die Crack
A die crack looks like a line shooting from the eagle’s beak.
- MS65 sells for $250 – $435
- High-grades can exceed $500+
🎡 2. Overstruck on an Amusement Token
One of the biggest 1983 quarter errors ever!
- Struck on a brass arcade token
- Sold for $15,862 in 2014
- Today could reach $250,000+
🪙 3. Finned Rim + Reverse Indent
Raised rim + sunken reverse area.
- MS63 realized $310
⚖️ 4. Off-Center Strikes
The design is shifted.
- Mild off-center: $20 – $60
- Extreme off-center: $100+
🪙 5. Struck on a Nickel Planchet
- Weighs ~5g instead of 5.67g
- Smaller diameter
- An MS64 example sold for $258
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