At first glance, a 1983 Washington Quarter seems like just another coin in your pocket. After all, it’s still accepted as 25 cents today. But if you’re lucky enough to find one in excellent condition — especially with rare mint errors — it could be worth as much as $250,000.
Here’s everything you need to know about spotting a valuable 1983 quarter, including key features, mint marks, rare errors, and auction records that might make you look at your change jar a little differently.
🧾 A Quick History of the 1983 Washington Quarter
The Washington Quarter was introduced in 1932 to honor George Washington’s 200th birthday. By 1983, the U.S. Mint was producing these coins in a copper-nickel clad composition — a change made in 1965 due to the rising cost of silver.
More than 1.29 billion 1983 quarters were struck across three facilities:
- Philadelphia (P)
- Denver (D)
- San Francisco (S – Proof only)
🔍 1983 Washington Quarter: Fast Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel over a copper core |
| Diameter | 24.26 mm |
| Thickness | 1.75 mm |
| Weight | 5.67 g |
| Designer | John Flanagan |
| Mint Marks | P, D, S |
| Total Mintage | 1,294,620,572 |
| Face Value | $0.25 |
🧠 Design Details to Know
Obverse (Front):
- George Washington’s profile
- “LIBERTY” above
- “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the left
- Mint year “1983” below
- Mint mark (if present) near ponytail
Reverse (Back):
- Eagle with spread wings, holding arrows
- Olive branches below
- “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above eagle
- “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “QUARTER DOLLAR” along the edge
💎 Coin Condition & Value Breakdown (All Max at $250,000)
| Grade | 1983 P Value | 1983 D Value |
|---|---|---|
| Poor to XF45 | $0.25 – $0.40 | $0.25 – $0.40 |
| AU50 to 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-Specific Value Details
1. 1983 P Quarter (Philadelphia) – Mintage: 673,535,000
- Common in circulation, low value unless in mint state.
- MS66: Up to $230
- MS67+: Up to $2,500
- MS68 (ultra-rare): Up to $250,000
💡 A top-grade MS67 1983-P sold for $2,596, but experts estimate a perfect MS68+ could command $250,000 or more today.
2. 1983 D Quarter (Denver) – Mintage: 617,806,446
- Slightly less common than Philadelphia.
- MS66: $60 – $110
- MS67: $320 – $1,350
- MS68+: Estimated up to $250,000
3. 1983 S Proof Quarter – Mintage: 3,279,126
- Struck for collectors only, not intended for circulation.
- Normal proof: $2 – $15
- Cameo / Deep Cameo PR70: Up to $500
🧬 Rare 1983 Quarter Mint Errors That Raise Value
🦅 Spitting Eagle (Die Crack Error)
- A die crack from the eagle’s beak looks like it’s “spitting.”
- MS65 examples have sold for $250 – $435
- Premium condition versions valued up to $500+
🎡 Overstruck on Amusement Token
- Quarter struck on a brass-colored token.
- Rare, with inscriptions like “FOR PLAY ONLY.”
- Graded MS65, it sold for $15,862 in 2014
- Modern value estimate: Up to $250,000 due to rarity
🪙 Finned Rim with Reverse Indent
- Two errors: a raised edge (finned rim) and indent from a second planchet.
- MS63 sold for about $310
⚖️ Off-Center Strike
- Missing part of the design on one side.
- Ranges from $20 to $100+, depending on the off-center percentage
🪙 Struck on a 5C Nickel Planchet
- Results in a coin lighter than normal (5g) with smaller diameter.
- An MS64-grade example sold for $258
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✅ Final Thoughts
The 1983 Washington Quarter might seem common, but some are hiding serious value. Whether it’s an ultra-rare MS68+ specimen or a dramatic mint error, collectors are paying up to $250,000 for the best of the best.
Next time you come across an old quarter, take a closer look. You might be holding a life-changing piece of American coinage history.
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