Coin Value Finder » 1934 Quarter Value: are “D”, No mint mark worth money?

1934 Quarter Value: are “D”, No mint mark worth money?

Owning old coins is not just a pastime but also a good way to earn money. While not every collector wants to sell their precious collection of old and rare coins, it is usually great to find out the value of these old coins.

However, determining the value of a 1934 quarter is not as straightforward as knowing the grading or mint mark. This is because the Washington quarter, as the coin is popularly called, has three types: Light Motto, Medium Motto, and Heavy Motto.

You may need an expert to help you determine the actual worth of the coin in your possession. But this article is a first step in learning what makes this quarter valuable and whether you have the right type in your possession.

1934 Quarter Details

1934 Quarter Details

The following are the key points or details of this quarter, including the number minted and mint marks.

  • Category: Washington Silver Quarters
  • Mint: Philadelphia and Denver
  • Mintage: 35,439,252
  • Obverse Designer: John Flanagan
  • Reverse Designer: John Flanagan
  • Metal Composition: 90% Silver, 10% copper
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Weight: 6.25 grams
  • Diameter: 24.3 mm
  • Thickness: 1.75 mm

As mentioned, the 1934 quarter has three types, and each is distinct in appearance but only when compared to other similar coins. The Light Motto coin has that name because of the lightness of the striking of the motto: IN GOD WE TRUST.

The letters are not in sharp relief like the rest of the design, but this is predominantly seen in coins from the Philadelphia mint. The Medium Motto coin gets that name from the slightly better appearance of the same motto on the coin. It is not in sharp relief, but it is better than the previous one.

Also, the Medium motto coin is characterized by how the letter W appears on the motto. The top part of the letter’s center point is shorter than the points to its left and right. In some other designs, that center point is the same height as the rest, but you can only tell this difference when compared to other coins. The Philly and Denver mints struck this coin.

Then, there is the Heavy Motto coin, characterized by the appearance of the motto in sharp relief. The W in the motto is also distinguishable so that the center point is higher. As with the previous coin, both the Philly and Denver mints struck this coin.

It is already clear that the Philadephia mint does not typically include a mint mark on coins. So, 1934 quarters struck in the Philadelphia mint have no mint mark. However, those struck in the Denver mint have the mint mark on the reverse side, on top of the QUARTER DOLLAR phrase.

Also Read: Top 15 Most Valuable Quarters In Circulation

1934 Quarter Value Chart

A value chart is the best way to see how much your 1934 Washington silver quarter can fetch you. So, check the chart below to see a value estimate for the coin in your possession.

Mint Mark Good Fine Extremely Fine Uncirculated
1934 No Mint Mark Quarter Value $3.66 $3.66 $4.74 $27
1934 ‘D’ Quarter Value $3.66 $3.66 $16 $151

This value chart is a recent estimate, although the price listed in it can change based on the precious metals market. It can also depend on the melt value of the silver in the coins and the grader or collector. These are some of the factors that can positively or negatively affect the price.

However, the Denver-minted coins are more valuable than the Philly coins. This may be due to the availability of the coins. The Philadelphia mint struck a significantly higher number of coins than the Denver mint.

Consequently, Philly coins are Abundant on the rarity scale and are easily accessible. On the flip side, the Denver coins are not readily accessible because of the relatively small number minted.

Those that are available may not be in good condition, but they still fetch good money because of the scramble for them by collectors. The coins are worth much more if in extremely fine or MS+ (uncirculated) condition.

1. Grade

Old coins typically experience visible wear and tear because of handling in circulation. The older the coin is, the more likely it is to be worn. This is the first thing that every coin collector or coin grader will notice when you bring any coin for sale or grading.

While it is best to allow an expert or professional appraiser to check and determine the state of your collection, there are simple ways to check the coins yourself. If you have old coins, such as 1934 Washington silver quarters, they will be in one or more of these conditions: good, fine, extremely fine, or uncirculated.

2. Uncirculated

An uncirculated coin is in the best condition because it has no wear. There is a reason it is called an uncirculated or mint state (+) coin. Such coins are typically not used at all and may have been stored for future uses by the government.

It may also be that the coins had been stored by owners over the years without undue handling, hence the pristine condition. Sometimes, the color may look a little different from when they were first minted, but it only adds to their luster and desirability for collectors.

3. Extremely Fine

A coin in extremely fine condition is also in a good state, although not exactly like an uncirculated one. It typically has slight wear and may lose a little of its luster. You may also notice that the points of high relief, such as the curls on Washington’s head and the cheeks, lose their sharpness.

4. Fine and in Good Condition

A coin in fine condition will feature even more wear in those same areas of high relief. They will appear flat, without the distinguishing points that make the coin distinct. In good condition, the coin will appear old, without any markers. All you will see is the silhouette of the former president.

Also Read: Top 16 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money

1934 Quarter Value and Varieties Guides

This quarter was minted in two locations, so there are distinct differences in each one. This section covers the differences to explain their uniqueness.

1934 No Mint Mark Quarter

1934 No Mint Mark Quarter

  • Type: Washington Silver Quarter
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Mint Mark: None
  • Minting Place: Philadelphia
  • Minting Year: 1934
  • Face Value: 25 cents
  • Price: $3 to $27 (or more)
  • Quantity Produced: 31,912,052
  • Designer: John Flanagan
  • % Metal Composition: 90% Silver, 10% copper
  • Mass: 6.25 grams
  • Diameter: 24.3 mm

The 1934 quarter from the Philly mint has no distinct markers, such as a mint mark. In other words, the Philly coins have no mint mark. But they have other markers that make them unique. For example, it is only the Philly mint that struck coins in all the Light Motto, Medium Motto, and Heavy Motto categories.

Of the over 35 million 1934 quarters struck, the Philly mint accounts for almost 32 million. This is the reason it ranks low on the rarity scale; it is termed Abundant. While it is not the most minted coin in the country’s coinage history, it is still abundant enough to lower its value, compared to the Denver coins.

1934 ‘D’ Quarter

1934 ‘D’ Quarter

  • Type: Washington Silver Quarter
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Mint Mark: D
  • Minting Place: Denver
  • Minting Year: 1934
  • Face Value: 25 cents
  • Price: $3 to $151 (or more)
  • Quantity Produced: 3,527,200
  • Designer: John Flanagan
  • % Metal Composition: 90% Silver, 10% copper
  • Mass: 6.25 grams
  • Diameter: 24.3 mm

Compared to the Philly coins, the Denver-minted coins are few and rare. Only about three and a half million were minted that year, so the 1934-D coins are in high demand. This, in turn, makes them highly valuable, and if you have any of these coins, they may fetch you hundreds of dollars.

The Denver coins do not cover all the categories minted that year. In other words, the Denver mint struck the Medium Motto and Heavy Motto coins. The mint mark and these unique features increase the coins’ value, even more so if they are in mint or uncirculated condition.

Also Read: 10+ Rarest State Quarter Errors Lists (Worth Much Money!!!)

History of the 1934 Quarter

This coin has a special history because of what it represents in the country’s overall history. It is the first coin designed to commemorate anything or anyone. The primary reason for minting it was to celebrate the 200th birthday of George Washington, who was the first president of the country.

That is how the coins came to be called the Washington quarter. As with any other coin, there was a competition to develop the best design to cover this special commemorative coin, and in the end, John Flanagan, who was the leading U.S. Mint engraver, was selected to design it. It was first minted and circulated in 1932, but there were no minted quarters in 1933.

Then, in 1934, minting began again. The reason for the break was that the initial plan was to make it a one-year coin, running through 1932 only. However, the design was excellent and much loved by the people, so it was returned in 1934 and is still in use today with a few changes.

The coin features the bust of the first president looking to the left on the coin’s obverse side. The word LIBERTY is struck at the top of the coin, right above the president’s head and flush against the rim. Right below the bust or image is the date 1934 and to the left is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. On the reverse side is an eagle clutching olive branches in its claws.

Its wings are partly spread and the words E PLURIBUS UNUM appears on the part of the side, just under the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Under the olive branch, at the center part, you will find the mint mark for Denver coins.

And under the mint mark is the coin value, which is a quarter dollar. The coin has a meta composition of 90% silver and 10% copper, but this changed in 1965 when the U.S. Mint transitioned to using mostly copper and nickel for coinage.

1934 Quarter Grading

All coins are graded using the general grading scale. The scale ranges from 1 to 70, with 70 being the best coin condition and 1 being the lowest condition.

The grading typically falls under four types, as included in the value chart, but within each grade, some variations slightly increase or decrease the value.

This video explains the 1934 quarter grading to help you determine the category of your rare coin,

1934 Quarter Errors

A few errors are observable in the Washington quarter from 1934. While these errors are not quickly noticeable and may have caused the coins not to go into circulation, they make the affected coins more valuable than others without the errors.

1. 1934 Quarter Doubled Die Error

1934 Quarter Doubled Die Error

The error occurs when the die used to strike the design unto the blank coin planchet does not maintain a steady angle. Instead, it may strike the main and sharp image but moves during the second or third strike to create a double image on the coin.

You will notice this in the motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, where the die struck the motto at slightly different angles to create a double image. It was not a common error in the 1934 quarter, so those with the error are worth more money than the rest. The better the mint state of the coin, the higher the value is, especially if it has a mint mark.

2. 1934 Struck Motto Error

1934 Struck Motto Error

We talked about the 1934 quarters having three types based on the lightness or heaviness of the motto. It is important to note that those are mild errors; the motto appears light and barely perceptible on some coins, appears slightly better and more discernible on some, and appears heavier and sharper on the rest.

It might have been a problem with the dies wearing out during production, but the errors change the value of the coins.

1934 Quarter FAQs

How much silver is in a 1934 quarter?

There is 90% silver in the 1934 Washington silver quarter. It also contains about 10% copper, which slightly darkens the color instead of leaving it the usual bright color of silver.

How much is a 1934 quarter worth today?

The 1934 quarter is worth a starting price of about $3.66 for coins in good condition. It can be more, depending on who is buying and the availability of mint marks. But this starting price is worth much more than the face value of 25 cents.

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