Coin Value Finder » 1942 Quarter Value: are “D”, “S”, No mint mark worth money?

1942 Quarter Value: are “D”, “S”, No mint mark worth money?

Are you wondering if the 1942 quarter is valuable?

The Washington quarters are the only American quarters in circulation to date. But recently, they have become one of the most popular collector’s items, particularly the 1942 quarter.

Most coin collectors often search for the 1942 quarters because they were minted during World War II. That means they influenced the 20th-century American economy and coin production.

This article will explore the 1942 quarter value, including its design details, varieties, history, grading, and errors. This way, you can determine if the coin is a worthy addition to your set.

1942 Quarter Details

1942 Quarter Details

  • Category: Washington Quarters
  • Mint: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
  • Mintage: 138,967,200
  • Designer: John Flanagan
  • Metal Composition: 90% Silver, 10% copper
  • Fineness: 9
  • Diameter: 3mm
  • ASW: 1808oz
  • Weight: 25g
  • Edge: Reeded

In this section of the 1942 quarter value guide, we will highlight the various interesting details of the coin. Let us begin with the obverse side or heads.

The Obverse Side

The 1942 quarter’s obverse side features a portrait of George Washington facing left, hence the nickname Washington quarter.

The original design of the coin was by a sculptor known as John Flanagan. But since the coin was a commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the first president of America, its obverse side design was not without controversy.

Initially, the bicentennial committee engaged Laura Gardin Fraser to design the commemorative medal and adopt its design to the quarter. The Commission of Fine arts and its chair, Charles W. Moore, supported the designer’s work. However, Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon preferred John Flanagan’s design.

The House of Representatives Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures also found the design of the Standing Liberty quarter unsatisfactory. They wanted the new Washington quarter to replace the Standing Liberty quarter permanently.

Charles tried to object to this change and proposed Laura’s design to appear on the coin, but the Treasury ignored him. When Mellon stepped down in 1932, Charles renewed his earlier protest, but the Secretary of the Treasury, Ogden L. Mills, did not want to override Mellon’s decision.

In April of the same year, the U.S. treasury made John Flanagan’s design public. Some numismatics accused Mellon of discriminating against Laura’s design since she was a woman. But he argued that he had approved several of Fraser’s designs to be used in commemorative pieces.

Besides the image of George Washington, the obverse contains the word LIBERTY on top of the portrait and the production date at the bottom. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST falls to the left side of the image, near the neck.

The Reverse Side

As for the reverse side, the 1942 quarter depicts a bald eagle with its wings outstretched. The bird stands on a clutch of arrows framed below by a wreath of olive leaves. John Flanagan also designed the reverse side of the quarter.

His artistic approach ensured every part of the coin surface gets used. The outstretched wings of the eagle follow the curve of the coin. Encircling the coin are the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination:  Quarter Dollar.

If you look closely, you will observe the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM above the bird’s head. The Latin motto stands for “From the many, one”, which represents all the states that form America. The olive branch below the bundle of arrows symbolizes peace.

1942 Quarter: Additional Features

If you inspect the edge, you will notice a series of groves or reeds. These prevent counterfeiting and discourage clipping. Reeds also help the blind identify different coin denominations by touch.

Most 1942 quarters also lacked a clear surface since the mints used worn-out dies to strike them. But in 1944, the quarter’s details became sharper because the U.S mint changed the dies.

Also Read: Top 15 Most Valuable Quarters In Circulation

1942 Quarter Value Chart

Varieties Good Fine Extremely Fine Uncirculated MS60 MS65 MS67
1942 “No mint Mark” Quarter $4.45 $4.45 $4.95 $7 $10 $30 $550
1942 “D” Quarter $8.50 $9 $11 $12.50 $27.50 $50 $500
1942 “S” Quarter $8.50 $9 $16.50 $20 $65 $120 $600

1942 Quarter Value and Varieties Guide

1942 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

1942 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

  • Type: Quarter
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Mint Mark: n/a
  • Mintage: 102,096,000
  • Place of Mintage: Philadelphia
  • Face Value: $0.25
  • $Price: $4 to $85000
  • Designer: John Flanagan

In 1942, the Philadelphia mint struck over 100 million Washington quarters. These high production numbers reflected America’s full-scale entry into World War II.

Although the mint produced more than two-thirds of the quarters, most coins had poor striking quality. Nevertheless, you can find gems in grade state MS65 and above.

Generally, 1945 no-mint mark quarters in circulation sell for $4.45 to $7. If you find an uncirculated specimen in pristine condition, its value can reach $10 to $16.

1945 quarters in mint state 65 can fetch $30. However, higher grades (MS66 and above) can sell for upwards of $550 to $85,000.

1942 “D” Quarter Value

1942 “D” Quarter Value

  • Type: Quarter
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Mint Mark: D
  • Mintage: 17,487,200
  • Place of Mintage: Denver
  • Face Value: $0.25
  • $Price: $8 to $40,000
  • Designer: John Flanagan

Denver mint stuck the lowest number of Washington quarter in 1942. The facility produced only 17, 487,200 quarters. However, this was a huge feat for the mint, considering the rapid build-up of the US economy in the 20th century.

Unlike 1945 coins from Philadelphia, the pieces from Denver had a high striking quality. Rare gems from the facility feature clear design details and have a beautiful luster.

In circulated condition, 1945 -D quarters are worth between $8 and $12.5. This value increases to $27.50 at mint state 60. But in higher grades, like MS67 +, these quarters can reach a price of $575. The finest quality can sell for as high as $40,000.

1942 “S” Quarter Value

1942 S Quarter Value

 

  • Type: Quarter
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Mint Mark: S
  • Mintage: 19,384,000
  • Place of Mintage: San Francisco
  • Face Value: $0.25
  • $Price: $8 to $7850
  • Designer: John Flanagan

As for the San Francisco mint, the facility minted 19,384,000 Washington quarters in 1942. However, these 1945 coins suffered quality issues like the 1945 no-mint mark quarters.

When it comes to 1942 Washington quarter value, San Francisco pieces in circulation state sell for higher prices than those from the other mints. A 1942- S in extremely fine condition can cost as much as $16.

1942 quarter price for a specimen in pristine, uncirculated states goes for $20, while those in MS60 sell for $65. Above MS65, the finest pieces can cost between $600 and $17,000.

1942 Quarter Proof Value

1942 Quarter Proof Value

 

  • Type: Quarter
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Mint Mark: n/a
  • Mintage: 21,000
  • Place of Mintage: Philadelphia
  • Face Value:  $0.25
  • $Price: $40 to $17,000
  • Designer: John Flanagan

The Philadelphia mint struck roughly 21,000 proof quarters in 1942. The establishment produced the pieces using specially designed master dies and highly polished blank planchets. But unlike proof specimens from other coin series, these ones are not as valuable.

A 1942 quarter, proof graded at PR60, can cost $40. In PR65 and PR67, the value rises to $100 and $275, respectively. If you are lucky to find a unique piece, the value can rise to $17,000.

Also Read: Top 16 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money

1942 Quarter History

The 1942 quarter is part of the Washington coins series–America’s first circulating commemorative coin. It all began in 1931 when congress sought a half dollar to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth.

The U.S. Treasury Department wanted the obverse side of the half dollar to depict the profile of George Washington based on the statue of America’s first president by Jean Antoine Houdon. However, congress intervened later and decided the portrait of Washington should feature on the quarter dollar but not the half dollar.

The Treasury selected John Flanagan to design the obverse side of the quarter. In June 1932, the government made Flanagan’s design for the quarter public. Production began the same month, and the new quarters entered circulation on August 1st, 1932.

Although people loved the new coins, the quarter’s reverse side design prompted some debate. They wondered whether the reverse depicted a bald eagle or some other type of eagle. But later, an eagle expert concluded that it was a bald eagle.

From 1932 to 1942, all the coins maintained the same design. But in 1964, the US mint used a different reverse design for the proof pieces from that used in circulation quarters. The following year, the metal composition of the quarter changed.

Initially, the Washington quarters contained 90% silver and 10% copper. But in 1964, silver prices increased, forcing people to hoard widely popular silver coins like the Kennedy half dollars and other denominations.

While the production of the quarters continued that year, the Treasury’s silver stock depleted rapidly. In response, President Lyndon Johnson ordered the replacement of silver from the quarter in favor of a clad version.

The new composition consisted of a copper core with cupronickel cladding to add silver color and shine. And it’s still used today in coin production.

Besides the date, you can differentiate the 1942 quarter from the 1965 quarter by observing their edge. Since 1942 quarters contain 90% silver, the edge will be silver all around. As for the 1965 quarters, the edge will show copper on regions the platting has worn out.

Because of WW2, the mints had to increase coin production in 1942. The Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco minting facilities minted over 130 million Washington quarters and 21,000 proof coins.

Most coins from Philadelphia contained no mint mark. However, the Denver and San Francisco mint added mint marks below the olive branches on the reverse side.

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

1942 Quarter Grading

When it comes to 1942 quarter grading, most coin collectors will look closely at the coin’s condition. This makes sense because no one wants to collect worn-out or damaged quarters.

The best way to determine the grade of your 1942 quarter is to send it to a coin grading company. But if you don’t have the time or money to pay for grading services, the video below might help you.

1942 Quarter Error

Some 1942 quarters have errors that occurred during the minting process, which can increase their values. Below, we have highlighted a few common examples of these errors:

1. 1942 “D” Quarter Double Die Obverse Error

1942 “D” Quarter Double Die Obverse Error

 

The double die obverse error occurs when a coin gets struck twice with the same obverse design. As a result, the specimen features doubling or overlapping in various parts, including the date, image, and inscriptions.

A 1942 D quarter with double die error can sell for $360 in extremely fine condition. In mint state 60 grade, the price can increase to $1,750. Pristine, uncirculated pieces at MS 64 and 65 reach a whopping price of $7,000 or $8,000.

2. 1942 “D” Quarter Double Die Reverse Error

1942 “D” Quarter Double Die Reverse Error

 

This double-die error is often observed in the reverse design. For example, a 1942 D coin might have a strong doubling on the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, or olive branches. Other varieties show a doubling on the eagle’s beak.

At a circulated state, specimens with this error can fetch $50 to $125. At AU (About Uncirculated) state, their value can rise to $8,000. However, 1942 quarters at higher grades, like MS66 and MS67, can be valued at $11,500.

1942 Quarter FAQ

What is the average 1942 quarter price?

The 1942 quarter worth today varies depending on its condition, variety, and scarcity. But according to the NGC price guide, a circulated 1942 quarter with no mint mark cost an average of $4. Those with “D” and “S” mint marks are worth $8.

In uncirculated conditions, the average price of this quarter ranges between $7 to $20, but higher grades can sell for impressive prices. On the other hand, 1942 proof quarters cost an average of $100, depending on condition and rarity.

Are there any special characteristics to look for when determining the 1942 quarter value?

The first thing to look for when determining the value of a 1942 quarter is condition. Most 1942 coins get graded on a scale from good to mint state, with good being the lowest grade and mint state the highest.

Oftentimes, coins with signs of scratches, discoloration, and damage fall in the lower grade and, therefore, are less valuable.

Another factor worth considering is the rarity of the coin. Collectors believe quarters with the lowest mintage are rarer and more valuable. Therefore, coins from Denver and San Francisco mints cost more than those from Philadelphia.

In addition, consider the special characteristics of the coin since they might affect its value. For instance, 1942 proof quarters will have a higher value than a regular issue 1942 quarter.

Are 1942 quarters valuable to collectors?

The 1942 Washington quarters are not rare, but they hold historical significance. The US mint produced them during the World War II era. Furthermore, some varieties, like the 1942 “D” quarters, have unique errors, such as doubled die obverse error, which makes them more valuable to numismatists.

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