Each coin has its corresponding worth, and this is relatively substantial, especially for coin collectors. There are lots of factors that impact the valuation of old coins, from the condition to the uniqueness of the coin. And if you’re curious about the current 1990 quarter value, you’re right on track.
In this article, you get a solid grasp of the technicalities of these coins, including their history, varieties, and errors. So, here are all the core details about the 1990 Quarter that will surely be helpful in your coin collection quest.
1990 Quarter Details
- Category: Washington Quarter
- Mintage: Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver
- Total mintage:1,544,729,740
- Obverse designer: John Flanagan
- Reverse designer: John Flanagan
- Edge: Reeded
- Diameter: 3 mm
- Thickness: 069 inches
- Composition: Nickel and copper
- Weight: 67 grams
The 1990 Quarters were produced in three major US Mints―Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. Each location varies in terms of coins produced.
Denver had the highest 1990 Quarter coins, almost 1 billion, while Philadelphia follows with over 600 million. The San Francisco Mint only produced 3 million since the location was generally designated to produce proof coins.
The total mintage in 1990 was slightly higher than the previous year, which was over 1.4 billion. Even with the increase in production, there were no significant changes in the design of the coin. It still followed the main features of the coin that were first adopted in 1932.
The elements on the obverse side encompass the face of the first president of the United States of America, George Washington. The left-facing image of the former president was imprinted, along with the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
The year of the mintage was also engraved on the surface. And depending on the US Mint, you’d find the mint marks D for Denver, S for San Francisco, and P for Philadelphia.
On the other side, there’s an eagle with wings fully spread out. According to history, the eagle is a major representation of the country’s supremacy and resilience. If you look closer, the eagle appears to carry a bundle of arrows, which then symbolizes the readiness and willingness of UC to defend its territory.
Aside from the eagle, the back section also has the famous US motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” which means “Out of many, one.” Other relevant markings on the reverse include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
Unlike the earlier Washington quarters that used silver and copper, the 1990 Quarter coins were made of cheaper materials, specifically 8.33% Nickel and 91.67% Copper. As a result, the value of these coins is not that high compared to coins struck from 1932 to 1964.
Still, many collectors love these coins because of their accessibility. This is one of the reasons why many prefer to kick off their collection with Washington Quarters, which are nickel-clad copper. They can easily complete the coin series, plus these are more affordable.
| 1990 Quarter Value Chart | |||||
| Mint Mark | MS65 | MS66 | MS67 | MS68 | Proof |
| 1990 P Quarter | $15 | $30 | $180 | ― | |
| 1990 D Quarter | ― | $11 to $20 | $52 to $522 | $437 to $650 | |
| 1990 S Quarter | ― | ― | ― | ― | $0.30 to $$38 |
1990 Quarter Value and Varieties
Coins are struck from different US Mints. Hence, varieties of coins are produced in each location. And this occurred during the 1990 Quarter mintage. Both Denver and Philadelphia had the most quarter coins created in the said year because these were generally meant for circulation.
Since these coins were for general use, finding coins in mint state is certainly a challenge. But if you’ve got a hold of a rare 1990 Quarter, it’s important that you have an understanding of the valuation. For example, an MS65 is around $15 while an MS67 can reach up to $180.
According to experts, coins that were produced in Denver back in 1990 had the most value compared to those minted in Philadelphia and San Francisco. The 1968 D Quarter with MS66 grade may be priced from $11 to $20. If you have an MS68 coin, you can expect a higher valuation, ranging from $437 to $650.
1990 P Quarter
- Type: Washington Quarter
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: P
- Place of minting: Philadelphia
- Year of minting:1990
- Face value:$0.25
- $ price:$0.25 to $180
- Quantity produced:613,792,000
- Designer: John Flanagan
In 1990, the Philadelphia Mint produced 613,792,000 quarter coins. In the past, Philadelphia did not have any inscriptions to signify its location. But for this particular year, they engraved P on the coins. Most of which were designed to be circulated in the market. Thus, these were usually valued lower.
Circulated 1990 Quarters that have visible signs of wear are often priced at their current face value, which is $0.25. Meanwhile, if you’ve got an MS65 or MS66 coin, the value shoots up between $15 and $30. These are quite scarce pieces, hence the higher value.
And for an MS67 grade, it is valued at least $180. However, since there are only less than a dozen 1990 coins in this condition, the price of this rare coin can reach up to $1,450, making it very valuable among collectors.
1990 D Quarter
- Type: Washington Quarter
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: None
- Place of minting: Denver
- Year of minting:1990
- Face value:$0.25
- $ price:$0.25 to 650
- Quantity produced:927,638,181
- Designer: John Flanagan
Denver Mint had the highest number of 1990 Quarter coins in 1990. There was a total of 927,638,181 pieces produced, which all had the letter D on the obverse side. The mint mark was added to distinguish it from other mint locations.
Although most of these were circulated, there were a couple of thousands that remain uncirculated. A few were beautifully preserved to their top-notch condition, solidifying their value. In fact, an MS66 grade costs around $11 to $20 while an MS67 coin is worth between $52 to $522.
And for an MS67+, which is the highest grade acknowledged for quarters made in Denver, the price ranges from $437 to $650. However, in Heritage Auction, this is currently priced at $1440.
1990 S Quarter
- Type: Washington Quarter
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: None
- Place of minting: San Francisco
- Year of minting:1990
- Face value:$0.25
- $ price:$0.30 to $$38
- Quantity produced:3,299,559
- Designer: John Flanagan
These coins are surely desirable, most especially because of their limited supply. Only over 3 million were produced in 1990 by the San Francisco Mint, and all are proof coins. The value varies accordingly, mostly $0.30 to $$38 for good-condition coins.
However, if you have a beautiful and sharp appearance of the designs, the worth would definitely increase. In fact, a PR70 rating was being sold at $7,050! So, be sure to look closely at your 1990 S Quarter and see the features thoroughly.
Also Read: Top 15 Most Valuable Quarters In Circulation
1990 Quarter History
As part of the long-running Washington coin series, the 1990 Quarter definitely kept up with the original designs. The only modification made was the composition of the coins, which actually took effect years before, specifically in 1965.
In the past, Washington Quarters utilized a significant amount of silver. This, however, was altered because of the limited supply of silver during the mid-1960s. So, through the Coinage of 1965, silver was removed from circulating coins and was replaced by copper and nickel.
Although the nickel-clad copper coins have been used since 1965, there were some announcements made by former President George Bush back in 1990. During the year 1990, he authorized the selling of silver proof sets, which include 1990 Quarters minted on a .900 silver surface.
However, this only materialized after 2 years because of some issues in the supply of silver coinage blanks. In 1992, this signaled the start of the formal trade of silver proof sets. Each of these coin sets comes with unique characteristics that add up to its charm.
The reason for such was that the coin sets were actually uncirculated pieces that were extracted from regular minting. As a result, the quality of the coins is not definite. The coin set has a total of ten coins, 5 from the Denver Mint and 5 from Philadelphia.
Since the coins were pulled out from two different mints, then the set has two pliofilm packs, which served as the storage of the coins. More so, each pack contains a cent, a nickel, a dime, a quarter, and a half-dollar coin. It’s quite easy to distinguish the two minting locations because of the mint marks “D” and “S”.
Another way to determine is to check the edge of the pack. Denver-minted coins were stored in a package with red edges while Philadelphia-produced pieces has blue. These two packs are further sealed in a vivid mailing envelope. And even now, the selling of silver coins is still being continued.
Also Read: Top 16 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money
1990 Quarter Grading
While there were millions of Quarters coins produced in 1990, finding a rare piece in its mint state can be a grueling process. And of course, MS coins have more value than circulated ones that have prominent signs of wear. The grading of coins is usually impacted by the condition as well as their rarity due to errors.
List of 1990 Quarter Error
When it comes to collecting coins, those with errors are actually considered very rare, hence valuable. So, it’s crucial that you understand the common errors during the 1990 Quarter production for you to gauge their value.
1. 1990 Quarter Double Die
In San Francisco Mint, it was confirmed that there was an issue in production that led to the 1990 S Quarter double die error. Quarter coins with slight double marks were valued between $50 to $100. But there was actually one PR70 coin that was auctioned for $7,050 because of its distinct features and limited rarity.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, there were only 3 million Washington quarters produced by San Francisco in 1990. As a result, finding one is a very rare occurrence that deserves a pricey value. To determine the double die marks, take a look at the mint mark “S” as well as the date.
2. 1990 Quarter Broad Strike
Washington Quarters are generally reeded on the edge. However, there were some with plain edges due to broad stroke errors. As a result, the surface of the coins is wider and thinner compared to the regular ones. These are often priced at $15, though some can go up to $35.
Although this kind of error results in different coin appearances, there could be another reason why a coin has a plain edge. And if this is caused by wear, unfortunately, these coins are not that valuable. Since it’s not a minting error, the worth of the coin is the same as its face value.
3. 1990 Quarter Off-center
If you have a coin that has around 5% to 10% off center, the typical price is around $20 to $30. The bigger the percentage away from the center, the higher the value. However, it should be noted that the date should still be present for it to be considered collectible.
Also Read: 10+ Rarest State Quarter Errors Lists (Worth Much Money!!!)
1990 Quarter FAQ
1. How much is the 1990 quarter worth?
The answer largely depends on the condition and the minting location of the coin. For circulated Quarters with MS grade, this starts from $11 or $15. If you’ve got a higher grade, perhaps MS68, it may be around $180 to $522. And of course, errors in production significantly impact the value of the coin.
2. Is a 1990 quarter rare?
In general, a 1990 Quarter is not rated. It’s because Quarters produced during this year did not have silver content. So, unlike those that were struck between 1932 to 1964, there are pretty much cheap. More so, these coins are widely available in the market, which means you can easily buy and collect them.
3. Are any 1990 quarters valuable?
Yes, there are certain 1990 Quarters that are tagged as valuable among collectors. For example, there was a 1990 S Quarter that was considered rare due to a double die error. And since these coins were minted in San Francisco, these were proof ones with only a limited number of coins produced.