The Washington quarter dollar coin was designed by John F. Flanagan, a sculptor who is most known for his designs for coins and commemorative medals, although he is also well-known for his statues and plaquettes.
This particular coin was introduced to the public to mark George Washington’s 200th birthday. It should have only been a commemorative coin, but the Americans loved Flanagan’s design so much that they decided to continue its production. Today, this quarter is among the most cherished collectible coins in the United States of America.
Read on below to learn more about the 1932 Washington Quarter!
What Is the 1932 Washington Quarter Dollar Made Of?
Since 1916, American coins have not undergone a design change. This was quite novel at the time of the Washington quarter dollar coin’s release. Unfortunately, the Great Depression arrived at its worst in 1932. As a result, only a few uncirculated specimens were initially saved. Nevertheless, the currency was valuable, and within a few years, it was much hoarded.
The 1932 Washington quarter dollar has a reeded edge and weighs 6.30 grams. It measures 24.30 millimeters in diameter with a metal composition of 90% Silver and 10% Copper.
Image Source: USA Coin Book
John Flanagan’s design for the coin’s obverse features an image of George Washington, an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father. Washington is also known as the first president of the United States of America, who served the country from 1789 to 1797. The coin’s obverse also features the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST positioned next to Washington’s neck. Above the coin’s rim, we can find the word LIBERTY. At the bottom, the minting year 1932 is inscribed.
The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are at the upper edge of the reverse, which features an American Bald Eagle holding arrows and spreading its wings.
Below the country’s name, we can read the Latin phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM, which translates to “Out of many, one.” At the coin’s bottom rim, we can see the coin’s denomination QUARTER DOLLAR. Just above the denomination is a pair of olive branches that meet in the middle, where we can locate the coin’s mint mark (if available) below it.
1932 Washington Quarter Dollar Varieties
The 1932 Washington quarter dollar coins were produced in three US mints: Denver, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. Here is a summary of the varieties of Washington quarter dollar coins minted that year:
| Variety | Mint Location | Mintage |
| 1932 D Washington Quarter Dollar | Denver | 436,800 |
| 1932 S Washington Quarter Dollar | San Francisco | 408,000 |
| 1932 P Washington Quarter Dollar | Philadelphia | 5,404,000 |
| Total | 6,248,800 |
1932 D Washington Quarter Dollar
Year of minting: 1932
Mint Mark: D
Place of minting: Denver
Quantity produced: 436,800
Face Value: $0.25 (quarter dollar)
Price: $142 to $455 (circulated condition)
Mass: 6.30 grams
Edge: Reeded
Designer: John Flanagan
Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
Diameter: 24.30 millimeters
Image Source: PCGS
The 1932 D Washington quarter dollar is by far the rarest among the Washington quarter dollar coins, with a mere 436,000 coins. It is one of the two varieties with mintages of fewer than one million coins and the 1932 S Washington quarter dollar with an original mintage of 408,000 coins.
For the past 60 years, both coins have been highly prized in all grades. They are two of the more well-known rare coins from the 20th century and key dates in the Washington quarter dollar series.
The NGC Price Guide estimates that a 1932 Washington quarter dollar in circulation is worth between $65 and $875 (as of February 2023). On the open market, however, this particular coin in pristine and uncirculated condition could fetch up to $90.000!
1932 S Washington Quarter Dollar
Year of minting: 1932
Mint Mark: S
Place of minting: San Francisco
Quantity produced: 408,000
Face Value: $0.25 (quarter dollar)
Price: $171 to $344 (circulated condition)
Mass: 6.30 grams
Edge: Reeded
Designer: John Flanagan
Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
Diameter: 24.30 millimeters
Image Source: PCGS
As mentioned above, the 1932 S Washington quarter dollar series has the lowest mintage of only 408,000 coins. The 1932 D Washington quarter dollar coins and the 1932 S variety are among the most sought-after key dates of the 20th century.
Since the 1950s, this coin has been coveted in all grades. Even though the 1932 S and 1932 D are almost equally rare in circulating grades, the 1932 D Washington quarter dollar coins in mint state are over twice as uncommon. However, a 1932 S Washington quarter dollar in Uncirculated condition is fantastic, and gem MS65s are rare.
As of the time of writing, the NGC Price Guide has estimated on their website the value of a 1932 Washington quarter dollar in circulated condition between $65 and $375. However, if you sell one in pristine and uncirculated condition, you can make as much as $27,500 on the open market.
1932 P Washington Quarter Dollar
Year of minting: 1932
Mint Mark: no mint mark
Place of minting: Philadelphia
Quantity produced: 436,800
Face Value: $0.25 (quarter dollar)
Price: $5.89 to $15 (circulated condition)
Mass: 6.30 grams
Edge: Reeded
Designer: John Flanagan
Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
Diameter: 24.30 millimeters
Image Source: PCGS
Most of the Philadelphia Mint’s 1932 Washington quarter dollars saved were sliders or coins that had only seen a limited circulation and currently grade around AU58. This issue was included in slider rolls in the 1970s. 1932 Philadelphia quarter dollars in True Gem MS65 or better are quite uncommon. This MS67 coin is incredibly rare.
Based on the NGC Price Guide on their website, the value of a 1932 Washington quarter dollar is between $7.50 and $30 in circulated condition (as of February 2023). If you find one in pristine and uncirculated condition on the open market, it could be worth as much as $12,500.
List Of 1932 Washington Quarter Dollar Errors
Coins become notably unique as a result of errors. Because of these errors, these coins become much more expensive to purchase than their regular counterparts. Below is a list of some of the more notable 1932 Washington Quarter dollar coin errors.
Doubled Die obverse
We categorize a coin to have a doubled die obverse error if we see a duplicate (sometimes triplicate) in the elements on the coin, such as images, letters, numbers, or words. This type of error is produced when the coin die is not properly manufactured, resulting in the appearance of two or more images on a single coin die.
Image Source: PCGS
Cud Error
A cud is a kind of die error where the coin has a raised metal portion. This accidental “bump” in the coin, which differs from a die crack in that it results from a dent or gouge in the die, allows the coin to fill in the gap during minting.
Image Source: eBay
How Much Is The 1932 Washington Quarter Dollar Worth Today?
The melt value of a 1932 Washington quarter dollar is $4.06 (NGC Price Guide). It has a face value of $0.25 or a quarter dollar.
In addition, the coin’s value in average condition is estimated by the USA Coin Book at $7.07 for the Philadelphia variant and $200 for both the Denver and San Francisco variants. They also set coins in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition to be worth $29 to $482 or more for the Philadelphia variant, $508 to $5,544 or more for the San Francisco variant, and $1,227 to $13,909 or more for the Denver variant.
How Does The Grading System Work?
Coin appraisers frequently use a magnifying glass or a coin microscope to evaluate the value and condition of the coins they examine. These experts evaluate the coin’s brightness, strike, color, preservation, attractiveness, and other attributes to determine its value.
If you need guidance from experts in the coin grading industry, contact organizations like the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Your coin can be properly graded with their help, increasing its value.
Image Source: GSI Exchange
These professionals classify coins into the PR (Proof) or MS (Mint State) categories using the Sheldon Scale, a 70-point grading system, and the above instruments. A coin is deemed to be in MS condition if it has a grade of 60 to 70, meaning that any flaws or surface blemishes need to be noticed using a coin microscope.
Where To Buy Or Sell 1932 Washington Quarter?
Online markets and auction websites like eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and Craigslist are the greatest places to seek a 1932 Washington quarter dollar. Many sellers place bids for rare coins and other items on those websites. However, a 1932 Washington quarter dollar is also available for purchase at the coin and antique shops. But it might be harder to find one there.
If you need suggestions on where and how to purchase or sell 1932 Washington quarter dollars, you may consult respected coin grading services providers like the PCGS and the NGC.
FAQs
How much is a double headed 1932 quarter dollar worth?
Currently, there’s no reported double-headed 1932 quarter dollar. However, based on the prices of other US coins with a double-headed error, the price is around $3 to $10.
Which 1932 quarter dollar is worth the most?
The melt value of a 1932 Washington quarter dollar is $4.06 (NGC Price Guide). It has a face value of $0.25 or a quarter dollar. The 1932 Washington quarter dollar coin that is worth the most is the one issued from the Denver Mint, estimated to be valued between $1,227 to $13,909 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition. In average condition, however, the coins minted in Denver and San Francisco could be worth $200.
Is a 1932 quarter dollar pure silver?
No. The 1932 Washington quarter dollar, designed by John Flanagan, has a metal composition of 90% Silver and 10% Copper.
