1941 Washington Quarter Value Guide

World War II started in 1939 for the rest of the world, and the United States frequently provided supplies to its allies. However, the US didn’t formally enlist until 1941, and they didn’t change their coinage for the war until 1942. For the war, pennies and nickels were changed, although quarters remained made of the same metal until 1965.

Read on to know more about the 1941 Washington quarter’s value below.

What Is the 1941 Washington Quarter Made Of?

The 1941 Washington Quarter has a face value of $0.25 or a quarter dollar. It weighs 6.30 grams and has a diameter of 24.30 millimeters. The coin has a reeded edge and a metal composition of 90% Silver and 10% Copper. John Flanagan designed it.

Image Source: NGC

The 1941 Washington quarter features a profile of George Washington, an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father, who served as the first president of the United States of America from 1789 to 1797.

On the obverse, Washington is seen looking towards the left with the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST written below his chin. The word LIBERTY is seen arching above his head.

The 1941 Washington quarter’s reverse is sometimes called the Eagle Reverse. It features a bald eagle with wings spread wide, clutching 13 arrows to symbolize the original 13 states of the Union.

Between the wings, two olive branches converge and cross at the mint mark. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is written at the top of the coin, while the Latin phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM is written just beneath it. The coin’s denomination, QUARTER DOLLAR, is placed on the bottom. Since there is virtually any negative space in the reverse, the dies need to be carefully hubbed.

1941 Washington Quarter Varieties

The coin value is primarily influenced by condition, mintage, and mint mark. These factors work together to affect the rarity of the coin. The price of a particular coin decreases with the number of samples in that mint mark or grade. Discover below how mint location affects the value of a 1941 Washington quarter.

These are the varieties of Washington quarter produced in 1941:

1941 D Washington Quarter

Image Source: PCGS

Denver recovered from its oddly low quarter-dollar production in 1940 to record a significantly higher total this year. Gems are abundant up to MS 66; for the seasoned collector, there are many MS 67 coins. Denver routinely produced the best-struck coins from the 1930s through the 1940s, and 1941 D is no exception.

Heavy erosion lines and overpolishing of the dies are less likely to be visible. Ironically, contact marks are more noticeable on well-struck coins than on squishy coins; therefore, this is considered while grading. Several doubled-dies are recorded for both sides of the 1941 D quarter, but their popularity varies.

This coin is more challenging to locate in Gem than some of the D Mints that come after, especially in Superb Gem condition.

1941 S Washington Quarter

Image Source: PCGS

It seemed obvious that America would join World War II, so the country increased defense production for domestic and export markets. This increased economic activity benefited the West Coast, and the San Francisco Mint produced nearly twice as many quarters in 1941 as in 1940. At the time, the BU roll consistently saved all current issues.

Due to increased speculative interest in S Mint coins, the 1941 S quarter is widespread in grades up to MS 66. Quality control difficulties have constrained the number of instances with higher grades.

Many 1941 S quarters were produced using worn dies with little detail and considerable luster. Such dies could become semi-proof-like when repolished to increase their functional life, though frequently with distracting lines from the abrasives.

The only minor doubled dies that are known for this issue are the three different mintmark punches that were used. Most 1941 S quarters feature the Small “S” mint mark typical of this mint from 1917 to 1941.

A small fraction of coins includes one of the two Large “S” punches used that year—the Trumpet-Tail S or the Serif S—and they command high premiums when discovered in Mint State or About Uncirculated condition.

1941 P Washington Quarter

Image Source: PCGS

Defense industries won generous contracts that significantly increased output as America readied itself for the possibility of war. The end of the Great Depression in 1941 coincided with rising economic activity and employment, which greatly increased coin mintage.

Philadelphia increased its quarter-dollar production by more than double to a level never seen before for this denomination.

This issue was widely rolled and effectively resolved; examples abound in Mint State. Gems are plenty through MS 67. However, these grades don’t necessarily account for over-polished or worn dies.

It is still advisable that collectors look only for well-struck pieces produced using fresh dies. Numerous variants were produced due to the many die pairs needed for such a massive production.

The 1941 P Washington quarter had a mintage that was more than twice as high as any other Washington quarter that had ever been produced. Also, given that this is one of the most prevalent Washington quarters from the 1940s in Gem form, it appears that many uncirculated copies were saved at the time of issuance. There are a lot of quite superb, incredibly glossy survivors from this time.

1941 Proof Washington Quarter

Image Source: PCGS

Proof coins were initially intended for the archives and quality control, but as the mint began selling them to collectors, they soon became an additional source of income. The mint produces these coins using burnished blanks or special planchets that have already been polished and chemically treated dies to guarantee that the field is polished and the device is frosted.

As a result of these extra procedures, the first 50 to 100 coins are extremely shiny and are referred to as Deep Cameo (DCAM) or Ultra Cameo, while the last 100 or so coins are Cameo.

However, most remain in mint condition since collectors maintain these coins from the start. Because of the number of premium coins, proof prices are kept low. In PR 65, they are only worth $161.

List Of 1941 Washington Quarter Errors

Clipped Planchet Error

Error coins with flat or crescent-shaped bites taken from the side are known as clipped planchets. As such, the coin features a concave curve-shaped edge caused by a crescent-shaped portion of the missing metal.

Image Source: eBay

Doubled Die Error

A doubled die variety happens when an error during the hubbing process doubles the design on the die. Occasionally, the hub strikes the die at a slightly different angle, which causes the design to appear doubled on the die. A tripled die or even a quadrupled die can occasionally arise from the hub striking the die in three slightly different places or even four.

Image Source: eBay

Lamination Error

Planchet defects, called lamination errors, cause a coin’s surface to flake and break. It is commonly accepted that the alloy’s impurities that cause the metal to split along the horizontal plane are to blame for lamination mistakes. Errors in the lamination can appear either before or after the strike.

Image Source: Coin Community

How Much Is The 1941 Washington Quarter Worth Today?

Washington quarters have a face value of $0.25 or quarter dollars and a melt value of $4.34.

According to the USA Coin Book, the 1941 D Washington quarter is valued at $6.18 in Average Condition and can be for $38 to $81 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition.

In Gem condition, the 1941 S is about as rare as the other early 1940s D Mint and S Mint Washington quarters. USA Coin Book estimates the 1941 S Washington quarter at $6.18. It can cost up to $81 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition.

According to the USA Coin Book, the 1941 Washington Quarter is valued at $6.18 in Average Condition and can be worth up to $53 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Proof coins have a value of up to $161.

To gain more understanding of the value of the 1941 Washington quarter, here’s a chart that shows you the auction record for each variety based on the data gathered by the PCGS:

How Does The Grading System Work?

The Sheldon Scale is used by numismatists to provide a numerical value to coins. The Sheldon Scale goes from poor (P-1) to perfect mint state (P-1) (MS-70). Coins were originally evaluated using words to reflect their condition (Good, Fair, Excellent, Etc.). Unfortunately, coin collectors and dealers had different ideas about what each of these terms represent.

Professional numismatists joined together in the 1970s and established CoinGrading standards. These numismatists now assign grades at key places on the seventy-point scale, using the most regularly utilized numeric points in conjunction with the original adjective grade. The following are the most common coin grades:

1. 1. • (P-1) Poor – Indistinguishable and probably damaged; if used, must have a date and mintmark; otherwise, rather battered.
      • (FR-2) Fair – Nearly smooth, but without the damage that a coin graded Poor often possesses. The coin must have enough detail to be identified.
      • (G-4) Fair – Inscriptions have merged into the rims in some areas, and important elements have been mostly erased.
      • (VG-8) Very Good- A little weathered, but all of the primary design elements are visible, albeit faintly. There is little if any, central detail left.
      • (F-12) Good – The item is very worn, yet the wear is even, and the overall design details stand out clearly. Rims are almost completely isolated from the field.
      • (VF-20) Very Fine – Moderately weathered, with some finer features still visible. The motto or all letters of LIBERTY are readable. Both sides of the coin have entire rims that are separated from the field.
      • (EF-40) Extremely Fine – Gently used; all gadgets are visible, and the most important ones are bold. The finer details are bold and clear, however, light wear may be seen.
      • (AU-50) Uncirculated – Slight evidence of wear on the coin’s design’s high points; may have contact marks; eye appeal should be adequate.
      • (AU-58) Uncirculated Choice – Slight traces of wear, no severe contact marks, almost full mint shine, and great eye appeal.
      • (MS-60) Mint State Basal – Strictly uncirculated; no indication of wear on the coin’s highest points, but an unsightly coin with reduced luster, visible contact marks, hairlines, and other flaws.
      • (MS-63) Mint State Acceptable – Uncirculated, but with contact scratches and nicks, little reduced shine, but otherwise appealing appearance. The strike is weak to average.
      • (MS-65) Mint State Choice – Uncirculated with great mint shine, very little contact blemishes, and exceptional eye appeal. The strike is unusually severe.
      • (MS-68) Mint State Premium Quality – Uncirculated with superb luster, no obvious contact marks to the naked eye, and exceptional eye appeal. The strike is quick and appealing.
      • (MS-69) Almost Perfect Mint State – Uncirculated with perfect brilliance, a sharp and appealing strike, and extremely good eye appeal. A near-perfect coin with minor imperfections in the planchet, strike, and contact markings (seen only under 8x magnification).
      • (MS-70) Mint State Perfect – Under 8x magnification, there are no tiny imperfections discernible; the strike is crisp, and the coin is perfectly centered on a beautiful planchet. Rarely seen on a coin, this coin is bright and whole, with original luster and exceptional eye appeal.

Where To Buy Or Sell 1941 Washington Quarter?

Online auctions are the most practical places to purchase or sell 1941 Washington quarters. Most sellers place bids on online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, and Amazon. However, you can sell or buy coins at coin or antique shops.

If you need help with where and how to buy or sell your 1941 Washington quarters, professional coin appraisers from the PCGS and the NGC can also help.

FAQs

How much is a 1941 Washington quarter worth with no mint mark?

The 1941 Washington quarters with no mint mark are produced at the Philadelphia Mint. According to the USA Coin Book, a quarter is valued at $6.18 in Average Condition and can be worth up to $53 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Proof coins can reach as high as $161 each.

Where is the mint mark on a 1941 Washington quarter?

You can find the mint on a 1941 Washington quarter on the reverse side of the coin, at the junction between the wings where two olive branches converge.

Is a 1941 Washington quarter rare?

No. Since millions of these coins were produced in 1941, the 1941 Washington quarter is not rare. Nevertheless, a 1941 Washington quarter in the circulated condition is worth between $8 and $32.50 (NGC Price Guide, January 2023). If you sell in pristine, uncirculated condition on the open market, the 1941 D Washington quarter, in particular, can reach up to $15,000!