1964 Quarter
Category: Washington Quarter (1932-1964) Mint: Philadelphia: Mintage: 5,404,000: Obverse Designer: John Flanagan: Reverse Designer: John Flanagan: Composition: 90% Silver: Weight: 6.2500g: ASW: 0.1808oz: Diameter: 24.3mm: Edge: Reeded.
- Your 1964 quarter value starts a $4.28 each. This minimum price is because of the large silver content in old quarters. Other factors do contribute to raising the value of your old coin, particularly the condition and determining which mint produced the quarter. Beginning with the mintmark.
- Type: Washington Quarter Year: 1964 Mint Mark: No mint mark Face Value: 0.25 USD Total Produced: 560,390,000 Silver Content: 90% Silver Weight.1808 oz. Silver Melt: $4.83.
- Type: Washington Quarter Year: 1964 Mint Mark: No mint mark Face Value: 0.25 USD Total Produced: 560,390,000 Silver Content: 90% Silver Weight.1808 oz. Silver Melt: $4.83.
Washington Quarter Overview
Created to commemorate the 200th birthday of the United States’ first president, George Washington, the Washington Quarter was widely accepted by the general public because of its pleasing design. The Washington quarter was first minted in 1932 and is still presently minted.
The coin has undergone several changes over the years, including a full change to the reverse as well as the change in composition of the coin.
Designed and created by sculptor John Flanagan in 1932, the Washington Quarter has many qualities that pay homage to the United States’ early years and its first president. The obverse features a bust of George Washington facing left with the word “LIBERTY” above and the date below. Also featured on the left field of the obverse is the motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
On the reverse, the common coinage symbol of a perched eagle with its outstretched wings is centered. The mottos, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, can be found centered above Flanagan’s eagle. Centered below the main eagle design are the words, “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
The composition of the Washington Quarter was changed twice through its lifetime and greatly affects the coin’s value. From 1932 till 1964, the Washington Quarter was minted using 90% silver and 10% copper.
This changed in 1965 when the mint removed silver from the Washington Quarter, changing the composition to 75% copper and 25% nickel. All currently minted Washington Quarters are made of this copper and nickel clad composition.
If you would like to learn more about collecting all types of quarters, including the Washington Quarter, please read our Ultimate Guide To Rare Quarters.
History of the 1964 Washington Quarter
1964 Quarter Silver
The 1964 Washington Quarter is perhaps one of the most interesting years of the Washington Quarter. It was unique as it was the last quarter struck for circulation which had silver as the main metal. All Washington Quarters struck after 1964 were made of a copper-based clad composition.
This change in composition was due to rising silver prices. President Lyndon B. Johnson was in favor of using cheaper metals to produce clad coins, so the production of silver coins was eliminated at that time. This change from silver-based to clad-based coins was completed with the passage of the Coinage Act of 1965.
Although the change to clad-based coinage happened in 1965, the 1964 Washington Quarter was still minted in huge quantities. According to the United States Mint at Philadelphia, 560,390,000 examples of the 1964 Washington Quarter were minted.
This large amount was minted to try to curb the mass hoarding of silver coins by the general public. Ultimately this goal failed, as the US still had to change many coins’ compositions in 1965.
Collecting 1964 and other Washington Quarters
Washington Quarters are by far the easiest coins to begin collecting. Their presence in everyday circulation, as well as the new state and national park designs, make the Washington Quarter interesting and easy to collect.
These different types of Washington Quarter designs allow for each person to collect what they like. Those who prefer the traditional obverse and reverse design can collect any Washington Quarters minted before 1999.
Others who prefer the differing reverses and updated obverse can collect the state quarters minted from 1999-2009 as well as the national park quarters, which started production in 2010 and will continue till 2021.
Most coins are relatively easy to find in every day coinage, but some are harder to find, including the 1964 Washington Quarter. Other hard-to-find dates are all silver examples minted between 1932 and 1964. These coins have a large demand by collectors and investors due to their silver composition.
Most of these silver Washington Quarters can be found with your local coin dealer as well as online. Expect to pay around $3-$4 for an average example of a common silver date.
1964 Washington Quarter Value
Due to their high silver content, 1964 Washington Quarters will always be worth more than face value. All 1964 Washington Quarters are worth their weight in silver and their values will follow the current spot price of silver.
You can check the current silver value of your 1964 Washington Quarter by going to www.coinflation.com
Because of the large amount minted, almost all 1964 Washington Quarters will only be worth “melt” value. This is because there are a large number of 1964 Washington Quarters that are still in uncirculated condition.
If you have a 1964 Washington Quarter in uncirculated condition, the value is about $6-$7. A coin in Gem Uncirculated condition is only valued at $10.
Low values do not mean that there is no demand for the 1964 Washington Quarter. Silver Washington Quarters are in heavy demand by silver investors due to their high silver content and easy storage. As silver prices rise, so will the demand for the 1964 Washington Quarter.
1964 was the final year that the US minted silver quarters and many quarters were minted this year. The 1964 quarters have value as both numismatic coins and as silver bullion. Keep reading to learn more about these silver coins.
Specifications
Type: Washington Quarter
Year: 1964
Face Value: $0.25
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Silver Weight: .18084 oz.
Total Weight: 6.25 grams
Current Silver Bullion Value: $4.92
The US minted the 1964 quarter with no mint mark and also the 1964 D quarter. The mint mark, when present, can be found on the reverse side of the coin.
| Series | Location | Quantity Minted |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Philadelphia | 560,390,585 |
| 1964 D | Denver | 704,135,528 |
Value
These coins don't have much numismatic value because so many of them were minted. In fact you can still find some in circulation- it's rare but not impossible to find one of these coins in your change. This applies to both the 1964 quarters with no mint mark and the 1964 D quarters.
These coins in circulated condition are worth at least their weight in silver. The silver melt value per coin is $4.92 as of February 09, 2021. This melt value is calculated from the current silver spot price of $27.22 per ounce.
Both the 1964 quarters with no mint mark and the 1964 D quarters are worth around $5 each in extremely fine condition. In uncirculated condition the value is around $8 for coins with an MS 60 grade. Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS 65 can sell for around $15.
Proof coins with no mint mark are available and they are valued at around $11 in PR 65 condition. The United States Mint sold 3,950,762 proof sets, which was a record number at the time. There was high demand because this was the last of the older proof sets that were minted from 1950-1964.
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Grading System
Extremely fine- The hair lines look sharp. The only signs of wear are on the eagle's breast and at the top of the eagle's legs.
MS 60 uncirculated- There are no signs of wear. The coin has luster, but there may be a few stains, abrasions, or surface marks.
MS 65 gem uncirculated- There is strong luster and eye appeal. A few light contact marks may be present but they are barely noticeable.
Silver Quarters Value Chart
PR 65 proof- There are no flaws to this coin. A few blemishes may be present.
Sources:
1964 Quarter Worth
See also:
1964 Quarter Price
1963 Quarter
1962 Quarter
1961 Quarter