Minted during World War II and mostly of silver, the 1944 Washington Quarter is a fascinating artifact of American history. Collectors and investors both find this mix of historical value and rare metal content very alluring. Whether you just came across a 1944 quarter or are in the market to purchase one, you may be asking how to assess its worth.
Introduced in 1932 in commemoration of George Washington's 200th birthday, the Washington Quarter series was Designed by sculptor John Flanagan. the coin was so popular that the U.S. Mint kept making it for years, thus replacing the earlier Standing Liberty Quarter.
The 1944 quarter is especially noteworthy since it was struck amid the upheaval of World War II. Symbolizing the resilience of the American people in hard circumstances, these quarters were used in everyday trade. Mostly produced at the Philadelphia Mint, over 104 million quarters were released in 1944, making this a record for that series at the time.
Furthermore, adding to its inherent value, the 1944 quarter contains 90% silver ; U.S. coins until 1964 were made with silver before it was replaced with a less affordable copper-nickel combination. Economic considerations behind the decision to change the quarter's original silver content were driven by the rising silver price's impracticality for use in regular money.
American coinage still features the design of the 1944 Washington Quarter. Engraver John Flanagan deftly portrayed the complex features of George Washington's hair, highlighting the historical correctness in different levels of coin condition.
First president shown on the quarter, George Washington, is prominently displayed to stress the historical value of the money. Produced by the U.S. Mint, the 1944 Washington Quarter is among silver currencies emphasizing its 90% silver content.
It's surrounded by a bust of French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon; the left-profile portrait of George Washington is depicted on the obverse side. 'LIBERTY' inscribes the uppermost part of the obverse. On this side, the words "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST," with the year "1944" appearing below Washington's portrait.
Strength and peace are symbolized by the coin's reverse, which shows an eagle sitting on a bundle of arrows. Beneath the eagle, the words "QUARTER DOLLAR" also appear with the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PL URIBUS UNUM."
Among American coins, the Washington Quarter and John F. Kennedy half dollar have considerable historical worth.
You will see on the reverse the mint mark (P, D, or S), which tells you the location of the coin's manufacture. Since specific mint markings are more uncommon than others, this little aspect might greatly influence the value of the coin.
Made of 90% silver and 10% copper, the 1944 Washington Quarter has a distinctive makeup. Designed by John Flanagan, the obverse of the coin displays a portrait of George Washington; the reverse bears an eagle. With inscriptions like "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "LIBERTY" on the obverse, the coin's design is very intricately drawn. Above the eagle on the reverse are the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Silver coin lovers will find the coin to be a quite collectible item because of its composition and design. Often, depending on their state—from 'Uncirculated' to 'Good'—collectors assess silver Washington quarters.
Design, die preparation, and striking are among the many stages of the 1944 Washington Quarter minting process. Made of 90% silver and 10% copper, the coins had a special look and value . The Philadelphia had the biggest mintage among the three producing the 1944 Washington Quarter: the Denver Mint and the San Francisco Mint.
The World in 1944 World War II defined the course of the 20th century and 1944 was a turning point in world history. The United States played a key role in the Allied forces' efforts to defeat the Axis powers as the world was engaged in World War II. The US Mint kept operating amid the war, producing coins like the 1944 Washington Quarter that would be widely circulated. Made of 90% silver, this coin was often found across all grades up to MS 67, hence reflecting the excellent production standards kept even during warfare.
With the Philadelphia producing the highest mintage, all three—the Philadelphia Mint, Denver Mint, and San Francisco Mint—contributed to the 1944 Washington Quarter's production. The Philadelphia 104 million quarters produced made up the majority for that year; over 104 million quarters were produced at the Mint alone.
Across all three mints—Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco—over 132 million coins were produced for the 1944 Washington Quarter, making her a noteworthy mintage. With more than 104 million coins produced, the Philadelphia drove the output; this is a frequently reported problem among collectors.
Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, the 1944 silver Washington Quarter has a mix that enhances its appeal among silver coin collectors. On the obverse of the coin, created by John Flanagan, a portrait of George Washington is seen; on the reverse an eagle.
A quarter from 1944 has value beyond just its silver content. Several elements could affect its value are as follows:
Silver Content: Made of 90% silver, the 1944 Washington coins worth relies in part on the present silver pricing. Every coin has roughly 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver.
Mint Mark: The mint mark on a 1944 quarter dollar tells where it was produced. While Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) mint marks are rarer and may increase the worth, the Philadelphia mint (P) created the most money.
Condition (Grading): One of the most important aspects influencing a coin's value is its condition. The higher the grade of the coin (such as in "Mint State" or MS ratings), the greater the price. Coins that are worn or damaged too much will have less value. Coins of superior quality should be expected to fetch more from collectors.
Errors and Varieties: Certain 1944 coins with minting mistakes include doubled dies or repunched mint marks. Particularly if the mistake is rare and well-documented, these mistakes can increase the value of a coin.
Your 1944 quarter dollar's rarity and worth depend in part on the mint mark. Three mint marks exist to note:
Philadelphia (No Mint Mark): With more than 104 million coins produced, the 1944 Philadelphia quarter is the most rare mint mark-less quarter.
Denver (D): Particularly in higher grades, these are rarer and usually worth more because just 14.6 million 1944-D quarters were produced.
San Francisco (S): Produced just over 12.5 million 1944-S quarters, the San Francisco mint is the least prevalent of the three. Particularly in high-quality grades, these coins are worth more than their Philadelphia equivalents, as with the Denver mint.
Making it a difficult coin to collect, the 1944 Washington coins has various rare and mistake types. Using its mint mark to assess the coin's rarity, the Philadelphia creates less money than the Denver Mint and San Francisco Mint.
Mistakes in the minting process, as well as errors like double die obverse (DDO) and double die reverse (DDR) might raise the value of the coin. When buying a 1944 Washington Quarter, collectors should consider these mistakes and rarity since they could enormously influence the value of the coin. Moreover, the condition and worth of a coin can be greatly influenced by the time it spends in circulation.
Apart from its historical value and silver content, the 1944 Washington Quarter is also prized for its uncommon mistakes and variations. One of the most coveted mistakes is the double die obverse (DDO) error, whereby the date and letters on the obverse seem doubled.
Another significant mistake is the strike-through error, which happens when a coin strikes over debris or another coin, thereby leaving an apparent impression on the surface of the coin.
Grading is a critical part of determining a 1944 quarter’s value. The Sheldon Scale, which ranges from 1 (poor) to 70 (perfect), is used to assess a coin’s condition. Here’s an overview of the grades that matter for the 1944 quarter dollar value:
Good (G): Heavy wear with most details faint.
Fine (F): Moderate wear with clear, distinct details.
Very Fine (VF): Light wear, with most features well-defined.
Extremely Fine (XF): Only light wear on the highest points.
About Uncirculated (AU): Minimal wear with excellent eye appeal.
Mint State (MS):: No wear, coins in this grade are in pristine condition.
The higher the grade, the more valuable the coin will be, especially if it’s a rarer mint mark or an error variety.
Important first phases in assessing the worth of a 1944 Washington Quarter are grading and authentication. The value of a coin can really depend on its condition—that is, its state of preservation, luster, and any indications of wear or damage. C
To assist investors and buyers gauge the value of their coins, the US Mint and other reliable coin grading services—including the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC)—provide grading and authentication.
Depending on its condition, rarity, and mint signature, the price of a 1944 Washington Quarter might also be quite disparate. For instance, normally uncirculated coins—that never made it through commercial trade and look not to have been worn—might be more expensive than circulated ones.
The condition of a 1944 Washington Quarter also establishes its worth. Fewer original and more worn details are found in lower grades, which are of lower values. A coin grading chart will allow buyers to determine the grade and worth of their 1944 Washington Quarter.
Here’s an estimated value guide for the 1944 Washington Quarter, as of May 2025. Prices may vary depending on the coin’s condition and current silver prices. A detailed listing of different grades and their associated values is crucial for buyers to understand the worth of their coins. The value of the 1944 Washington Quarter in today's market is influenced by these grades and the current demand.
| Grade | 1944 (P/None) | 1944-D | 1944-S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $6.50 | $6.50 | $6.50 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $6.50 | $6.50 | $6.50 |
| Fine (F-12) | $6.50 | $6.50 | $6.50 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $6.50 | $6.50 | $6.50 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $6.50 | $6.50 | $6.50 |
| AU-50 | $7.00 | $7.00 | $7.00 |
| MS-60 | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| MS-63 | $17.50 | $17.50 | $17.50 |
| MS-64 | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| MS-65 | $37.50 | $45 | $35 |
| MS-66 | $60 | $75 | $65 |
| MS-67 | $300 | $250 | $275 |
| MS-68 | $900-$10,000+ | $7,500+ | $4,750-$16,000 |
The majority of collectors like completing a set of all silver marks and silver dates, and it is a wonderful and rewarding pastime for them to collect Washington Quarters.
Its silver composition and being such a great collector's item appeal to the majority.
A silver and priceless 1944 Washington Quarter can finish any coin collection, and a lasting one.
Many collectors present their delights, their collections, and their experiences in a particular way during April.
Originally published in 1932, the Washington Quarter has grown to be a constant emblem of American culture and history. With George Washington's portrait on the obverse, the design of the coin honors America's first president and the democratic ideals he epitomized.
Used until 1965, the silver content of the coin further enhances its cultural relevance by reflecting an earlier period of American currency.
In spite of negative images on coins, Washington was featured on the quarter in 1932. Jacqueline Kennedy in 1964 refused to replace him with JFK, honoring Washington's historical legacy in spite of her husband's assassination.
Should you wish to sell your 1944 Washington Quarter, you should think about a number of possibilities. Once you have an estimate of your coin's worth, you can either bring it to a nearby coin dealer or list it for sale on specialized coin forums or eBay.
The 1944 Washington Quarter offers several investment opportunities:
Bullion Investment: Circulated 1944 quarters are commonly used for silver investment, known as “junk silver.” These coins provide a way to invest in silver at a low premium above the melt value.
Numismatic Investment: Coins in higher grades (MS65 and above), especially those from the Denver or San Francisco mints, or coins with significant errors, offer higher investment potential.
While the 1944 quarter may not see dramatic price jumps like some gold coins, it offers a tangible, historically significant asset. It is also a valuable addition to collections due to its unique qualities and historical significance.
More than simply money, the 1944 Washington Quarter is historical evidence. The Washington Quarter has a special long life and historical importance apart from other American currencies. This show will still be important and show its ongoing popularity. Knowing these elements will help you to correctly evaluate their value and make wise choices for your collection or investment portfolio.
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