Pick out some coins from your pocket, one of them will be a Washington quarter! Surprised? Not probably. But, you will be surprised when you realize that coins from the same series can be valued for $10,000!! Yes, you heard (read) that right. The 1977 Quarter value ranges from $1 to $10,000.
But How are they valued?
When such old and rare coins are to be valued, there are factors like the condition of the coin, error, and mintmark, that play an vital role. This article tells you what is the 1977 worth today and what are the factors that determine the same.
Let’s decipher the 1977 quarter value determinants:
The design of the ‘Washington’ Quarter is a no-brainer. The coin features the effigy of George Washington, who is familiar to every American. The obverse (front) of the coin bears the effigy designed by John Flanagan. The design includes the inscriptions “LIBERTY. IN GOD WE TRUST. 1977.”
Focus on this, for now:
The obverse also depicts the mint mark, that differs based on the mint tht strikes the coin. It fluctuates between S, D, and no mint mark. Keep reading to understand this!
The reverse (back) displays the iconic heraldic eagle fluanting its wide wingspan while clenching onto the arrows coiled by an olive branch. This side also depicts the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. E PLURIBUS UNUM. QUARTER DOLLAR.”
The 1977 quarter weighs 5.67 grams, which is slightly lighter than the earlier silver quarters.
The coin appears to be a silver coin, but actually has a copper core. This coin is clad in an alloy of copper and nickel with the 3:1 ratio.
Remember the mint marks on the obverse? Let’s understand what they mean and how they influence the 1977 Quarter value!
The no-mint-mark is supposed to a Philadelphia Mint thing, but these 1977 quarters were also struck at the West Point facility without a mint mark. Hence, they are identical. The total number of Quarters struck were 468,556,000, from which 164 million still survive, as reported by PCGS.
Based on their fineness and condition, the no mint mar 1977 quarter value ranges from $10 to a staggering $10,000 (MS68 graded).
When mint marks are involved, they are presented on the obverse, just aside Washington’s braids. The “D” stands for Denver facility that produced around 256 million Quarter in 1977. Thats a big number, but only 90 million are still surviving, segregated into mint state coins (30 million) and 2.7 million coins as gem examples.
From the grade MS60 to MS68, the 1977 D Quarter value can fetch prices from $3 to $1,400!
With ‘Proof’, you might think that they are extremely valuable. However, in the case of 1977 S Proof Quarter, there are round 2.6 million coins available, which is considerably higher number than other proof coins.
Thus, the Proof (PR) graded coins are worth only a few dollars, with the highest PR70 graded coin is worth around $42.
We have cleared the mintmark factor of the value, let’s hop on to the next one: Errors. Error, simply refers to the manufacturing defect on the coin, which is valuable to investors rather than they complaining about it.
Here are the top 3 error with their value and meaning that influence the 1977 quarter value:
This error has an interesting story! In 1976, a variety of quarters were struck to celebrate the double-century of the American independence. One of these varieties were the Washington quarters made from 40% silver planchets.
Interestingly, one of the planchets tangled itself in a hopper at the Denver facility. In the following year of 1977, it mixed along with the clad composition.
What is its value?
This error is so rare and valuable, that it was sold at a auction for $5,000, without a official grade!
Right person, Wrong place? This error occurred because the quarter was struck on a 1-cent planchet. To everyone’s surprise, the 1977 D Quarter wasnt the first time that Denver facility struck the coin on a wrong planchet.
This error resulted in a red and brown quarter with the top of the design missing. After being graded by NGC, it is valued at $1,100 at an auction.
As the name suggest, broadstruck coins have metal beyond the designated parameters since the collar doesn’t place the coin properly, leaving a blank area around the circumference.
Even though this error is uncommon, it fetches lower prices than others. An MS66 graded 1977 No Mint Mark Quarter, Broadstruck coin was valued at $65.
Here’s a comprehensive table that corresponds the coin condition with the grading scale. To know more about the grading scale, you can visit two of the best coin grading services: NGC and PCGS
| # | Grade |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basal State-1 |
| 2 | Fair |
| 3 | Very Fair |
| 4,5,6 | Good |
| 7,8,10 | Very Good |
| 12,15 | Fine |
| 20 | 30 Very Fine |
| 40 | Extremely Fine |
| 50 | About Uncirculated |
| 60 | Mint State |
| 65 | Mint State |
| 70 | Mint State |
There you have it! The 1977 Quarter value explained in detail with the factors that influence it.
Here’s a synopsis: The 1977 Quarter value ranges from $10 to $10,000. The prices are influenced by factors like condition, grade, mintmark, and Error. The coin was struck in Philadelphia, West Point, Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). There are three main errors viz, 1977 D Quarter Struck on a 40 Per Cent Silver Planchet, 1977 D Quarter Struck on a 1-Cent Planchet, and 1977 No Mint Mark Quarter, Broadstruck.
Based on our estimation, you should be equipped with the arsenal for identifying a valuable 1977 Quarter and negotiating the price when selling!
Happy Investing!
The 1977 Quarter worth today ranges from $10 to $10,000 depending on the coin’s condition, grade, mintmark, and Error!
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