A 1950 quarter’s value ranges from $7 to over $5,500 depending on condition, mint mark, and errors. Circulated coins without mint marks (Philadelphia), “D” (Denver), or “S” (San Francisco) are worth $7-$7.50. Uncirculated San Francisco quarters are most valuable, ranging from $13 to $5,500+ for top grades. The rare 1950-S/S Repunched Mintmark error is worth around $235. All 1950 quarters contain 90% silver, establishing a baseline melt value. Condition is the primary value factor, with professional grading recommended for high-value coins. Mint marks appear on the coin’s reverse side.
That 1950 Washington quarter sitting in your drawer might be worth more than 25 cents. While most circulated examples trade for their silver content around $7, certain mint marks and rare errors can push values beyond $5,500. The key lies in understanding which combination of mint mark, condition grade, and error type transforms an ordinary quarter into a collector’s prize.
Understanding the Three 1950 Quarter Varieties
The United States minted 1950 quarters at three facilities, each producing distinct quantities that impact today’s market values. Philadelphia struck 24,920,126 quarters without any mint mark, making these the most common. Denver produced 21,075,600 coins bearing a “D” mint mark, while San Francisco had the lowest mintage at 10,284,004 pieces marked with an “S.”
To identify your coin’s origin, flip it over and examine the reverse side just below the eagle’s tail feathers. Philadelphia quarters show no letter at all, Denver coins display a clear “D,” and San Francisco pieces bear an “S.” This small detail becomes crucial when determining value, particularly for uncirculated specimens where the San Francisco mint mark commands substantial premiums.
The 90% silver composition gives all 1950 quarters an intrinsic metal value. With approximately 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver per coin, the melt value alone establishes a price floor that fluctuates with silver market prices, currently supporting that baseline $7 valuation for worn examples.
Circulated Condition Values Across Mint Marks
Most 1950 quarters found in circulation today show significant wear from decades of use. In Good condition (G-4 grade), where major design elements remain visible but details are worn smooth, all three mint mark varieties trade within a narrow range of $7.00 to $7.50 regardless of origin.
Fine condition pieces (F-12 grade) with moderate wear but clearly defined major features command slightly higher prices. Philadelphia and Denver quarters typically sell for $7.25 in this grade, while San Francisco examples might reach $7.75 due to their lower original mintage.
Moving up to About Uncirculated (AU-50), where only slight wear appears on the highest points, values begin differentiating more noticeably:
| Grade | Philadelphia | Denver | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | $7.00 | $7.00 | $7.50 |
| F-12 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.75 |
| AU-50 | $9.00 | $9.00 | $11.00 |
These circulated prices reflect coins with natural wear patterns. Any artificial cleaning, damage, or environmental issues like heavy toning can reduce values by 30-50% below these baseline figures.
Uncirculated Grades Where Values Diverge
The uncirculated market reveals dramatic price differences between mint marks. Mint State coins never entered circulation and retain their original luster, though they may show minor contact marks from the minting process and storage.
Philadelphia quarters in MS-63 grade (choice uncirculated with some contact marks but strong eye appeal) trade around $13 to $15. The same grade from Denver brings similar prices at $14 to $16. San Francisco MS-63 examples, however, start at $18 due to collector demand for the lower mintage.
Premium gem grades command exponentially higher prices. An MS-65 Philadelphia quarter with minimal contact marks and excellent luster might sell for $45 to $65. Denver MS-65 specimens reach $55 to $75, while San Francisco MS-65 coins jump to $125 to $175.
The true treasure lies in superb gem grades MS-67 and above. According to Greysheet pricing data from 2023, a Philadelphia MS-67 brings approximately $850, Denver reaches $1,200, and San Francisco tops out around $1,800. The absolute finest known examples grading MS-68 have sold for $5,500 to $6,500 at major auctions like Heritage and Stack’s Bowers, with the San Francisco mint mark commanding the highest premiums.
Professional grading services like PCGS and NGC authenticate these high-grade coins and seal them in protective holders with verified grade labels. This third-party certification becomes essential above MS-65, where price differences of hundreds of dollars hinge on a single grade point.
The 1950-S Over S Repunched Mint Mark Error
Among error collectors, the 1950-S/S repunched mint mark stands as the most recognized and valued variety. Designated FS-501 in the Fivaz-Stanton reference guide, this error occurred when the San Francisco mint employee punched the “S” mint mark into the die, then punched it again in a slightly offset position.
Under magnification, collectors can see the doubled “S” with the secondary impression visible as a shadow to the south and slightly west of the primary mark. The effect appears most dramatic in the upper curve of the letter where the doubling spreads furthest.
Values for this variety reflect strong collector demand. In MS-63 condition, the 1950-S/S trades for approximately $135 to $150. MS-64 examples bring $175 to $200, while MS-65 specimens command $235 to $275. The finest graded pieces at MS-66 have sold for $450 to $550 at specialized error coin auctions.
Authentication matters critically with this variety because later die polishing weakened the repunching effect on some strikes, creating “weak S/S” examples worth 40-60% less than bold specimens. Professional grading services note the strength of the repunching on their labels, directly impacting market values.
Additional Error Types Worth Investigating
Beyond the famous repunched mint mark, several other errors appear on 1950 quarters. Off-center strikes, where the planchet wasn’t properly centered when struck, create dramatic visual errors valued by severity. A 5% off-center strike with full date visible might add $25 to $50 in value, while 15-25% off-center examples with complete dates command $150 to $300.
Doubled die errors, where hub misalignment during die creation causes design element doubling, remain scarce on 1950 quarters. Minor doubled dies affecting only small design areas like letters might add $15 to $40, but significant doubling across major design elements could bring $200 or more depending on prominence and grade.
Clipped planchet errors resulted when blank coin discs were punched from metal strips that overlapped previous punchings. These create characteristic curved or straight clips along the coin’s edge. Small clips (5-10% missing) add $20 to $50 in typical grades, while larger clips (20-30% missing) can command $75 to $150.
Die cracks, cuds, and retained lamination errors also appear occasionally. A die crack creating a raised line across the coin’s surface adds $5 to $15 in circulated grades. Major die breaks called “cuds” that create blank raised areas where the die completely broke away bring $50 to $200 depending on size. Lamination errors where the metal separates in layers add $10 to $40 for minor splits, more for dramatic examples.
Maximizing Your 1950 Quarter’s Value
Before selling any 1950 quarter, determine its mint mark by examining the reverse below the eagle. Clean only with gentle water if absolutely necessary—never use metal polish or abrasive cleaners that permanently reduce value by 50% or more through artificial surface alteration.
For coins that appear uncirculated with strong luster and minimal marks, professional grading becomes cost-effective at potential grades of MS-65 and above. The $30 to $50 grading fee pays for itself when verification increases a coin’s marketability and final sale price by hundreds of dollars. Submit suspected error varieties at any grade, as authentication proves essential for buyer confidence.
Market timing influences results significantly. Silver price fluctuations directly impact circulated coin values, making sales during precious metal price peaks more profitable. High-grade uncirculated pieces and error varieties follow collector market trends less tied to metal prices, often performing best when offered through specialized auction houses reaching dedicated Washington quarter collectors.
Compare multiple selling venues before committing. Local coin shops offer immediate payment but typically pay 60-75% of retail values. Online marketplaces like eBay reach broad audiences but involve fees of 13-15% plus shipping risks. Major auction houses charge 15-20% seller’s fees but access serious collectors willing to pay premium prices for premium coins. Matching your coin’s quality level to the appropriate selling venue maximizes net returns and ensures your 1950 quarter reaches its full market potential.
How much is a 1950 D silver quarter worth?
A 1950-D Washington quarter’s value ranges from around $9.50 to $12 for circulated coins, up to $45 for uncirculated (MS-65) condition, and can reach $9,000 or more for high-grade examples. Special varieties, such as the 1950-D/S mintmark overdate, can be worth significantly more, sometimes up to $7,000.
How much is a 1950 s quarter worth?
A 1950-S quarter’s value depends on its condition, ranging from about $10-$12.50 for circulated coins to over $5,500 for top-grade uncirculated examples. Special varieties like a “1950-S/D” overmintmark error can be worth hundreds of dollars, significantly increasing the value.
Are D quarters worth anything?
Yes, some “D” quarters are worth more than face value, particularly those minted before 1965 (which are made of 90% silver) or quarters with minting errors like doubled dies or off-center strikes. Quarters from specific years, such as the 1964-D, 2004-D Wisconsin “Extra Leaf,” or 1976-D Bicentennial double die, can be valuable. To determine a quarter’s worth, check its date for pre-1965 silver content, inspect for minting errors with a magnifying glass, and examine its overall condition.
Where is the mint mark on a 1950 quarter?
On a 1950 Washington Quarter, the mint mark is located on the coin’s reverse (tails side), below the wreath and above the “R” in the word “QUARTER”. A quarter from Philadelphia will have no mint mark, while a “D” indicates the Denver Mint and an “S” indicates the San Francisco Mint.