That forgotten 1968 quarter sitting in your pocket change might be worth far more than twenty-five cents. While most Washington quarters from this year trade at face value, specific error varieties can command prices ranging from fifty dollars to several thousand. Understanding which errors to hunt for and how mint marks affect value transforms casual coin checking into profitable treasure hunting.

Understanding 1968 Washington Quarter Production

The United States Mint struck Washington quarters at three facilities in 1968, producing over 400 million coins total. Philadelphia produced 220,731,500 quarters with no mint mark, Denver minted 101,534,000 pieces marked with a “D,” and San Francisco struck 3,041,506 proof coins bearing an “S” mint mark. The mint mark appears on the obverse (heads side) just behind Washington’s ponytail, near the ribbon.

Standard circulated 1968 quarters in average condition remain common. A Philadelphia quarter in Good (G-4) to Very Fine (VF-20) condition typically sells for twenty-five to fifty cents. Denver mint quarters in similar grades trade for approximately the same range. The real value emerges when you discover error coins or pieces in exceptional preservation.

Proof quarters from San Francisco present different value dynamics. These specially-struck coins feature mirror-like fields and frosted design elements. A standard 1968-S proof quarter in Proof-65 (PR-65) condition sells for approximately eight to twelve dollars. Higher grades command premiums: PR-67 examples reach thirty-five to fifty dollars, while perfect PR-70 specimens have sold for over three hundred dollars at auction.

Doubled Die Reverse Errors: The Premium Hunter

The doubled die reverse represents the most valuable error variety for 1968 quarters. This manufacturing flaw occurs when the die used to strike coins receives multiple impressions during the hubbing process, causing design elements to appear twice. On 1968 quarters, the doubling manifests most prominently on the reverse.

Inspect the olive branch leaves extending from the eagle’s talon closely. On doubled die examples, each leaf shows clear separation between the primary image and a secondary shadow image. The doubling extends to all reverse lettering, particularly visible on “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.” The letters “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on the ribbon also display distinct doubling.

Severity determines value dramatically. A minor doubled die in About Uncirculated (AU-50) condition might sell for one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars. Moderate doubling in Mint State (MS-63) commands four hundred to seven hundred dollars. Strong, easily visible doubling in MS-65 or better condition has reached prices between one thousand five hundred and three thousand dollars, according to Heritage Auctions sales records from 2022-2023.

A 1968-D quarter with pronounced doubled die reverse certified MS-66 sold for two thousand eight hundred fifty dollars in a Heritage Auctions event in January 2023. Another example, a 1968 Philadelphia mint doubled die in MS-65, brought two thousand one hundred dollars at a Stack’s Bowers auction in March 2023.

Mint Mark Variations and Anomalies

Mint mark errors create collectible varieties worth examining carefully. The filled mint mark error occurs when die deterioration or debris causes the “D” or “S” to become partially or completely obscured by metal flow during striking. On 1968-D quarters, a filled mint mark might appear as a blob rather than a clear letter, or the interior loops of the “D” might be completely filled.

Values for filled mint mark errors depend on how unusual the appearance looks and the overall coin condition. A 1968-D quarter with moderately filled “D” in AU-50 might sell for forty to seventy-five dollars. More dramatic examples where the mint mark becomes nearly invisible in MS-63 condition have sold for one hundred twenty to two hundred dollars on eBay and at regional coin shows.

The repunched mint mark error shows a “D” or “S” that was punched into the die twice in slightly different positions. Look for a shadow or outline around the mint mark, creating a doubled appearance. These varieties typically add twenty-five to one hundred dollars to a coin’s value in circulated grades, with uncirculated examples reaching one hundred fifty to three hundred fifty dollars depending on the repunching’s prominence.

Some 1968 quarters struck at Philadelphia display a faint “D” or other mint mark traces from previously used collar dies or planchet contamination. While interesting, these generally add only modest premiums of ten to thirty dollars unless extremely unusual.

Striking Errors That Increase Value

Off-center strikes happen when the blank planchet isn’t properly centered between the dies during striking. The resulting coin shows part of the design missing, with a curved blank area visible. The percentage of off-center misalignment directly correlates to value. A five percent off-center 1968 quarter in MS-60 might sell for sixty to one hundred dollars. A fifteen percent off-center example in similar condition reaches one hundred fifty to two hundred seventy-five dollars.

Dramatic off-center errors of thirty percent or more, where significant portions of the design are missing but the date remains visible, command substantial premiums. A 1968-D quarter struck forty percent off-center in AU-55 sold for eight hundred twenty-five dollars at a Great Collections auction in November 2022. The date visibility proves critical—without a readable date, value drops significantly.

Broken or damaged die errors create raised lines or distorted letters on finished coins. On 1968 quarters, watch for the “B” in “LIBERTY” appearing incomplete, with the vertical spine separated from the bowls. The “E” letters sometimes show similar breaks. A clear broken letter error on an otherwise high-grade coin adds twenty-five to eighty dollars in value, with multiple dramatic breaks potentially reaching one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars.

Clipped planchets occur when the blank metal disc is cut from a strip where previous blanks were punched too close together. The resulting coin shows a curved or straight clip missing from the edge. Clips ranging from five to fifteen percent of the coin’s area typically add forty to one hundred twenty-five dollars in circulated grades, with larger clips on uncirculated coins reaching three hundred dollars or more.

1968 Quarter Value Chart by Grade and Variety

Prices reflect typical retail values based on Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, and Great Collections sales data from 2022-2023. Individual coins may vary based on eye appeal, strike quality, and market conditions.

Authentication and Professional Grading Considerations

Before investing significant money in what appears to be a valuable error, professional authentication provides essential protection. Circulated coins with apparent errors worth under one hundred dollars may not justify grading fees of thirty to forty dollars. However, uncirculated error varieties or any coin potentially worth over two hundred dollars should be certified.

The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) both authenticate and grade error coins. Submission costs range from thirty-five dollars for standard service to one hundred fifty dollars for premium faster turnaround. The resulting encapsulation and grade typically increases resale value by ten to twenty percent beyond the grading cost, while providing buyer confidence.

When submitting coins, choose services offering attribution for known error varieties. PCGS designates doubled dies with specific variety numbers, which appear on the certification label and enhance marketability. A coin labeled “1968-D 25C Doubled Die Reverse, MS-65” sells more reliably than an uncertified piece requiring buyer expertise to verify.

Beware of common coins with post-mint damage mistaken for errors. Strikes from worn dies create weakness that resembles filled mint marks but lack value. Scratches or gouges sometimes look like die breaks to inexperienced collectors. True mint errors show characteristics consistent across the entire design element, not isolated damage marks.

Maximizing Returns When Selling Error Quarters

Selling valuable 1968 quarter errors requires matching the coin to the right marketplace. Common circulated pieces and minor errors sell most efficiently through local coin shops, which typically pay fifty to seventy percent of retail value for immediate cash. This works well for coins worth under one hundred dollars where auction fees consume profits.

Online marketplaces like eBay provide access to thousands of potential buyers but require careful listing with clear photographs and accurate descriptions. Certified coins typically achieve ninety to one hundred percent of guide values, while raw (uncertified) pieces might bring sixty to eighty percent. Transaction fees and shipping costs average twelve to fifteen percent of the sale price.

For significant errors worth over five hundred dollars, consignment to major auction houses produces optimal results. Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, and Legend Numismatics reach serious collectors willing to pay full market value. Seller fees range from ten to twenty percent, but final prices often exceed expectations on rare, dramatic errors. A 2023 Heritage auction saw a 1968-D doubled die reverse MS-66 receive competitive bidding, ultimately selling for twenty-three percent above the pre-auction estimate.

Timing affects sales prices considerably. The coin market experiences seasonal patterns, with major conventions in January (Florida United Numismatists) and August (American Numismatic Association) driving heightened interest. Listing coins four to six weeks before these events captures pre-show buying enthusiasm.

Building Your 1968 Quarter Search Strategy

Start your error hunting by checking quarters encountered in normal circulation. Bank rolls provide concentrated searching opportunities—purchase ten dollars in quarters and examine each coin under good lighting with a magnifying glass. Return common dates and retain anything unusual for closer inspection.

Establish a systematic examination routine. First, identify the mint mark position and clarity. Second, examine the reverse for any doubling on leaves or letters using at least five-power magnification. Third, inspect the coin’s edge and rim for clips or alignment problems. Fourth, check all lettering for breaks or unusual characteristics.

Online resources enhance identification accuracy. The Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties catalogs known errors with detailed photographs. The PCGS CoinFacts database includes images of certified error varieties for comparison. YouTube channels like CoinOpp and BlueRidgeSilverHound provide video tutorials demonstrating how specific errors appear under magnification.

Document potential errors with clear photographs before pursuing authentication. Capture the overall coin, then close-ups of the suspected error from multiple angles. Post images to coin collecting forums like CoinTalk or the PCGS forums for preliminary opinions from experienced collectors. This free expertise helps avoid costly grading fees on non-errors.

Consider joining a local coin club to access experienced collectors who can examine coins in person. Many clubs host monthly meetings with education programs covering error identification. Members often share magnification equipment and reference books, accelerating your learning curve substantially.

Your journey from casual quarter checker to knowledgeable error hunter begins with that first close examination. The 1968 quarters still circulating today represent hundreds of millions of opportunities, with valuable errors waiting in bank rolls, cash registers, and forgotten coin jars. Armed with knowledge about doubled dies, mint mark variations, and striking anomalies, you’re equipped to spot the valuable exceptions among common change.