Do you have an old 1977 Washington Quarter in your pocket change? If yes, then you could earn a big fortune today! This ordinary-looking coin can fetch values upwards of $2,500 or more, making it an attractive coin that collectors are looking for! So, let’s find out how much your old 1977 quarter is worth before you finally sell it out!
Brief History of the 1977 Washington Quarter Value
The Washington quarter series was first introduced in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The design, featuring the profile of the first U.S. President on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse, has remained largely unchanged since its inception.
However, by 1977, the United States Mint faced challenges due to rising silver prices and increased demand for coins. So, it transitioned away from the silver content, producing quarters with clad composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel over a pure copper core.
Nonetheless, the 1977 quarter creates great interest among collectors today due to its rare characteristics.
| 1977 Washington Quarter | Key Facts |
| Coin Composition | copper-nickel-clad |
| Minting Location | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco |
| Year of Minting | 1977 |
| Weight | 5.67 g |
| Diameter | 24.26 mm |
| Thickness | 1.75 mm |
| Designer | John Flanagan |
| Face Value | $0.25 (25 cents) |
| Mint Marks | D – Denver Mint S – San Francisco No Mint Mark – Philadelphia |
| Total Mintage | 1,154,616,300 |
Identifying a 1977 Quarter Design & Composition
To assess the true value of a 1977 Washington Quarter, the first step is to understand its features, composition, and dimensions! Here’s a look at these features:
1977 Washington Quarter Obverse:
- A left-facing profile of George Washington
- The word “LIBERTY” above Washington’s head
- The mint year “1977” below at the bottom
- The words “IN GOD WE TRUST” written on the lower-left
- “D” or “S” mint mark, if present, near Washington’s ponytail
1977 Washington Quarter Reverse:
- The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the upper half-edge
- A left-facing eagle with spread-out wings
- A bundle of arrows in eagle’s claws
- The US motto, “E. PLURIBUS UNUM,” in small fonts above the eagle’s head
- Two olive branches tied together below the eagle
- The denomination “QUARTER DOLLAR” on the bottom
Coin Composition and Dimensions
The 1977 Washington Quarter has a clad composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel (clad layer on copper core), unlike traditional silver quarters with 90% silver and 10% copper. The clad composition also gives the quarter a unique silver-gray luster.
As for the dimensions, this 1977 quarter weighs around 5.67 grams and has a diameter of 24.3 mm. Lastly, it has a thickness of 1.75 mm with a well-defined reeded edge.
Finding a 1977 Washington Quarter Value (3 Key Factors)
The average value of a 1977 Washington quarter in circulated condition is around $0.25 to $1. However, certain factors, such as mint mark and condition, can significantly increase this coin’s value up to $2,500 or more! Let’s understand how each factor impact the worth:
1. Coin Grading and Condition
The condition of a 1977 Washington Quarter coin is the primary factor in assessing its value. Coins are graded on a scale from Poor (P-1) to Perfect (MS-70) by professional grading services like PCGS and NGC.
Higher-graded mint state 1977 quarter coins, such as MS-67 or above, command much higher prices than circulated coins.
2. Mint Mark & Mintages
The 1977 Washington Quarter was minted at three facilities, each producing a different number of coins, affecting its overall rarity and worth.
1977 No Mint Mark Quarter (Mintage – 468,556,000)
The Philadelphia Mint produced over 468 million Washington Quarter coins in 1977, identified by the no mint mark. Due to their high mintage, these coins are quite common in circulated coins, fetching only $0.25 to $10. Uncirculated coins in low grades are also worth around $10, with higher-grade examples like MS68 reaching $1,500 or more!
1977 D Washington Quarter (Mintage – 256,524,978)
The 1977 Washington Quarter from the Denver Mint is identified by the “D” mint mark on the obverse. With lower mintage than the Philadelphia Mint, these quarter coins can be slightly more valuable than the 1977 no mint mark quarters.
In circulated conditions, a 1977 D quarter is worth $0.25 to $20, while uncirculated coins can reach values ranging from $10 to $1,400 for the highest MS68 condition.
| Coin Grades | Condition Details | 1977 No Mint Mark Quarter Value | 1977 D Quarter Value |
| Poor (0) to Extremely Fine (XF45) | Significant wear, faded but visible details | 10 to 20 cents | 10 to 50 cents |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU50) to Mint State (AU58+) | Slight wear on highest points, visible marks or blemishes | 50 cents to 80 cents | 50 cents to $1 |
| Mint State (MS60 – MS64) | Uncirculated with minimal wear | $1 – $5 | $5 – $10 |
| Mint State (MS65 – MS66+) | Nearly flawless with very minor imperfections | $7 – $25 | $15 – $60+ |
| Mint State (MS67 – MS67+) | Well-preserved with no major flaws | $50 – $170 | $100 – $315+ |
| Mint State (MS68 or Above) | Nearly perfect, luster, no major marks or flaws | $900 – $1,500+ | Around $1,400 or more |
1977 S Washington Quarter Dollar Proof (Mintage – 3,251,152)
The San Francisco Mint only produced proof versions of the 1977 quarters, identified by the “S” mint mark as well as their high-quality proof finish and mirror-like surfaces. These unique features make the 1977 proof quarters more collectible and sought-after than circulation strike coins.
The proof coins are further categorized into three designations:
- Regular Proof (PR) Coins: Regular 1977 S quarter proof coins have the standard proof finish with no contrast between the design and background. These coins can be worth $2 to $5 in PR60 to PR65 conditions, with higher grades fetching $10 or more. PR70 examples can fetch up to $10 to $150!
- Cameo (CAM) Proof Coins: These 1977 S proof quarter coins feature a strong contrast between devices (raised designs) and reflective fields, making them more valuable. The value of a 1977 DCAM quarter proof ranges from $5 to $25 in PR65 to PR68 condition.
- Deep Cameo (DCAM) Proof Coins: These proof coins have the strongest contrast between the raised design and the mirror-like background. Being the most collectible, a 1977 DCAM quarter proof can fetch $7 to $50 in PR65 to PR70 condition!
3. Rare 1977 Washington Quarter Dollar Errors
Valuable minting errors can turn an ordinary 1977 Washington Quarter coin into a valuable gem. Below are some of the most notable 1977 quarter errors to look for:
Struck on a 40% Silver Planchet
One of the most valuable 1977 quarter errors, this one occurs when a 1977 quarter is struck on a planchet intended for 1976 Bicentennial quarter, which were 40% silver. To identify, check the weight, which would be close to 6.25g instead of 5.67g, and look for a silver color.
At a Heritage auction in 2018, a 1977 quarter struck on a 40% silver planchet in MS65 condition sold for a staggering price of $4,935!
Obverse Clad Layer Missing
This error results in a copper-colored obverse due to the missing outer layer. The reverse will appear normal. Look for a distinctive copper color instead of gray luster on the obverse. A 1977 quarter with a missing obverse clad layer in AU58 condition sold for $124 at Heritage Auctions. Higher-grade mint state error coins can fetch up to $700 to $1,000 or more!
Broadstruck Error
A broadstruck 1977 quarter is struck outside the collar, resulting in a wider, thinner coin with no raised rim. These are easily identifiable by their larger diameter (over 24.3 mm) and flat edge. The value of this rare coin can range from $10 to $100 based on grades!
Struck on a 1-Cent Planchet
This error happens when a cent planchet mistakenly enters the 1977 quarter stamping process. The resulting coin will be copper-colored, smaller, and lighter than a regular quarter. A 1977 quarter struck on a cent planchet in MS63RB condition sold for $1,150 in a coin auction!
Apart from these, a 1977 Washington Quarter may also display common minting errors, including die breaks, clipped planchet errors, and double die errors. These flaws can also magnify the value of regular 1977 quarters.
So, before you buy or sell your old 1977 Washington Quarter, use this guide to help you spot all the rare features that could make it a point of attraction for coin collectors!
