If you’re an avid coin collector, I’m sure you’d have a bunch of old 1984 Washington quarter dollars in your coin jar! These coins you probably tossed back are actually worth way more than you think! That’s right; one of these coins sold for $1,000+! Want to know if your 1984 quarter could make you rich? This guide will tell you what makes it rare and valuable!
How to Identify a Real 1984 Washington Quarter? (Design & Features)
Before you straight up begin assessing the value, ensure to authenticate your old 1984 Washington Quarter by its design details, composition, and other physical characteristics.
1984 Washington Quarter Obverse:
- A left-facing profile of George Washington
- “IN GOD WE TRUST” written to the left of Washington’s bust
- The mint date “1984” at the bottom
- The word “LIBERTY” above Washington’s head
- “D” or “S” mint mark, if present, near Washington’s ponytail
1984 Washington Quarter Reverse:
- A left-facing eagle with large, spread-out wings
- A bundle of arrows in eagle’s claws
- Two olive branches tied together below the eagle
- The US motto, “E. PLURIBUS UNUM,” above the eagle’s head
- “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the upper half-edge
- The denomination “QUARTER DOLLAR” on the bottom
Coin Composition, Size & Physical Features
The 1984 Washington Quarter maintains the standard specifications established for modern quarters, which are as follows:
1984 Washington Quarter | Key Facts |
Coin Composition | copper-nickel-clad |
Minting Location | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco |
Year of Minting | 1984 |
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 P – Philadelphia |
Total Mintage | 1,226,043,174 coins |
Finding a 1984 Washington Quarter Value (3 Key Factors)
An average circulated 1984 Washington Quarter is worth its face value of 25 cents. However, uncirculated specimens can range from $5 to $2,500 depending on condition, mint mark, and presence of errors.
1. Coin’s Condition and Grades
The first factor to directly influence an old 1984 Quarter value is its condition, which is assessed via a grading scale. This scale ranges from P-1 (Poor) to MS-70 (Perfect Uncirculated), with higher numbers indicating a flawless coin.
Most 1984 quarters fall between MS-60 and MS-67, among these MS65 and higher examples can fetch $5 to $1,000 or more!
2. 1984 Washington Quarter Mint Marks
The second factor that impacts a 1984 Washington Quarter Dollar value is its mintage. A total of over 1.2 billion quarters were produced at three facilities: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, with each Mint producing coins with distinctive mint marks.
1984 P Quarter Value (Mintage – 676,545,000)
The Philadelphia Mint produced the highest number of Washington quarters in 1984, all identified by their P mint mark on the obverse. These quarter dollars can be valued from $5 to $1,300 in mint state, like this MS67 example that sold for the highest price of almost $1,300 on Heritage Auctions!
Here are the estimated values of a 1984 P Washington quarter dollar coin:
- MS-60 to MS-64: $1 to $5
- MS-65: $5-$20
- MS-66: $30-$50
- MS-67: $190-$1,100+
1984 D Washington Quarter Value (Mintage – 546,483,064)
The Denver Mint released slightly fewer 1984 Washington quarters than the Philadelphia Mint. Due to the similar mintage, the value of a 1984 D quarter is almost similar to a 1984 P quarter, typically ranging from $5 to $800, or more.
Here are the estimated ranges of a 1984 D quarter value based on grades:
- MS-60 to MS-64: $5 to $20
- MS-65: $20-$25
- MS-66: $25-$130
- MS-67: $150-$1,000+
1984 S Washington Quarter Proof Value (Mintage – 3,065,110)
The third facility in San Francisco only produced over 3 million proof quarter dollars. These coins are known for their unique reflective proof finish and the distinctive S mint mark on the obverse.
The 1984 S Washington quarters are mostly found in Deep Cameo finish, which displays a strong contrast between the mirrored surface and the devices (raised designs)! However, due to great availability, these quarter coins don’t fetch very high values.
The estimated price of a 1984 S quarter proof in Deep or Ultra Cameo finish is:
- PR-67: Around $2-$5
- PR-68: $3-$8
- PR-69: $8-$20
- PR-70: $20-$55
3. 1984 Quarter Mint Errors
The 1984 Washington Quarter can often display some interesting minting errors (production flaws) which can boost its value. Here are the most notable errors to look for:
Off-center Strike Error
This error occurs when the planchet is misaligned during striking, causing the design to be off-center. The value of an off-center 1984 Washington quarter can range from $20 to $200, depending on the percentage off-center and visibility of the date, like this MS64 example with 10% off-center sold for $65!
Double Strike Error
This error happens when a struck 1984 Washington Quarter fails to get ejected from the die and is struck again, creating two distinct strikes! In most cases, the second strike is slightly off-center, making it quite unique.
This coin can range from $50-$500 depending on the clarity of both strikes and overall condition. An MS64 example of this rare 1984 Washington quarter error sold for over $160 on Heritage Auctions!
1984-P Overstruck Date Quarter Error
This rare mint error shows remnants of another date beneath 1984, typically visible under magnification near the base of the numerals. This Washington quarter error can sell for $50-$200 depending on the clarity of the overdate.
1984-D Spitting Eagle Quarter Error
This is a raised die break that occurs on the reverse in front of the eagle’s beak, making it look like a “spitting eagle.” This popular variety typically sells for $50-$400, with higher grades commanding premium prices.
1984- P Missing Letter Quarter Error
This error happens when some letters are missing from the 1984 Washington Quarter’s design, such as “I” in “In God We Trust,” due to die deterioration or grease-filled dies. You can expect an average value of $20-$300 for this error, with complete missing letters worth more than partial ones.