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If you’ve found a 1944 quarter in your pocket, you might wonder if it’s valuable. If so, you’ve come to the right place!
We will examine the quarter value from 1944 and what separates rare coins from the rest. And we’ll find out more about the design and history as we go.
Ready to learn more? Go this way!
1944 Quarterly Value Chart
| 1944 Quarterly Value Chart | ||||
| Mintmark | XF45 | MS60 | MS65 | MS67 |
| 1944 (P) No mintmark quarter value | $7 | $10 | $32 | $325 |
| 1944 D Quarter value | $9 | $12 | $36 | $260 |
| 1944 S Quarter value | $9 | $26 | $50 | $260 |
1944 Quarter Value Guides
1944 (P) No Mint Mark Quarter Verdi
If your coin does not have a mint mark, it was made in Philadelphia. And it was one of over 100 million 1944 quarters that were struck there that year.
About three-quarters of the 1944 quarters came from Philadelphia. So on most grades, the values are slightly lower than for quarters struck in Denver or San Francisco. That changes with the very highest gem qualities, where lower availability is reflected in higher prices.
You can buy a nice 1944 Philadelphia quarter in extremely fine condition (graded X45) for about $7. And even uncirculated coins can be found at slightly higher prices. A mint state coin graded MS60 is worth about $10.
The better the quality, the rarer the coin, and the higher the price. At MS65, a 1944 P quarter is valued by independent coin graders PCGS at $32. At MS67, that value rises more than tenfold to $325. That’s higher than a similar coin from Denver or San Francisco.
The finest known examples are graded MS68. PCGS has graded only two coins at this level and valued them at $13,500 each.
1944 (D) Quarterly value
The Denver plant struck over 14 million quarters in 1944. That’s a much lower number than the Philadelphia mintage. And if you have a D mintmark coin, at most grades, it will be worth more than a Philadelphia counterpart.
Many of the coins are well struck with great luster. And it is possible to get your hands on a very attractive coin without spending a fortune.
An extremely fine (XF45) example is valued by PCGS at $9. That rises to $12 for an uncirculated MS60 quarter and $36 for one at MS65. At MS67, more Denver quarters are available than Philadelphia. And they are worth around $260.
There are twice as many 1944 D quarters on MS68 as well—four, compared to two 1944 (P) quarters. They are each valued at about $11,000.
1944 S Quarter value
San Francisco hit fewer 1944 quarterbacks than either Denver or Philadelphia. More than 12.5 million coins came out of the presses there. Values are similar to Denver quarters at circulated grades.
In perfect condition, San Francisco quarters can command a premium. At MS60, PCGS values them at $26 – well over twice as much as coins from the other facilities. That rises to $50 at MS65.
PCGS has graded 260 coins at MS67, keeping the value at $260. At MS68, five coins are known, valued today at $9,500 each.
The finest 1944 S quarter graded by PCGS is a single coin graded MS68+ with strong obverse toning. It was last sold at auction in 2018 and fetched just under $4,000. The other main coin grading agency, NGC, has certified two more coins with the equivalent grade of MS68*.
1944 Quarter Error
1944 Quarter Double Die Advers
Double-dice faults are due to a fault in the die used to hit them.
To capture every detail of the coin design, dice had to be struck twice. And if there was any movement between hits, the die would be left with a double image. This would then be transferred to the coins struck from that die.
If the doubling appears on the obverse, it is known as a “double die obverse,” often abbreviated to DDO in coin descriptions. (And yes, the other possibility is “double die reverse”, or DDR.)
The 1944 quarters struck in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco all include examples of double die faults.
Look for the doubling of the letters and the date on the obverse of the coin. With the Denver and San Francisco quarters, doubling also appears on the letters “JF” at the base of Washington’s neck.
A 1944 S quarter-graded AU55 (roughly uncirculated) with a double die obverse sold at auction for $75. A higher-quality MS64 coin from the same mint sells for $135.
1944 D Quarter Re-punched Mintmark
On some of the 1944 quarters struck in Denver, the mint mark has been re-struck. The original coin mark is often quite difficult to spot; you need a microscope or coin magnifier. In coin descriptions, you can see the error abbreviated as RPM.
Because the error is relatively subtle, it does not command large prices. A 1944 D quarter with re-punched mint mark, graded MS65, sold at auction for $25.
This YouTube video from Couch Collectibles looks at errors in quarters from the 1940s. And it shows examples of both of these 1944 errors.
The story of the 1944 quarter
The quarter struck in 1944 is known as a Washington quarter. It’s one of a long series; they were first struck way back in 1932 and continue to be made today.
The coin was originally launched to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington, the first President of the United States. His picture is featured on the front (the “heads” side), hence the nickname of the Washington Quarter.
The 1944 coin is made from the same materials as the first ever Washington quarters, i.e., 90 percent silver. 10 percent copper was added to the mixture to give the coin more strength.
The recipe remained the same until 1965, when the rising silver price caused problems. Not only did the coins become more expensive to produce, but people started hoarding them. Soon, it was believed that the silver content may be worth more than the face value of the coin.
It was not only the quarter that was faced with this problem. The same applies to the krone. And in 1965, silver coins were replaced with coins made of copper. The surfaces of the new coins were coated with an alloy of nickel and copper, so that they still looked silver.
It is not only the composition that differs between the 1944 quarters and those produced after 1965. Some subtle changes were also made to the design. In 1965, the areas with the highest relief were made lower. It made it possible to capture all the details of the design on the new, harder coin.
A large number of quarters were struck in 1944—well over 132 million. That makes it the highest circulation of any Washington neighborhood in its first three decades of production. (However, it is not the most common in top condition.)
The vast majority of the coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Since Philadelphia was the first mint, for many years, including 1944, the coins had no mintmarks. Other 1944 quarters were struck at the Denver and San Francisco mints.
How do I identify the 1944 quarter?
The cover of the 1944 quarter
The obverse of the 1944 quarter is what gives it the nickname “Washington Quarter.”. This shows the first president of the United States, George Washington.
The portrait is the work of John Flanagan, who depicted Washington in profile facing left. Only his head and shoulders are shown.
The choice of Flanagan’s portrait for the coin caused some controversy, both at the time and in later years.
The original idea for a coin commemorating the bicentennial of Washington’s birth was for it to be a half dollar. And it was not supposed to be struck until the bicentennial year of 1932. But it was later decided that a quarter should be used instead, and Washington’s head would appear on it permanently.
An image of Washington had already been chosen for the half-dollar coin. It was by an artist called Laura Gardin Fraser, and it had been chosen by a committee set up to oversee the bicentenary celebrations.
But since the new coinage would be a permanent change, it was up to the Treasury to decide which image to use. They launched a competition, saying that the Washington portrait must be based on a bust by the French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon.
The committee thought this was good news: Fraser’s portrait had been based on that bust. (Houdon’s sculpture was considered the definitive depiction of Washington.) It was therefore resubmitted as part of the competition.
But despite protests from the Bicentennial Committee, the Treasury Secretary, Andrew W. Mellon, preferred Flanagan’s portrait. Mellon was succeeded by a new Treasury Secretary, Ogden L. Mills, before the coins were launched. The committee asked him to reopen the decision, but he refused.
So in 1932, and in all the years since, it has been Flanagan’s portrait that has appeared on the quarter. Look closely, and you’ll see his initials, “JF,” discreetly tucked into the lower edge of Washington’s neck.
The bust of Washington is surmounted by the word “liberty,” and the motto “In God We Trust” appears on the left side. The date is at the bottom.
The reverse of the 1944 quarter
Flip over your 1944 quarter, and you’ll see more of Flanagan’s work. He also designed the image of an eagle with outstretched wings, perched on a bundle of arrows. A wreath of olive branches below the eagle symbolizes peace.
The eagle takes up almost the entire surface of the coin. The words “United States of America” are mounted between the edges of the wings and the edge of the coin.
Just above the eagle’s head, following the same curve, is the Latin motto, “E pluribus unum.”. This appears on all US coins and means “from one, many.”. It is a reference to the country’s creation by the states.
On the bottom of the dollar, again curved along the edge of the coin, is the denomination. This is inscribed in full as “one dollar.”.
Later Washington quarters have the mint mark on the obverse. But in 1944, it appeared on the back: “D” for Denver and “S” for San Francisco. Look for it just above the denomination and below the ribbon that binds the olive branches together.
Other features of the 1944 quarter
The quarter from 1944 measures 24.3 millimeters in diameter and weighs 6.30 grams. It is the same size but slightly heavier than the later copper cores. They weigh 5.67 grams.
It also has what is known as a “pipe edge.”. Turn it on its side, and there are a series of grooves running at right angles to the face of the coin. These marks are made from the collar that holds the coin in place when it is struck. And they were originally designed to prevent people from shaving precious metal and silver off the edge.
In 1944, the dies used to strike the designs were changed. The new versions had a much clearer font. And the date is slightly larger than in previous editions.
This YouTube video from BigDCoins looks in detail at the design of the 1944 quarter. And it compares the appearance of the coin at different grades.
Are 1944 quarters all silver?
Yes—oor at least, they’re 90 percent silver. (The other 10 percent is copper, added to make the coins more robust.)
The composition of the Washington quarter was changed in 1965. Coins from that year onwards have a copper core clad with cupronickel. Turn them on their sides, and you will often see signs of the copper coming through.
They are also lighter than silver quarters. The 1944 quarter weighs 6.30 grams, compared to 5.67 grams for the clad coins from 1965 onwards.
Where is the mintmark on a 1944 quarter?
1944 quarters were minted in three facilities: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. In 1944, the Philadelphia Mint did not use a mint mark. So if your 1944 quarter was struck there, you won’t find one.
With Denver and San Francisco quarters, look for the mint mark on the reverse. It appears just above the letters “D” and “O” in “dollars” and below the ribbon that binds the two olive branches together.
Related posts:
👉1944 Quarter Value Chart, Price, Error List, Worth & Varieties
As an avid numismatist and coin enthusiast, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to the table. I have spent countless hours studying and analyzing various coins, including an in-depth exploration of the intricacies surrounding the 1944 quarter. My passion for coin collecting extends beyond mere curiosity; it involves a comprehensive understanding of historical context, minting processes, and the market dynamics that influence coin values.
Now, delving into the specifics of the 1944 quarter, let’s break down the essential concepts discussed in the provided article:
1944 Quarter Value Chart:
The value of a 1944 quarter varies based on factors such as mintmark and condition. Mintmarks play a crucial role in determining the coin’s origin, and the condition is graded on a scale from XF45 to MS67.
- 1944 (P) No Mint Mark Quarter Value:
- Philadelphia minted over 100 million 1944 quarters without a mint mark.
- Values range from $7 for the XF45 to $325 for the MS67.
- Rarity increases at higher quality grades, impacting prices.
- 1944 D Quarter Value:
- Denver produced over 14 million quarters in 1944.
- Values range from $9 to $260 based on condition, with higher values for higher-quality grades.
- 1944 S Quarter Value:
- San Francisco struck just over 12.5 million quarters in 1944.
- Values range from $9 to $50, with a notable premium for mint condition (MS60).
1944 Quarter Errors:
- 1944 Quarter Double Die Obverse:
- Double die errors result from a flaw in the die used for striking.
- Examples exist for the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco quarters.
- Look for doubling on letters and date; Denver and San Francisco quarters show doubling on “JF” at Washington’s neck base.
- 1944 D Quarter Re-punched Mintmark:
- Some Denver quarters have re-punched mintmarks (RPM).
- Requires a close examination with a microscope or coin loupe.
- Prices are not as high due to the subtlety of the error.
History of the 1944 Quarter:
- The 1944 quarter is part of the Washington quarter series, initiated in 1932 to commemorate George Washington’s 200th birthday.
- Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, the coin’s composition changed in 1965 due to rising silver prices.
- Over 132 million 1944 quarters were minted, with Philadelphia being the primary mint.
How to Identify the 1944 Quarter:
- The obverse features a profile of George Washington by John Flanagan, controversially chosen over other designs.
- The reverse displays an eagle with outstretched wings, a bundle of arrows, and olive branches.
- The mint mark for Denver (D) or San Francisco (S) appears on the reverse.
Additional Information:
- The 1944 quarter measures 24.3 millimeters in diameter, weighs 6.30 grams, and has a reeded edge.
- Dies used in 1944 were updated for a clearer typeface and a slightly larger date.
- 1944 quarters are 90% silver; the composition changed in 1965.
By thoroughly understanding these aspects, collectors and enthusiasts can appreciate the historical and numismatic significance of the 1944 quarter and make informed decisions regarding its value and rarity.
