1964 Quarter
1964 Washington Quarter. The 1964 Washington Quarter is special for collectors because it was the last year this quarter-dollar coin was produced with silver. After this, the coin maintained its design but was no longer produced with silver. Nowadays, though many Washington Quarters are still on the market, the number of the coins that have been well-preserved is constantly diminishing. The quarter, short for quarter dollar, is a United States coin worth 25 cents, one-quarter of a dollar.It has a diameter of.955 inch (24.26 mm) and a thickness of.069 inch (1.75 mm). The coin sports the profile of George Washington on its obverse, and its reverse design has changed frequently. It has been produced on and off since 1796 and consistently since 1831.
Washington Quarter Overview
Created to commemorate the 200th birthday of the United States’ first president, George Washington, the Washington Quarter was widely accepted by the general public because of its pleasing design. The Washington quarter was first minted in 1932 and is still presently minted.
The coin has undergone several changes over the years, including a full change to the reverse as well as the change in composition of the coin.
Designed and created by sculptor John Flanagan in 1932, the Washington Quarter has many qualities that pay homage to the United States’ early years and its first president. The obverse features a bust of George Washington facing left with the word “LIBERTY” above and the date below. Also featured on the left field of the obverse is the motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
On the reverse, the common coinage symbol of a perched eagle with its outstretched wings is centered. The mottos, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, can be found centered above Flanagan’s eagle. Centered below the main eagle design are the words, “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
The composition of the Washington Quarter was changed twice through its lifetime and greatly affects the coin’s value. From 1932 till 1964, the Washington Quarter was minted using 90% silver and 10% copper.
This changed in 1965 when the mint removed silver from the Washington Quarter, changing the composition to 75% copper and 25% nickel. All currently minted Washington Quarters are made of this copper and nickel clad composition.
If you would like to learn more about collecting all types of quarters, including the Washington Quarter, please read our Ultimate Guide To Rare Quarters.
History of the 1964 Washington Quarter
The 1964 Washington Quarter is perhaps one of the most interesting years of the Washington Quarter. It was unique as it was the last quarter struck for circulation which had silver as the main metal. All Washington Quarters struck after 1964 were made of a copper-based clad composition.
This change in composition was due to rising silver prices. President Lyndon B. Johnson was in favor of using cheaper metals to produce clad coins, so the production of silver coins was eliminated at that time. This change from silver-based to clad-based coins was completed with the passage of the Coinage Act of 1965.
Although the change to clad-based coinage happened in 1965, the 1964 Washington Quarter was still minted in huge quantities. According to the United States Mint at Philadelphia, 560,390,000 examples of the 1964 Washington Quarter were minted.
This large amount was minted to try to curb the mass hoarding of silver coins by the general public. Ultimately this goal failed, as the US still had to change many coins’ compositions in 1965.
Collecting 1964 and other Washington Quarters
Washington Quarters are by far the easiest coins to begin collecting. Their presence in everyday circulation, as well as the new state and national park designs, make the Washington Quarter interesting and easy to collect.
These different types of Washington Quarter designs allow for each person to collect what they like. Those who prefer the traditional obverse and reverse design can collect any Washington Quarters minted before 1999.
1964 Quarter Melt Value
Others who prefer the differing reverses and updated obverse can collect the state quarters minted from 1999-2009 as well as the national park quarters, which started production in 2010 and will continue till 2021.
Most coins are relatively easy to find in every day coinage, but some are harder to find, including the 1964 Washington Quarter. Other hard-to-find dates are all silver examples minted between 1932 and 1964. These coins have a large demand by collectors and investors due to their silver composition.
Most of these silver Washington Quarters can be found with your local coin dealer as well as online. Expect to pay around $3-$4 for an average example of a common silver date.
1964 Washington Quarter Value
Due to their high silver content, 1964 Washington Quarters will always be worth more than face value. All 1964 Washington Quarters are worth their weight in silver and their values will follow the current spot price of silver.
You can check the current silver value of your 1964 Washington Quarter by going to www.coinflation.com
Because of the large amount minted, almost all 1964 Washington Quarters will only be worth “melt” value. This is because there are a large number of 1964 Washington Quarters that are still in uncirculated condition.
If you have a 1964 Washington Quarter in uncirculated condition, the value is about $6-$7. A coin in Gem Uncirculated condition is only valued at $10.
1964 Quarter Value
Low values do not mean that there is no demand for the 1964 Washington Quarter. Silver Washington Quarters are in heavy demand by silver investors due to their high silver content and easy storage. As silver prices rise, so will the demand for the 1964 Washington Quarter.