This post will cover the question, How much is a 1979 quarter worth orth today?” The US Mint made Washington quarters in 1932 to celebrate George Washington’s 200th anniversary of birth. The quarters from 1965 to 1998 were made with clad composition. 1979 is not an important year for quarters coins. However, there were many changes made in coin denominations. We will discuss in detail and examine the factors that affect a 1979 quarter’s value. Let’s get started with How Much Is A 1979 Quarter Value/Worth Today?
Historical Background of the 1979 Quarter
To celebrate the 200th birthday of US President Washington, the quarter was made in 1932 as a replacement for Standing Liberty. It was decided to make coins for the celebration of a birthday that can be used for many years. For this competition, it was arranged, and more than 100 designers took part in the contest. The design of French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon was selected. Coins from 1965 to 1998 come with different compositions.
The 1979 quarters were made by three mints, like other coins: P, S, and D mint. Philadelphia-minted coins do not have mint marks and are not in high demand. S minted coins have mint marks. Their larger number of mintage makes these coins less valuable. Rare coins are in excellent condition and high value. The Washington Quarter is made with 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper; high prices of silver change the composition. So 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel are used in coins. Coins surrounding have pure coppers; these coins were made from 1965 to 1998 before the creation of the 50 State Quarters Program.
The large number of 1979 Washington quarters makes it easy to find coins. MS67 or high-grade for these coins is rare. Proof coins from 1979 also made that come with two different mint marks Type 1 with a filled S and Type 2 with a clear S. Type 2 is rarer than Type 1.
- Draped bust with small or heraldic eagle (1796 to 1807)
- Capped bust with and without motto (1815 to 1838)
- Seated Liberty with and without motto (1838 to 1891)
- Barber (1892 to 1916)
- Commemorative Isabella quarter (1893)
- Standing Liberty (1916 to 1930)
Clad Quarters & Mint Mark Changes
Most coins have country names written on the reverse side. But some quarters have had on the front side, with Liberty on the lower left. At the time when coins were silver, the mint mark was on the back side below the midpoint of the olive wreath. In 1965, the quarter’s composition changed from silver to clad. The mint mark shifted to the front side close to Washington’s ponytail.
From 1999 to 2009, on the back side of coins came with a design that celebrated the 50 US states, Washington DC, and the 5 e 5 territories. These coins come with different symbols and images. For more details on coins, the United States of America was added on the front side, Liberty on the left side, and the motto In God We Trust moved to the right, over the mint mark.
1979 quarter, no mint mark
- Type: Washington Quarter
- Edge: Reeded
- price range: $0.75 to $143
- Mint mark: None
- Place of minting: Philadelphia
- Year of minting: 1979
- Face value: $0.25
- Quantity produced: 515,708,000
- Designer: John Flanagan
Coin condition and mint marks define the value of the 1979 quarter. In circulation, its value can be $0.30 to $0.85, with most valued at $0.25 to $25. Coin-rated MS 67 can have a value of $120 to $145, and the 1979 No Mint mark MS 68 clad Washington quarter was sold for $1,440 at Heritage Auctions.
1979 No Mint Mark Quarter Value Type 2 Value
There were 515,708,000 quarters made by P mint in 1979. In 2022, an MS68-grade coin sold for 1440 dollars. On PCGS one coin of this grade value is $10,000.
1979-S Proof Quarter Value Type 1
Normal coin types are called business strikes or regular strikes, and they are commonly used coins. Proof coins are collectible coins that can be placed in archives. These coins are made with the use of a special type of die and planchet that are polished before using for the minting process. Coin ended with a mirror-like appearance with this die.
The S mint made 3,677,175 quarters, and Type 1 coins come with filled S. Coin PR 70 DCAM sold for $403 in 2002. Deep cameo coins are about fifty to 100 coins and come with a strong contrast. More than 100 coins exist, according to PCGS; their value is about 35 dollars in 2023.
1979-S Proof Quarter Value Type 2
Type 2 proof coins are less common. In 2003, the price of PR 70 was 495$. It is graded for any proof coins, but it is not rare. Its quantity is half, so Type 1 S coins are about 600 in PCGS. Their prices in 2023 were about 75 dollars. PR69 grade value is 6000, which decreases to 18 dollars.
| Grading | 1979 S DCAM quarter Type 1 |
1976 S DCAM quarter Type 2
|
| PR 67 | $4 | $2 |
| PR 68 | $5 | $4 |
| PR 69 | $8 | $10 |
| PR 70 | $20 | $30 |
1979 D quarter value
The value of a 1979 D quarter in circulation has a value of between 0.30 and 0.85 dollars, but an uncirculated one can be about $800. The high-value 1979 D quarters are graded MS 67 or higher. These coins have a value of about $1,200. 1979 D quarters are graded MS 67 or higher.
- Type: It is Washington Quarter type.
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: D
- Cost: $0.75 to $325
- Quantity: 489,789,780
- Designer: John Flanagan
- minting Location: Denver
- minting year: 1979
- Face value: $0.25
1979 Quarter Value Chart
| Mint Mark | MS63 | MS64 | MS65 | MS66 | MS67 |
| 1979 No Mint Mark Quarter Value | 0.75 dollars | 1.25 dollars | $8 | 28 dollars |
145 dollars
|
| 1979 D Quarter Value | 0.75 dollars | 1.25 dollars | $8 | 25 dollars |
325 dollars
|
| MS66 | MS67 | MS68 | MS69 | MS70 | |
|
1979 S Quarter (Type 1)
|
6dollars | $10 | 11 dollars | 27 dollars | |
|
1979 Quarter (Type 2)
|
3 dollars | $11 | 14 dollars | 41 dollars |
1979 Quarter Grading
| Number | Grade |
| 1 |
Basal State-1
|
| 2 | Fair |
| 3 |
Very Fair
|
| 4, 5, 2006 | Good |
| 7, 8, 10 |
Very Good
|
| 12, 15 | Fine |
| 20, 30 |
Very Fine
|
| 40 |
Extremely Fine
|
| 50 |
About Uncirculated
|
| 60 | MS |
| 65 | MS |
| 70 | MS |
What is the design of the 1979 quarter?
The design of 1979 quarters on both sides is like the design of coins made from 1932 to 1998. The front side comes with a photo of Washington and the word LIBERTY written there with the 1979 minting date. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is written there.
The back side has an American eagle having wings spread, and the eagle comes with an olive branch in the right talon and a bundle of arrows in the left.
Country name: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and QUARTER DOLLAR are also on this side. The Latin term E PLURIBUS UNUM is on the eagle’s head.
The 1979 quarters have some differences from other coins. The 1979 quarter is the last year that the Philadelphia Mint did not add a P mark on coins. There are 2 types of 1979 S proof quarters, Type 1 and Type 2, which are different based on the S mint mark clarity.
How much does a 1979 quarter weigh?
The 1979 quarter weight is 5.67 grams and comes with a melt value of $0.0540. Its face value is 0.25 dollars, and it has a diameter of 24.30 mm and a thickness of 1.95 mm.
On What Side Of The 1979 Quarter Will You Find The Mint Mark?
Penny may not have mint marks on coins. But Denver and San Francisco proof coins come with a mint mark on the front side.
1979 Quarter Error List
Doubled Die error
A doubled die error is caused if the die used to stamp on coins is not properly configured. It can result in a double or triple coin photo. Doubled DIE errors are common and come with useful features.
Two old die errors very common in American coinage are the quarter from 1979. A duplicated die on the coin’s front side is due to inaccuracy. George Washington’s likeness and the word LIBERTY are both quadrupled by the doubled die.
1979 (P) Quarter Double Curved Clips Error
Planchets used for coin creation started their lives as coiled metallic sheets. It put in blanking machines and punched in disks. The remaining sheets are recycled and, in some conditions, chopped in a coin press. A coin with this error has a value range of 500 dollars.
Double Rim and Broad Strike
This coin is not struck with the use of a regular collar die which makes them without reeds. A broad-struck quarter has a wider surface and is flatter than normally struck coins. Their diameter and thickness are not the same as other coins have. High-worn coins are worthless and can have a value range of $20 to $90.
1979 Quarter Triple D Error
This error is the result of using the defective die, which is a metallic stamp used for the creation of coin design. If the die is old or has marks, it causes the D mint mark to triple. It is common, but not all 1979 quarters come with it. A coin with this error has a value range of $175.
1979 Quarter Filled D Error
This error occurs in the minting process, so we can see the D mint mark filled with metal due to a defective die being used. Its value is about 150 dollars.
Double Filling On The D Mint Mark
This error is also called a D over D error. It occurs when the minting mark strikes double, making small letters printed on a larger mint mark. We can see that small D mint mark on the right side and slightly over the D mint mark. These coins’ value is about $180.
Features of the 1979 Washington Quarter
1979 Quarter Obverse
- The front side of the coin comes with a photo of George Washington in profile, facing left. This design was made by John Flanagan and originated from a 1786 bust sculpted by Jean-Antoine Houdon.
1979 Quarter Reverse
The back side of the Washington Quarter was in circulation from 1932 to 1974 and from 1977 to 1998. It has a bald eagle. John Flanagan made this design. Washington Quarters made from 1965 to 1998 were created with the same metals as the current Quarter. It comes in the same size and weight.
- It is created with us of cupronickel (8.33 percent Ni and the balance Cu). Before 1965, quarters were made of 90 percent silver and ten percent copper.
- Diameter: The coin has a diameter of 24.26 mm.
- Thickness: The coin thickness is 1.75 mm.
- Edge: The coin has a reeded edge, meaning it has 119 raised ridges around the edge.
- Mintage: The 1979 quarter had a 518,708,000 coin mintage.
What Makes A 1979 Quarter Rare?
Most 1979 quarters are not rare, but some with errors are rare coins that can have a high value.
Which 1979 Quarter Is High Value?
- 1979 No Mint Mark MS 68 Clad Washington Quarter = $1,440 sold in 2022
- 1979 S PR 70 DCAM clad Washington quarter Type 1 = $403 at Heritage Auctions sold in 2003
- 1979 D MS 67 clad Washington quarter = $1,078 sold in 2014
- 1979 S PR 70 DCAM clad Washington quarter Type 2 = $495 sold in 2003
How Much Is The 1979 No Mint Mark Quarter Worth?
The 1979 quarter made at P mint has a value range of $0.25 to $25. high-grade coins’ value range is $120 to $145.
What Is The Rarest Washington Quarter?
The S mint made 408,000, and the D mint made 436,800 quarter coins in 1932. These coins are rare and considered as high value. The high-value 1932 D MS 65 Washington Quarter was sold for $32,200 in 2003, and $35,250 for the 1932 S MS 66 Washington Quarter in 2013 at Heritage Auctions.
Is There Anything Special About the 1979 Quarter?
The 1979 quarters are special since they are the last coins of the series that have D and D mint marks without P mint marks. The 1980 coins have a P mint. The reverse of 1979 quarters comes with a heraldic eagle, which was also on coins made in 1977.
Are older quarters high value?
Before 1964 the USA Mint made dimes, quarters, and half dollars with 90 percent silver. Irrespective of wear and tear, coins do not have a value higher than face value. It applies to 90 percent of silver quarters made in 1960-1964. Older quarters made from 1960 to 1965 were worth more than face value due to silver content and rarity.
Differentiate Between Clad and Silver 1979 Quarters
The 1979 quarter was supposed to be made with clad material, but some coins by mistake were made on silver planchets. Silver coins are heavier than copper coins. Silver quarter weight is 6.25 grams, and clad quarter weight is 5.7 grams.
Both coins come with different aging processes; clad coins take on a copper-like color with time, and silver coins are tarnished with time.
If we fall, both coins at the same time, silver coins come with a high-pitched sound, and non-silver coins sound like a dull.
Read Also:
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- Why is a 1970 Quarter Worth $35,000
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- 2022 P Wilma Mankiller Quarter Worth | Learn the Value of This Coin
- How Much is a 1964 Quarter Value, Worth today?
- How Much is 1980 Quarter Value in 2024? How Much Is It Worth Today?
- 1983 Quarter Value Price Chart Guide (Rare Errors, “P”, “D”, “S” Mint Mark)
FAQs
How much is a 1979 quarter worth?
A circulated 1979 quarter in average condition is valued at 0.30 and 0.85 dollars. A 1979 quarter in uncirculated condition can have a value of about $800.
How Much Is A 1979 Quarter Worth Today?
| Coin | Value |
| 1979-P Washington Quarter |
25¢ to $6.65
|
| 1979-D Washington Quarter |
25¢ to $6.65
|
| Type 1 1979-S Proof | $9 |
| Type 2 1979-S Proof | $11 |
How much is a 1979 Liberty Quarter?
| Mint Mark | Good – XF |
Uncirculated MS64
|
| 1979 No Mint Mark Quarter Value | $1 | $5 |
| 1979 D Mint Quarter Value | $1 | $16 |
| 1979 S Mint Mark Quarter (Proof Set) | $2 | $6 |
| 1979 Proof Set Quarter Value Type 2 | $1 | $5 |
What is a 1979 D mint mark error quarter?
The 1979 D liberty quarter comes with error D filled, made with a heavy strike from the stamp, then having real definition. The issue is that they are modified to make fake-filled D.
Why is the 1979 quarter valuable?
It was decided to make all 1979 quarters with clad material. Some quarters were mistakenly made on the silver planchet. These coins are rare and of high value.
What’s special about a 1979 quarter?
1979 “S” Proof Quarters are special quarters since they come with Type 1, which is a filled S mint mark on the front side, and the 2nd is Type 2 and comes with a clear S mint mark. The Type 2 1979 “S” proof quarters are higher value than Type 1 counterparts.
How much is a 1979 Canadian quarter worth?
1979 Canadian quarters value is about face value.
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