Hello readers, welcome to the new post. In this post, we will learn the 1981 Quarter Value 2025 Guides (Rare Errors, “D” & “S” Mint Mark). The 1981 quarter is part of the 1932 quarter series and comes with a photo of President Washington on the front side. The 1932 quarters were made with 90 percent silver, and in 1965, this composition changed with increases in silver prices. In this post, we will discuss the value of 1981 quarters, like rare errors, and the importance of D and S mint marks. So let’s get started with the 1981 quarter value.
1981 Quarter Value Chart
| 1981 Quarter value | Good | Fine | EF | Uncirculated | MS 65 | Proof |
| 1981 P Washington Quarter | $0.30 | $0.30 | $0.30 | $70 | $7 | |
| 1981 D Washington Quarter | $0.30 | $0.30 | $0.30 | $105 | $7 | |
|
1981 S Washington Quarter Type 1
|
$13 | |||||
|
1981 S Washington Quarter Type 2
|
$28 |
History of the 1981 Quarter
The Washington Quarter was first used for circulation in 1981 and is still in circulation as a quarter dollar.
Congress made a bicentennial committee to celebrate the 200th anniversary. The committee decided to make Washington a quarter-half dollar for the celebration. These coins will be used as replacements for the Walking Liberty half dollar of 1932.
Congress replaced the Standing Liberty Quarters with the Washington Quarter. New silver coins with a Washington photo on the front are being made.
As part of the 1932 quarter series, in 1981, 1,181,501,916 Washington quarters were made. Out of them, 1981 P quarters were 601,716,000, 1981 P quarters were 601,716,000, and 1981 S proof quarters (two varieties) were 4,063,083.
| Mint Mark | Mintage |
| 1981 P quarter | 601,716,000 |
| 1981 D quarter | 575,722,833 |
| 1981 S proof quarter both types | 4,063,083 |
| total | 1,181,501,916 |
1981 Quarter Features
Obverse of 1981 Quarter
The front side of the 1981 quarter comes with a left-facing photo of Washington based on a design made by Jean-Antoine Houdon, sculptured. The word LIBERTY is also written there with a minting date of 1981. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST motto added there
Reverse of 1981 Quarter
The backside of the 1981 quarter comes with a USA heraldic eagle with wings spread out and perched on a bunch of arrows, which is a symbol of independence and readiness of the country for defense.
Two olive branches were also added on this side. The motto E PLURIBUS ENUM. The coin’s denomination, QUARTER DOLLAR, is also seen there.
Some other features are
- The Washington quarter is made with 75% copper and 25% nickel cladding.
- It weighs 5.67 grams and has dimensions of 24.30 millimeters with a reeded edge.
- These coins were made by D and P mints.
| Face value |
25 cents
|
|
Coin thickness
|
0.06890 inches
|
| Edge | Needed |
| Shape | Round |
| Compound |
Copper (75%) and nickel (25%) with a clad core
|
|
Coin diameter
|
0.95669 inches
|
| Coin weight |
0.20000 ounces
|
1981 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 to 70 | MS |
1981 Quarter Error List
The main 1981 quarter errors are explained here.
1981 Quarter Over Dime Planchet Error
The coin works in P mint. by mistake struck many quarters on dime planchets, and these made for circulation. As the dime size is less than a quarter, the design of the quarter and the letter does not accurately fit on the dime, causing some words and photos to be missing. The quarter with 30 to 80 percent missing details has a value of 200 dollars.
Off-Center Strikes
If the planchet is not accurately struck, the coin design is printed off-center on the coin. The value of the coin with off-center is based on a percentage of off-center. Normally fifty to sixty percent off center with a clear minting date and mint mark is high value. 1981 Washington quarter with off-center error can sell for 100 dollars.
Double Dies Obverse
This error is commonly seen in the 1981 quarter. On the front side of the coins, the doubling effect can be seen in the words IN GOD WE TRUST and the minting date of 1981. The doubling effect is seen when the die strikes on coins more than one time. Coin with this error has a value of about one hundred dollars. If the doubling effect clearly seen has a value of about 150 dollars
Flip-Over Double Strike
This coin has a double-strike mint error. On coins, the first die exists with a partial flip over the lower rim. The 2nd strike comes with another planchet between coins and an inverted die. The date and mint mark from both strikes and the 2nd strike left a sharp impression close to the date. In 2020, coins with this error sold for 7000 dollars.
Quarter Struck On A Five-Cent Planchet
The 1981 quarter from P mint was mistakenly made on the wrong 5-cent planchet. The coins have a value range of 100 dollars.
1981 P quarter value
The P mint made 601,716,000 Washington quarters in 1981. These coins come with a P mint mark on the front side. The mint made more than half a billion quarters so they are common coins and still are in circulation.
These coins have a value less than or close to face value.
Circulated condition 1981 P quarter has a value of 0.30 to 0.75 dollars based on condition.
MS 60 grade coins are $1.50, and MS67 rare coins are $70.
In 2018, AUction MS67 grade coins sold for 700 dollars.
1981-D Quarter Value
The Denver mint made 575,72,833 Washington quarters in 1981 with the D mint mark, which is the 2nd largest number of coins. The coins are also easily available and affordable. Coins in average condition can be 25 cents, and the MS65 grade is $7.
The 1981 D MS67 grade sold for $375 in 2011.
1981 S Proof Quarter Value
The S mint-proof quarters in 1981 for collectors. These coins were in two types: Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 1981 S proof quarters come with a small filled-in and unclear S mint mark. While Type II proof quarters come with clear and easily seen S mint marks.
There are 4 million proof quarters made in 1981. As they are low mintage, these coins have high value.
Type 1 1981 S proof quarters MS67 is 15 dollars and in perfect t condition. MS70 grade is 22 dollars. The most expensive 1981 proof quarters MS MS70 Deep Cameo (DCAM), sold for $508 in 2018.
A Type II 1981-S proof quarter graded MS67/MS70 has a value of about $140.
MS70 DCAM sold for $2350 at a 2007 auction.
1981 S proof DCAM quarter Type 1 Value
| Grade | 1981 S proof DCAM quarter Type 1 |
| PR 67 | $4 |
| PR 68 | $6 |
| PR 69 | $10 |
| PR 70 | $23 |
| Gerade |
1981 S proof DCAM quarter Type 2
|
| PR 67 | $7 |
| PR 68 | $10 |
| PR 69 | $15 |
| PR 70 | $145 |
How much is a 1981 D Washington Quarter worth?
A Washington quarter from 1981 in circulated condition is between $0.30 and $0.85. 1981 D Quarters in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for 105.
What does the P on a quarter mean?
The P in the 1918 quarter is the mint place that made it. These coins are made by the Philadelphia Mint. Coins with this mint mark are of higher value than those without a mint mark based on condition and rarity.
Are 1981 Washington Quarters Rare?
There were more than 1.2 billion 1981 quarters made to have easy availability of these coins. So these quarters are not considered rare.
How to determine the value 1981 quarter?
The value of 1981 quarters is defined by these factors
- Check the mint mark on coins existing behind the neck of the president’s photo and define that the coins are either P, D, or S minted and each mint has a certain value based on conditons.
- The condition of the coin is also a factor in finding value. Coins that are in good condition with low damage are of high value.
- Each coin has certain types of errors, and common errors for 1981 quarters are DDO, off-center error, and wrong planchet error that affect coin value.
Which 1981 Washington quarter is worth a lot?
- 1981 S PR 70 Type 2 Heritage Auctions = $2,530
- 1981 P MS 67 type 2 = $700
- 1981 S PR 67 Type 1 = $508
- 1981 D MS 67 = $375
What is the most valuable Washington quarter?
- 1982-P Washington Quarter MS68 = $10,200, sold in 2019
- 1982-D Washington Quarter MS68 = $4,320, sold in 2020
- 1995-P Washington Quarter MS68 = $3,600, sold in 2019
- 1997-P Washington Quarter MS67+ = $3,525, sold in 2016
- 1986-P Washington Quarter MS67 = $2,880 sold in 2019
- 1983-P Washington Quarter MS63=$2,596, sold in 2016
- 1989-P Washington Quarter MS67 = $1,955 – sold in 2007
Is the 1981 Quarter Worth Anything?
The 1981 Grade MS67 or higher is a high value. The 1981 P Washington quarter of MS67 grade sold for 775$, and the 1981 D quarter sold for 175$ in MS67 grade.
Difference Between 1981 S Quarter Type 1 & Type 2
Type 1 quarters come with a filled S mint mark, and type 2 quarters have a clear S mint mark. Type 1 sold for 503$, and type 2 sold for $2,530.
What is the value of the 1981 S Quarter Type 1 worth?
The 1981 S quarter type 1 value is about 4.63 dollars or higher, and type 2 is about 503 dollars.
What is a 1981 proof quarter worth?
The 1981 proof quarter has two types, type 1 and type 2, which have values ranging from $4.63 to $6.81. An auction can be sold for $2,530.
What is the 1981-P Error Quarter Worth?
On the basis of errors like the 1981 quarter struck with a 1C planchet, it has a value of $960.
What is a 1981 P quarter filled in mint mark worth?
These coins in circulated condition have a value of about face value, and in gem condition can be worth 100 dollars.
What is the 1981 S Type 2?
How much is a 1981 proof quarter worth?
| 1981 proof quarter | value |
| 1981-S 25c Type 1 PR DCAM | $5.40 to $29.70 |
| 1981-S 25c Type 2 PR DCAM | $9.45 to $189.00 |
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FAQs
What are the errors on the 1981 quarter?
1981 p quarter error and 1981 quarter error are
- 1981 Quarter Doubled-Die Obverse Error.
- 1981 Quarter over Dime Planchet Error.
- 1981 Quarter Off-Center Error.
- 1981 Quarter Flip-Over Double Strike Error.
What year of quarter is worth money?
- 1932-D is high value since 436,800 pieces were made.
Are there any 1981 silver quarters?
- There is no 1981 silver quarter or silver quarter error. The 1981 quarters were made with the use of copper-nickel clad, which is based composition used for the creation of Washington quarters first time in 1965.
How much does a 1981 U.S. quarter weigh?
- The 1981 quarter was made with copper-nickel clad composition, and its weight is 5.67 grams.
What is the rarest Washington quarter?
- The first Washington quarter, made in 1932, but now in mint state, is difficult to find, and a rare quarter is the 1932 D Quarter, which sold for $143,750.
What year is the rarest quarter?
- 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter has a mintage of 396000 and is a rare coin with the most valuable quarter series liked by collectors
How much is a 1981 filled D quarter worth?
- The 1981 D quarter with D mark circulated condition is about 0.30 and $0.85.
Difference between a 1981 S Quarter Type 1 and Type 2?
- The type 1 quarter S mint mark is filled, and type 2 comes with an accurately defined S mark. Type 1 value is about 503 dollars and type 2 has a value auction of about $2,530
How much is a 1981 proof quarter worth?
- The 1981 proof quarters, type 1 and 2 have a value in the range of $4.63 to $6.81. Uncirculated condition coins are about $2,530.
What 1980s quarters are worth keeping?
- 1983-P Washington quarters are rare in uncirculated conditons and have a value of bout 20 dollars. While 1982-P, 1982-D, and 1983-D quarters in uncirculated grade are about $5 to $10.
What quarters are worth $1000?
- 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf Low and High Quarters are high-value quarter coins. Based on conditions, these coins have a value of more than a thousand dollars.
How much does a 1981 D quarter weigh?
- 1981 D Washington quarter weighs is 5.3 grams
What is the composition of a 1981 quarter?
- The composition of quarters is 75% copper and 25% nickel.
What is special about the 1981 quarter?
- The Washington 1981 quarter has a composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Coin weight is 5.67 grams and has a reeded edge with 24.30 millimeters. The 1981 quarters were made at the Denver and Philadelphia mints.
How much does a 1981 US quarter weigh?
What Does The P Mint Mark Mean On A Quarter?