1964 Washington Quarter Value, Errors & Identification Guide
The 1964 Washington quarter is a 90% silver U.S. quarter and the final dated issue of the original silver Washington Quarter era. Start with the date, mint mark, silver specifications and condition before checking varieties.
Reviewed by the Coins Identification editorial team · Updated September 20, 2026
Which 1964 Quarter Do You Have?
The 1964 Washington quarter is a 90% silver U.S. quarter and the final dated issue of the original silver Washington Quarter era. Regular circulation coins were struck in Philadelphia without a mint mark and in Denver with a D mint mark.
Most circulated 1964 quarters are valued largely for their silver content plus a collector premium. High-grade coins and recognized varieties can be worth considerably more. The practical order is simple: check the date, check the mint mark, confirm silver, judge condition, inspect varieties and then compare value.
1964 Washington Quarter specifications
Regular circulation issue, not the separate 1964 SMS or proof issue.
- Series
- Washington Quarter
- Denomination
- 25 cents
- Year
- 1964
- Mints
- Philadelphia / Denver
- Mint marks
- None / D
- Composition
- 90% silver, 10% copper
- Weight
- 6.30 g
- Diameter
- 24.30 mm
- Edge
- Reeded
- Designer
- John Flanagan
- Obverse
- George Washington
- Reverse
- Eagle
- Silver era
- Final dated regular issue
How Much Is a 1964 Quarter Worth?
Silver, grade and variety should be kept separate.
For an ordinary circulated coin, the starting point is silver bullion value plus a collector premium. An uncirculated coin is judged more by grade, luster, strike, surface quality and eye appeal. A recognized FS variety or a documented mint error can have a separate numismatic market.
The table is a PCGS Price Guide snapshot in U.S. dollars checked September 20, 2026. It is a research reference, not an appraisal. Melt value is separate and changes with the silver spot price.
| Grade | 1964 No Mint Mark | 1964-D |
|---|---|---|
| Circulated | $17-$22 | $17-$22 |
| AU50 | $22 | $22 |
| AU58 | $22-$24 | $22-$24 |
| MS60 | $22 | $22 |
| MS62 | $24 | $24 |
| MS63 | $24 | $24 |
| MS64 | $25 | $25 |
| MS65 | $25 | $27 |
| MS66 | $28 | $28 |
| MS67 | $30 | $30 |
Is a 1964 Quarter Made of Silver?
Yes
Regular 1964 Washington quarters were struck in 90% silver and 10% copper. That composition gives an ordinary circulated coin intrinsic silver value even when it has no major variety. The U.S. Mint changed circulating quarters to copper-nickel clad composition in 1965 after the Coinage Act of 1965.
Silver melt value is not the same as collector value. Use the date, mint, condition and variety before applying a bullion estimate.
1964 vs 1965 Quarter: Silver vs Clad
The year is the first practical composition check.
| Feature | 1964 | 1965 |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 90% silver | Copper-nickel clad |
| Weight | 6.30 g nominal | 5.67 g nominal |
| Edge | Silver-colored | Copper core often visible |
| Mint marks | None / D | None by design |
| Series | Washington | Washington |
The U.S. Mint describes the Coinage Act of 1965 as the legal change behind the clad transition, with production of the new clad quarters beginning in August 1965.
How Much Silver Is in a 1964 Quarter?
Composition and actual silver weight are different facts.
A 1964 quarter contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounce of pure silver at its nominal composition. The figure is an approximate actual silver weight used for bullion calculations. Circulation wear can reduce the coin's measured mass, and spot silver prices change daily.
Do not confuse a melt estimate with a collector price. A high-grade 1964-D, a recognized variety or a documented error may sell for much more than its metal value, while a cleaned coin may lose collector appeal.
Nominal weight
6.30 grams before normal wear.
Silver content
90% silver and 10% copper.
1964 Quarter Mint Marks
There are two regular circulation paths to check.
Philadelphia struck regular 1964 quarters without a mint mark. Denver struck the 1964-D, identified by a D on the reverse below the wreath. The mark is on the reverse, not beside the date on the obverse.
Once the mint is known, keep the two questions separate: first identify the normal issue, then inspect a Denver coin for recognized varieties such as FS-801 or FS-901.
1964 Quarter With No Mint Mark
No mint mark is normal for Philadelphia.
A 1964 quarter with no mint mark is normally a Philadelphia circulation strike, not an automatic error. PCGS lists the Philadelphia mintage as 560,390,585. Value usually follows silver content, condition, originality and any recognized variety rather than the missing letter itself.
Check the reverse below the wreath under good light. A damaged or blurry area should not be “completed” digitally or with a tool. If the coin has unusual surfaces, compare it with a normal Philadelphia reference before making an error claim.
1964-D Quarter
D identifies Denver, but the large mintage does not make every variety common.
Denver struck 704,135,528 regular 1964-D quarters, the largest mintage of the 1932-1964 silver Washington quarter series according to PCGS CoinFacts. Most circulated 1964-D coins are common silver quarters.
The reason to inspect a 1964-D more closely is variety attribution. PCGS catalogs recognized DDO FS-101, DDR FS-801, RPM FS-501, RPM FS-502, FS-503 repunched mintmark and Type C Reverse FS-901. Do not call a coin rare from a generic doubled-looking letter or a blurry mint mark.
Valuable 1964 Quarter Errors and Varieties
Varieties and mint errors are different categories.
1964-D Doubled Die Reverse
PCGS describes strong doubling in areas including STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and QUARTER DOLLAR, with additional reverse diagnostics.
1964-D Type C Reverse
A scarce reverse design associated with the following clad era appears on a small number of 1964-D quarters.
DDO
Recognized doubled-die obverse variety listed in the PCGS catalog. Use attribution references instead of generic doubling claims.
FS-501, FS-502, FS-503
Recognized repunched mintmark entries. The mintmark must be examined at high resolution and compared with the correct reference.
1964-D Doubled Die Reverse FS-801
This is a named variety, not a generic “looks doubled” claim.
FS-801 is the strongest variety to discuss on this broad 1964 page. The useful diagnostic areas include STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and QUARTER DOLLAR, plus doubling in the lower wreath area. Compare letter shapes, separation and placement with the specialist reference before attributing a coin.
Machine doubling can flatten the edge of a design and create a shelf-like appearance. That effect is not the same as a doubled die made during die production. A valuable attribution should be confirmed through a recognized variety service or specialist review.
No generated image is presented as an FS-801 specimen here. Diagnostic photos must come from reliable reference or certified material, not an invented example.
Inspect for the documented separation and shape, not just a bright edge.
Compare the letter spacing and secondary design image.
Use the full set of diagnostics together.
Doubled Die vs Machine Doubling
Similar-looking letters can have very different collecting significance.
Created at the die-making stage
A true doubled die repeats part of the design in a consistent, attributable way. FS-801 requires comparison with the recognized diagnostic pattern.
Mechanical displacement during striking
Machine doubling is often flat or shelf-like and is not automatically valuable. A doubled-looking edge alone does not establish a recognized variety.
1964-D Type C Reverse FS-901
Some 1964-D quarters use a reverse design associated with 1965.
PCGS recognizes FS-901 as a scarce 1964-D Type C Reverse. In simple terms, a small number of 1964-D quarters were struck with a reverse design normally associated with the following clad quarter era. The diagnostic is in the reverse design, especially the wreath and leaf details, not in a random surface mark.
A PCGS-graded 1964-D Type C Reverse FS-901 in MS66+ realized $8,400 at Stack's Bowers on June 16, 2023. That is a documented result for one certified variety and is not the value of an ordinary 1964-D.
Compare a normal 1964 reverse and the FS-901 diagnostic side by side through a specialist reference. Do not use a generated or unrelated reverse photo as proof of Type C.
Other Recognized 1964-D Varieties and Mint Errors
Keep cataloged varieties separate from unverified damage.
Other recognized entries
PCGS catalog entries include DDO FS-101, DDR FS-801, RPM FS-501, RPM FS-502, FS-503 repunched mintmark and Type C Reverse FS-901. These are attribution subjects, not a promise that every doubled-looking coin is scarce.
Genuine mint-error categories
Documented 1964 errors can include off-center strikes, clipped planchets, struck-through pieces, wrong-planchet strikes or multiple strikes. The value depends on the exact error, size, position, preservation, authenticity and market demand. No universal price should be attached to an error category without a documented comparable.
How to Identify Your 1964 Quarter
Follow the evidence in order.
- 01Check the date
Confirm the final digit is 4 and the date is 1964.
- 02Check the reverse mint mark
No mark means Philadelphia; D means Denver.
- 03Confirm silver specifications
Use composition, weight and reeded edge as screening clues.
- 04Judge condition
Separate circulated wear from original Mint State surfaces.
- 05Inspect a Denver coin for varieties
Compare FS-801, FS-901 and RPM diagnostics only with reliable references.
- 06Authenticate an expensive candidate
A photograph or weight reading does not replace professional attribution.
How Much Does a 1964 Quarter Weigh?
Nominal weight is 6.30 grams.
PCGS lists 6.30 grams as the nominal weight for the 1964-D regular strike. A circulated coin may be lighter from wear, dirt can affect a reading and inexpensive scales have tolerance. Correct weight helps screen the coin but does not determine grade, value or specific variety.
Do not reject a coin from a tiny difference or accept a valuable variety from weight alone. Use the date, mint, edge, full surfaces and specialist diagnostics together.
What Makes a 1964 Quarter Valuable?
Silver is the base; grade and attribution create the larger differences.
Silver content
Ordinary circulated coins have a bullion floor that moves with spot silver.
Grade and luster
High Mint State coins with original surfaces can sell above common-date levels.
Recognized variety
FS-801, FS-901 and cataloged RPMs require attribution before a premium is credible.
Originality and eye appeal
Cleaning, damage, weak strike and unattractive surfaces can reduce collector demand.
Is a 1964 Quarter Rare?
An ordinary circulated 1964 or 1964-D is not rare simply because of its date. It is common as a silver quarter, although silver value and collector demand still matter. High-grade coins, recognized varieties and major documented errors are separate cases.
Is a 1964 Quarter Worth Thousands?
Usually not if it is an ordinary circulated coin. A high-grade coin, a recognized variety or a major authenticated error can bring a much higher result. The $8,400 FS-901 example cited above was a certified MS66+ variety, not a normal 1964-D.
1964 Quarter Auction Records and Examples
Completed sales are evidence for a specific coin, not a universal price.
| Coin or variety | Grade | Auction | Date | Realized |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 Philadelphia | MS67 | Stack's Bowers | Jun. 2025 | $264 |
| 1964 Philadelphia | MS67+ | Stack's Bowers | Nov. 2025 | $1,680 |
| 1964 Philadelphia | MS67 | Heritage Auctions | Feb. 2004 | $7,188 |
| 1964 Philadelphia | MS67+ | Heritage Auctions | Feb. 2024 | $3,120 |
| 1964-D Type C Reverse FS-901 | MS66+ | Stack's Bowers | Jun. 16, 2023 | $8,400 |
| 1964 Philadelphia | MS67+ | Stack's Bowers | Mar. 2021 | $4,320 |
The table includes ordinary high-grade examples and one documented FS-901 variety. Auction prices reflect grade, eye appeal, certification and timing; they should not be copied as asking prices for raw coins.
Why Did U.S. Quarters Stop Using Silver After 1964?
Silver shortage and the Coinage Act of 1965 drove the change.
The 1964 quarter is the final dated regular circulation issue of the original silver Washington quarter era. Rising demand for silver and pressure on the nation's coin supply led to the Coinage Act of 1965. The replacement quarter used copper-nickel clad layers over a copper core.
Production of the new clad quarters began in 1965. This is why the edge comparison is useful: a 1964 quarter has a silver-colored edge, while a later clad quarter can show a copper core. The edge is a screening clue, not a substitute for testing or authentication.
1964 Washington Quarter Design
John Flanagan's Washington design appears on both mint issues.
The obverse shows George Washington, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and the date 1964. The reverse shows an eagle above a bundle of arrows with an olive wreath, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and QUARTER DOLLAR.
The mint mark is placed on the reverse below the wreath. Philadelphia has no mark; Denver has a D. The design is shared by the normal 1964 and 1964-D issues, so the mark and condition must be checked separately.
1964 Washington Quarter Specifications
Regular circulation issue specifications.
| Year | 1964 | Denomination | 25 cents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series | Washington Quarter | Mint marks | None / D |
| Philadelphia mintage | 560,390,585 | Denver mintage | 704,135,528 |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper | Weight | 6.30 g |
| Diameter | 24.30 mm | Edge | Reeded |
| Designer | John Flanagan | Strike | Regular Strike |
Should You Clean a 1964 Silver Quarter?
No, if collector value matters. Do not polish, dip, brush, scrape, use vinegar, baking soda, toothpaste or household chemicals. Cleaning can permanently alter the surfaces and lower collector appeal even when the silver content is unchanged.
Keep the Evidence
Hold the coin by its edge, photograph both sides before handling a possible variety and store it in an inert holder. If the coin may be an FS variety or major error, preserve it and seek professional attribution.
1964 Quarter FAQ
Short answers for the most common identification and value questions.
How much is a 1964 quarter worth?
Most circulated examples are valued from their silver content plus a modest collector premium. High-grade coins and recognized varieties can bring substantially more.
Is a 1964 quarter made of silver?
Yes. Regular 1964 Washington quarters are 90% silver and 10% copper. They are the final dated regular issue of the original silver Washington quarter era.
How much silver is in a 1964 quarter?
The standard silver content is about 0.1808 troy ounce of pure silver before normal wear and handling. The bullion value changes with the spot price of silver.
How much does a 1964 quarter weigh?
The nominal weight is 6.30 grams. Wear, dirt and scale tolerance can affect a measured coin, so weight is only a screening clue.
What does no mint mark mean on a 1964 quarter?
It means Philadelphia for a regular 1964 circulation strike. The absence of a mint mark is normal and is not automatically an error.
What does the D mean on a 1964 quarter?
A D on the reverse below the wreath identifies a Denver circulation strike. A normal 1964-D is still a common-date silver quarter unless a recognized variety or exceptional grade is present.
Is a 1964 quarter rare?
The ordinary 1964 and 1964-D are common in circulated grades. High-grade pieces, recognized varieties and documented errors are separate collecting situations.
What 1964 quarter errors are valuable?
Only documented, authenticated errors should be valued individually. Off-center strikes, clips and other error categories can vary widely by size, position, preservation and demand.
What is the 1964-D doubled die reverse?
FS-801 is a recognized 1964-D doubled die reverse with visible doubling in areas including STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and QUARTER DOLLAR. Compare with specialist references before attributing it.
What is the 1964-D Type C Reverse?
FS-901 is a scarce 1964-D reverse variety using a design associated with the following clad era. It should not be confused with an ordinary 1964-D reverse.
How can I tell if my 1964 quarter is valuable?
Follow the path: date, mint mark, silver specifications, condition, then recognized varieties. For an expensive raw coin, use authenticated references or professional attribution.
Should I clean a 1964 quarter?
No. Polishing, dipping, brushing and household chemicals can permanently alter the surfaces and reduce collector appeal.