1974 Quarter Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

Are you looking to find out the 1974 quarter value? You’ve come to the right place!

The 1974 Washington quarter is one of the most sought-after coins by collectors and coin enthusiasts. It has a rich history, interesting features, and plenty of errors that can make it valuable.

In this post, we’ll explore all aspects of this coin, from its obverse and reverse designs to its potential values in various conditions such as “Good”, “Fine”, “Extremely Fine”, or “Uncirculated”. Whether you’re an experienced collector or just getting started with coins, learning about the 1974 Washington quarter is sure to be an enjoyable experience! Let’s get started!

1974 Quarter Value Chart
Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated	Proof
1974 No Mint Mark Quarter Value	/	/	/	$6.81	/
1974 D Quarter Value	/	/	/	$8.07	/
1974 S Quarter Value	/	/	/	/	$5.84

Value by Mint Mark

The 1974 Washington quarter is a special coin that has been circulating for over 45 years. It was first minted in 1932 with the Washington portrait and replaced the Liberty quarters that were issued up until then.

Starting in 1965, it was minted from a cupro-nickel alloy of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel, resulting from the change of rising silver prices, which made the traditional coins too expensive to produce. Before that, the quarters were composed of 90% silver.

The size of the 1974 quarter is 24.3 millimeters (which in inches is 0.955). It weighs 5.67 grams and has a reeded edge like all other U.S. quarters before it. The thickness of the coin is 1.75 millimeters (in inches, 0.069).

The obverse design of the 1974 quarter features a portrait of President George Washington with the date, “1974,” appearing below it. The reverse design features an eagle clutching a group of arrows above an olive branch. This design has been used on all quarters since 1932 and was designed by sculptor John Flanagan.

In addition to its historical importance, the 1974 quarter is also valuable because there are certain varieties that can add value to your collection. Some varieties, such as those with an error or Proof coins, can be extremely rare and hard to find. If you’re lucky enough to come across one of these quarters, you could have a valuable piece of history in your hands!

Lastly, the mint mark can also determine the coin’s value. The 1974 quarter was released by three different mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S).

1974 No Mint Mark Quarter Value

The 1974 no mint mark quarter was produced at the Philadelphia Mint with about 801,456,000 coins in all.

The 1974 quarter value for the no mint mark varies depending on its condition: “Good”, “Fine”, “Extremely Fine”, or “Uncirculated”. In general, the most valuable coins are those in “Uncirculated” condition, meaning they show no signs of wear and tear.

The 1974 no mint mark quarters in “Good” condition are worth their face value of twenty five cents, which is also true for those in “Fine” condition and those in “Extremely Fine” condition. In “Uncirculated” condition, these quarters have a value of around $6.81.

One such coin in nearly perfect condition even sold at an auction a few years ago for $380, so you just never know what might happen!

1974 D Quarter Value

The 1974 D quarters were produced at the Denver Mint and had a total mintage of about 353,160,300 coins.

Similar to the no mint mark variety, the value for these quarters also depends on the condition. In “Good” condition, they are worth their face value of twenty five cents, those in “Fine” condition are worth around twenty five cents too, and those in “Extremely Fine” condition can also fetch up to twenty five cents. For coins in “Uncirculated” condition, these quarters have a value of around $8.07 each.

If you are lucky to find one in nearly perfect condition and sell it at an auction, you may just get more than that. One such coin sold recently for $295!

1974 S Quarter Value

The 1974 S quarter was produced at the San Francisco Mint with a total mintage of 2,612,568 coins. This coin is the Proof coin and is the rarest of all three varieties. A Proof coin has been specially made for collectors and are generally of higher quality than regular minted coins.

The 1974 S quarters are really not worth a whole lot until they are in “Uncirculated” condition – in which case, these quarters can fetch a price of up to $5.84! However, if you do happen to have one of these in your possession, it could sell for a lot at auction. One in absolutely perfect condition sold a while back for a whopping $10,900!

1974 Quarter Grading

The quality of a coin is determined by its condition, which is known as “grading”. Grading a 1974 quarter can help you determine its value. The coin grading system ranges from 1 to 70, with 1 being the worst possible grade and 70 being perfect.

For example, a 1974 quarter in “Good” condition would have a lot of wear on it, a quarter in “Fine” condition would have some wear but still retain good detail, and a quarter in “Extremely Fine” condition would show only minimal signs of wear. An “Uncirculated” quarter would look like it just came off the production line.

Rare 1974 Quarter Error Coins

When coins are produced, mistakes can and do happen. Error coins are usually very rare and can be quite valuable due to their rarity. Collectors look for any type of errors on coins, but in the case of 1974 quarters some errors might include (but aren’t limited to): double dies, reverse die breaks, missing lettering/dates, clipped planchets, mis-strikes, off-center strikes, and more. If you have any of these errors on your 1974 quarter, it could be worth much more than regular coins, especially if there is a bidding war at an auction!

Let’s look at several of the 1974 error quarters that have sold in the past few years:

1974 D Quarter – Non-Copper Core Planchet Error

This is an interesting error coin that was sold recently. It is a 1974 quarter with a non-copper core planchet. A non-copper core planchet error is when a quarter is struck on a planchet that does not have the same metal composition as the 1974 quarter is supposed to (which is copper). This resulted in a lighter than normal color on the obverse and reverse sides of the coin, as well as a lighter weight, but only slightly.

The substance making up the non copper core is unknown but this example of this type of error sold not too long ago for $234! Pretty impressive!

1974 Quarter – Broadstuck Error

One error that occurred in the 1974 quarter is known as a “broadstruck” error.

This happens when a coin is struck without being properly aligned with the dies. It causes the coin to have an uneven shape and it may look like a blob or misshapen circle on one side of the coin or even all the way around. Essentially, the strike happens outside of a coin’s collar, causing it to have a wider diameter than normal.

A 1974 broadstruck error quarter sold at an auction not too long ago for $40.

1974 Quarter – Struck Through a Capped Die Error

This type of error usually occurs when a die is capped with a coin that stuck to it when the coin was struck. When this happens and it goes to strike another coin, it will create an impression in the new planchet that may look as massive as a design smear or as slight as a ghost-like blurry image of the obverse or reverse design. The more the capped die strikes coins, the thinner the cap gets, creating more of a blurry image instead of a smear on the new coin.

An example of a 1974 quarter with this type of error sold recently for $280!

1974 D Quarter – Double Struck, Off Center, and Indent Error

This crazy error coin is a combination of three errors, with it having a double struck error, as well as having an off center strike and an indent from one of the strikes! It is an extremely unique error coin that is one of a kind and very interesting to look at.

This amazing coin recently sold for $450, which is not bad at all!

1974 D Quarter – Double Struck in Collar with Flip Over Error

Another 1974 quarter error that has surfaced in recent years is a double struck in the collar error, combined with a flip over error. This type of error is when a coin is double struck in the collar, but does not have enough space for the strike to fully expand, thus causing it to flip over! Then the strike ends up causing some of the designs to appear on both sides.

This can make for some very interesting coins that have often beautiful combinations of the designs. These types of error coins are highly sought after by collectors.

An example of this type of 1974 quarter sold recently at an auction for $375!

1974 Quarter – Missing Clad Reverse Error

Finally, we have the missing clad reverse error. This type of error happens when a quarter is missing the nickel clad overtop the copper planchet on at least one side – in this case, on the reverse. That means, unlike an average 1974 quarter, it is the normal nickel on the obverse side, but it is copper colored on the reverse because of missing that outer layer.

This type of error is rare, and one such coin sold a few years ago for $100.

1974 Quarter Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we have gone over the values and history of 1974 quarters, let’s look at some frequently asked questions about them.

Is a 1974 Quarter Worth Anything?

Yes, a 1974 quarter can be worth anything from face value to hundreds of dollars, depending on if it is a regular strike, proof, error coin or variety. A normal, “Good” 1974 Washington quarter that is in pristine condition can be worth around twenty five cents, depending on its condition. However, coins with an “Uncirculated” condition will have a higher value as they are more desirable for collectors.

How Do I Know if I Have a Rare Quarter?

If you have a 1974 quarter, there are several things that can tell you if it is rare or not. First, check the obverse and reverse of the coin for any errors such as double strikes, indents, off center strikes, etc. If you find any of these, then you could possibly have a rare error coin.

Second, look carefully at the features of the coin, such as the date, mint mark, condition, and design. If you find any variations in these features then your coin could be a valuable variety. Finally, check to see if your quarter is a Proof coin, as this can greatly increase its value.

How Should I Clean My 1974 Quarter?

Actually, it is generally not recommended to clean coins as it can damage the coin and decrease its value. However, if you do choose to clean your 1974 quarter then use a very mild soap and warm water solution with a soft cloth. This will help to remove any surface dirt or grime without damaging the metal.

But even then, do a lot of research before you clean your quarter because you will ruin your chances of selling it and getting it professionally graded if you clean it the wrong way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 1974 Washington quarter is an important piece of American coinage history that still has value today. With three different varieties – each having its own distinct value depending on its condition and mint mark – the 1974 quarter holds both sentimental and monetary value for collectors around the country.

Those who are lucky enough to come across one of these quarters should do their best to preserve and protect it as it could be worth a whole lot more than just twenty five cents… Even up to hundreds of dollars!

Are you looking for a 1974 quarter dollar coin to add to your collection? We hope this blog post helps you build your knowledge base so you can make smart decisions on which one to acquire. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.