1996 Quarter Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?
Are you hoping to learn more about the 1996 quarter value? You’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we will discuss what makes a 1996 quarter valuable and how you can determine its worth.
We will look at factors such as mintage numbers, condition, special varieties, and more that may affect the value of your coin. We’ll also provide some tips on how to properly grade your coins so that you can sell them at top dollar if you choose. By the end of this post, you should have a better understanding of what makes a 1996 quarter valuable and be able to know its worth with confidence, regardless of whether you are an expert coin collector or a newbie hobbyist just starting out.
So let’s get started!
1996 Quarter Value Chart |
|||||
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | Proof |
| 1996 P Quarter Value | / | / | / | $11 | / |
| 1996 D Quarter Value | / | / | / | $11 | / |
| 1996 S Proof Quarter Value | / | / | / | / | $5.84 |
| 1996 S Silver Proof Quarter Value | / | / | / | / | $13 |
Value by Mint Mark
The 1996 quarter is one of the coins in the Washington quarter series.
The Washington quarter was first made in 1932, designed by John Flanagan, who was the sculptor of Washington’s bust. George Washington was the first president of the United States of America in the 1700s, and this design was initially put on the quarter in order to commemorate his 200th birthday.
It has a picture of George Washington on one side (the obverse) as well as the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” followed by the date. On the reverse side, the majestic bald quarter has an eagle, surrounded by the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and by the denomination of “QUARTER DOLLAR”.
The 1996 quarter is composed of a copper-nickel alloy (91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel), with a diameter of 24.3 millimeters, a thickness of 1.75 millimeters, and a weight of 5.67 grams, which is unchanged from previous years.
The 1996 quarter is worth different amounts depending on its condition and its mint mark. The U.S. Mint produced three different versions of the 1996 quarter: one with a “P” mint mark (Philadelphia Mint), one with a “D” mint mark (Denver Mint), and one with an “S” mint mark (San Francisco Mint).
Let’s learn more about the value of each mint mark, categorized by condition.
1996 P Quarter Value
The first one we will look at is the 1996 P quarter, which was minted in Philadelphia. For a long time, quarters from Philadelphia did not have a mint mark at all – however, they have started to change that, and so you will find a “P” on the 1996 quarter down by Washington’s shoulder in the lower right of the obverse design.
This coin has a mintage of about 925 million and is generally worth only face value, which is of course, twenty five cents. However, if it is in pristine condition (MS65 or higher), then this coin may be worth up to $11.
One with a grade of MS68 (with MS70 being the highest) sold recently for over $400!
1996 D Quarter Value
The 1996 D quarter was minted in Denver, Colorado and has a mintage of about 906 million. This coin is still worth face value at “Good” condition, “Fine” condition, and “Extremely Fine” condition, and only grows in its value if it is in pristine (“Uncirculated”) condition, which as we said is about MS65 or higher. In that case, it may be worth up to $11, just like the 1996 quarters from the Philadelphia Mint.
And just like its Philadelphia counterpart, there was one 1996 D quarter with a grade of MS68 that sold, ironically, for over $400 too (as well as one selling for $300)!
1996 S Proof Quarter Value
The next version we will look at is the 1996 S quarter, which was minted at the San Francisco Mint with a mintage of only about 1.7 million. The reason so few of them were minted here is because they are Proof coins.
Proof coins are specially minted coins that are made to be collected and not circulated, with a very shiny finish, so they often have much lower mintage numbers than general circulation coins.
This is the rarest of all three 1996 quarters mentioned so far, but there are likely several in pristine condition, because they are worth less than the “Uncirculated” coins from Denver and Philadelphia. They have a value of about $5.84, but one with an absolutely perfect grade sold for an impressive $150 at auction.
1996 S Silver Proof Quarter Value
Finally, the 1996 S silver Proof quarter was minted alongside the regular proof quarter at the San Francisco Mint. This coin is made of 90% silver and 10% copper, rather than the usual copper-nickel alloy.
The mintage for this version is even less, making it the most rare of all the 1996 quarters, at 775,021 coins produced in total. With such a low mintage number and such a high silver content, this 1996 quarter has a value of about $13 in pristine condition (or could sell for almost $200 at an auction, like one of these did!).
Of course, if you have an especially rare version of any of these coins or are able to find one in great condition, then your coin could be worth much more than what is listed here.
1996 Quarter Grading
So now that you know what makes a 1996 quarter valuable, let’s talk about how to grade them.
Grading coins is the practice of assessing a coin’s condition, based on certain criteria. A coin’s grade generally can range from “Good” all the way to “Uncirculated”, with each grade having different levels of value associated with it.
The process of grading coins involves examining them closely, looking for signs of wear or damage that could affect their value. In general, a coin in higher condition will have more detail and better luster than one in lower condition.
For example, an “Uncirculated” 1996 quarter should still have crisp details and almost no signs of wear on its surfaces. On the other hand, a “Good” condition 1996 quarter may look duller and show some minor scuffing or discoloration due to handling. Those in between (in “Fine” condition and “Extremely Fine” condition, for example) will show various degrees of wear and handling.
It is important to note that grading coins is both an art and a science, and can be very subjective in some cases. Therefore, it is best to use a professional coin gradings service, such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). They offer expert opinions on the condition of coins and can assign them a concrete grade.
Knowing your coin’s grade can help you understand its value more accurately and get it sold at a potentially higher price tag if you are taking it to auction.
1996 Quarter Error Coin List
Another factor to keep in mind is the potential for errors. Coins can be miscut, double-struck, have an off-center strike, or any other number of oddities that make them stand out from the rest. This is a mint error, meaning that the error occurred during the production of the coin at the US Mint location.
Error coins are usually worth much more than their regular counterparts due to their rarity and the fact that they often have a story behind them. Of course, the condition of the coin and the level of rarity for the error does play into a 1996 quarter’s value as well.
1996 P Quarter – Die Crack Error
Another example of an error coin is the 1996 P quarter with a die crack. This means that there was a defect in the die used to strike the coin, resulting in a line on the coin’s surface that resembles a crack. This error coin sold for $10 on eBay.
1996 P Quarter – Double Struck Error
One example of an error coin is a double-struck 1996 quarter. This means that the coin was struck twice unintentionally, leading to it having two layers of images on one or both sides. One of these error coins surfaced for the 1996 quarter, with the doubled images on both sides, with the second image off center.
This particular error coin from 1996 sold on eBay for a whopping $800! The value of these errors really just depends on the condition and rarity, as well as buyer interest.
1996 P Quarter – Off Center Strike Error
A third example of an error coin is the 1996 P quarter with an off-center strike. This means that the coin was struck with some of its design elements outside of the normal area on the coin’s face, resulting in a slightly off-center look with some of the planchet blank showing on one side.
These are fun errors, and this specific coin sold for $20 not too long ago.
1996 Quarter Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we have covered the basics of 1996 quarters and their values, let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions about them.
Do All 1996 Quarters have Errors?
No, not all 1996 quarters will have errors. Most coins produced during this time were made without any mistakes or issues. However, there are rare instances where a coin may have been affected by an error during production and thus be worth much more than its regular counterpart.
Some examples of errors that can occur on 1996 quarters include double-struck coins, die cracks, off-center strikes, and other oddities.
Are All 1996 Quarters Worth Something?
No, not all 1996 quarters are worth something. While many of them will be valued around face value or close to it, some may be worth more depending on their condition and any errors they may have.
It is important to note that the value of a 1996 quarter can greatly depend on its grade. Professional coin grading services such as PCGS and NGC will be able to assign a grade to the coin and give you a better understanding of its worth. Error coins from this era can be quite valuable depending on the error and condition, so it is important to do your research before selling any coins.
Is it Possible to Find a Silver 1996 Quarter?
Yes, it is possible! The San Francisco Mint produced 775 thousand silver Proof coins in 90% silver for collectors in 1996. These coins can still be found today and are worth quite a bit more due to their higher silver content. They would be worth even more if they are considered to be a very high grade.
What is the Best Way to Grade a 1996 Quarter?
The best way to grade a 1996 quarter is to have it professionally graded by an experienced coin expert. As mentioned above, organizations like PCGS and NGC offer services where they will provide an official grade for your coin, helping you understand its true value more accurately. However, it does cost money, so make sure to factor that into your budget.
Another way to grade a 1996 quarter is by looking at the coin’s condition yourself. It is important to look closely at the design elements, rim, and surfaces of the coin for any signs of damage or wear. This can give you a general idea, but it is not as accurate unless you are a professional.
Should I Clean my 1996 Quarter Before Getting it Graded?
No, it is not recommended to clean your 1996 quarter before getting it graded. Cleaning coins can actually damage them and make their value go down. We highly recommend that you leave the coin as-is and take it in for professional grading.
Conclusion
The 1996 Washington quarter is a great example of US coinage from the mid-1990s. It features George Washington on one side and though it has a high mintage number, it is a good coin for beginners especially, who are wanting to jump into the coin collecting game.
As always, be sure to look up the latest prices before buying or selling any coins, and use a professional coin grading service to make sure you are getting the most accurate information available. And for those interested in collecting these coins – good luck and have fun!
Are you looking for a 1996 quarter to add to your collection? Let us know about it in the comments below! Maybe someone can hook you up with one.
