1964 Washington Quarter Value No Mint Mark: Worth Money?
The 1964 Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $5 in worn condition to over $15,000 for rare high-grade specimens. This specific year is legendary among collectors because it represents the final year the United States Mint used 90% silver for circulating quarters, making every single one intrinsically valuable today.
| Condition/Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average) | $5.00 – $6.50 |
| About Uncirculated (AU50) | $7.00 – $9.00 |
| Mint State (MS63) | $12.00 – $15.00 |
| High Grade (MS67+) | $500+ |
Why the 1964 Quarter with No Mint Mark is Special
If you just found a shiny silver quarter in your change or an old jar, the first thing to check is the date. Finding a 1964 Washington Quarter is like finding a small treasure. In 1965, the U.S. Mint switched to “clad” compositions made of copper and nickel. This makes 1964 the “last of the silver liners.”
When you see a coin with no mint mark, it means it was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Because Philadelphia was the main minting facility, it produced hundreds of millions of these coins. However, because they are 90% silver, they are always worth more than their 25-cent face value. Even if the coin is scratched, flattened, or dirty, its metal content remains valuable.
Using a free coin identifier app can help you confirm the strike type and silver content. Many beginners use CoinKnow to get an instant reading on whether their quarter is truly silver or just a later clad version that looks worn. The “No Mint Mark” variety is the most common, but in high grades, it becomes a serious collector’s item.
Determining the 1964 Silver Quarter Value
The primary driver of the 1964 Washington quarter value is the spot price of silver. Each of these quarters contains about 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. When silver prices rise, the baseline “melt value” of your quarter goes up. As of current markets, the silver alone makes this coin worth roughly 20 times its original face value.
However, collectors look beyond just the metal. They care about the “grade,” which is a measure of how much wear the coin has. A coin that looks like it just came off the printing press is called “Mint State.” These are the coins that fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars at auction.
To get an accurate estimate, you should consult a comprehensive price guide for 1964 quarters. While most found in pocket change are “circulated,” some have been tucked away in rolls for decades, preserving their original luster and detail.
| Silver Price per Ounce | Approximate Melt Value |
|---|---|
| $20.00 | $3.62 |
| $25.00 | $4.52 |
| $30.00 | $5.42 |
Identifying 1964 Quarter Errors and Varieties
While the standard 1964 Philadelphia quarter is common, professional hunters look for errors that can skyrocket the price. One of the most famous is the “Double Die Reverse” (DDR). On these coins, the lettering on the back—specifically the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “QUARTER DOLLAR”—will look blurry or doubled.
Another rare variety is the “Type B Reverse.” This occurs when a proof die (intended for collector-only mirror-finish coins) was accidentally used for regular production coins. You can spot this by looking at the gap between the ‘E’ and ‘R’ in “QUARTER.” If the gap is distinct and the leaf touches the arrow tips, you might have a winner.
If you suspect you have an error, CoinKnow can be a great tool to compare your coin’s image against known error databases. Examining the historical sales data for 1964 silver quarters shows that error coins often sell for $50 to $200, even in average condition.
The Importance of Grading Your 1964 Quarter
Grading is the process of determining a coin’s condition on a scale from 1 to 70. For a 1964 no mint mark quarter, the difference between a grade of MS65 and MS67 can be thousands of dollars. An MS65 might sell for $30, while an MS67 could break the $1,000 mark.
Collectors look for “eye appeal,” which includes the absence of scratches (bag marks) and the presence of “toning” (natural coloration that happens over time). Rainbow toning can sometimes add a premium to the value, as some collectors find these colorful coins more attractive.
Most people don’t need to get their coins professionally graded by services like PCGS or NGC unless they believe the coin is in near-perfect condition. For the average person, using the CoinKnow app provides a “digital grade” that helps you decide if a coin is worth the expensive fees of professional certification.
| Grade Designation | Visual Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Good (G4) | Heavily worn; rims flat; date legible. |
| Very Fine (VF20) | Hairlines show some detail; most feathers visible. |
| Uncirculated (MS60) | No wear; original mint luster; some marks. |
| Gems (MS65+) | Nearly perfect; very few visible marks. |
Where to Sell Your 1964 No Mint Mark Quarters
Once you’ve identified that your 1964 quarter has value, your next step is deciding where to sell it. If you have a large “junk silver” collection (worn coins valued for metal), a local coin shop or a precious metals dealer is your best bet. They usually pay a percentage of the silver spot price.
For high-grade coins or those with rare errors, online marketplaces like eBay or specialized auction houses like Heritage Auctions are better. These platforms allow you to reach serious collectors who are willing to pay a premium for a specific grade. Always take high-quality photos and describe the coin accurately.
Always remember that selling individual coins takes more time but yields more money. If you are in a rush, a “coin dump” to a dealer is fast, but you might lose 10-20% of the potential value. Researching recent sold listings will give you the most realistic expectation of what a buyer will pay today.
How to Store and Protect Your Silver Quarters
Since the 1964 Washington quarter is 90% silver, it is susceptible to tarnishing and physical damage. Silver is a soft metal, meaning it scratches easily. If you find a high-quality 1964 quarter, do not clean it! Cleaning a coin with chemicals or cloths ruins its numismatic value and can turn a $100 coin into a $5 coin instantly.
Store your coins in a cool, dry place. Using PVC-free plastic coin flips or “slabs” is the best way to prevent the metal from reacting with the air. For bulk silver quarters, canvas bags or plastic tubes are acceptable since the coins are mostly valued for their weight.
If you have a large collection, keeping an inventory on an app like CoinKnow helps you track the total value of your investment as silver prices fluctuate. This is especially helpful for insurance purposes or for heirs who might not know the value of what they’ve inherited.
FAQ
Q: Why does my 1964 quarter not have a mint mark?
A: This means the coin was minted in Philadelphia. At that time, the Philadelphia Mint did not use a “P” mint mark on quarters. It is a perfectly normal and very common variety.
Q: Is a 1964 quarter rare?
A: In average condition, no. Over 1.2 billion were minted across Philadelphia and Denver. However, “rare” versions include high-grade MS67 specimens and specific doubling errors.
Q: How can I tell if my 1964 quarter is real silver?
A: You can check the edge of the coin. If you see a solid silver-colored edge, it is likely 90% silver. If you see a copper/brown stripe, it is a clad coin from a later year (or a rare 1965 silver error). You can also perform a “ping test” or use a digital scale—silver quarters weigh 6.25 grams, while clad ones weigh 5.67 grams.
Q: What is the most expensive 1964 quarter ever sold?
A: A 1964 Washington Quarter graded MS67+ by PCGS sold for over $38,000 at auction. These prices are only reached by coins in virtually perfect condition with exceptional visual appeal.
