1968 Washington Quarter Value (No Mint Mark): Price Guide
The 1968 Washington Quarter with no mint mark is worth anywhere from its face value of $0.25 in circulated condition to over $1,500 for rare, high-grade specimens. While most of these coins found in pocket change are common, certain strike qualities and errors can make them surprisingly valuable to collectors today.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Good to About Uncirculated) | $0.25 – $1.00 |
| Uncirculated (MS60 – MS63) | $2.00 – $10.00 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS65+) | $25.00 – $150.00 |
| Superb Gem (MS67+) | $500.00 – $1,500+ |
Understanding the 1968 Quarter With No Mint Mark
If you have a 1968 quarter and can’t find a small letter near the eagle’s tail or next to Washington’s ponytail, don’t worry—it’s not a mistake. Coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint during this era did not feature a mint mark. Identifying your coin correctly is the first step toward determining if you have a common spender or a treasure. You can use a free coin identifier app to quickly confirm the origin and variety of your find before heading to a dealer.
During 1968, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 220 million Washington quarters. Because the mintage was so high, the vast majority of these coins were put directly into circulation. Over the decades, they have been worn down by millions of transactions.
For the everyday American, a “No Mint Mark” 1968 quarter found in a jar of change is likely worth exactly 25 cents. However, the story changes if the coin looks like it just came off the press. Serious collectors pay a premium for “Mint State” coins that have preserved their original luster and crisp details.
Using the CoinKnow app can help you distinguish between a heavily used coin and one that might be worth sending in for professional grading. The app’s visual recognition technology is perfect for spotting the subtle differences in surface wear that dictate market prices.
Grading and the 1968 Washington Quarter Value
The value of any vintage coin is almost entirely dependent on its grade. In the world of numismatics, we use a 70-point scale. A grade of 1 represents a coin so worn you can barely see the design, while 70 represents a perfect coin. For the 1968 Philadelphia quarter, the “jump” in value happens once you cross into the Mint State (MS) categories.
Most coins you find will be in “Circulated” condition. These might have scratches, dull gray surfaces, or smoothed-out details on Washington’s hair. These are generally worth face value. “Uncirculated” coins, however, have never been used in commerce. They still have the “cartwheel” luster that reflects light in a circular motion.
To see how these grades affect the market, you can check the 1968 Washington Quarter MS values which highlight how a single point increase in grade can double or triple the price.
| MS Grade | Market Price (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| MS63 | $5 – $8 |
| MS65 | $25 – $40 |
| MS66 | $80 – $120 |
| MS67 | $450 – $650 |
| MS68 | $1,500+ |
Silver vs. Clad: Is the 1968 Quarter Silver?
One of the most common questions people ask about old quarters is whether they contain silver. Unfortunately for those hoping for a silver windfall, the United States stopped making circulating silver quarters in 1964. The 1968 Washington Quarter is a “clad” coin, meaning it is made of a core of pure copper sandwiched between layers of cupro-nickel (75% copper and 25% nickel).
You can easily tell if your coin is clad by looking at the edge. If you see a distinct copper-colored stripe running along the side of the coin, it is the standard clad version. If the edge is solid silver/white, it might be a silver proof or a rare error, but for 1968, Philadelphia only produced clad business strikes.
Despite lacking silver content, these coins are historically significant as they represent the early years of the “sandwich coin” era. Collectors often seek out “Gem” quality clad quarters for their sets. To get a better idea of the rarity of different years, you can review this detailed 1968 quarter wealth of information which breaks down mintage figures and historical auction results.
Keep in mind that while a 1964 silver quarter is worth at least $4-$5 just for its metal, a 1968 quarter relies entirely on its condition and collector demand for its value. CoinKnow is a great tool for tracking these shifting market demands in real-time.
Rare 1968 Quarter Errors to Look For
If your 1968 quarter isn’t in perfect condition, don’t toss it back just yet! Mint errors can turn an ordinary 25-cent piece into a valuable item worth hundreds of dollars. Errors occur when something goes wrong during the striking process at the Philadelphia Mint.
One common error is the “Double Die.” This happens when the hub strikes the die twice at slightly different angles, creating a doubled appearance on the letters or numbers. Look closely at the “1968” or the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” using a magnifying glass.
Another valuable mistake is the “Off-Center Strike.” This occurs when the coin blank (planchet) isn’t centered correctly in the press. If your quarter is missing part of the design and has a crescent-shaped blank area, it could be worth between $20 and $100 depending on how much of the date is still visible.
| Error Type | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Die Crack | Raised lines caused by a breaking die. | $5 – $20 |
| Off-Center (10-20%) | Design is shifted to one side. | $25 – $50 |
| Wrong Planchet | Struck on a penny or dime blank. | $200+ |
Why the ‘No Mint Mark’ 1968 Quarter is Unique
To many new hobbyists, the absence of a mint mark suggests a rarity, but in 1968, the lack of a mark simply indicated the Philadelphia Mint. Interestingly, from 1965 to 1967, the U.S. Mint actually removed all mint marks from all coins to discourage collecting during a coin shortage. 1968 was the first year they were brought back—but only for the Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) mints.
The Philadelphia Mint continued its tradition of not using a mint mark on quarters until 1980, when the “P” mark was finally added. This makes the 1968 “No Mint Mark” quarter a survivor of a transitional era in American coinage history.
When you use CoinKnow, you can catalog your collection and realize just how many different “No Mint Mark” coins you might have. It’s a great way to organize your coins by year and minting facility, ensuring you never misidentify a common Philadelphia strike for something else.
Because so many of these coins were made, finding one in an original mint set is the best way to ensure high value. If you find a 1968 quarter in a plastic “Mint Set” envelope, do not take it out! The natural oils from your fingers can degrade the surface and lower the grade from an MS67 to an MS63 instantly.
Where to Sell Your 1968 Washington Quarter
If you believe you have a high-grade 1968 quarter or a significant error, you have several options for selling. For common uncirculated coins worth $5 to $10, local coin shops or eBay are your best bets. These venues allow for quick sales without the high fees associated with major auction houses.
However, if you have a coin that looks perfect—meaning no visible scratches even under a 10x magnifying glass—you should consider getting it professionally graded by services like PCGS or NGC. A 1968 quarter graded at MS67 or higher is a rarity that collectors will fight over at major auctions like Heritage Auctions or GreatCollections.
Before spending money on grading fees (which can be $20-$50 per coin), always do your homework. Use apps and online pricing guides to compare your coin to known high-value examples. Remember, the difference between a 25-cent coin and a $1,000 coin is often a few microscopic marks that only an expert or a high-quality scanner can see.
FAQ
Q: Why doesn’t my 1968 quarter have a mint mark?
A: In 1968, quarters struck at the Philadelphia Mint did not feature a mint mark. This was standard practice for Philadelphia-struck coins (except for the mid-war nickels) until 1980.
Q: Is there a 1968 silver quarter?
A: No, there are no silver quarters intended for circulation dated 1968. All 1968-P and 1968-D quarters are clad (copper-nickel). The only 1968 quarters with silver are special 40% silver proofs if they were experimental, but these are not found in general circulation.
Q: What is the most expensive 1968 quarter ever sold?
A: The record for a 1968 Washington quarter is over $2,000 for a specimen graded MS68 by PCGS. Coins in this condition are vibrantly lustrous and completely free of “bag marks” or scratches.
Q: How can I tell if my 1968 quarter is an error coin?
A: Look for anomalies like doubling of the letters, portions of the design being cut off, or the coin being a different size/color than a normal quarter. Using a magnifying glass or a coin-specific app can help identify these features.
