1940-S Washington Quarter Value Guide

The 1940-S Washington Quarter is a prized silver coin featuring John Flanagan's iconic design, originally created to honor George Washington's 200th birthday. With a relatively low mintage of just 8.2 million pieces from the San Francisco Mint, it represents a significant era in pre-war American numismatics.

What affects the value of 1940-S Washington Quarter?

• The presence of 'Full Breast Feathers' on the eagle's chest significantly increases the value for high-grade specimens.
• Overall surface preservation, specifically the absence of contact marks or 'bag marks' on Washington's cheek.
• The intensity of the original mint luster, which can range from dull grey to a brilliant cartwheel effect.
• Current market spot prices for silver, as the coin contains 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver.

How to Identify 1940-S Washington Quarter?

• Locate the 'S' mint mark on the reverse side, positioned directly below the center of the eagle's wreath.
• Verify the 90% silver composition, which gives the coin a distinct metallic ring and a bright white luster compared to modern clad versions.
• Check for the designer's initials 'JF' at the base of Washington's neck on the obverse.
• Examine the date '1940' for sharp, clear digits, ensuring no signs of alteration or heavy smoothing.

History of 1940-S Washington Quarter

Designed by John Flanagan to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth, the Washington Quarter replaced the Standing Liberty design in 1932. The 1940-S issue was struck at the San Francisco Mint during a period when production numbers were significantly lower than the modern era, with only 8.2 million coins produced that year.