1962 Washington Silver Quarter
One 1962 Washington quarter sold for $26,400 at Heritage Auctions — graded PCGS MS-67+ with rainbow toning. Most circulated examples are worth $9–$13 for their silver content alone. The difference? Condition, mint mark, and knowing the right error varieties. Use the free tools below to find out exactly where yours falls.
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AI-Style Analysis
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Use the Free Calculator →Signature Variety Identifier
The Doubled Die Obverse (DDO FS-101, PCGS #517993) is the most sought-after 1962 quarter variety. Use this tool to determine if your coin might be one.
Washington's eye appears as a single, sharp, well-defined line. The lettering LIBERTY shows crisp, clean edges with no secondary images. Under a 10× loupe, each letter has one clean border.
Washington's eye and ear show a visible ghost or shadow offset slightly from the primary design. LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST lettering may appear doubled or notched. The effect is consistent across all coins struck from this die.
Quick Reference
Values below reflect current market ranges based on PCGS auction data and dealer pricing. For a full illustrated step-by-step 1962 Washington quarter identification breakdown, check that dedicated resource alongside this chart. Circulated coins always carry at least the silver melt floor.
| Variety / Issue | Worn (G–F) | Circulated (XF–AU) | Uncirculated (MS-60–65) | Gem (MS-66+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962-P (Philadelphia) | $9–$11 | $11–$14 | $14–$40 | $38–$5,040+ |
| 1962-D (Denver) | $9–$11 | $11–$14 | $14–$32 | $49–$18,400+ |
| 1962 Proof (Standard) | — | — | $12–$25 | $25–$35 |
| 1962 Proof Cameo | — | — | $13–$35 | $35–$80 |
| 1962 Proof Deep Cameo | — | — | $16–$100 | $100–$765+ |
| 🌟 DDO FS-101 (Philadelphia) | $50–$100 | $100–$200 | $200–$365 | $365–$3,290+ |
| Type B Reverse FS-901 | $10–$22 | $22–$45 | $45–$150 | $150–$568+ |
| 🔴 1962-D/D RPM FS-501 | $20–$50 | $60–$100 | $120–$200 | $200–$495+ |
| Off-Center Strike | $20–$50 | $50–$150 | $150–$300+ | $300+ |
| Clipped Planchet | $50–$100 | $100–$150 | $150–$300+ | $300+ |
🌟 = DDO FS-101 signature variety | 🔴 = Rarest regular variety (1962-D MS-67 condition rarity)
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Deep Dive
The 1962 Washington quarter was produced during the final years of U.S. 90% silver coinage, and mint production pressures created several notable error varieties. Each card below covers what makes the error real, how to spot it, and what the market currently pays. Variety attribution references CONECA numbering and PCGS catalog designations throughout.
The DDO FS-101 occurred during the hub-to-die transfer process when the working die received a second hub impression at a slightly different rotational angle. This is a true doubled die — not a mechanical or machine doubling — meaning every coin struck from that die carries the same diagnostic doubling, making the variety consistently attributable and collectible.
Under a 10× loupe, the doubling is most visible on Washington's eye and ear, and on the obverse lettering of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. The secondary impression is offset, not simply a flat shelf or smear — this distinction separates the FS-101 from ordinary strike doubling, which has no collector premium.
Collectors prize this variety because it carries PCGS catalog designation #517993 and CONECA attribution FS-101, making authentication straightforward. Circulated examples sell in the $50–$200 range, gem uncirculated coins at MS-65 have sold between $362 and $445 at GreatCollections, and the record PCGS MS-66+ example realized $3,290 at Heritage Auctions in July 2016.
The Type B Reverse (FS-901) is a die variety arising from the use of a reverse hub die where the spacing between the letters "E" and "S" in UNITED STATES is measurably wider than on the standard Type 1 business-strike die. This wider-spaced reverse was the normal design used for proof coinage, but on a handful of occasions the mint fed proof-type dies into the business-strike production run when regular dies ran short.
To identify the Type B Reverse, examine the word STATES on the eagle reverse under a loupe. On the Type 1 standard die, the E and S nearly touch; on the Type B die, there is a visible gap between the two letters. The distinction is subtle but consistent across all coins struck from the FS-901 die and is the same feature used to distinguish proof reverses from business-strike reverses in adjacent years.
This variety is catalogued at PCGS as #146070 and is a genuinely collectible attribution with an active secondary market. GreatCollections has sold 56+ examples over 15 years, with prices from $10 to $568 depending on grade and eye appeal. MS-66 examples have sold for around $348 at GreatCollections, and Greysheet CPG values range from $80 to $405 in mint state grades.
The RPM FS-501 is a die variety unique to the Denver mint where the hand-punched "D" mint mark was applied twice to the working die at slightly different positions. Prior to 1990, mint marks were physically punched into working dies after they received their design hub impression — a manual process that occasionally resulted in a second punch that didn't perfectly align with the first, leaving a secondary "D" impression partially visible around the primary mark.
To identify the FS-501, examine the D mint mark on the reverse under a 10× loupe. A second, partial D will be visible as a "shadow" displaced slightly below, north, or to one side of the primary D. The displacement is small but consistent on all coins struck from this die — it will not appear as a random scratch or die chip. The secondary D shows the same serifs and stroke weight as the primary mark.
This variety is the condition rarity within the 1962-D series. Despite the massive 127.5 million mintage, the 1962-D is one of numismatics' great condition rarities at the MS-67 level — only two coins have been graded PCGS MS-67, one of which sold for $18,400 in 2012. The RPM FS-501 adds an additional premium in any grade; an MS-65 example documented on eBay in August 2021 sold for $495, establishing a concrete market benchmark confirmed by multiple price guide sources.
An off-center strike occurs when the planchet is not properly centered between the obverse and reverse dies at the moment of striking. The force of the press drives the design into only part of the planchet, leaving a blank crescent of unstruck silver on the opposite side. The further off-center the strike, the more dramatic the visual impact and the higher the collector premium.
When assessing an off-center strike, the most important factor is whether the full date remains visible. Coins struck 5–10% off center are common and command only a modest premium — the design is barely shifted. The sweet spot for collectors is 40–70% off-center with the date fully visible, creating a visually dramatic coin that can still be attributed to the 1962 date and Philadelphia or Denver mint. Strikes over 70% off-center that lose the date lose much of their attributable value.
Moderate off-center examples (20–40% off-center) with visible date trade for $50–$150 depending on condition and eye appeal. Dramatic 40–70% off-center examples with full date visible in circulated condition bring $150–$300+, and gem uncirculated off-center strikes can exceed $300 significantly. The 90% silver content of these planchets also guarantees a floor well above face value even for the most modest off-center examples.
A clipped planchet error originates before any die contact occurs. During planchet production, a metal strip is fed through a punch press that blanks out circular coin discs. If the strip is fed incorrectly or the press punches too close to a previously punched hole, the resulting blank has a curved section missing from its edge — this is a curved clip, the most common type on 1962 quarters. Straight clips occur when the punch hits near the end of the strip.
The curved clip creates a smooth, concave arc missing from the coin's normal circular perimeter. This area shows no reeding — the edge is smooth and plain where the normal reeded edge would be. The Blakesley Effect, a diagnostic tool for genuine clip attribution, predicts that the design directly opposite the clip will show weakness or incomplete detail due to the missing metal not providing proper die pressure during the strike. Confirming the Blakesley Effect strongly supports a genuine clip attribution versus a damaged edge.
The size and location of the clip determines value. Circulated clipped planchet quarters trade for $50–$100 depending on clip size and visual appeal. Uncirculated examples with significant curves — representing 10–15% or more of the planchet — command $300+ based on the dramatic combination of error severity and preserved silver surfaces. The silver composition means even heavily worn clipped examples have bullion value well above face.
Run it through the calculator above to get a value estimate based on your specific mint mark, condition, and error combination.
Calculate My Coin's Value →Production Records
| Issue | Mint | Mintage | Strike Type | Condition Rarity Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962-P | Philadelphia (no mint mark) | 36,156,000 | Business strike | Common through MS-65; MS-67 and MS-67+ are condition rarities. Top MS-67+ sold for $26,400 (Heritage, 2019). |
| 1962-D | Denver (D) | 127,554,756 | Business strike | Paradoxical rarity: massive mintage but only 2 known PCGS MS-67 coins. MS-67 sold for $18,400 (Heritage, 2012). |
| 1962 Proof | Philadelphia (no mint mark) | 3,218,019 | Proof | Common in PR-65–PR-67; Deep Cameo (DCAM) in PR-69 has sold for $312–$764 at Heritage. |
| Total | — | 166,928,775 | — | Three issues; silver composition throughout |
Grading Reference
Heavy wear across all high points. Washington's hair curls are flat and merged. The cheek and neck are smooth. Rim letters may be fused. Design is recognizable but flat. Worth primarily for 90% silver melt value.
Slight to moderate wear on Washington's cheek and the highest hair strands. Eagle breast shows wear on the feather tips. Most detail remains sharp. At AU, only a trace of luster remains in the protected recesses.
No wear present, but contact marks, bag marks, and handling marks vary by grade. MS-60–62: numerous marks, dull luster. MS-63–64: moderate marks, decent luster. MS-65 Gem: minor marks only, full bright luster, sharp strike throughout.
Exceptional preservation. MS-66: nearly mark-free with vibrant luster. MS-67: essentially perfect surfaces, sharp strike, original brilliant or toned luster. MS-67+ Philadelphia: extreme rarity (top sale $26,400). MS-67 Denver: only 2 PCGS-certified examples.
🔍 CoinKnow helps you match your coin's surface details and luster against graded examples to better estimate condition before submitting for professional grading — a coin identifier and value app.
Selling Guide
The right marketplace depends on your coin's grade and rarity. High-grade and error coins need specialist buyers; circulated silver can move anywhere quickly.
The premier venue for exceptional examples — MS-67, MS-67+, and top-grade error coins. Heritage realized $26,400 for a 1962-P MS-67+ and $18,400 for a 1962-D MS-67. Best for coins potentially worth $500 or more. Fees apply (typically 15–20% buyer's premium) but auction competition pushes prices to true market levels.
The most liquid market for MS-60–66 coins, error varieties, and silver bullion-level examples. Browse recently sold prices for 1962 Washington quarter listings before you price your coin. Sold listings reveal real-world comps — not asking prices. Certified PCGS/NGC coins sell faster and command premiums over raw examples at every grade level.
Ideal for circulated silver and ungraded examples where shipping risk isn't worth it. Expect 10–20% below retail since dealers need margin. Bring multiple quotes — prices vary widely between dealers. A coin shop works best for bulk silver (worn 1962 quarters at melt) or when you need fast cash without shipping and auction wait times.
Strong community for mid-range coins ($20–$200) where collector-to-collector deals happen without auction fees. The r/Coins4Sale and r/CoinSales subreddits attract knowledgeable buyers who appreciate varieties like the DDO FS-101 and RPM FS-501. Best for coins where you know what you have and want to reach someone who does too.
Any 1962 quarter you suspect grades MS-66 or higher, or any coin showing the DDO FS-101, Type B Reverse, or RPM FS-501, is worth submitting to PCGS or NGC before selling. Certification fees run $20–$40 per coin depending on service tier. The premium a certified coin commands over a raw example almost always exceeds that cost — and buyers pay more when authenticity is guaranteed.
Answers
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