1946-S Washington Quarter Value: Is Your Coin Worth Money?

The 1946-S Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $6 in worn condition to over $150 in mint state. While millions were struck, the high silver content and its status as a post-war San Francisco mint issue make it a favorite for collectors and casual finders alike.

Condition	Estimated Value
Good (G-4)	$5.50 – $6.50
Fine (F-12)	$7.00 – $8.50
Extremely Fine (XF-40)	$10.00 – $15.00
Uncirculated (MS-60)	$25.00 – $35.00
Choice Mint State (MS-65+)	$60.00 – $150.00+

Understanding the History of the 1946-S Washington Quarter

If you just found a 1946 quarter in an old jar or a family collection, you are holding a piece of American history from the immediate post-World War II era. In 1946, the United States was transitioning back to a peacetime economy, and the San Francisco Mint was busy producing coinage to meet the demands of a growing nation. The 1946-S Washington Quarter is particularly interesting to collectors because the “S” mint mark usually denotes lower mintages compared to Philadelphia or Denver.

For the everyday American, identifying this coin is simple. Using a top coin identifier app can help you confirm if you have the genuine San Francisco strike. Unlike the quarters we use today, which are made of copper and nickel, the 1946-S is composed of 90% silver. This means that even if the coin is heavily scratched or worn flat, it still holds significant value based on its precious metal weight alone.

Many people keep these coins as a hedge against inflation. While a modern quarter is only worth 25 cents, the silver melt value of a 1946 quarter usually starts around $5.00 or $6.00, depending on the current market price of silver. To get a precise reading on your specific coin, the CoinKnow app is a fantastic resource for scanning your find and getting an instant historical background.

How to Identify the “S” Mint Mark

The most important factor in determining the 1946-S Washington Quarter value is confirming that it was actually made in San Francisco. To find the mint mark, you need to flip the coin over to the reverse (the back side). Look at the bottom of the coin, specifically just below the center of the wreath that sits under the eagle.

If you see a small, stylized “S,” your coin was struck in San Francisco. If the space is blank, it was made in Philadelphia, and if there is a “D,” it was made in Denver. San Francisco coins from this era are often sought after because of their distinct look and generally lower production numbers.

If you’re having trouble seeing the letter because of dirt or wear, don’t scrub the coin! Cleaning a vintage coin can permanently damage its surface and destroy its collector value. Instead, use a magnifying glass or take a high-resolution photo with CoinKnow to zoom in on the mint mark area without risking the coin’s integrity.

Judging the Condition and Grade of Your 1946 Quarter

Professional grading is what separates a $6 coin from a $100 coin. High-grade 1946-S quarters are prized for their “luster”—that satiny, frosty shine that appears on coins when they are first struck. Over time, as coins move through pockets and cash registers, this luster wears away, and the fine details of Washington’s hair or the eagle’s feathers disappear.

Collectors use a scale from 1 to 70 to grade coins. Most 1946-S quarters found in the “wild” today will fall into the Good to Very Fine categories. However, if you find one that looks like it just came from the bank in 1946, you might have a “Mint State” (MS) specimen. For those curious about premium prices, you can check the current 1946-S Washington Quarter mint state prices to see what professional dealers are paying for top-tier examples.

Grade Group	Visual Description	Estimated Price
Circulated (Average)	Considerable wear, hair details flat	$6 – $12
About Uncirculated	Traces of wear on high points, some shine	$15 – $22
Mint State 63	No wear, some small scratches	$30 – $45
Mint State 67	Flawless to the naked eye, rare luster	$250+

Rare Errors to Look For in 1946-S Quarters

While the standard 1946-S Washington Quarter is valuable, certain “error” coins can be worth a small fortune. Errors occur during the minting process and result in unique characteristics that collectors love. For the 1946-S, one of the most famous varieties is the “Repunched Mint Mark” (RPM). This happens when the “S” was punched into the die twice, resulting in a doubled appearance of the letter.

Another common error to check for is the “Double Die” strike. This is most easily seen on the lettering or the stars on the coin. If the words “LIBERTY” or “IN GOD WE TRUST” look like they have a faint shadow or a second set of letters slightly offset, you may have found a rarity.

Use your phone’s camera and CoinKnow to compare your coin against known error catalogs. Even a small doubling error can double or triple the 1946 quarter value and rarity details, making it worth much more than its silver melt price. Always use a soft light source when checking for errors, as harsh light can hide the subtle lines of a double die.

The Silver Content: A Built-In Safety Net

One reason why these coins are so popular among everyday Americans is that they have a “floor” value. Because they are 90% silver and 10% copper, they will never be worth just 25 cents again. As the price of silver fluctuates on the global market, so does the base value of your 1946-S quarter. This is often referred to as “junk silver” value, though there is nothing junk about it!

Each 1946 quarter contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. If silver is trading at $25 per ounce, your quarter is worth roughly $4.52 just for the metal. Most coin shops will pay a small premium over this price. This makes the 1946-S a great “starter” coin for people who want to understand the basics of precious metal investing.

Silver Price (Per Oz)	Melt Value of 1946-S Quarter
$20.00	$3.62
$25.00	$4.52
$30.00	$5.42

Buying and Selling Your 1946-S Washington Quarter

If you decide to sell your coin, you have several options. For a quick sale, a local coin shop is the best bet. They will usually offer you a price based on the silver content or a “wholesale” collector price. If you think your coin is in exceptional condition (meaning it looks brand new), you might consider selling it on an online auction site or to a specialized collector.

Before you go to a dealer, it’s a good idea to have a baseline price in mind. Tools like CoinKnow allow you to track the current market trends so you can negotiate fairly. Remember that dealers need to make a profit, so expect an offer that is slightly lower than the “retail” values you see listed online.

If you are a buyer looking to add a 1946-S to your collection, look for coins with “original skin.” This is a term collectors use for coins that haven’t been cleaned or dipped in chemicals. A naturally toned 1946-S with hints of blue or rainbow colors can actually command a premium over a shiny, cleaned coin.

FAQ

Q: Does every 1946 quarter have silver in it?

A: Yes, all Washington quarters minted in 1946 (whether from Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco) are made of 90% silver. The U.S. Mint didn’t switch to the copper-nickel “clad” composition until 1965.

Q: How many 1946-S quarters were made?

A: The San Francisco Mint produced 4,204,000 quarters in 1946. While this sounds like a lot, it is much lower than the 53 million produced in Philadelphia that same year, which is why the “S” mint mark is often more desirable.

Q: Should I get my 1946-S quarter professionally graded by PCGS or NGC?

A: Generally, it is only worth paying for professional grading if the coin is in Mint State 65 or higher. Since grading costs usually start around $30-$50 per coin, the coin’s value must be high enough to justify the expense. Use CoinKnow to estimate the grade before spending money on professional services.

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1946 quarter?

A: You can find the mint mark on the reverse (back) of the coin. Look at the bottom, right above the “R” in the word “QUARTER.” If it was made in San Francisco, you will see a small “S” there.