1947-D Washington Quarter Value: Price Guide for Collectors

The 1947-D Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $6 in worn condition to over $1,500 in high-grade mint state. Most examples found in pocket change or old jars are valued primarily for their silver content, making them a great find for any casual collector hoping to turn metal into cash.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
Circulated (Good to About Uncirculated)	$6.00 – $12.00
Uncirculated (MS60 – MS63)	$15.00 – $30.00
Choice Uncirculated (MS65+)	$50.00 – $200.00+
Rare High Grade (MS67+)	$500.00 – $1,500.00+

Understanding the 1947-D Washington Quarter and Its Silver Content

If you’ve recently inherited a coin collection or found a silver-colored quarter dated 1947 with a small “D” on the back, you are holding a piece of American history. Before deciding whether to sell it or keep it, you should use a top coin identifier app to confirm its authenticity. This specific coin was struck at the Denver Mint during a time when the United States still used 90% silver for its circulating denominations.

The Washington Quarter series, which began in 1932 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth, is a favorite among hobbyists. The 1947-D is particularly interesting because the Denver Mint produced a significant number of these coins—over 15 million, to be exact. While this sounds like a lot, many were melted down over the decades as silver prices rose. Using an app like CoinKnow can help you determine if your coin has survived in a condition that warrants a premium above its melt value.

Today, even the most worn-out 1947-D quarter is worth its weight in silver. Since it contains 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver, the “floor” price of the coin fluctuates with the global silver market. However, collectors are willing to pay much more for coins that haven’t been scratched or smoothed by years of use in commerce.

Identifying the Denver Mint Mark on Your 1947 Quarter

One of the most important factors in determining value is the mint mark. In 1947, quarters were produced in Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). To find the mint mark on your 1947 quarter, look at the reverse (the back) of the coin. Below the eagle and right above the letters “ER” in “QUARTER,” you will see a small “D” if it was minted in Denver.

The Denver Mint was known for producing coins with a relatively high quality of strike compared to Philadelphia. This means that a 1947-D quarter might show more detail in Washington’s hair or the eagle’s feathers than its counterparts. Because of this, high-grade examples are highly sought after by registry set collectors who want the absolute best version of every year.

If you are unsure whether the mark is a “D” or just a scratch, taking a clear photo with CoinKnow can provide an instant identification. Distinguishing between mint marks is vital because the scarcity of each mint varies. While the 1947-D is common, certain error varieties associated with specific mints can drastically change the appraisal.

Mint Branch	Mint Mark Location	Mintage Total
Philadelphia	None (Below Wreath)	22,530,000
Denver	“D” (Below Wreath)	15,338,400
San Francisco	“S” (Below Wreath)	11,528,000

How Condition Impacts the 1947-D Washington Quarter Value

In the world of coin collecting, condition is everything. A 1947-D quarter that looks like it was just dropped by a bank teller in 1947 will be worth significantly more than one that has been sitting in a pocket for twenty years. Experts use a 70-point scale to grade coins, ranging from “Poor-1” to “Mint State-70.”

For most casual finders, your coin will likely fall into the “Circulated” category. Look at the hair lines on Washington’s head and the chest feathers on the eagle. If these areas are flat and smooth, the coin is considered circulated. However, if the coin still has a frosty luster and every fine detail is visible, you may have a “Mint State” (MS) specimen. Detailed 1947-D Washington Quarter MS prices show that as you move from MS63 to MS67, the price doesn’t just double—it can skyrocket into the thousands.

It is crucial not to clean your coins. Even if the 1947-D quarter looks dirty or tarnished, “cleaning” it with chemicals or a cloth will actually strip away the original surface and lower its value to collectors. Collectors prefer “original skin,” which is the natural patina a silver coin develops over seventy years.

Rare Varieties and Errors to Look For

While most 1947-D quarters are standard strikes, there are always eagle-eyed collectors looking for mistakes. Error coins occur when something goes wrong during the minting process. For the 1947-D, you should look for “Double Die” errors, where the image on the coin appears doubled. This is most common in the lettering of “LIBERTY” or in the date.

Another thing to look for is “re-punched mint marks” (RPM). This happens when the person punching the “D” into the die hit it twice, slightly off-center. These varieties are subtle and usually require a magnifying glass or a high-resolution scan from CoinKnow to identify properly.

While not as famous as some other years, a verified error on a 1947-D can easily double or triple its value. Check out this 1947 Washington Quarter valuation guide for a deeper look at how errors are priced in today’s market. Even a small “die crack”—a raised line of metal caused by a broken die—can add a few dollars of interest for a niche collector.

Error Type	Description	Premium Value
Double Die Obverse	Doubling on “In God We Trust” or Date	$50 – $300
Re-punched Mint Mark	A second “D” visible behind the first	$20 – $100
Die Crack	Raised lines across the face or eagle	$5 – $25

Is It Worth Getting Your 1947-D Quarter Professionally Graded?

Professional grading by companies like PCGS or NGC can cost between $30 and $60 per coin when you include shipping and insurance. Therefore, it only makes sense to grade a 1947-D Washington Quarter if its estimated value significantly exceeds the cost of the service.

Most circulated 1947-D quarters do not warrant professional grading. You can simply keep them in a protective flip or a plastic tube to prevent further wear. However, if you believe your coin is in “Gem” condition (MS65 or higher), grading is essential to prove its quality to potential buyers. A grade of MS67 can turn a $20 coin into a $500 coin overnight.

Before spending money on grading fees, use the CoinKnow app to get a preliminary assessment. The app’s AI can compare your coin to thousands of graded examples to give you a realistic expectation of what a human grader might decide. This step can save you a lot of money on coins that are “nice” but not “rare.”

Where to Sell Your 1947-D Washington Quarter

If you’ve decided to sell your coin, you have several options. For a quick sale, a local coin shop is your best bet. Keep in mind that a dealer needs to make a profit, so they will typically offer you “wholesale” prices—usually around the melt value for circulated coins or about 60-70% of the retail value for higher grades.

For maximum profit, online marketplaces like eBay or specialized numismatic auction houses are better choices. When selling online, high-quality photos and an honest description of the coin’s condition are mandatory. Mentioning the silver content and the mint mark clearly will attract more bidders.

Finally, if you have a massive hoard of quarters, consider selling them as “90% Silver Junk Silver” lots. Many investors buy these coins specifically for their silver bullion value rather than their collectible appeal. This is often the fastest way to liquidate a large number of circulated 1947 quarters.

FAQ

Q: Is every 1947 quarter made of silver?

A: Yes, all Washington Quarters minted in 1947 (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco) are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. The U.S. Mint didn’t switch to the copper-nickel “sandwich” coins we use today until 1965.

Q: Why is the “D” mint mark important?

A: The “D” stands for the Denver Mint. While the 1947-D is not the rarest in the series, mint marks help collectors track production numbers. In some years, Denver produced much fewer coins than Philadelphia, making the “D” version more valuable. For 1947, all mints had relatively high production.

Q: How much silver is in a 1947-D quarter?

A: A 1947-D Washington Quarter contains 6.25 grams of total weight, with 5.625 grams (0.1808 ounces) being pure silver. You can calculate its “melt value” by multiplying the current spot price of silver by 0.1808.

Q: Can I find a 1947-D quarter in my pocket change today?

A: It is extremely rare but not impossible. Most silver quarters were pulled from circulation in the late 1960s when the silver price exceeded the face value of the coin. However, “estate finds” occasionally enter the money supply when someone accidentally spends an old collection.