1959 Washington Quarter Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

The 1959 Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $6 in worn condition to over $1,500 in high-grade mint state. Finding one of these silver quarters in your pocket change is a thrilling experience, especially since they represent an era when American circulating currency was made of precious metals.

Condition	Estimated Value
Good / Very Good	$5.50 – $6.50
Fine / Very Fine	$7.00 – $8.50
About Uncirculated	$9.50 – $12.00
Uncirculated (MS60+)	$15.00 – $45.00
High Grade (MS67+)	$500 – $2,500+

Understanding the 1959 Quarter With No Mint Mark

If you are looking at your coin and cannot find a small letter below the eagle on the reverse, don’t worry—that is perfectly normal. In 1959, quarters minted in Philadelphia did not feature a mint mark. This was standard practice for the Philadelphia Mint for decades. While some beginners assume a missing mark means an error, it actually just identifies its origin. Using a top coin identifier app can help you quickly confirm these basic details about your find.

The 1959 “No Mint Mark” Washington Quarter is significant because it is a 90% silver coin. Unlike the modern “clad” quarters we use today, which are made of copper and nickel, these older coins have intrinsic bullion value. This means even if the coin is incredibly scratched and worn, it will always be worth its weight in silver. Collectors often use CoinKnow to track the daily fluctuating silver prices and how they impact the baseline value of their silver hoards.

The Philadelphia Mint produced over 24 million of these quarters in 1959. Because this production number is relatively high compared to rare key dates, the value is heavily dependent on the “Grade” or physical condition of the coin. If you have a version that looks like it just came from the bank, its value can skyrocket. You can verify the latest market trends by checking the 1959 Washington Quarter auction records and price data.

The Silver Content and Bullion Value

Before worrying about collector grades, every 1959 quarter owner should understand the metal value. Each coin contains 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. When silver prices rise, the value of even the most beat-up 1959 quarter rises with it. This creates a “price floor” for your coin, ensuring it is never just worth twenty-five cents.

Many people who find these coins in estate sales or old jars are surprised by their heft and ring. Silver coins have a distinct high-pitched “ping” when dropped, unlike the dull thud of modern coins. However, we don’t recommend dropping your coins, as scratches decrease the numismatic value! Instead, take a clear photo and let CoinKnow analyze the surface for potential value-adding features.

Metal Composition	Percentage	Weight
Silver	90%	6.25 Grams
Copper	10%	N/A

Grading the 1959 Washington Quarter Value

To get the most accurate estimate of your coin’s worth, you must determine its grade. In the coin world, we use the Sheldon Scale, which ranges from 1 to 70. A coin that has been circulated in commerce will usually fall between 1 and 50, while “Mint State” (MS) coins start at 60. For the 1959 quarter, the jump from MS65 to MS67 can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars.

When inspecting your quarter, look at Washington’s hair and the feathers on the eagle’s chest. On a worn coin, these details will be smooth. In a high-value Mint State coin, every strand of hair and every feather tip should be crisp and visible. If you find a coin that looks “mirror-like,” it might be a proof coin, but the standard 1959 no mint mark coins are “business strikes” intended for circulation.

You can find a deep dive on comprehensive 1959 silver quarter value charts to see where your specific coin falls on the grading scale. For everyday Americans, the most common find is “Average Circulated,” which generally sells for the silver melt value plus a small premium of a dollar or two.

Rare 1959 Quarter Errors to Look For

Errors are where the real money is made in coin collecting. While the 1959 Philadelphia quarter doesn’t have a famous “Type B” reverse like some other years, there are still manufacturing mistakes that can increase the value significantly. Look for “Double Dies,” where the letters or numbers appear to have a shadow or a second ghost-like image slightly offset from the main design.

Repunched dates and “off-center” strikes are also highly sought after. If your 1959 quarter looks like it was stamped wonky, with part of the design missing or hanging off the edge, you might be holding a coin worth $50 to $200. Always keep an eye out for “planchet errors,” where the coin is struck on the wrong piece of metal or a defective blank.

Using CoinKnow is a great way to compare your coin’s appearance against known error databases. Sometimes what looks like a scratch to the naked eye is actually a valuable die crack that collectors are dying to add to their sets. If you think you’ve found an error, do not clean the coin! Cleaning a rare coin can strip away up to 90% of its collector value instantly.

Error Type	Description	Estimated Value
Off-Center Strike	Design is not centered on the coin	$20 – $150
Die Crack	Raised lines of metal across the face	$5 – $50
Double Die Obverse	Doubling visible in Liberty or the Date	$25 – $100+

How the 1959 Quarter Compares to Other Years

In the grand scheme of Washington Quarters, the 1959 is considered a “common date” silver quarter. It isn’t as rare as the 1932-D or 1932-S, which are the holy grails of the series. However, because 1959 was near the end of the silver era (which ended in 1964), many were saved by the public, meaning uncirculated examples are still obtainable today.

Collectors often seek out 1959 quarters to complete “year sets” or silver stacks. Because the Philadelphia mint produced so many, it is an accessible entry point for new hobbyists. However, the high-end market is extremely competitive. An MS67 graded 1959 quarter recently sold at auction for nearly $2,000 because of its “toning”—a natural oxidation that creates beautiful rainbow colors on the silver surface.

If you are sorting through a collection, pay attention to the luster. A “frosty” look is highly desirable. If your 1959 quarter has no mint mark but shines with an original mint glow, it is worth much more than its weight in silver. Collectors are always on the lookout for specimens that have survived sixty-plus years without being touched by human hands.

Where to Sell Your 1959 Washington Quarter

If you’ve identified that your 1959 quarter is valuable, your next step is finding a buyer. For common circulated coins, a local coin shop is the easiest route. They will usually pay you a percentage of the silver melt value. While you won’t get rich selling one coin, selling a roll of 40 coins can net you over $200.

For high-grade or error coins, consider online marketplaces or specialized numismatic auctions. Sites like eBay are popular, but be sure to take high-quality photos. Collectors want to see every detail before they bid. If you’re unsure if your coin is worth the effort of an auction, CoinKnow can provide community feedback and price estimates to guide your decision.

Never take your silver quarters to a supermarket “Coinstar” machine or a standard bank. They will only give you 25 cents for them! Always sell to a reputable precious metals dealer or a coin collector who understands that 1959 was a year of real silver.

FAQ

Q: How can I tell if my 1959 quarter is silver or just dirty?

A: Check the edge of the coin. If you see a solid silver-colored stripe, it is silver. If you see a brown or copper-colored stripe, it is a modern clad coin (though all 1959 quarters should be silver). Also, silver quarters weigh more (6.25g) than modern ones (5.67g).

Q: Why is there no mint mark on my 1959 quarter?

A: Quarters minted at the Philadelphia Mint in 1959 did not use a mint mark. This is normal and indicates the coin was made at the nation’s primary mint facility.

Q: Is it worth getting my 1959 quarter professionally graded?

A: Only if the coin is in perfect, uncirculated condition or has a significant error. Professional grading costs $30-$50 per coin, so the coin should be worth at least $100 to justify the expense.

Q: Can I find a 1959 quarter in my pocket change today?

A: It is very rare but possible! Most silver quarters were pulled from circulation in the late 1960s, but occasionally someone spends an old collection by mistake, and these treasures “return to the wild.”