1968-D Washington Quarter Value: Is Your Coin Worth Money?

The 1968-D Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $0.25 in worn condition to over $1,000 for high-grade specimens. While most found in pocket change are only worth face value, certain mint errors and high-quality “Mint State” examples can command a significant premium among coin collectors today.

Condition	Estimated Value
Circulated (Good to About Uncirculated)	$0.25 – $1.00
Mint State (MS63 – MS65)	$5.00 – $35.00
High Grade (MS67+)	$400.00 – $1,500.00+
Rare Errors	$20.00 – $500.00+

History and Identification of the 1968-D Quarter

If you’ve recently emptied your jars or looked through your spare change, you might have noticed a quarter with a “D” mint mark and the date 1968. By this year, the United States Mint had fully transitioned away from silver coinage. Unlike quarters from 1964 and earlier, which consist of 90% silver, the 1968-D Washington Quarter is composed of a copper-nickel clad sandwich—essentially a pure copper core bonded to outer layers of copper and nickel.

Identifying this coin is simple. On the obverse (front), you will see the classic portrait of George Washington. To the right of his ponytail, you will find the “D” mint mark, which signifies that the coin was produced at the Denver Mint. In 1968, the Denver Mint produced over 101 million quarters, making them incredibly common in general circulation.

If you aren’t sure about the quality of the coin you’ve found, using the top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a common spender and a potential treasure. For everyday Americans, tools like CoinKnow make it easy to photograph a coin and receive instant data on its likely market value.

Understanding the Value of Circulated 1968-D Quarters

For the majority of people, the 1968-D quarter in your pocket is worth exactly 25 cents. Because these coins were made for daily transactions and do not contain silver, they do not have intrinsic “melt value” like their older counterparts. Most circulated examples have significant wear, scratches, and a dull luster that makes them undesirable to serious numismatists.

However, if the coin looks exceptionally shiny or has very few scratches, it might be worth keeping. Collectors look for “luster,” which is the way light dances across the surface of the metal. If a coin looks brand new, it moves into the “Uncirculated” category. Even then, the current market value for 1968-D quarters in Mint State fluctuates based on demand and the specific grade assigned by professional services.

Grade	Estimated Market Price
VG-8 (Very Good)	$0.25
EF-40 (Extremely Fine)	$0.35
AU-50 (About Uncirculated)	$0.50
MS-60 (Uncirculated)	$1.50

The Price of Rare High-Grade Specimens

While the average 1968-D quarter isn’t a gold mine, high-grade specimens tell a different story. In the world of coin collecting, the Sheldon Scale (1 to 70) is used to determine a coin’s condition. A 1968-D quarter graded MS-67 or MS-68 is incredibly rare because most of these coins were bagged and tossed around at the mint, resulting in “bag marks” and scuffs.

When a coin survives in pristine condition with a strong strike and virtually no blemishes, its price skyrockets. For example, a 1968-D quarter graded MS-68 by PCGS or NGC can sell for well over $1,500 at auction. These are the “lottery tickets” of the coin world. You can check the latest 1968-D quarter pricing and auction records to see how much recent sales have fetched for these top-tier grades. Use CoinKnow to track these auctions and see if your coin matches the visual characteristics of a high-value piece.

Rare Errors to Look For in 1968-D Quarters

One of the most exciting ways to find value in modern pocket change is by hunting for mint errors. Even if a coin is clad and common, a production mistake can make it worth hundreds of dollars. The 1968-D is known for several interesting variations that appeal to error collectors.

One common error is the “DDR” or Doubled Die Reverse. To find this, you’ll need a magnifying glass or a jeweler’s loupe. Look closely at the lettering on the back of the coin, especially the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.” If you see clear doubling or “shadowing” of the letters, you might have found an error coin. Other errors include “Off-Center Strikes,” where the image is not centered on the coin blank, or “Clad Layer Errors,” where the nickel exterior is missing, revealing the bright red copper beneath.

Error Type	Approximate Value
10% Off-Center Strike	$25 – $50
Missing Clad Layer (Full)	$100 – $300
Die Crack (Small)	$5 – $15
Double Strike	$200 – $500

Does the Mint Mark Location Matter?

Beginning in 1968, the United States Mint changed the location of the mint mark on the Washington Quarter. From 1932 to 1964, the mint mark was located on the reverse (back), just below the eagle’s wreath. In 1968, they moved it to the obverse, to the right of Washington’s bust.

The “D” on a 1968 quarter represents Denver, while a “S” would represent San Francisco (usually found only on Proof sets), and no mint mark at all represents Philadelphia. While Denver had a high production rate, collectors often seek out the best-preserved coins from each mint to complete their collections. If you find a 1968-D with a particularly sharp strike—meaning the eagle’s feathers on the back are crisp and distinct—it may be worth more to a specialist. Using an app like CoinKnow helps you catalog these differences and keep a digital portfolio of your finds.

How to Clean and Store Your 1968 Quarters

A common mistake many non-collectors make when they find an old coin is trying to “clean” it to make it look shiny. Never clean your coins. Using soap, water, or abrasive polishes can create microscopic scratches that destroy the coin’s numismatic value. A “shiny” coin that has been cleaned is almost always worth significantly less than a dirty coin in its original state.

Instead of cleaning, focus on proper storage. If you believe you have a high-value 1968-D quarter, place it in a PVC-free plastic flip or a cardboard “2×2” holder. This protects the coin from oils on your fingers and moisture in the air. Keeping the coin in its current condition is the best way to ensure you get the maximum value when you eventually decide to sell or have it professionally graded.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is a 1968-D quarter made of silver?

A: No. The last circulating silver quarters were minted in 1964. The 1968-D quarter is a clad coin made of a copper-nickel alloy. It will have a visible copper stripe on the edge.

Q: What is the most expensive 1968-D quarter ever sold?

A: High-grade specimens in MS-68 condition have sold at major auctions for over $1,500. These coins are exceptionally rare and features zero visible scratches.

Q: How can I tell if my 1968-D quarter is an error coin?

A: Look for anomalies like doubling in the letters (Doubled Die), the coin being struck off-center, or a portion of the coin missing its silver-colored coating (Missing Clad Layer).

Q: Why does my 1968 quarter have no mint mark?

A: If there is no mint mark, it was minted in Philadelphia. Philadelphia quarters from 1968 are also very common and hold similar values to the Denver (D) coins.

Q: Should I get my 1968-D quarter graded?

A: Only if it appears to be in “near perfect” condition or shows a clear, significant error. Professional grading costs money, so the coin should be worth at least $50 to justify the expense.