1979-D Washington Quarter Value: Is Your Coin Worth Money?

The 1979-D Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from its face value of $0.25 in circulated condition to over $1,000 for rare, high-grade specimens. While most of these coins in your pocket change are only worth twenty-five cents, certain “Denver” mint marks hiding in pristine condition can be quite a payday for lucky finders.

Condition	Estimated Value
Circulated (Good to About Uncirculated)	$0.25
Uncirculated (MS60 – MS63)	$1.00 – $5.00
Choice Uncirculated (MS65 – MS66)	$10.00 – $45.00
Superb Gem (MS67+)	$400 – $1,000+

Identifying the 1979-D Washington Quarter

If you have a handful of change, identifying the 1979-D Washington Quarter is your first step. This coin features the iconic portrait of George Washington on the obverse (front), designed by John Flanagan. On the reverse, you will see a majestic eagle with spreading wings perched on a bundle of arrows.

To confirm you have the Denver mint version, look for the small “D” mint mark. On quarters from 1979, the mint mark is located on the obverse, specifically to the right of Washington’s ponytail. If the letter is missing, it was minted in Philadelphia; if it is an “S,” it is a proof coin from San Francisco.

If you are unsure about the clarity of the mint mark or the coin’s overall metal composition, using a top coin identifier app can help you zoom in and categorize your find instantly. Modern tools like CoinKnow make this process easy for beginners who aren’t yet used to using a jeweler’s loupe.

Weight and Composition of the 1979-D Quarter

By 1979, the United States Mint had long since moved away from silver for standard circulating quarters. The 1979-D Washington Quarter is a “clad” coin, meaning it is made of a core of pure copper, sandwiched between outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

This gives the coin its characteristic silvery appearance, but if you look at the edge, you will usually see a distinct copper-colored stripe. This composition is important because it affects how the coin wears down over time. Unlike silver coins, these clad quarters do not “tone” with beautiful rainbows as often, but they are very durable for daily transactions.

Checking the weight can also help ensure you don’t have a rare “wrong planchet” error. A standard 1979-D quarter should weigh exactly 5.67 grams. If you find a coin that is significantly lighter or heavier, you might be looking at a minting mistake that could increase the value significantly.

Feature	Specification
Composition	91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel
Weight	5.67 grams
Diameter	24.3 mm
Edge	Reeded (119 reeds)

Determining Value Based on Condition and Grade

The primary factor determine your 1979-D Washington Quarter’s worth is its condition. In the world of numismatics, we use a 70-point scale. Most coins found in change are “Circulated,” meaning they have scratches, dings, and smoothed-out details from years of being spent at grocery stores and vending machines.

For a 1979-D quarter to be worth more than 25 cents, it usually needs to be in “Uncirculated” or “Mint State” (MS) condition. This means it has no traces of wear and retains its original “mint luster”—the frosty glow that makes a new coin shine.

According to professional auction records, the 1979-D Washington Quarter price in high grades can jump significantly once you reach MS67. At this level, the coin is nearly perfect to the naked eye. If you think your coin looks brand new, it might be worth sending to a grading service like PCGS or NGC.

Rare Errors to Look For in 1979-D Quarters

While the 1979-D is a common coin with over 515 million struck, errors are where the real money is made. Collectors are always on the hunt for “Clipped Planchets,” where a piece of the coin is missing, or “Off-Center Strikes,” where the design isn’t centered on the metal disc.

One fascinating error to check for is the “Double Die.” While there aren’t many famous 1979-D doubled dies, minor doubling on the letters or the date can still attract a premium from niche collectors. Another thing to watch for is a “Die Clash,” where the images from the obverse and reverse ghost onto the opposite side.

If you suspect you’ve found an error, you can use the CoinKnow app to compare your find against known error catalogs. Identifying a rare mint error is one of the fastest ways to turn a 25-cent find into a $50 or $100 profit. Understanding detailed 1979-D quarter value information is key to knowing if your error is a common mechanical slip or a rare “hub” error.

Error Type	Potential Value
10% Off-Center Strike	$20 – $50
Clipped Planchet	$15 – $40
Broadstruck	$10 – $30

Why the 1979-D Quarter is Poised for Future Value

You might wonder why a coin from 1979 is worth discussing. As years pass, the number of pristine, uncirculated 1979-D quarters decreases. Most have been scratched up in circulation. Consequently, collectors who are building “Registry Sets”—collections of the finest known examples of every year—are willing to pay high prices for the top 1% of survivors.

In fact, at a major auction in 2016, a 1979-D Washington Quarter graded MS67+ by PCGS sold for over $1,200! While your pocket change likely isn’t that specific grade, it shows that there is a serious market for these late-70s coins.

Modern “clad” era coins (1965 to present) are becoming the new frontier for younger collectors. Using an app like CoinKnow can help you track these market trends and stay informed on which modern quarters are starting to climb in price.

FAQ

Q: Is there any silver in a 1979-D quarter?

A: No, the 1979-D quarter does not contain any silver. The US Mint stopped using silver for circulating quarters after 1964. It is made of copper and nickel.

Q: How many 1979-D quarters were made?

A: The Denver Mint produced exactly 515,708,000 quarters in 1979. Because of this high mintage, they remain very common in circulation today.

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1979-D quarter?

A: The “D” mint mark is located on the front (obverse) of the coin, just to the right of George Washington’s ribbon that ties his hair.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1979-D quarter?

A: A 1979-D quarter graded MS67+ sold for approximately $1,293 at auction. However, most coins found today are worth only face value.

Q: Should I clean my 1979-D quarter to make it worth more?

A: Never clean your coins! Cleaning a coin creates micro-scratches that professional graders can easily spot, and it can reduce the numismatic value of a rare coin by 50% or more.