1982-D Washington Quarter Value: Is Your Coin Worth Money?

The 1982-D Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $0.25 in worn condition to over $1,200 in high-grade mint state. While most found in your change are only worth face value, certain high-quality specimens and errors are highly sought after by collectors today.

Condition	Estimated Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.25 – $0.50
About Uncirculated (AU50-AU58)	$1.00 – $5.00
Mint State (MS63-MS65)	$10.00 – $45.00
Gem Mint State (MS67+)	$300 – $1,200+

Understanding the Scarcity of the 1982-D Quarter

If you just looked into your pocket and found a quarter with a small “D” next to the ponytail, you might be wondering why everyone is talking about 1982. During this period, the United States was experiencing a significant recession. Interestingly, this economic downturn led the U.S. Mint to stop producing official uncirculated mint sets for the years 1982 and 1983. Because these sets were a primary source for collectors to obtain high-quality coins, the supply of “perfect” 1982-D Washington Quarters is surprisingly low.

To see if your find is one of the rare high-quality ones, you can use a top coin identifier app to get an instant baseline for its condition. Most 1982-D quarters went straight into circulation, getting dinged, scratched, and worn down by years of being spent at grocery stores and gas stations. Finding one that still has its original “mint luster”—that shiny, satiny finish—is actually quite difficult today.

Because so few were preserved in pristine condition, collectors are willing to pay a premium for any 1982-D that looks like it just came off the press. If your coin looks exceptionally shiny and has no visible scratches even under a magnifying glass, you might be holding something more valuable than a mere twenty-five cents. Using a tool like CoinKnow can help you distinguish between mere shininess and true mint state quality.

How Much is a 1982-D Washington Quarter Worth Today?

The value of a 1982-D quarter is almost entirely dependent on its numerical grade. For coins that have been used to buy snacks or soda, the value is essentially its face value. Even though these are over 40 years old, they are not old enough or rare enough to command a premium in average condition. However, the story changes drastically when we look at “Mint State” (MS) coins, which are coins that never entered circulation.

According to current 1982-D quarter price data, a coin graded MS65 might sell for about $40. While that might not sound like a lottery win, it is a 16,000% increase over the coin’s original face value! If you manage to find a specimen that grades MS67 or higher, the price can skyrocket into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars at auction.

The reason for this price jump is the “condition rarity.” Since no mint sets were sold, the only way high-grade 1982-D quarters exist is if someone happened to save a pristine roll from a bank back in 1982. This makes the 1982-D one of the “keys” to a modern Washington Quarter collection. Check out this price breakdown for different grades:

Grade (Sheldon Scale)	Description	Current Market Value
MS63	Typical Mint State: minor marks	$15 – $20
MS65	Gem Mint State: very clean	$40 – $60
MS66	Superb Gem: nearly perfect	$120 – $250
MS67	Museum Quality: virtually flawless	$800+

Identifying Key Features and the “D” Mint Mark

To correctly identify your coin, you need to look at the “D” mint mark. On a 1982 quarter, this mark is located on the right side of the coin’s obverse (the “heads” side), nestled near the bottom of George Washington’s wig. The “D” stands for Denver, meaning the coin was struck at the Denver Mint. The Denver Mint produced 480 million quarters that year, which sounds like a lot, but is actually a relatively low mintage compared to later years.

When evaluating your coin, don’t just look at the date. Look at the details of Washington’s hair and the feathers on the eagle’s breast on the reverse. If these details are sharp and clear, your coin has a better chance of being valuable. If the hair looks like a smooth blob, it’s a “circulated” coin. Many people find that using CoinKnow helps them zoom in and identify these fine details that the naked eye might miss.

You should also keep an eye out for “toning.” Sometimes, because of the way these coins were stored, they develop a rainbow-like oxidation on the surface. While some people think this is “damage,” coin collectors often pay huge premiums for beautiful, natural toning on a 1982-D quarter. To learn more about how these factors influence the market, you can review this 1982 quarter value guide for deep-dive details.

Valuable 1982-D Quarter Errors to Look For

Beyond the standard condition-based value, many 1982-D quarters are worth money because of manufacturing errors. Errors are “mistakes” made by the mint that managed to escape into the public’s hands. One of the most common errors to check for is the “Double Die.” This happens when the coin is struck by a die that has a doubled image, resulting in parts of the text or the year looking like they have a faint shadow or a second layer.

Another exciting error is the “Off-Center Strike.” This occurs when the metal blank (planchet) isn’t lined up perfectly with the stamps. If your 1982-D quarter is missing part of the design and has a crescent-shaped blank area, it could be worth $20 to $100 depending on how off-center it is. This is a great thing to watch for when sorting through pocket change.

Finally, look for “Broadstrikes.” This is when the coin is struck without the retaining collar, causing it to flatten out more than usual and look wider than a standard quarter. These errors are instantly recognizable and are favorites among collectors. If you find something that looks “weird,” don’t spend it! It might be a rare mint error that significantly boosts the 1982-D Washington Quarter value.

Error Type	What to Look For	Estimated Value
Off-Center Strike	Design shifted to one side	$25 – $150
Die Crack	Raised lines of metal on surface	$5 – $20
Wrong Planchet	Struck on a penny or nickel blank	$500+

How to Store and Protect Your 1982-D Quarters

If you think you’ve found a high-value 1982-D quarter, the first rule is: stop touching it with your bare fingers! The oils on your skin can actually corrode the surface of the coin over time, ruining its “Mint State” potential. Instead, handle the coin only by its edges. If you’re serious about the value, you’ll want to place it in a protective holder immediately.

PVC-free “flips” or hard plastic “snaps” are the best way to keep your coin safe from scratches and environmental damage. For those who want the ultimate protection and a guaranteed value, sending the coin to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC is the way to go. These companies verify the coin’s authenticity and give it a certified grade, which makes it much easier to sell at a high price later on.

Before spending money on professional grading, however, utilize digital tools. The CoinKnow app can provide a preliminary scan of your coin to see if it’s even worth the grading fee, which usually starts around $20-$30. If your coin is only worth $0.25, you don’t want to spend $30 to prove it! Use common sense and research before investing in professional services.

Is Investing in 1982-D Quarters a Good Idea?

As the years go by, the 1982-D Washington Quarter is becoming a sleeper hit among collectors. Because it was largely ignored when it first came out, the number of pristine samples is naturally declining as they get lost, damaged, or hidden away in long-forgotten jars. This makes the 1982-D a “growth” coin for many modern collectors.

If you enjoy “roll hunting” (buying rolls of quarters from the bank to search for treasures), the 1982-D is one of the dates you should always set aside. Even if the coin isn’t in perfect condition, it’s a piece of history from a unique era in the US Mint’s production. While it may never reach the astronomical prices of a 1794 Silver Dollar, its value is steadily rising for high-quality examples.

In conclusion, while the average 1982-D quarter won’t pay for your retirement, a high-grade specimen or a rare error is a genuine treasure. Keep your eyes peeled, check your change, and always verify what you have before you spend it at the laundromat!

FAQ

Q: Is the 1982-D quarter made of silver?

A: No. The last circulating silver quarters were made in 1964. The 1982-D Washington Quarter is made of a “clad” composition: a core of pure copper with an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel. If you see a silvery edge without a copper stripe, it’s likely a plated coin or a rare error, but it is not 90% silver.

Q: How can I tell if my 1982-D quarter is uncirculated?

A: An uncirculated coin will have “mint luster,” which creates a wagon-wheel effect of light when you rotate the coin under a lamp. If the high points of the design (like Washington’s cheek or the eagle’s breast) look flat or dull, the coin has been in circulation and is likely only worth face value.

Q: What is the most expensive 1982-D quarter ever sold?

A: The record price for a 1982-D Washington Quarter is over $1,400 for a specimen graded MS67 by PCGS. These high prices are rare and only apply to coins that look absolutely perfect under high magnification.

Q: Why are 1982 quarters harder to find in good condition?

A: The main reason is that the U.S. Mint did not produce official Mint Sets in 1982 or 1983. Usually, these sets provide thousands of perfect coins for collectors. Without them, the only source for 1982 quarters was general circulation, where they quickly became worn and dirty.