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The 1983-S Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $4 in standard proof condition to over $1,500 for perfect Deep Cameo specimens. While you won’t find this specific “S” mint mark coin in your pocket change, it remains a favorite for collectors looking to complete their modern sets.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| PR65 (Typical Proof) | $4 – $7 |
| PR69 Deep Cameo | $15 – $25 |
| PR70 Deep Cameo (Perfect) | $350 – $1,500 |
Why the 1983-S Washington Quarter is Special
If you have stumbled upon a shiny, mirror-like quarter with an “S” mark, you have found a Proof coin. Unlike the quarters we use to buy groceries, the 1983-S was never intended for circulation. It was struck at the San Francisco Mint specifically for collectors using specially polished dies and planchets to ensure a high-contrast finish.
If you aren’t sure if your coin is a proof or a regular strike, you can use a top coin identifier app to instantly distinguish between minting varieties. While billions of quarters were made in 1983, only about 3.2 million “S” mint quarters were produced. Using CoinKnow can help you verify the luster and strike quality of your specific piece.
These coins are composed of a copper-nickel clad mix. Because they were sold in protective plastic sets, finding one in “worn” condition is rare unless someone broke the set and spent the money. However, even in good condition, the 1983 Washington quarter market price relies heavily on the “Deep Cameo” designation, which refers to the frosted contrast of the portrait against the shiny background.
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Current Market Value for 1983-S Proof Quarters
The value of the 1983-S Washington Quarter is almost entirely dependent on its numerical grade. Most of these coins will grade at PR65 to PR68. At these levels, the coins are very affordable and typically sell for less than $10. The jump in price occurs at the PR70 level—the grade of perfection.
| Grade (PCGS/NGC) | Recent Auction Price |
|---|---|
| PR67 DCAM | $8 |
| PR68 DCAM | $12 |
| PR69 DCAM | $22 |
| PR70 DCAM | $450+ |
For those trying to determine if their coin is worth sending to a grading service, consulting a 1983 quarter value guide is a smart first step. Collectors look for deep frosting on the “frosty” parts of the coin and a mirror-like field. Any tiny scratch or “hairline” will immediately drop the grade from a 70 to a 69, which results in a massive price decrease.
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Identifying the S Mint Mark and Proof Finish
The most obvious feature of this coin is the “S” mint mark located to the right of George Washington’s ponytail. This indicates it was born in San Francisco. Unlike the P (Philadelphia) or D (Denver) quarters, the S-mint coins were part of a “Proof Set.”
The finish on these coins is distinctive. When you look at a 1983-S, the fields (the flat areas) should look like a dark mirror. The devices (the portrait and lettering) should look white and powdery. This is known as the “Cameo” effect. In the 1980s, the US Mint was quite good at producing these, so “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) is the standard expectation for collectors.
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If your 1983-S quarter looks dull or has been scratched up, its value drops significantly. Many people find these in “junk bins” at coin shops where they might only cost $1 or $2. To get a high-resolution look at your coin’s surface, the CoinKnow app can help you identify surface imperfections that the naked eye might miss.
The Rarity of High-Grade 1983-S Quarters
Why is a perfect PR70 so expensive? It comes down to “Population Reports.” Services like PCGS and NGC track how many coins have been graded. While millions were made, only a few hundred have survived in a state of absolute perfection without a single microscopic flaw.
The 1983-S is particularly interesting because 1983 was a year where the Mint did not produce official Uncirculated Mint Sets for the P and D quarters. This makes the 1983-S Proof one of the few ways collectors can get a pristine 1983 quarter.
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| Mintage Year | Mint Mark | Mintage Figure |
|---|---|---|
| 1983-P | Philadelphia | 673,535,000 |
| 1983-D | Denver | 617,806,446 |
| 1983-S | San Francisco | 3,279,126 |
Because the mintage for the San Francisco proof is so much lower than the Denver or Philadelphia strikes, it is naturally more “rare,” though still very common in the world of numismatics. Most of the value is tied to the difficulty of finding one that hasn’t developed spots or light toning over the last 40 years.
1983-S Quarter Errors to Look For
While errors are less common in proof coins because of the strict quality control at the San Francisco Mint, they do happen. Common errors to look for include “Double Dies” or “Repunched Mint Marks,” though none have been famously categorized for the 1983-S yet.
One thing to watch out for is “Strike Thrus,” where a piece of dust or grease got between the die and the coin during striking. This leaves a blurry or indented area on the coin. If you think you found an error, using CoinKnow to compare your coin against known error photos is a great way to verify your find.
Most “errors” people think they find on 1983 quarters are actually just “Post-Mint Damage” (PMD). Since proof coins are made of a softer clad layer over copper, they scratch very easily. If your quarter looks like it has “doubling” but also has scratches, it is likely just damaged.
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How to Sell and Store Your 1983-S Quarter
If you have a 1983-S Washington Quarter that you believe is a PR70, you should consider professional grading. However, for most coins that are in the $5-$20 range, paying for grading (which costs about $30-$50) doesn’t make financial sense.
For raw coins, the best places to sell are eBay or local coin shops. When selling on eBay, make sure to take clear, high-resolution photos that show the mirror finish. Collectors will pay a premium for a “pure” silver look even though the coin is actually copper-nickel.
Proper storage is key. Never clean your 1983-S quarter! Cleaning it with a cloth will create “hairlines,” which are tiny scratches that destroy the proof’s value. Instead, handle the coin only by its edges and store it in a PVC-free plastic flip or a coin capsule.
FAQ
Q: Is the 1983-S quarter made of silver?
A: No, the 1983-S Washington Quarter is a copper-nickel clad coin. The U.S. Mint did not start producing silver proof quarters again until 1992.
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Q: How can I tell if my 1983 quarter is a proof?
A: Look for the “S” mint mark and a mirror-like finish. Regular “P” and “D” quarters have a matte, grainy texture, whereas the 1983-S will be shiny enough to see your reflection.
Q: What is a “Deep Cameo” 1983-S quarter?
A: Deep Cameo (DCAM) is a designation given to proof coins where there is a heavy contrast between the frosted devices (Washington’s head) and the mirrored fields.
Q: Is a 1983-S quarter worth getting graded?
A: Only if it is absolutely perfect. If there is even one tiny scratch visible under a magnifying glass, it will likely grade as a PR69 or lower, making it worth less than the cost of the grading service.