1942 Washington Quarter Value: What Your Silver Coin Is Worth

The 1942 Washington Quarter value starts at its silver melt price – around $14.83 at today’s spot of $82 per ounce – but climbs sharply based on mint mark, condition, and variety. Whether you pulled one from a coin jar or inherited a collection, understanding what drives these coins’ worth can mean the difference between pocket change and a $9,000 auction result.

These quarters carry real silver weight: 90% silver, 10% copper, with roughly 0.1808 troy ounces of silver per coin. At $82/oz spot, that melt value is meaningful on its own. Add numismatic demand – especially for high-grade San Francisco issues or doubled-die varieties – and the 1942 Washington Quarter becomes one of the more rewarding pre-1965 silver coins to study and collect.

A Brief History of the 1942 Washington Quarter

The Washington Quarter entered circulation in 1932, designed by sculptor John Flanagan to mark the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. His profile occupies the obverse, while a heraldic eagle fills the reverse. The coin weighs 6.30 grams, measures 24.30 mm across, and carries reeded edges – specs unchanged from 1932 through 1964.

By 1942, the U.S. was fully engaged in World War II. The wartime economy demanded heavy coinage, and the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints all ramped up production. Quarters escaped the composition changes that hit other denominations – the famous wartime Jefferson nickels switched to 35% silver to conserve nickel for the war effort, but quarters stayed at 90% silver throughout. That full silver content held until the Coinage Act of 1965 replaced silver with copper-nickel clad, largely because rising silver prices made the coins worth more as metal than as money.

For context on when U.S. coins stopped containing silver, the transition is worth understanding if you’re building a pre-1965 silver collection.

1942 Washington Quarter Mintage and Mint Marks

Three mints struck quarters in 1942, and the differences in production volume directly affect value today.

Philadelphia’s output of over 100 million coins makes the no-mint-mark 1942 the most available of the three. Denver and San Francisco came in at roughly equal mintages, but the San Francisco issue has historically produced fewer high-grade survivors – making the 1942-S the coin serious collectors target most aggressively.

To find the mint mark on any Washington Quarter, look on the reverse just above the bow of the ribbon at the eagle’s tail. Philadelphia coins from this era carry no mint mark at all.

What Is a 1942 Washington Quarter Worth Today?

Condition drives value more than any other single factor. A heavily worn 1942-P might be worth its silver melt of roughly $15. That same coin in gem uncirculated condition can fetch $390 or more. Here’s a breakdown of current market values:

The 1942-S stands out at the top of the grade scale. Gem examples have sold for close to $9,000 at auction, driven by the relative scarcity of white, fully lustrous survivors. The 1942-D performs solidly in mid-grades, with MS65 examples regularly trading above $600. Philadelphia coins dominate the circulated market simply because so many exist, but MS67 examples still command $5,000 or more.

These values reflect data from Greysheet, PCGS, and NGC as of early 2026. Silver at $82/oz is significantly elevated compared to the $30-$40 range common just a few years ago, which has lifted the floor price for every 90% silver coin in circulation.

Rare Varieties and Errors Worth Hunting

Most 1942 Washington Quarters trade as common silver coins. A few varieties, though, push values into the thousands regardless of grade.

Doubled Die Obverse (DDO): The most sought-after error type for this date. Doubling appears on the date, the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” or the word “LIBERTY.” The 1942-D and 1942-S are the primary hosts for this variety. Even in circulated grades, a confirmed DDO can start at $41 and climb past $1,250 in uncirculated condition. Gem DDO examples have traded above $6,750.

Repunched Mint Marks: Check the D and S mint marks under magnification for signs of a secondary impression slightly offset from the primary. These are less dramatic than DDOs but still carry collector premiums.

Overdate possibilities: Cross-reference any unusual date appearance against the PCGS CoinFacts or NGC variety databases before drawing conclusions. Not every anomaly is a listed variety, but the ones that are can be worth significant money.

How to Grade Your 1942 Washington Quarter

Grading determines where your coin falls on the value table above. You don’t need to be a professional numismatist to make a reasonable assessment, but you do need to know what to look at.

For coins that appear to be MS65 or better, professional grading by PCGS or NGC is worth the cost. A slabbed MS65 1942-S might trade for $285-$6,750 depending on eye appeal; a raw coin of similar quality typically sells at a discount because buyers can’t verify the grade independently.

As an NGC Authorized Dealer, Accurate Precious Metals can assist with the submission process for customers who want their coins professionally graded.

PCGS & NGC Coin Verification – Accurate Precious Metals Refineries

1942 Washington Quarter Value in the Context of the Full Series

The 1942 issues sit in the middle of the Washington Quarter series, which ran from 1932 through 1998 in its original format. The 1940 Washington Quarter and 1945 Washington Quarter bracket this date on either side, and all three share the same 90% silver composition and similar collector dynamics.

What makes 1942 stand out within the 1940s subset is the 1942-S. Among 1940s Washington Quarters, the San Francisco issue was historically considered the toughest to find in gem condition. While modern grading has revealed more high-grade examples than once thought, it remains a key date for anyone building a complete date-and-mint-mark set of the series.

The 1952 Washington Quarter offers a useful comparison – similar silver content, different supply dynamics – for collectors working through the full pre-1965 run.

Common Misconceptions About 1942 Quarters

A few beliefs circulate widely among new collectors that simply aren’t accurate.

“All 1942 quarters are rare.” Philadelphia alone struck over 100 million. Circulated 1942-P quarters are among the most common pre-1965 silver coins you’ll encounter.

“Wartime means reduced silver content.” This applied to nickels, not quarters. Quarters kept their full 90% silver composition through 1964.

“Melt value is the ceiling for circulated coins.” Melt is the floor, not the ceiling. Even heavily worn examples carry a slight premium over raw silver in the collector market, and mid-grade circulated coins often trade above melt.

“The S is always worth the most.” In circulated grades, all three mints produce coins in similar value ranges. The 1942-S premium is most pronounced in uncirculated and gem grades.

“There are no valuable varieties.” Doubled die obverse varieties on 1942-D and 1942-S coins are real, documented, and worth serious money. Inspect before you sell.

Buying 1942 Washington Quarters

For collectors entering the market, the 1942-P in circulated condition is the logical starting point. At $11-$17, it offers full silver content with minimal premium over melt. From there, the 1942-D and 1942-S in fine or extra fine condition add meaningful rarity without breaking the budget.

90% silver Washington Quarters are available from Accurate Precious Metals for buyers who want pre-1965 silver with a straightforward entry point.

For serious collectors targeting gem grades, buy slabbed. Raw coins graded MS65+ are difficult to evaluate without expertise, and fakes – while rare in 90% silver – do exist. A certified slab from PCGS or NGC removes that uncertainty.

Selling Your 1942 Washington Quarter

If you have 1942 Washington Quarters to sell, the process starts with an honest assessment of condition. Circulated coins trade near melt – roughly $15 each at current silver prices. Uncirculated or gem examples, and any confirmed varieties, warrant professional evaluation before selling.

Accurate Precious Metals buys all 90% silver coins, including Washington Quarters in any condition. If you’re local to Salem, Oregon, you can bring your coins in person for a same-day assessment. If you’re anywhere else in the country, the mail-in service is a practical option – free insured shipping, professional evaluation, and fast payment.

For those unsure whether their coins have collector value beyond melt, the team at Accurate Precious Metals can assess the coin’s grade and variety potential before making an offer. Knowing what you have before you sell is always worth the extra step.

Browse silver coin options or visit the We Buy page to learn more about selling to Accurate Precious Metals.

Why Accurate Precious Metals for Silver Coins

Accurate Precious Metals has operated out of Salem, Oregon for over 12 years, building a track record of more than 1,000 five-star customer reviews. As a specialized precious metals dealer – not a pawn shop – the focus is entirely on fair, transparent transactions for gold, silver, platinum, palladium, coins, bars, jewelry, and diamonds.

The company ships nationwide with insured delivery, so geography isn’t a barrier. For retirement-focused buyers, Gold and Silver IRA services are available. Pricing reflects live spot prices, so you’re never working from stale numbers. As an NGC Authorized Dealer, Accurate Precious Metals also supports coin grading submissions for customers who want professional slabs on their best pieces.

For anyone holding pre-1965 silver coins – 1942 Washington Quarters included – this is the kind of dealer relationship that makes both buying and selling straightforward. Call (503) 400-5608 or visit AccuratePMR.com to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Mystic Stamp Company – Washington Quarter History and Composition
2. Greysheet – 1942 Washington Quarter Price Guide
3. APMEX Learn Center – Washington Quarter Details
4. Littleton Coin Company – 1942-S Washington Quarter Notes
5. PCGS CoinFacts – 1942-S 25c Coin Detail Page
6. NGC Coin Explorer – 1942 25c Washington Quarter MS Values