1941 Quarter Value Guide

The 1941 Quarter Value

You will see a big jump in value across the mint-state grades. They range in value from approximately $11 to $20,000 and up.

1941 Washington quarters from the San Francisco Mint are the most valuable versions. This is closely followed by those minted in Denver. 

The quarters from Philadelphia are the least valuable of the bunch. 

Proof-strike coins are the most valuable until the higher mint-state grades.  

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1941 quarter with that grade, or no value information (or not enough) exists for it yet.

Melt Value

The 1941 quarter’s melt value is approximately $4. The melt value will fluctuate with the market.

Circulation Strike Value Chart

	Coin Names And Coin Values
Grade Names	1941 Quarter	1941-D Quarter	1941-S Quarter
Good – G	$6	$8	$8
Very Good – VG	$6	$8	$8
Fine – F	$6	$8	$9
Very Fine – VF	$6	$9	$10
Extra Fine – XF	$6	$14	$12
About Uncirculated – AU	$6-$7	$17-$29	$17-$30
Mint State – MS	$11-$13,000 (68)	$31-14,000 (68)	$33-$20,000 (68)

Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1961 Proof Quarter
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 58	$33
PR 60	$52
PR 61	$57
PR 62	$62
PR 63	$77
PR 64	$90
PR 65	$117
PR 66	$142
PR 67	$395
PR 68	$7,000
PR 69	N/A
PR 70	N/A

What Makes A 1941 Quarter Valuable?

Different elements such as grading, rarity, strike types, error coins, or die varieties can increase the value of a coin. 

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Due to the volume of 1941 quarters minted, the quality is not always excellent. 

You’ll see better quality in the higher mint-state grades. These grades of the circulation-strike coins are the most valuable, reaching tens of thousands of dollars. 

However even the worth of the lower grades from “good” up to “about uncirculated” still exceeds their face value, from approximately $6 up to $30. 

Rarity

The Mint minted 1941 quarters approximately 111,842,087 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1941: 79,032,000 minted in Philadelphia^1,5
• 1941-D: 16,714,800 minted in Denver^2,6
• 1941-S: 16,080,000 minted in San Francisco^3,7
• 1941 Proof: 15,287 minted in Philadelphia^4,8

Due to the massive increase in mintage, the 1941 quarter is not a rare coin.

They do, however, become more scarce in the upper mint-state grades. Their high value reflects this.

Unusually, high grades of the circulation-strike 1941 quart outvalue the proof versions due to their rarity. 

An MS 68 from San Francisco is nearly 3 times as valuable as a PR 68.   

Mint Marks

The 1941 quarter has 2 different mint marks:

• “D” for those minted in Denver^2,6
• “S” for those minted in San Francisco^3,7

Coins minted in Philadelphia do not have a mint mark.^1,5 This is also the case for the proof-strike versions of the 1941 quarter.^4,8 

The “S” mint mark from San Francisco is the most valuable version. This is then followed by the “D” mint mark as the second most valuable. 1941 quarters without a mint mark are the least valuable. 

Strike Types

The 1941 quarter has 2 strike types: circulation and proof.^10-11 

Proof versions range in grade from 60 to 70. 

However, sometimes, they can have a grade lower than 60 if they do not meet the normal standard of a proof coin. These are known as “impaired” proofs.   

Striking proof coins involves a different process than striking circulation coins. The Mint uses highly polished planchets and special proof dies, and each coin is struck several times. 

This results in a coin of far superior quality than a circulation strike, which adds to its value.

Design Variations

The 1941 quarter has no design variations. 

Special Designations

The 1941 quarter has no special designations.

Error Coins 

There are several errors for the 1941 quarter known to increase the coin’s value.¹³ This is because they are unusual and unique. Also, many collectors choose to collect error coins.

Some examples of errors increasing the value of 1941 quarters are: 

• Broadstrike: a coin struck without a collar
• Clipped Planchet: when part of the coin is clipped off
• Partial Collar: when it is not fully contained in the collar
• Struck Off-Center: there is a misalignment of the die or planchet 

Die Varieties

The 1941 quarter has several die varieties.¹² Some add value, others not so much.

The Philadelphia and Denver quarters have some nice doubled varieties.

The most notable varieties, however, come from San Francisco. 

The 3 different types of mint-mark varieties are of particular interest to collectors.

The small “S” mint mark, seen in all quarters previous to this date. This is the most common variety.

The new “Trumpet S” mint mark debuted on the Washington quarter in 1941. This is quite rare for this year’s mintage.

The “Large Serif S” mint mark is the rarest of the bunch and thus the most valuable. The San Franciso Mint previously used this mint mark, but 1941 is the first time it appeared in the Washington quarter series.

Composition

Made of 90% silver, the 1941 quarter is worth its weight in silver. The current melt value is $4, but this is dependent on the fluctuating silver market.

We do not advise melting your coin as it will be more valuable when selling it intact.  

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1941 Quarter?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 1941 quarter (or any coin) and to get that value out of it is to have it professionally certified.

However, you can look for many elements to get you started in determining what coin you have.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

You want to be selective when choosing your 1941 quarter. 

Look for clear details, a good strike, a nice luster, and few imperfections. This should put the coin in the higher mint-state grades. These coins are the most valuable.  

Lower grades show more wear and have more marks and scratches. These are still worth $6 and up. 

Mint Marks

To find the mint mark on your 1941 quarter, look at its reverse side. You’ll find it below the wreath. 

The “S” mint marks from San Francisco are the most valuable.

The “D” mint marks are for coins from Denver. These are the second most valuable mint mark.

If there is no mint mark on your coin, it is from Philadelphia. These are the least valuable. 

Strike Types

The higher grades of circulation- or proof-strike 1941 quarters are the most valuable. So, look out for these.

If you have a proof coin, it will be of much better quality than a circulation-strike coin. Proof coins are clearly struck and have sharp, square edges.

You want to look for very few imperfections on the coin. If it shows signs of wear or has many marks and scratches, it could be graded as an “impaired” proof. 

Design Variations

The 1941 quarter has no design variations. 

Special Designations

The 1941 quarter has no special designations.

Error Coins

Below are some ways to help you identify some known errors for 1941 quarters.

Broadstrike Error

In the striking process, the collar contains the planchet and keeps it the appropriate size for its denomination.

When a die strikes a coin without a collar, the metal expands past its allocated size. This gives you a larger-than-normal coin.

So, check the size of your coin. If it is bigger than a normal Washington quarter, then it is probably a broadstrike error. 

Your coin should still have the complete design present on both sides.

This error makes your coin more valuable.

Clipped Planchet Errors

Sometimes, part of the planchet is clipped off while being struck because it wasn’t in the correct position. 

The clipped-off edge can be either smooth, curved, or ragged. 

The amount missing is variable, but it is always referred to in percentages, such as a 25% clipped planchet.

So, have a look for any part of your coin that is missing. This should be quite an easy error to determine by just looking at your coin. 

Partial Collar Errors

When a coin is not fully contained within its collar, it can cause errors around the rim and edge. This is a slightly harder error to determine.

A partial collar error is defined as one of 3 different types:

• Straight Partial Collars On Reeded Edges: 2 lines around the coin’s rim, called “railroad rims”
• Tilted Partial Collars: lines around the edge of the coin called “steps”
• Partial Collars On Non-Reeded Edge: called “wagon wheel” coins, these coins have a ring of plain metal around the edge

Struck Off-Center

This is another simple error to establish by just looking at your coin. 

The design on your coin will be shifted off-center. Sometimes, some of the coin’s design will be missing. The coin’s remaining space will be just plain metal. 

This error increases your coin’s value.   

Die Varieties

It is usually best to get a professional to certify if you have a die variety. But to get you started, here are some ways to help you identify some of the 1941 quarter’s die varieties.

Double-Die Obverse (DDO)

For both the 1941 DDO FS-101 quarter from the Philadelphia Mint and the 1941-D DDO FS-101 quarter from the Denver Mint, you can see strong doubling on the letters of “In God We Trust.”¹²

So, check the obverse side of your coin for this doubling. The Denver version also has doubling on Washington’s nostrils. 

For the next 3 San Francisco varieties, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the various styles of “S” mint marks.¹² 

This will help you to make an informed interpretation of the type of mint mark that is present on your San Francisco 1941 quarter.

Small S Mint Mark

First, look at the reverse side of your coin. The mint mark is under the center of the wreath. 

The small “S” mint mark is small and rounded. This is common to the previous years of the Washington quarter, so you can always look at them for comparison.

This is the most common variety for 1941. 

Trumpet S Mint Mark

Again, on the reverse side of your coin, look at the mint mark just below the wreath. 

This mint mark is larger than the first variety. 

The lower serif of the “S” flares out quite distinctly and much more so than the other styles of the “S” mint mark. 

This bottom serif of the “S” looks like the bell of a trumpet, hence the name. 

This is the first year for this trumpet style of “S.” It is quite a rare variety and, therefore, more valuable.

Large Serif S Mint Mark

This variety shows the larger “S” mint mark. However, unlike the “Trumpet,” both the serifs are of equal proportions.

This is the rarest style of mint mark seen on the 1941 quarter and, therefore, the most valuable variety.  

Additional Information About The 1941 Quarter

History

The Washington quarter series ran from 1932 until 1998.^9-11 The Mint started it to honor the bicentennial of the birth of America’s first president, George Washington.^9-11 

Designed by John Flanagan, the coin proved to be very popular and continued minting for many decades more than it was originally intended. 

1941 saw America readying for war with increased manufacturing, though it would not officially join the Allies until the end of 1942.⁵ 

The Great Depression finally ended in America in 1941.¹⁴ Employment numbers rose, and World War II boosted the American economy.⁵  

1941’s large mintage reflects this upturn. The U.S. Mint minted more than double the amount of Washington quarters in 1941 when compared to 1940. 

The Coin’s Obverse Side

Circling the rim of the 1941 quarter’s obverse side is “Liberty” at the top and the year, “1941” at the bottom.

In the center is the profile of George Washington. His hair is tied back with a ribbon. Flanagan’s initials, “JF,” are at the bottom of his neck.

Just under Washington’s chin on the left-hand side is “In God We Trust.” 

^{Sources: 1-3}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

The center of the 1941 quarter’s reverse side is an eagle with its wings spread. It looks left and holds arrows in its talons. 

America’s Latin motto, “E Pluribus Unum,” sits above the eagle’s head. This means “Out of many, one.” 

Beneath the eagle is a wreath. 

The mint mark, if present, is under the center of the wreath. There will be a “D” mint mark for coins minted in Denver. An “S” mint mark is for coins minted in San Francisco.

Around the rim of the coin at the top is “United States of America” and at the bottom “Quarter Dollar.

^{Sources: 1-3,5-7}

Sources

1941 Quarter Value Guide Sources