1943 Quarter Value Guide

The 1943 Quarter Value

1943 quarters minted in Denver and San Francisco have comparable values across the grades, with Denver being slightly higher. However, San Francisco is more valuable for higher mint-state grades.

Those minted in Philadelphia are the least valuable of the lot. 

You will see a large jump in the values of the mint-state grades. They range from approximately $11 to $16,000 and up.  

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1943 quarter with that grade, or no value information (or not enough) exists for it yet.

Additionally, all values are conservative estimates based on research. Please note all values are subject to change due to the market or circumstances unaccounted for during research and publication. We always recommend doing further research or consulting with a professional.

Melt Value

The 1943 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	1943 Quarter	1943-D Quarter	1943-S Quarter
Good – G	$5	$8	$8
Very Good – VG	$5	$8	$8
Fine – F	$5	$9	$8
Very Fine – VF	$5	$10	$9
Extra Fine – XF	$5	$13	$11
About Uncirculated – AU	$6-$8	$15-24	$13-$23
Mint State – MS	$11-$6,600 (68)	$26-13,000 (68)	$26-$16,000 (68)

What Makes A 1943 Quarter Valuable?

Various factors such as grading, rarity, error coins, and die varieties can all work to add value to a coin. 

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

As with all coins, the grade of a 1943 quarter affects its value. The higher the grade, the higher the value. 

Mint-state grades will show clear details, not be worn, and have few imperfections. 

Higher grades of 1943 quarters are worth much more, reaching into the thousands and tens of thousands. 

However, even the lowest “good” grade is worth $5 and up. 

Rarity

The Mint minted 1943 quarters approximately 137,495,600 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1943: 99,700,000 minted in Philadelphia^1,4
• 1943-D: 16,095,600 minted in Denver^2,5
• 1943-S: 21,700,000 minted in San Francisco^3,6

The 1943 doubled die obverse quarters from Philadelphia are believed to be the rarest strongly doubled die variety of the entire Washington quarter series, making them very valuable.¹⁸ 

Following that is the 1943-S doubled die obverse quarter. Though not quite as rare as those from Philadelphia, they still reach over $18,000 for a high mint-state grade.¹⁷  

Mint Marks

There are 2 different mint marks for the 1943 quarter:

“D” for those minted in Denver^2,5

“S” for those minted in San Francisco^3,6

The quarters minted in Philadelphia do not have a mint mark.^1,4

The “D” mint mark is most valuable for grades up to about uncirculated. The “S” mint mark is most valuable for quarters in the mint-state grades. Quarters without a mint mark are the least valuable. 

Strike Types

There are only circulation-strikes versions of the 1943 quarter.^8,9 

The quality of the strikes varies between the Mints. Denver has the best quality, and Philadelphia has the worst.^1-2,4-5 

However, Philadelphia did mint more than 6 times the amount of quarters than Denver did in 1943.^1-2,4-5 So, no doubt the die pairings struck longer than the other locations, which resulted in weak strikes.  

Design Variations

The 1943 quarter has no design variations. 

Special Designations

The 1943 quarter has no special designations.

Error Coins 

Error coins can increase the value of the 1943 quarter because they are unique and, therefore, desirable.

Some examples of known errors that have increased the value of 1943 quarters are: 

• Wrong planchet (this is when a coin is accidentally struck on a different planchet, such as one intended for another denomination)¹⁵ 
• Struck off-center (when a misalignment of the die or planchet causes the design to be struck off-center)¹⁶

Die Varieties

Different die varieties can add to a coin’s value, as collectors prize them. There are several such die varieties for the 1943 quarter. 

There is the “Trumpet S” mint mark variety.¹⁰ You can also see this in other years of the Washington quarter, but it’s quite rare for 1943. 

The unusual and amusing “Goiter” variety sees a damaged die giving Washington the appearance of having a goiter on his neck (see more in the next “Die Varieties” section below).¹⁰

But, the most notable and valuable die varieties of the 1943 quarter are the strong doubled die obverse (DDO) varieties.¹⁰ 

These are found in both the Philadelphia and the San Francisco quarters. Those from Philadelphia are very rare and significantly increase the coin’s value. High mint-state grades carry values at approximately $25,000 and up. 

Composition

The 1943 quarter is 90% silver.^1-6 It is worth its weight in silver, but this value depends on the fluctuating silver market.

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

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1943 Quarter?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 1943 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 will want to look out for higher grades–MS 64 and up–of the 1943 quarter, as these are more valuable. 

Mint-state coins will be clearly struck, showing full details of the designs, and have very few scratches or marks. 

If your coin shows these scratches or is faded and worn, then it will likely be graded lower. 

However, coins graded from “good” to “about uncirculated” still range in value from approximately $5 to $24. 

Mint Marks

On the reverse side of your 1943 quarter, look below the wreath. This is where you will find the mint mark. 

If your coin has an “S” mint mark, then it is from the San Francisco Mint.^3,6 This is the most valuable mint mark in the mint-state grades.

If your coin has a “D” mint mark, it was minted in Denver.^2,5 This is the most valuable mint mark in grades up to “about uncirculated.”

If your coin has no mint mark, then it is from the Philadelphia Mint and is the least valuable.^1,4 

Strike Types

There are only circulation-strike 1943 quarters.

The quality of the strike will depend on how early in the die pairing the coin was struck. A die pairing refers to the combination of an obverse die and a reverse die used together to strike coins. This is also sometimes known as “die marriage.” 

Coins struck with new or newly polished dies exhibit far better qualities than the coins after thousands of strikes. 

Design Variations

The 1943 quarter has no design variations. 

Special Designations

The 1943 quarter has no special designations.

Error Coins

Error coins can increase the value of your 1943 quarter, even if it is a lower grade. Here are some tips to help you identify known valuable 1943 quarter error coins.

Wrong Planchet Error

A wrong planchet error is an easy error to determine. 

Your coin will have the design of the 1943 quarter but be on a planchet normally used for a cent, a dime, or a nickel, for example. 

So, if your coin is a different size or made of a different metal, then it is likely a wrong-planchet error coin.

Struck Off-Center Error

For a stuck off-center error, again, it is quite easy to determine. The design on your coin will be shifted in a certain direction. The remaining space will be plain metal. 

Sometimes, some of the coin’s design may be missing as well.

The amount the design is struck off-center is referred to as percentage, for example 20% off-center, 35% off-center. 

Die Varieties

Here are some ways to help you identify valuable die varieties of the 1943 quarter.

Trumpet “S” Mint Mark

This variety is only for coins minted in San Francisco.¹⁰

Look at the mint mark positioned just below the wreath on the reverse side of your coin. The lower serif of the “S” will look more flared out. It will resemble the bell of a trumpet, hence its name. 

The mint mark may also be doubled. 

This is quite rare for 1943-S quarters and therefore adds value. 

Goiter

For this variety, look at the obverse side of your coin.¹⁰ Washington’s neck will show a large lump–the “goiter.” Under his jaw, the area will also appear swollen.

The right edge of the words “In God We Trust” will be distorted.  

Again, you will only find this variety in coins minted in San Francisco, so they will have the “S” mint mark.

Double Die Obverse

While you can find this variety in quarters from all three Mints, the most notable and valuable ones are the prominent double die obverses from either Philadelphia (no mint mark) or San Francisco (“S” mint mark).¹⁰ 

The 1943 quarter double die obverse from Philadelphia is the most valuable. 

On the obverse side of your coin, look for doubling on both “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.” The doubled letters should be quite apparent, but you may want to use a loupe or some form of magnification.

While lower grades of this variety will be worth more than regular 1943 quarters, it is the higher grades of the DDO variety where you will see significant increases in value.   

Additional Information About The 1943 Quarter

History

The Washington quarter was first minted in 1932 to celebrate the bicentennial (200th anniversary) of the birth of the United States of America’s first president, George Washington.

A competition chose the coin’s design. The winning design was by John Flanagan. 

The portrait is modeled on Jean Antoine Houdon’s (the French sculptor) bust of Washington. This bust, originally created from a life mask of Washington’s face, is highly praised for its accuracy.  

It proved so popular that the series ran from 1932 to 1998. 

There are three main versions of the Washington quarter. The first is the original version, which ran from 1932 to 1964, with proof versions minted from 1992 to 1998. It was 90% silver. 

Because of the rising value of silver, the second version saw the Washington quarter change to a 75% copper and 25% nickel-clad coin. 

The third type recognized the bicentennial of America’s Declaration of Independence in 1976 with a change in the design of the reverse. This was also a copper-nickel-clad coin. 

1943 is San Francisco’s highest mintage year of the Washington quarter.^3,6 

^{Sources: 7-9,11-12}

The Coin’s Obverse Side

In the center of the 1943 quarter’s obverse side is the profile of George Washington. His hair is tied low with a bow. Flanagan’s initials, “JF,” are at the base of his neck.

Above his head at the rim is “Liberty.” Below him is the year, “1943.”

To the left, under Washington’s chin, is “In God We Trust.” 

^{Sources: 1-2}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

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

The reverse side of the 1943 quarter features an eagle with its wings spread and looking left. It grasps a clutch of arrows in its talons. 

Above the eagle’s head is America’s motto, “E Pluribus Unum.” This means “Out of many, one.” Below the eagle is a curved wreath. 

If present, the mint mark is below the center of the wreath. A “D” mint mark is for the coins minted in Denver. An “S” mint mark is for coins minted in San Francisco.

^{Sources: 1-6}

Sources

1943 Quarter Value Guide Sources