1964 Quarter Value Guide

The 1964 Quarter Value

Circulation strikes minted in Philadelphia and Denver have comparable values across the grades, with Denver being slightly more valuable in the high mint-state range. 

Coin values in the mint-state grades vary greatly. They start at approximately $10 and ramp up to $20,000 and up.

Ultra/deep cameo proofs are the most valuable of the proof-strike versions, followed by cameo versions, and then regular proofs are the least valuable. 

1964 special mint set quarters (sometimes referred to as “special strikes”) are the most valuable because so few were minted. Though the exact number is unknown, it is believed to be under 50. 

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1964 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 1964 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	1964 Quarter	1964-D Quarter
Good – G	$5	$5
Very Good – VG	$5	$5
Fine – F	$5	$5
Very Fine – VF	$5	$5
Extra Fine – XF	$5	$5
About Uncirculated – AU	$6-$7	$6-$8
Mint State – MS	$10-$4,200 (67+)	$10-$20,000 (68)

Special Mint Set (SMS) Value Chart

1964 SMS Quarter
Grade Names	Coin Values
SMS 60	N/A
SMS 61	N/A
SMS 62	N/A
SMS 63	N/A
SMS 64	$1,700
SMS 65	$4,400
SMS 66	$7,300
SMS 67	$12,000
SMS 68	$24,000
SMS 69	N/A
SMS 70	N/A

Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1964 Proof Quarter
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60	$5
PR 61	$7
PR 62	$9
PR 63	$12
PR 64	$16
PR 65	$20
PR 66	$25
PR 67	$30
PR 68	$35
PR 69	$62
PR 70	$700

Cameo (CA/CAM) Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1964 Cameo Proof Quarter
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 CA/CAM	N/A
PR 61 CA/CAM	N/A
PR 62 CA/CAM	N/A
PR 63 CA/CAM	N/A
PR 64 CA/CAM	$18
PR 65 CA/CAM	$22
PR 66 CA/CAM	$28
PR 67 CA/CAM	$36
PR 68 CA/CAM	$72
PR 69 CA/CAM	$127
PR 70 CA/CAM	$2,500

Ultra/Deep Cameo (UC/DCAM) Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1964 Ultra/Deep Cameo Proof Quarter
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 61 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 62 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 63 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 64 UC/DCAM	$23
PR 65 UC/DCAM	$27
PR 66 UC/DCAM	$34
PR 67 UC/DCAM	$53
PR 68 UC/DCAM	$117
PR 69 UC/DCAM	$650
PR 70 UC/DCAM	N/A

What Makes A 1964 Quarter Valuable?

Various things can affect a coin’s value, such as grading, strike types, mint marks, die varieties, and errors. Some of these factors can greatly increase the value of this coin.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Circulation-strike coins range in grade from ungradable to mint-state 70. As the number increases, so does the coin’s value.

Proof-strike and special-mint-set versions range in grade from 60 to 70. However, these can have a grade lower than 60. This would happen if the coin shows signs of damage or wear. 

In the case of proof-strikes graded below 60, these are known as “impaired.”

Rarity

The Mint minted 1964 quarters approximately 1,268,476,875 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1964: 560,390,585 minted in Philadelphia^1,3
• 1964-D: 704,135,528 minted in Denver^2,4
• 1964 Special Mint Set: exact number unknown^5-6 
• 1964 Proof: 3,950,762 minted in Philadelphia^7,8

Some versions of this coin are rarer than others and, therefore, more valuable.

With over a billion quarters minted, the 1964 quarter is not rare in lower grades. However, it does become increasingly rare in high mint-state grades. The high value reflects this rarity. 

The 1964 quarter special mint set is the rarest of the versions and, therefore, the most valuable. These are sometimes called “special strikes” or “SMS.” The exact amount is unknown, but it is estimated to be fewer than 50.^5-6    

Mint Marks

There is only 1 mint mark for the 1964 quarter: “D” for those coins minted in Denver.^2,4

Coins minted in Philadelphia do not have a mint mark.^1,3 This is the case for all the proof- and special-mint-set versions of the 1964 quarter.^4-8  

Strike Types

The 1964 quarter has 3 strike types^10-11

• Circulation 
• Proof 
• Special mint set

The majority of the 1964 mintage is circulation-strike coins. Other than the high mint-state coins, these are the least valuable of the 3 types. 

Proof-strike coins are the second most valuable strike type. There are also cameo and ultra/deep cameo versions of the proof-strike coins.

The exact reason for striking the special mint set version of the 1964 quarter is unknown, although it may have been a test run for the planned special mint sets to be released from 1965 to 1967.^5-6  

The special mint set versions are the most valuable of the 3 types. 

Design Variations

This coin has no design variations.

Special Designations

This coin has no special designations. 

Error Coins 

In general, errors increase a coin’s value because of its uniqueness. However, some errors are more valuable than others.

Two errors known to increase the value of a 1964 quarter are when a coin is struck off-center and when the coin is struck on the wrong planchet.¹³

Another common error in 1964 quarters is struck-through errors.¹³ This occurs when a foreign object is between the die and planchet at the time of striking, leaving an impression on the coin. 

While sometimes an interesting error, a struck-through error doesn’t always add to the value. 

However, a 1964 quarter which was struck through a piece of cloth, was left with an interesting imprint of the textile’s weave over the whole of the obverse side. This error coin sold for over $700.¹⁵  

Die Varieties

The 1964 quarter has several die varieties. 

Of note is the 1964-D Type C Reverse.¹² This variety can add hundreds to a coin’s value.^20-21

The Denver Mint mistakenly used a die that was supposed to be used only on the clad coins due to be minted starting in 1965. This mistake resulted in an attractively well-struck and detailed quarter. 

Another interesting variety is the 1964 Type B Reverse.¹² This variety also increases the coin’s value.^18-19

This was when the Philadelphia Mint used a retired proof die for its circulation-strike coins. A key indicator of this variety is the separated “ES” in “States.” 

Composition

The 1964 quarter is 90% silver, the value of which is dependent on fluctuating market prices.

While your coin will always be worth its weight in silver, we do not advise melting it. It will be more valuable if you sell it than melt it.

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1964 Quarter?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 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

While even the lowest grade of the 1964 quarter is worth approximately $5 and up, it is the higher mint-state grades where you will start to see hundreds and thousands of dollars in value. 

So look for well-struck, detailed coins with few imperfections, as these will be worth the most.  

Mint Marks

On the reverse side of your 1964 quarter, look below the wreath. This is where you will find the mint mark. There will be a “D” for the quarters minted in Denver.^2,4

If your coin has no mint mark, then it is from the Philadelphia Mint.^1,3 All the proof- and special-mint-set versions were minted in Philadelphia and, therefore, have no mint marks.^5-8

Strike Types

Proof versions of the 1964 quarter will have few marks or scratches. They will be well-struck and have clear details.

The cameo versions will show a good contrast between the mirror-like look of the coin’s fields and the frosting on the coin’s devices.

The ultra/deep cameo versions will show an even greater contrast between the mirroring and the frosting. These are the rarest and most valuable versions of the proof strikes.

The 1964 special-mint-set (SMS) coins will, again, have little flaws or imperfections. 

The 1964 SMS coins will have more of a satin-like finish and won’t be as mirrored as the proof versions. However, they will still be of much better quality than regular-strike coins. The edges will be sharp and square.   

Design Variations

The coin has no design variations.

Special Designations

The coin has no special designations. 

Error Coins

Here are some ways to help you determine if you have a 1964 error coin. 

Wrong Planchet Error

Luckily, this is an easy spot. 

Your 1964 quarter will have the normal design but be on a different coin, for example, a cent, a dime, or a nickel.  

So, your coin will likely be a different size than a normal quarter or even a different color if it was struck on a penny.

Struck Off-Center Error

For this error, look to see if your coin’s design is shifted off-center. This can be in any direction, either the reverse or the obverse side.

Sometimes, part of the design can be missing, and the remaining space is just plain metal. 

This error usually increases the value of your coin.   

Struck-Through Error

For this, examine your coin for any signs of an impression left by an object. 

Depending on the object that was struck through, this could be lines or grooves. Sometimes, a more distinct impression is left by an object like a wire or the print of a piece of cloth that was struck through.  

Die Varieties

For the 1964-D Type C Reverse, first, you want to make sure your coin is from the Denver Mint, so look for the “D” mint mark below the wreath on the reverse side.¹²

The feathers on the eagle’s breast will be much more distinct than on a regular 1964 quarter. The eagle’s tail and the wreath’s leaves will be very clearly struck. 

One of the wreath’s leaves touches the “A” in “Dollar.” The arrowheads touch the wreath on the left-hand side. The wreath’s leaves are also particularly pronounced and well-defined.

This is a popular variety. 

The 1964 Type B Reverse is from the Philadelphia Mint, so it won’t have a mint mark.¹² 

For this variety, look at the reverse side of your coin. You may want to use a loupe or some form of magnification here.

Look at the last two letters of “States” at the top. The “ES” will be much further apart from each other and from the rest of the word.  

You may want to compare it to another quarter to determine this. 

Additional Information About The 1964 Quarter

History

The Washington quarters were originally stuck in 1932 to celebrate the bicentennial (200th anniversary) of George Washington’s birth. They proved so popular that the series ran until 1998.

1964 marks the last year of the early type of Washington Quarters. These were all made of 90% silver and 10% copper. From 1965 onward, the composition changed to a 25% nickel and 75% copper coin.

The earlier version is more valuable due to its silver content. 

In 1964, at over 7 million, the Denver Mint had its highest mintage of the entire early series (1932 to 1964) of Washington quarters.^2,4 However, 1964-D Washington quarters in good condition are surprisingly rare.

^{Sources: 9-11}

The Coin’s Obverse Side

The 1964 quarter’s obverse side features a left-facing profile of George Washington. His hair is tied low with a ribbon. On the right-hand side of the base of his neck are Flanagan’s initials, “JF.”

Curving around the rim above his head is “Liberty.” Below him is the year, “1964.”

On the left side, below Washington’s chin, is “In God We Trust.” 

^{Sources: 1-4}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

In the middle of the reverse side of the 1964 quarter is an eagle with its wings spread and holding arrows.

Above its head is “E Pluribus Unum.” This is the Latin motto of the United States of America, meaning “Out of many, one.” 

Curving beneath the eagle is a wreath. If present, the “D” mint mark will be below the center of the wreath. 

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

^{Sources: 1-4}

Sources

1964 Quarter Value Guide Sources