1965 Quarter Value Guide

The 1965 Quarter Value

A 1965 quarter’s value remains low for its circulation-strike version, worth less than its face value. Only when you get into the higher mint-state grades will you begin seeing real value for this coin.

The special-mint-set-strike version is a different story. It is worth more than its face value and only increases from there.

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1965 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 1965 quarter’s melt value is approximately negligible. The melt value will fluctuate with the market.

Circulation Strike Value Chart

1965 Quarter
Grade Names	Coin Values
Good – G	$0.15
Very Good – VG	$0.15
Fine – F	$0.15
Very Fine – VF	$0.15
Extra Fine – XF	$0.15
About Uncirculated – AU	$0.20-$0.42
Mint State – MS	$1-$11,000 (68)

Special Mint Set (SMS) Value Chart

1965 Special Mint Set Quarter
Grade Names	Coin Values
SMS 60	$2
SMS 61	$3
SMS 62	$4
SMS 63	$7
SMS 64	$9
SMS 65	$13
SMS 66	$17
SMS 67	$28
SMS 68	$75
SMS 69	$153
SMS 70	N/A

Cameo (CA/CAM) Special Mint Set (SMS) Value Chart

1965 Cameo Special Mint Set Quarter
Grade Names	Coin Values
SMS 60 CA/CAM	N/A
SMS 61 CA/CAM	N/A
SMS 62 CA/CAM	N/A
SMS 63 CA/CAM	N/A
SMS 64 CA/CAM	$46
SMS 65 CA/CAM	$67
SMS 66 CA/CAM	$92
SMS 67 CA/CAM	$437
SMS 68 CA/CAM	$1,700
SMS 69 CA/CAM	N/A
SMS 70 CA/CAM	N/A

What Makes A 1965 Quarter Valuable?

Many factors make 1965 quarters (also known as Washington quarters) valuable. These factors include their grading, strike type, and whether or not they’re error coins or die varieties.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Higher grades make 1965 quarters more valuable. Those higher grades are essential since anything lower than the mint-state grades for the circulation-strike version yields less than 1 dollar in value. Many of those lower grades are worth less than face value.

Higher grades also add to the value of the special mint set version.

Rarity

The Mint minted 1965 quarters approximately 1,822,017,540 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1965: 1,819,717,540 minted in Philadelphia^1,3
• 1965 SMS: 2,360,000 minted in Philadelphia^2,6

The 1965 quarter’s lack of rarity does not contribute to its overall value.

However, the Mint made only 2.3 million special mint set 1965 quarters. Due to their rarity relative to the circulation-strike version and their overall better quality, they do have increased value.

The only exception is the higher circulation-strike mint-state grades.

Mint Marks

Only the Philadelphia Mint produced 1965 quarters. These quarters have no mint mark and are not more valuable as a result of their minting location.^1-4

Strike Types

1965 quarters have two strike types: circulation strike and special mint set strike.^7,8

The special-mint-set-strike version is more valuable than the circulation-strike version in all cases except for the highest mint-state grades. This is due to the rarity of the higher circulation-strike mint-state grades compared to the rarity of the higher special-mint-set-strike grades.

You can also find a cameo version of the special-mint-set-strike coins, which significantly increases their value.

Of note is the fact that the special-mint-set-strike version is also a special mint set. Special mint sets included a half dollar, quarter, dime, nickel, and penny, each made with a special mint set strike.⁹ 

The Mint only minted special mint sets from 1965 to 1967.⁹

Design Variations

The 1965 quarter has no design variations (such as the 2009 Lincoln penny’s four design variations).

Special Designations

The 1965 quarter has no versions with special designations (such as a full-steps Jefferson nickel). 

Error Coins 

Transitional error coins happen whenever the U.S. Mint transitions from one coin composition to another. Transitional error coins refer to coins made from the previous year’s composition, such as striking them on a silver planchet when they were supposed to be struck on another planchet.¹¹

This happened with 1965 quarters as well since the Mint switched from silver quarters made from 90% silver and 10% copper composition to 75% copper and 25% nickel.

As a result, the Mint mistakenly made some 1965 quarters from the copper and silver planchets.¹⁰ These are popular transitional quarter error coins and are quite valuable.

Even grades below mint state and about uncirculated bring in thousands of dollars.

The Mint also mistakenly struck some 1965 quarters on planchets intended for other coins, such as dimes and even pennies. These error coins aren’t as valuable as the transitional error coins, but they still significantly increase the value of a 1965 quarter.

Off-center strike errors also exist for 1965 Washington quarters. These quarter errors do increase the value of a 1965 quarter, but only by hundreds of dollars instead of thousands.

Die Varieties

1965 quarters have a few varieties. The most valuable is the doubled die obverse (DDO) variety. 

Two versions exist of this variety. One shows doubling on several features, such as the words “Liberty,” “In God We Trust,” and the date.¹² 

This version is worth hundreds of dollars, even in about-uncirculated grades.¹²

The other version only shows doubling on “Liberty.”^12,13 It still increases the value of a 1965 Washington quarter but only gets into the hundreds of dollars in the middle mint-state grades and above.¹³

Composition

The 1965 quarter is 75% copper and 25% nickel. This does not add to its overall value. Additionally, melting it down won’t make it worth very much, either.

It would be better to have a professional certify your coin to determine if it does have some overall value (such as it being a special mint set strike or a higher mint-state grade). Then, you can decide what to do from there.

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1965 Quarter?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 1965 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

To determine if your 1965 quarter is a higher grade, look for the following:

• Fewer imperfections
• A shinier surface
• Clearer and more complete details

These signs are good indications you have a higher grade quarter. 

Always handle any coin carefully, such as using soft cotton gloves and holding it between your thumb and index finger.¹⁴ Doing so helps preserve your coin’s grade and, thus, its value.

Mint Marks

Since only the Philadelphia Mint minted 1965 quarters, you don’t need to worry about determining the coin’s minting location. 

All 1965 quarters lack mint marks. As such, any 1965 quarters with mint marks are illegitimate.

Strike Types

Special-mint-set-strike 1965 quarters feature an overall better quality than circulation-strike 1965 quarters. Look for this increased quality, a satin-like finish (a finish between proof and circulation strike), and more reflectivity, which are good signs your quarter is from a special mint set and not a circulation strike.⁹

However, it’s worth knowing that of the three years the Mint made special mint sets, the 1965 set is generally regarded as the least appealing of the three. The Mint corrected this the following year.⁹

Design Variations

The 1965 quarter has no design variations.

Special Designations

The 1965 quarter has no special designations.

Error Coins

You have several ways to determine if you’re looking at a 1965 transitional quarter error. 

First, weigh the coin. 

Silver quarters from 1964 weigh 6.25 grams (0.2204623 ounces).¹⁵ Regular 1965 quarters weigh 5.67 grams (0.2000034 ounces), but silver ones should weigh the same as the 1964 version.

Whatever weight your scale shows will give you a good idea as to whether you have a silver 1965 quarter or a copper-nickel one.

Second, see how your coin reacts around a magnet. Silver and copper are not magnetic, while nickel is.^16,17 So, a 1965 quarter that doesn’t react to the magnet is likely the silver quarter error version. A 1965 quarter that does react is the nickel version.

Remember that no matter what your findings are with the steps above, you’ll still need to get your coin certified by a professional. If someone is trying to sell you a coin without such a certification, ask them to get one or walk away from the deal.

A 1965 Washington quarter struck on the wrong coin planchet is easier to determine. You’ll see the quarter’s design on a smaller coin. You’ll need to see the year to determine if it’s from 1965. 

Off-center strikes are also easy to determine, as the design won’t be centered. 

Die Varieties

To determine if you have a doubled die obverse (DDO) 1965 quarter, look at “In God We Trust,” “Liberty,” and the year. You may have to look closely, but you should see parts of those features doubled. 

If you see doubling in all those features, you likely have the more valuable doubled die obverse 1965 quarter.¹² If you only see doubling in “Liberty,” you still have a valuable 1965 quarter die variety, but it won’t be as valuable as the other version.¹³

Additional Information About The 1965 Quarter

History

The U.S. Mint first struck Washington quarters in 1932. This honored the bicentennial (200th anniversary) of George Washington’s birth. 

Up until 1965, the Mint made silver quarters. However, ongoing shortage issues and the rising price of silver necessitated the Coinage Act Of 1965.

In short, this act eliminated all silver from dimes and quarters. It also reduced the amount of silver in half dollars from 90% to 40%.

^{Sources: 18-19}

The Coin’s Obverse Side

The 1965 quarter’s obverse side showcases President George Washington’s profile facing to the left. 

The word “Liberty” curves above his head, following the rim. The words “In God We Trust” sit just below his chin. 

The year rests at the bottom of the coin by the rim.

^{Sources: 1-3}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

The 1965 quarter’s reverse side depicts a bald eagle spreading its wings, which fills most of this side of the coin. The bald eagle is perched on a bundle of arrows, with a laurel spreading beneath them.

The words “United States Of America” curve around the rim above the eagle’s head and wings. They perfectly follow the rim and the wings. 

The words “E Pluribus Unum” sit beneath “United States Of America,” filling the space between those words and the eagle’s head. “E Pluribus Unum” means “Out of many, one,” and is the motto of the United States.

The words “Quarter Dollar” curve around the bottom of the coin’s rim, following the laurel.

^{Sources: 1,3}

Why Did The Mint Make Special Mint Sets From 1965-1967?

One additional victim of the problems facing the United States Mint leading up to the Coinage Act Of 1965 was proof coins.⁹ In other words, the Mint stopped making proof coins and proof sets from 1965 to 1967. 

However, the Mint did make special mint sets in their place. This was to appease collectors, whom the Mint partly blamed the aforementioned problems on.

The Mint made special mint sets with more care than circulation strikes but not to the same level of proof coins. This care included polished dies and planchets but little else. 

Sources

1965 Quarter Value Guide Sources