1966 Quarter Value Guide

The 1966 Quarter Value

Circulation-strike 1966 quarters remain at face value until the later about-uncirculated and across all mint-state grades. They see significant increases in value at the highest mint-state grades.

Special-mint-set strike 1966 quarters are worth more than their face value at all grades. This value also significantly increases in their later grades, particularly for the cameo and ultra/deep cameo versions.

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1966 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 1966 quarter’s melt value is approximately negligible. The melt value will fluctuate with the market.

Circulation Strike Value Chart

1966 Quarter
Grade Names	Coin Values
Good – G	$0.25
Very Good – VG	$0.25
Fine – F	$0.25
Very Fine – VF	$0.25
Extra Fine – XF	$0.25
About Uncirculated – AU	$0.25-$0.42
Mint State – MS	$1-$7,600 (68)

Special Mint Set (SMS) Value Chart

1966 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	$12
SMS 66	$15
SMS 67	$28
SMS 68	$80
SMS 69	N/A
SMS 70	N/A

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

1966 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	$29
SMS 65 CA/CAM	$41
SMS 66 CA/CAM	$55
SMS 67 CA/CAM	$97
SMS 68 CA/CAM	$825
SMS 69 CA/CAM	N/A
SMS 70 CA/CAM	N/A

Ultra/Deep Cameo (UC/DCAM) Special Mint Set (SMS) Value Chart

1966 Ultra/Deep Cameo Special Mint Set Quarter
Grade Names	Coin Values
SMS 60 UC/DCAM	N/A
SMS 61 UC/DCAM	N/A
SMS 62 UC/DCAM	N/A
SMS 63 UC/DCAM	N/A
SMS 64 UC/DCAM	N/A
SMS 65 UC/DCAM	N/A
SMS 66 UC/DCAM	$525
SMS 67 UC/DCAM	$2,500
SMS 68 UC/DCAM	N/A
SMS 69 UC/DCAM	N/A
SMS 70 UC/DCAM	N/A

What Makes A 1966 Quarter Valuable?

Several factors contribute to a 1966 quarter’s value. These include its grading, strike type, and whether or not it’s an error coin or die variety.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Grading adds value to 1966 quarters just like it does with other coins. 

However, the value grading adds only becomes noticeable at the highest mint-state grades for the circulation-strike version.

The special-mint-set-strike version shows better values in the mid-to-high mint-state grades.

Remember to wear soft cotton gloves and hold your coins between your thumb and index finger to preserve their grade.

Rarity

The Mint minted 1966 quarters approximately 823,363,083 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1966: 821,101,500 minted in Philadelphia^3,7
• 1966 SMS: 2,261,583 minted in Philadelphia^2,8

The 1966 quarter’s high minting amount does not make it rare or add to its value.

However, higher grades are rare than lower grades, and the Mint only minted a little over 2.2 million special mint set 1966 quarters, making them rarer and more valuable than the circulation-strike version in most cases (see the “Strike Types” section below for more information on the exception to this).

Mint Marks

Only one location minted 1966 quarters: Philadelphia.^1-4 As a result, 1966 quarters have no mint mark (common for Philadelphia coins), and they’re not more valuable as a result of their minting location.

Strike Types

1966 quarters have two strike types: circulation and special mint set.^9-10

The special-mint-set strike significantly adds to a 1966 quarter’s value, even more so with a cameo or ultra/deep cameo finish.

The circulation strike does not.

However, circulation-strike 1966 quarters are worth more at the highest mint-state grades since they are rarer.

Design Variations

This coinr has no design variations.

Special Designations

This coin has no versions with special designations. 

Error Coins 

Error coins add value to 1966 quarters.

Examples of such errors include the following:¹²

• Wrong-cent planchet errors (when the Mint strikes a coin on a planchet intended for a coin of a different denomination)
• Off-center strikes (when the Mint strikes the coin slightly or majorly off-center)

Of the three, wrong-cent planchet errors bring in the most money, significantly increasing a coin’s value by hundreds of dollars.

Die Varieties

The only 1966 quarter die variety is the doubled die reverse one.^13-14

This die variety adds significant value (hundreds of dollars) to a 1966 quarter, even at grades out of the mint-state range.

Composition

1966 quarters are 75% copper and 25% nickel. Their composition does not add to their value.

Their melt value fluctuates with the market. However, we recommend against melting any coins down as they’re typically worth more than their melt value.

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1966 Quarter?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 1966 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

Look for 1966 quarters with fewer imperfections, a greater level of shine, and better detail. The more of each of these your 1966 quarter has, the higher grade it is. 

This is true for the circulation-strike and special-mint-set-strike versions.

Mint Marks

Since only Philadelphia minted 1966 quarters, you won’t need to look for mint marks to determine their minting location.

You should not see a mint mark on a 1966 quarter, either. If you do, it is an illegitimate coin.

Strike Types

Special mint set strikes show less use and greater quality than circulation strikes. 

Generally, special mint set 1966 quarters fall between proof strikes and circulation strikes in terms of their manufacturing process and quality. Look for greater reflectivity as well.

Additionally, look for increased contrast between the frosted design elements and the background fields of the coin for cameo and ultra/deep cameo special mint set 1966 quarters. 

Design Variations

The coin has no design variations.

Special Designations

The coin has no special designations.

Error Coins

Thankfully, it’s relatively easy to determine the errors we mentioned in the above “Error Coins” section.

Wrong-cent planchet errors are easy because the 1966 quarter’s design will be on a planchet intended for a penny, nickel, or dime, for example. This means that 1966 quarter error will be of an unusual size. It will also be the wrong color if struck on a penny planchet.

Off-center strike errors are easy because the 1966 quarter’s design will not be centered. Coin certifications express this off-centering as a percentage, such as 15% off-center or 30% off-center.

Die Varieties

The 1966 doubled-die reverse quarter shows doubling on its reverse side.^13-14 Doubling is when parts of the coin’s design are partially or fully doubled. You will likely need magnification to see this doubling.

So, you should see doubling on at least some of the reverse side’s design elements. 

For example, look for doubling on the “United States Of America.” Look at each letter individually. You should see what looks like the beginning of or a complete second letter slightly offset from the first.

Die varieties like this can be hard to determine, so we especially recommend consulting with a professional, especially if you think you have one.

Additional Information About The 1966 Quarter

History

The Mint struck Washington quarters for the first time in 1932. The reason was to honor the 2005th anniversary of President George Washington’s birth.

The Mint made these quarters from silver until 1965. Ongoing shortage issues and the rising price of silver forced the creation of the Coinage Act Of 1965.

This act removed all silver from dimes and quarters, and it reduced the amount of silver in half dollars from 90% to 40%. They reduced it from 40% to 0%, making half dollars from 75% copper and 25% nickel in 1971.

^{Sources: 15-16}

The Coin’s Obverse Side

The 1966 quarter’s obverse side features President George Washington’s profile filling the center of the coin and facing left. 

The word “Liberty” curves above his head, following the coin’s rim. The year curves below his neck, also following the coin’s rim.

The words “In God We Trust” sit just below his chin on the lower left of the coin.

^{Sources: 1-4}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

The 1966 quarter’s reverse side features an eagle spreading its wings while perched on a bundle of arrows. A laurel spreads beneath the eagle. 

The words “United States Of America” curve above the eagle’s head and wings, following the coin’s rim. The words “E Pluribus Unum” sit between these and the eagle’s head. They’re Latin for “Out of many, one,” which is the United States motto.

The words “Quarter Dollar” curve beneath the laurel, also following the coin’s rim.

^{Sources: 1-4}

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

The Mint only made special mint sets from 1965 to 1967 to appease collectors following the Coinage Act Of 1965.¹¹ 

In addition to removing silver from quarters and dimes and reducing it to 40% in half dollars (at least until 1970), the Mint stopped making proof coins from 1965 to 1967.

The Mint did make special mint sets, which included a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and half dollar, with polished dies and planchets, but little else. As a result, their quality sits between circulation strikes and proof strikes, similar to specimen strikes.

Of the three, the 1965 set is generally considered the least appealing. The Mint corrected this with the 1966 set.

Sources

1966 Quarter Value Guide Sources