The 1939-S Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $6 in heavily circulated condition to well over $200 in uncirculated grades, with top-tier examples fetching thousands at auction. If you found one of these old quarters tucked away in a drawer or inherited coin collection, you may be sitting on more than just spare change.
What Makes the 1939-S Washington Quarter Special
The 1939-S Washington Quarter was struck at the San Francisco Mint, identified by the small “S” mintmark located on the reverse of the coin, just above the “R” in “QUARTER.” The San Francisco Mint produced 2,628,000 of these quarters in 1939 — a relatively modest mintage compared to the Philadelphia issue of that same year.
Lower mintage often means greater scarcity, and scarcity drives value. That’s why collectors pay a premium for well-preserved 1939-S examples.
The coin features John Flanagan’s portrait of George Washington on the obverse and an eagle design on the reverse. It’s made of 90% silver, which adds a base metal value on top of its collectible worth.
If you’re not sure whether your coin has the “S” mintmark or want help identifying it quickly, a free coin identifier app can help you confirm the details without any guesswork.
1939-S Washington Quarter Value by Grade
The condition of your coin — known as its “grade” — makes a huge difference in what it’s worth. Coin grading runs from Poor (P-1) all the way up to Perfect Mint State (MS-70). Here’s a general value breakdown for the 1939-S Washington Quarter:
| Grade | Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 (Good) | Heavy wear, design visible | $6 – $9 |
| VF-20 (Very Fine) | Moderate wear, details clear | $12 – $20 |
| EF-40 (Extremely Fine) | Light wear on high points | $30 – $50 |
| MS-63 (Uncirculated) | No wear, some marks | $90 – $150 |
| MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated) | Sharp strike, minimal marks | $250 – $500+ |
| MS-67 and above | Near perfect condition | $1,000 – $5,000+ |
For the most current auction results and certified coin prices, you can check detailed 1939-S Washington Quarter price data across mint state grades to see exactly what collectors are paying right now.
Silver Value and Why It Matters
Even if your 1939-S Washington Quarter is worn down to bare design details, it still has melt value. Pre-1965 U.S. quarters contain 90% silver — each coin has about 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver.
With silver prices fluctuating around $28–$32 per troy ounce in recent years, that gives every 1939-S quarter a silver melt value of roughly $5 to $6 just for the metal alone.
This means even the most beat-up example you find isn’t truly worthless. It’s worth at least its weight in silver, and likely more because of its age and collector interest.
That silver floor makes Washington quarters from this era a popular target for both coin collectors and precious metals stackers alike.
How to Check If Your Coin Is Authentic and Properly Graded
One of the most common mistakes everyday people make is overestimating — or sometimes underestimating — the condition of their coin. A coin you think looks great might grade lower than expected due to hidden hairline scratches or cleaning marks.
Cleaning a coin is one of the biggest value-killers. If someone polished the coin at some point, professional graders will detect it immediately and it will dramatically reduce the value.
If you want a reliable starting point, CoinHix is a great tool for looking up real market prices and understanding where your coin might fall on the grading scale. It pulls together auction records so you can see real-world sales, not just estimates.
For a deeper breakdown of what your specific coin might be worth based on its exact condition, this detailed 1939 quarter value guide covers the full range of grades and what to expect at each level.
Where to Sell a 1939-S Washington Quarter
Once you know your coin’s approximate value, you have several good options for selling. Reputable choices include:
– eBay – Great for reaching collectors directly, especially for mid-grade coins
– Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers – Best for high-grade or certified coins
– Local coin dealers – Convenient but expect offers around 60–70% of retail
– Coin shows – Good for networking with multiple buyers at once
Before selling, consider getting your coin certified by PCGS or NGC if it appears to be in uncirculated condition. The certification fee is worth it for MS-63 and above coins because it can dramatically increase buyer confidence and final sale price.
CoinHix can also help you track recent sale prices before you commit to any offer, so you know whether a dealer’s price is fair.
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FAQ
Q: How do I know if my quarter is a 1939-S and not a 1939-P or 1939-D?
A: Look at the reverse of the coin, just above the word “QUARTER.” If you see a small “S,” it was struck at San Francisco. A “D” means Denver, and no mintmark means Philadelphia. A magnifying glass or loupe makes this much easier to spot.
Q: Is a cleaned 1939-S Washington Quarter worth anything?
A: Yes, but significantly less than an uncleaned example of the same grade. Cleaned coins are typically worth 50–70% less to collectors. However, the silver melt value remains the same regardless of cleaning, so it still has some base worth.
Q: Should I get my 1939-S Washington Quarter graded by PCGS or NGC?
A: It depends on the condition. If your coin shows no wear and has strong luster, professional grading is absolutely worth the cost. For circulated coins in Good to Very Fine condition, grading fees may exceed the coin’s value, so it’s usually not necessary. Use CoinHix to check current market prices and make that call based on real data.
