1942 Quarter
The 1942 was the first Washington quarter to have a mintage of over 100,000,000 coins. Perhaps this dampened the enthusiasm of dealers and collectors of the era to save this coin as the 1942 is actually a bit of a sleeper in Gem condition.
1942 Denver DDO - 1942 D (Denver) DDO (Double Die Obverse) can be noticed by looking at the L in liberty as well as the 'In God We Trust'. 1944 DDO - 1944 DDO Quarter see example with double '1944'. 1950 S over D - The mint went back and stamped an S over the D in an effort to distribute the 1950 Quarter. They have done this sort of thing often throughout the mints history. 1942 Washington Quarter AU About Uncirculated 90% Silver 25c US Coin Collectible. 1942-S Washington Quarter - Gem Uncirculated. 1942-P Washington Quarter - GEM Great Deals Executive Coin Company - BBQW2064. Report item - opens in a new window or tab. The 1942 quarter with no mint mark is worth around $5 in extremely fine condition. In uncirculated condition the price is around $9 for coins with an MS 60 grade. Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS 65 can sell for around $27. The 1942 D quarter is worth around $5 in extremely fine condition.
1942 US Mint Proof Set
The 1942 Proof Set (Buy on eBay) was the final set to be produced by the United States Mint before the war caused another suspension in production. The mintages for the proof coins reached their highest levels to date, and a change in composition provided a sixth coin for collectors this year.
The Philadelphia Mint continued to handle production of the collector coins, striking proof versions of the Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Mercury Dime, Washington Quarter, and Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Towards the end of the year, the composition of the nickel was changed to 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese in order to conserve strategic metals for the war effort. Proof coins were struck with both the original and new silver compositions.
The mintage for the 1942 Proof Set is generally stated as 21,120, which is the equal to the lowest mintage for an individual proof coin of the year.
The 1942 proof coins are found mostly with brilliant proof finishes. It is extremely rare to encounter coins with cameo proof devices and only a handful of coins exist that have been certified as such.
The US Mint sold the proof coins either individually or as part of a complete set. The complete sets included the Jefferson Nickel struck under the original composition, while the 35% silver version was offered separately late in the year. Although the US Mint did not offer complete 6 coin sets, including both versions of the nickel, these became popular on the secondary market.
No proof coins would be struck during the years 1943 to 1949. Initially the delay was caused by the second World War, and later the US Mint would be busy striking millions of medals for military awards. The 1950 Proof Set would eventually mark the return of the collector product that continued to grow in popularity.
1942 Proof Coin Mintages
- 1942 Proof Lincoln Cent: 32,600
- 1942 Proof Jefferson Nickel (nickel): 29,600
- 1942 Proof Jefferson Nickel (35% silver): 27,600
- 1942 Proof Mercury Dime: 22,329
- 1942 Proof Washington Quarter: 21,123
- 1942 Proof Walking Liberty Half Dollar: 21,120
1942 Proof Set Information
Coins per Set: 6
Face Value: $0.91 (five coins)
Original Issue Price: $1.89 (five coins)
Mintage: see above
Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 Silver $26.90
Your 1942 quarter value starts a $4.52 each. This minimum represents the high silver content in the coin.
Other elements do contribute to raising the value higher, particularly the condition of your coin and finding the 'D' or 'S' mintmarks.
Beginning with the mintmarks. Three mints produced Washington quarters in 1942, Philadelphia and Denver and San Francisco. Those minted in Denver and San Francisco, if found in 'Uncirculated' condition are worth a premium today because of low mintage totals.
The next challenge is determining the condition of your old quarter. Commonly found heavily worn, see if your coin is in a higher more collectible condition, and compare it to the 'Grading' images below.
A popular series with collectors and elusive in the higher grades, your 1942 quarter is worth a close examination.
The coin value chart defines prices by the date, the presence of a mintmark and the condition of your coin.
| 1942 Quarter Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1942 Quarter Value Updated | 2/8/2021 | |||
| 1942 | $4.52 | $4.52 | $4.52 | $5.77 |
| 1942 D | $4.52 | $4.52 | $5.40 | $15 |
| 1942 S | $4.52 | $4.52 | $7.61 | $32 |
The '1942-D' quarter was produced at the Denver mint in 1942, the 'S' or 'D' mintmark is located on the reverse, below the wreath. The section on 'Grading' determines the condition value on the chart.
1942 Quarter Value is Conditional
The condition images are lined up to show the different stages of wear on a Washington quarter. From brand new condition to very worn condition. The descriptions define the 'Grade' and highlight the subtle details to consider.
Hopefully this reveals a higher grade and your 1942 quarter value is well above the minimum.
Uncirculated: A quarter in this grade has never circulated through commerce. Showing no signs of wear, it still has the look of brand new. The most desirable condition to collectors and the highest values.
Extremely Fine: Washington quarters first begin to wear on the cheek, hair and curls. The detail of the hair begins to merge and a slight diminish to the roundness of the cheeks. Still a very sharp looking coin.
Fine: From the chin and extending up and through the hair the details have worn flat, also reaching into the curls above the ear. Coins in this grade give the impression of worn, but not overly so.
Good: All the major details show but very flattened by wear. The tops of the letters have begun to merge into the rim. A 1942 quarter typical of this condition trades at its underlying silver bullion value.
Coin Values CoinStudy Articles
Date by Date
In Depth Washington Quarter Value
1932 to1948
1932 | 1937 | 1941 | |
1934 | 1938 | 1942 | 1946 |
1935 | 1939 | 1943 | 1947 |
1936 | 1940 | 1944 | 1948 |
Date by Date
In Depth Washington Quarter Value
1949 to 1964
1949 | 1953 | 1957 | |
1950 | 1954 | 1958 | 1962 |
1951 | 1955 | 1959 | 1963 |
1952 | 1956 | 1960 | 1964 |
Check your coins with the values chart. Most of the silver Washington quarters value is tied closely to the price of silver. However, a few rare dates and mintmarks are very valuable.
Including more relating to your 1942 quarter value. Easily find how much your old coins are worth.
From Bust Quarters to Seated Liberty, Barber, Standing Liberty and Washington quarters. All series include Grading Images to judge the condition of your coins and coin value charts.
In-Depth Study
Grading Washington Quarters
How to Video Close-Up Images Descriptions
1942 Quarter
Do you have other coin denominations?
★Coin Values Discovery... finds 1942 quarter value and...
All old US coin values. It is an excellent index with images and text links to all coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts, grading images and descriptions uncover how much your box of old coins is worth.
Outstanding Auction Price Results
1942 Quarter Ebay
1942-S Washington Quarter, final bid $1,179. The price paid for a gem condition quarter at a Bowers and Merena Auction of rare coins.
Not the typical Uncirculated Washington quarter. Far from it, considering this quarter showed no visible handling marks. Interest was also high for this coin because of its toning. Pale silver-gray surfaces surrounded by red and lavender iridescence toning along the rims.
One of a kind results, for a one of a kind rare coin.
1942 Quarter Coin
A clearer understanding of how much your 1942 quarter is worth is fairly easy. The web is useful to search dealer price listings and rare coin auctions and their descriptions.