Skip to main content
Curiosa

1962 Washington Quarter (90% Silver)

1962 US Washington Quarter, 90% silver, showing obverse bust and reverse eagle. - view 1
1/3

Estimated value

$5 - $12

Rarity

Common(2/10)

Category

Rare Coins & Currency

Era

1962

Origin

United States

Artist / Creator

John Flanagan

Authenticity

Very High(90%)
18

1962 WASHINGTON QUARTER (90% SILVER): IDENTIFICATION

A United States Washington Quarter dated 1962. The obverse features the left-facing bust of George Washington, designed by John Flanagan. The reverse depicts an eagle with outspread wings perched on a bundle of arrows with two olive branches below. This specimen exhibits the characteristic white-grey metallic luster of a 90% silver alloy, prior to the transition to copper-nickel clad composition in 1965.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Where This Object Echoes

United States1960s

The transition from silver to base metal coinage in 1965 remains a pivotal moment in American numismatic history, often cited as the end of 'real money' circulation.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •Silver quarters were commonly hoarded by the public between 1964 and 1968 as the intrinsic value of silver began to exceed the face value of the coin.

Meaning Through Time

1962

A standard unit of exchange for daily commerce (groceries, newspapers, vending machines).

Modern

Primarily viewed as a bullion asset or a historical collectible due to its silver content.

NUMISMATIC HISTORY

The Washington Quarter was first struck in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. The 1962 issue was produced during the final years of the 90% silver standard in U.S. circulating coinage. During 1962, the Philadelphia Mint produced 36,156,000 quarters, while the ...
The Washington Quarter was first struck in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. The 1962 issue was produced during the final years of the 90% silver standard in U.S. circulating coinage. During 1962, the Philadelphia Mint produced 36,156,000 quarters, while the Denver Mint produced 127,554,756, representing a period of high economic activity and coin demand before the silver shortage of the mid-1960s led to the Coinage Act of 1965.

NUMISMATIC NOTES

1

In 1962, the Philadelphia Mint produced only 36 million quarters, which was significantly fewer than the 127 million struck at Denver that same year.

2

A 1962 Washington Quarter contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver, making its intrinsic metal value highly sensitive to global silver spot prices.

SCARCITY

Common20-40%
CommonLegendary

Older mass-produced items still widely available. Easy to find on eBay, antique malls, and estate sales in large quantities.

Typical Characteristics

  • Mass produced historically
  • High survival rate
  • Readily available everywhere

Confidence Factors

  • Common date and high mintage makes counterfeiting unlikely for this specific year
  • Visual indicators of strike and edge thickness are consistent with 1960s Philadelphia Mint production
How does authenticity detection work?

NUMISMATIST'S ASSESSMENT

Numismatist

Numismatic Specialist

The date and design are unmistakable, and the wear patterns are typical for the era. High confidence in identification, though grading is limited by photo lighting.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Date 1962 is clearly struck, confirming 90% silver composition.
  • 2Absence of mint mark (reverse, below eagle) indicates Philadelphia Mint production.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Image resolution limits the ability to check for minor die varieties like the 1962 Proof DDR (though this is a circulation strike).

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Obtain a weight measurement to verify the 6.25g standard.

CONDITION & GRADE

EF-45 to AU-53

Grading breakdown

Significant detail remains in Washington's hair and the eagle's feathers, but high-point friction and small bag marks on the obverse fields prevent a Mint State (MS) designation.

Condition

Moderate wear is visible on the hair lines above Washington's ear and the eagle's breast feathers. While the user notes 'Mint' condition, visual evidence of circulation marks and slight flattening of high points indicates a grade in the Extremely Fine (EF) to About Uncirculated (AU) range.

NUMISMATIC VALUATION

$5 - $12

Updated: Sep 3, 2026

  • Market comparables from auctions & retail
  • Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
  • Current collector demand & trends
  • Low = quick sale, high = patient seller

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

YOUR INPUT VS. SCAN

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

  • User stated 'all silver' - visual luster and date (1962) confirm 90% silver composition
  • User stated 'Original/Authentic' - design details and die characteristics match genuine 1962 issues

What Conflicted

  • User stated 'Mint' condition - visual evidence shows circulation wear on high points (hair, eagle breast) and contact marks consistent with AU/EF grades rather than Uncirculated (MS)

FROM THE CABINET OF

AL

ally

Wonderseeker•0 items

COMMENTS

ABOUT RARE COINS & CURRENCY

Ancient coins, rare currency, banknotes, numismatic treasures, and monetary artifacts.

Rare Coins & Currency value and rarity guide

SHARE THIS CURIOSITY

Have your own curiosities to discover?

Scan Your Curiosity