You've come to the ideal place if you've been wondering whether you can afford to get a 1972 quarter coin. As there are a lot of such quarters in circulation, coin collectors' interest in this series may be less overall due to the sheer quantity of coins in circulation. Some of the 1972 quarter value can even fetch values that exceed your expectations!
The Washington Quarter was created by the US Treasury Department in 1932 as a commemorative coin for the country's first president, George Washington, to celebrate his bicentennial. The 1972 Washington quarters were part of regular coin circulation. This coin has a diameter of around 24.3 mm and a total weight of about 5.67 grams. One side depicts a heraldic eagle and another George Washington's portrait.
The Mint manufactured 90% silver content containing Washington quarters from 1932 to 1964. Nevertheless, future coins were struck using copper and nickel instead of silver due to rising silver prices and a serious coin shortage. Because of this, the 1972 quarter is made of an alloy of copper and nickel rather than silver. The 1972 quarter value depends on various factors, including errors, condition, mint marks, and rarity. Let's explore the 1972 Quarter value and types.
The production of quarters without a mint mark at the Philadelphia Mint in 1972 was not a mistake. In fact, this is the main feature that distinguishes these coins from the 1972 quarters made by the Denver and San Francisco Mints. It is clear that this coin wasn't rare at all, given the Philadelphia Mint's estimated total mintage of 215,048,000. Maybe this explains why these are available in circulated condition for roughly 25 cents (face value).
However, that does not imply that there aren't any 1972 quarters available in mint condition at all! Thus, the total worth of this coin can increase to $5, which isn't too awful if you do locate it in a completely flawless condition with no evidence of any damage at all.
| Year | Mint | Grade | Number Available | Price | Auction Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Philadelphia | MS66 | A few hundred | Higher price due to rarity | N/A |
| 1972 | Philadelphia | MS67 | Very few | $1,320 | 2018 |
Quarters with the "D" mintmark from 1972 are particularly significant in history because they were produced at the renowned Denver Mint. Just glance at the small "D" on the front of the coin, just next to Washington's hair tie, if you're wondering where it is. These Denver-struck Washington quarters, which had an astounding 311,067,732 mint run that year, are anything but rare. Circulated 1972 quarters are often worth exactly what their face value—a cool 25 cents—indicates.
| Year | Mint | Condition | Value Range | Most Valuable Sale | Auction Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Denver | Uncirculated | $1 - $5 | $3,055 | 2014 |
The Washington Quarters from 1972 with the mint mark "S" should catch the eye of coin collectors. This distinctive sign proves that the 1972 quarter in question was produced by the San Francisco Mint. The fact that this coin was a "Proof" version made especially for coin collectors was another intriguing aspect of it.
The Mint used specially designed dies to strike these coins twice on high-resolution presses and highly polished planchets to give them a distinctive appearance. These proof quarters are a stunning complement to any collection because of the laborious and thorough process that optimized every last feature of them.
| Year | Mint | Total Manufactured | Condition | Value Range | Most Valuable Sale | Auction Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | San Francisco (S) | 3,260,996 | Average Condition (Proof) | $3 - $5 | $1,380 | 2007 |
| 1972 | San Francisco (S) | 3,260,996 | Mint State Proof with Cameo Contrast | Higher Value | $1,380 | 2007 |
At auction, the 1972 quarters with twofold die fault usually brought between $25 and $50. Their appearance and error size determine their price most of the time. Even with the greatest efforts of the US Mint staff, flawed specimens, such as quarters, are a normal component of every coin mintage. One of the most frequent mistakes is called "design doubling", which happens when the die causes some letters or portions of a picture to double.
For example, the Latin motto on the reverse or the words IN GOD WE TRUST on the obverse of quarters struck in 1972 frequently exhibit a small doubling. Regarding the pictures, this mistake occasionally appears in the eagle's wing or the President's eye.
Recall that during the minting process, the die may come loose from the press, causing smudged details. Such a flaw may appear to be a doubled die fault, but it is not, and the coins have no value.
Off-center Of all the flaws in 1972 quarters, the most valued one is an off-center error that was caused by a planchet that was positioned incorrectly during minting. As a result, the die hit the design marginally off-center, resulting in a crescent-shaped rim area.
Without the design, the coin's size determines its price. For example, coins with off-center errors under 5% and over 80% are frequently worthless, especially if the date is unrecognizable. The finest collectible quarters exhibit a visible date and mint mark with 50% to 60% off-center inaccuracy.
For the 1972 quarter value, you can collect roughly $20 with a 5% to 10% off-center inaccuracy. Conversely, parts with a whole date and roughly 50% blank portion run you between $200 and $250.
The $20 to $30 broad strike 1972 quarters can be quite expensive. Because the pieces are struck outside of the collar, their edges are smooth. They have a larger diameter and are thinner. This important characteristic aids in distinguishing these mistakes from worn-out, smooth-edged parts.
There are occasionally cupronickel 1972 quarters that have the clad removed. Rather than having a silver tone, the dull reddish-brownish tint is the easiest method to identify these coins.
When purchasing a specimen with this flaw, proceed with caution, as lengthy usage and significant wear and tear can occasionally cause color loss. Those are worthless, unlike quarters with a minting fault.
Looking at the 1972 quarters with this fault, you can easily identify them. These coins are not complete; a portion was taken off during manufacture. Largely cut specimens with a clearly visible date can be expensive, especially if they are not in circulation.
In conclusion, while the 1972 quarter might seem like an ordinary coin, the 1972 quarter value is more than you might expect—especially if you come across one in exceptional condition or with a rare error. Collectors can find both historical significance and financial potential in these coins, whether they are from Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco.
So, whether you're just starting or have been collecting for years, keep an eye out for these hidden gems. You never know when you might stumble upon a valuable piece that adds a new level of excitement to your collection. Happy collecting!
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