If you have a 1970 Washington Quarter in circulated condition, it is only worth the face value of $0.25. However, if the coin is uncirculated, it could be worth anywhere from $7.88 to $2,160, depending on the mint mark and grade. Proof coins from San Francisco are also valuable, with prices ranging from $4.52 to $455.
There are many different reasons why people collect coins. For some, it is a way to connect with history and to feel a sense of connection to the past. For others, it is a way to celebrate their heritage or to remember a special time or place. And for others still, it is simply a fun and interesting hobby.
If you’re a coin collector, then you’re probably always on the lookout for valuable coins that can add to your collection. And if you’re interested in quarters, then you’ll be happy to know that there are quite a few quarters from the 1970s that are worth more than their face value. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 1970 quarter value and price chart to help you identify some of the most valuable quarters from this decade.
A Brief History of Washington Quarters
The Washington quarter is one of the most iconic coins in American history. First minted in 1932, the coin was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. Designed by sculptor John Flanagan, the coin features a profile of George Washington on the obverse and an image of the eagle on the reverse.
Prior to 1965, Washington quarters were made of silver. That means 1970 quarters are made of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. However, silver versions for collectors have existed since 1976. Today, you can find these collector’s items in a variety of places, including online auctions and coin shops.
While the Washington quarter is one of the most common coins in circulation, it remains a popular choice for collectors due to its classic design and historical significance.
What Does a 1970 Washington Quarter Look Like?
|
1970 Washington Quarter |
|
| Year | 1970 |
| EDGE | Reeded |
| DIAMETER | 24.30 millimeters |
| WEIGHT | 5.67 grams |
| METAL | 75% Copper, 25% Nickel over a pure Copper center |
| DESIGNER | John Flanagan |
The 1970 Washington Quarter is a beautiful coin that has unique features that make it stand out from other coins. For one, it weighs 5.67 grams and has outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to an inner core of pure copper. This gives the coin a bit of heft and makes it feel substantial in the hand. Additionally, the diameter of the coin is 24.3 mm, which is slightly larger than a standard quarter.
Due to toning, the coin changes color over the years, developing a rich patina that adds to its beauty and value. Toning occurs when a coin reacts with its environment, causing a change in color. Toning can be caused by a number of factors, including exposure to the elements or chemicals. Some collectors consider toning to be undesirable as it can reduce the value of a coin. Others find it adds character and creates unique patterns that make each coin truly one-of-a-kind.
On the obverse, Washington is featured in a profile with the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY” around him. The date is also included on this side. The reverse features an eagle with wings outstretched, perched on a bundle of arrows. This is framed by two olive branches and the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “QUARTER DOLLAR”.
A Washington quarter minted in 1970 will have a mint mark on the obverse (head’s side) of the coin, just right of the portrait of George Washington. This mint mark indicates which U.S. Mint facility produced the coin. If there is no mint mark, then the coin was minted at the Philadelphia Mint. A “D” indicates that the coin was minted at the Denver Mint, while an “S” means it was minted at the San Francisco Mint.
Are 1970 Washington Quarters Rare?
|
1970 Washington Quarter |
||
| Location | Year | Minted |
| Philadelphia | 1970 P | 136,420,000 |
| Denver | 1970 D | 417,341,364 |
| San Francisco | 1970 S | 2,632,810 |
Rare is a relative term when it comes to coins. A 1970 Washington Quarter might be rare to you if you can’t find one in your change, but compared to other coins, it’s actually not that rare. Philadelphia minted 136,420,000 of them and Denver minted 417,341,364. San Francisco also minted 2,632,810 proof coins that year. Proof coins are specially made for collectors and aren’t found in circulation.
How Much is a 1970 Washington Quarter Worth?
Condition |
1970 (P) |
1970 D |
1970 S proof |
Circulated |
$0.25 |
$0.25 |
|
MS 65 |
$11 |
$7.88 |
|
MS 66 |
$34 |
$11 |
|
MS 67 |
$264 |
$47 |
|
MS 67+ |
$2,160 |
$2,160 |
|
PR 65 |
$4.52 |
||
PR 68 |
$12-$88 |
||
PR 69 |
$14-$455 |
1970 Washington quarter price chart
As we can see on the 1970 Washington quarter price chart, in circulated condition, a 1970 Washington Quarter is only worth $0.25. However, in uncirculated condition, the value of the coin is higher and depends on the grade and the mint mark.
Generally speaking, Philadelphia quarters with no mint mark are worth between $11 in MS 65 grade and whopping $2,160 in MS 67+ grade. Denver quarters are worth between $7.88 in MS 65 grade and $2,160 in MS 67+ grade.
The value of a proof coin also depends on its grade, which is a measure of its condition. A proof coin in PR 65 grade is worth $4.52, while a proof coin in PR 68 grade is worth $12-$88. The most valuable proof coins are those in PR 69 grade, which can be worth $14-$455 each.
Proof coins are a special type of coin that is produced by the mint for collectors. They are struck using specially prepared dies and planchets, and they have a sharper, more mirror-like finish than regular coins. Proof coins are also usually much higher quality than regular coins, with fewer imperfections.
So, if you happen to have a 1970 Washington Quarter in your possession, it could be worth taking it to a professional coin dealer for an appraisal. Who knows – you might have a small treasure on your hands!
What is the Most Valuable 1970 Washington Quarter?
The most valuable 1970 Washington Quarter is one that was mistakenly struck over a 1941 Canadian quarter. This error quarter is worth a whopping $35,000! The quarter was produced at the San Francisco mint and is one of only a few known examples. Error quarters like this are highly sought after by collectors and can command high prices. If you happen to have one of these quarters, you are very lucky!
Finding the Value of Your 1970 Quarter Coins
If you have a stash of old coins that you’re looking to cash in on, you might be wondering how much your 1970 quarter is worth. While the value of coins can fluctuate depending on the market, there are a few ways to get a general idea of what your coin might be worth. One way is to compare it to similar coins that have been recently sold. For example:
- A circulated 1970 D Washington quarter sold for $0.99.
- Uncirculated 1970 no mint mark quarter graded MS 66 by NGC recently sold for $24.
- Ungraded 1970 S proof quarter sold for $8.99.
- Three Washington quarters from 1970 from all three mint locations sold for $7.
Of course, if you’re looking for a more precise estimate, you’ll need to take your coin to a professional appraiser.
1970 Washington Quarter Error List
Error coins are some of the most interesting coins to collect. Unlike regular coins, which are mass-produced using machines, error coins are produced by mistake. As a result, each one is unique, and they provide a glimpse into the human element of coin production.
Struck on a Wrong Planchet
Most people don’t think about the process that goes into making coins. It’s easy to take for granted that a quarter is a quarter, but a lot of care and precision goes into ensuring that each coin is uniform. So, when a mistake is made, it’s usually pretty noticeable.
And that’s exactly what happened when a 1970 Washington quarter was discovered struck on a Canadian quarter planchet. Although errors like this are relatively rare, the value of this particular coin is estimated to be $35,000. This is due to the fact that the 1970 Washington quarter was supposed to be struck on a copper-nickel planchet, but was mistakenly struck on a silver Canadian quarter planchet instead.
Another valuable example of these coins is the 1970 S Washington Quarter Struck on a Struck Philippine 25 Centavos, which sold for $4,600 in 2010. Another coin that has fetched a high price is the 1970 S quarter that was struck over a Canadian George V quarter. This coin sold for $7,800 in 2020.
Off-Center Strike
A coin is considered to be an off-center strike if the minting process fails to align the die with the blank coin. As a result, the design on the coin is stamped in an offset position. The value of an off-center strike depends on how severe the error is. A quarter with a small portion of the design missing is worth less than one with the majority of the design intact. For example, a 1970 quarter struck 65% off-center graded MS 65 by NGC sold for $159.
How Much is a 1970 Canadian Quarter Worth?
Before we can answer the question, we need to take a closer look at the different factors that affect a coin’s value. The first thing to consider is the condition of the coin. A coin that has been well-circulated is going to be worth less than one that has barely been touched. Another important factor is the grade of the coin. A coin that has been professionally graded will be worth more than one that hasn’t been graded at all.
Condition |
Value |
Circulated |
$0.20-$0.57 |
MS 60 |
$0.83 |
MS 63 |
$2.60 |
MS 65 |
$26.10 |
MS 66 |
$44.96 |
PL 64 |
$1.47 |
PL 67 |
$29.60 |
1970 Canadian quarter price chart in USD
In circulated condition, the coin is worth from face value to $0.57. However, if it’s in uncirculated condition, its value increases significantly. In MS 60 grade, it’s worth $0.83, but in MS 66 grade, it’s worth an impressive $44.95. Of course, these prices are in USD.
Proof-like coins are those that were struck using special dies and planchets, and they typically have a higher level of detail than regular circulation coins. According to the most recent price guide, proof-like coins from 1970 are worth between $1.47 in PL 64 grade and $29.60 in PL 67 grade.
The 1970 Canadian Quarter is a collector’s item that is well-known for its rarity. The Quarter was minted in 1970 and has a mintage of just over 10 million. It is made of 100% nickel and weighs 5.07 grams. It has a diameter of 23.88 mm and is 1.60 mm thick.
Featuring the work of two renowned engravers, the coin is both beautiful and full of history. On the obverse, Arnold Machin’s bust image of Queen Elizabeth II is surrounded by the phrase “ELIZABETH II D.G. REGINA”. On the reverse, Emanuel Hahn’s iconic Caribou is featured along with the words “CANADA” and “25 CENTS”.
5 Most Valuable 1970 Washington Quarters Ever Sold
| 5 Most Valuable 1970 Washington Quarters | ||||
| No. | Type | Condition | Sold Date | Price |
| 1 | 1970-S Washington Quarter | PR64 | Aug 3, 2020 | $7,800.00 |
| 2 | 1950 25C | PR68 | Jun 1, 2006 | $4,312.50 |
| 3 | 1970-D Washington Quarter | MS68+ | Dec 15, 2022 | $3,960.00 |
| 4 | 1970-D 25C Doubled Die Obverse | MS65 | Jan 6, 2012 | $2,875.00 |
| 5 | 1970-D 25C | MS68 | Nov 1, 2013 | $2,820.00 |
1. 1970-S Washington Quarter, PR64 Sold on Aug 3, 2020 for: $7,800.00
2. 1950 25C PR68 Sold on Jun 1, 2006 for: $4,312.50
3. 1970-D Washington Quarter, MS68+ Sold on Dec 15, 2022 for: $3,960.00
4. 1970-D 25C Doubled Die Obverse MS65 Sold on Jan 6, 2012 for: $2,875.00
5. 1970-D 25C MS68 Sold on Nov 1, 2013 for: $2,820.00
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a novice numismatist, you’ve probably wondered how much your coins are worth. If you have a 1970 Washington quarter, you might be curious to know its value.
It depends on the condition of the coin and the mint mark. A 1970 Washington Quarter in circulated condition is only worth the face value of 25 cents. But if it’s in uncirculated condition, it can be worth between $7.88 and $2,160, depending on the mint mark and grade. Proof coins can be worth from $4.52 to $455. So, if you have a 1970 Washington Quarter, it’s definitely worth checking to see what condition it’s in and what mint mark it has. Who knows, you might have a valuable coin!
