Washington Quarters (1932 to Date)

Washington quarters, first minted in 1932, were intended to be commemoratives to observe the 200th anniversary of our first president's birth. The obverse portrait was taken from Jean Antoine Houdon's famous bust of Washington. The first year of issue saw the production of two key scarcities, the 1932-D and the 1932-S, both of which were not saved in appreciable quantities at the time of release and are thus decidedly difficult to find in higher echelons of Mint State today.

The 1776-1976 bicentennial quarter design bears on the reverse the motif of a colonial drummer, the design of Jack L. Ahr. The issue is quite attractive, although from a numismatic viewpoint so many millions were minted that our grandchildren will undoubtedly consider them to be common.

In general, Washington quarters represent a fertile field for the collector wanting to get in on the ground floor of a series which eventually will probably have its day in the sun. While certain issues of the 1930s are elusive in higher grades and are not exactly cheap, there are probably a number of pieces dated in 1940s and early 1950s which are rare in higher Mint State levels - although to this point I am not aware of anyone who has studied the series to find out. Eventually this will happen, as it does in all series.

Budget Recommendations: Form a set with the issues of the 1930s in G-4 to F-12 grade, issues 1940-1963 VF-20 or better, and later issues EF-40 or better. Recent issues can be found in pocket change.

Recommendations for the Connoisseur: Go for MS-65 all the way. Add some Proof-65 coins for certain issues, if you wish.

Elite Recommendations: Same as the preceding.