1961-D 25C MS65 Certification #21303393, PCGS #5871

Charles Morgan

The 1961-D Washington Quarter

In fiscal year 1962 (which spanned the latter half of 1961), the United States Mint hit a production milestone, churning out over seven billion coins split between domestic and foreign orders. Despite running the presses 24/7, the Mint couldn't keep pace with a surging domestic appetite for subsidiary coinage. The "penny" dominated the floor, making up 73% of total output and leaving the Mint unable to stockpile inventory. This shortage forced major banks to ration coins, creating a crisis that would only intensify throughout the decade due to the explosive growth of vending machines.

The Denver Mint struck 83,656,928 1961-D Washington Quarters (#5871), setting a new record for the facility. While Philadelphia had been the primary hub for quarters during the 1940s, occasionally surpassing the 100-million mark, the tide was officially shifting west. From this point on, Denver would consistently lead the charge in quarter production until the end of the 90% silver era.

Collecting the 1961-D Washington Quarter

Circulated examples are rarely encountered in change and primarily trade for their intrinsic value as 90% silver coins. Despite the high mintage of this issue, the Treasury Department and silver speculators removed the majority of examples from circulation during the mid-to-late 1960s. The Treasury eventually melted its stockpile, while many privately held coins were likely melted during the Hunt Brothers' silver boom from the late 1970s through early 1980. Due to these mass meltings, the exact survival rate remains unclear. However, a sufficient number of coins evidently remain, as they appear regularly on auction sites like eBay as both individual pieces and part of 1961 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Sets.

As PCGS-certified coins, these are primarily screened by submitters for Gem-quality examples that might grade PCGS MS66 or finer. The price gap between PCGS MS65 and PCGS MS66 is significant, and it becomes even steeper between PCGS MS66 and PCGS MS67.

What typically holds the issue back is the presence of hairline scratches from counting machines and bag marks caused by the incidental contact of coins during shipping and storage. Premium quality color also comes at a premium and are less plentiful than coins issued during the Double Mint Set period of 1947-1958.

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David Hall

Though a very high mintage date that's very common in all grades up to MS64, the 1961-D is actually one of the rarer 1941-1964 Washington quarters in Gem condition. Marks are a big issue with this coin as surfaces as usually pretty rough. Most Gems are frosty white, as toned Gems are in the minority.