1934-D 25C Heavy Motto MS66+ Certification #81287378, PCGS #85796

Charles Morgan

The 1934-D Washington Quarter

When the Washington Quarter  debuted in 1932, the United States was gripped by the Great Depression. The demand for new coinage had plummeted, which explains why no Standing Liberty Quarters were issued in 1931. In 1932, the need for the new design was so limited in Denver and San Francisco that those two issues became the series keys. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Mint struck and retained such a large surplus that further production was deemed unnecessary for 1933.

When production resumed in 1934, the Mint’s engraving department utilized dies created from multiple hubs while refining design adjustments to strengthen the motto, "IN GOD WE TRUST." The Philadelphia Mint produced three distinct varieties:

• Light Motto: Identical to the 1932 type.
• Medium Motto: Features sharper detail while maintaining the original size.
• Heavy Motto: Characterized by thick, bold lettering.

The Denver Mint utilized only the Medium and Heavy Motto hubs for the 1934-D; no Light Motto examples are known for this mintmark.

Denver's output of 3,527,200 coins marked its highest quarter production since the 1920-D Standing Liberty Quarter (Base #5736). Production likely spanned from the summer through the end of the year, as evidenced by the use of both motto types. Of the two, the Heavy Motto is the scarcer variety and commands a market premium. Despite the relatively high mintage, economic pressures from the Great Depression forced nearly the entire issue into immediate circulation, and only a modest number of specimens were preserved in high grade by collectors. Consequently, the 1934-D remains a scarce pre-WWII Washington Quarter, particularly in high grades.

Differentiating the 1934-D Medium and Heavy Motto Washington Quarters

While the thin lettering of the original 1932 design is easily identifiable, collectors often find the distinctions between the Medium and Heavy Mottos more subtle.

Essentially, the Medium Motto is noticeably bolder than the 1932 "Light Motto" but lacks the significant thickness of the Heavy Motto. Beyond overall weight, there are specific pick-up points within the lettering:

The Medium Motto

• Level Tops: Aside from the curved G and S, the tops of all letters are flat and occupy the same horizontal plane.
• Sharp Terminations: The serif of the G and the right leg of the R terminate at sharp points.
• Asymmetry: The top of the S is shorter than its base. Additionally, the arms of the letters are uneven: the left arm of the first T in "TRUST" is longer than the right, while the second T has a shorter left arm.
• The W: The center peak of the W in "WE" is shorter than the two outside legs.

The Heavy Motto

• The "N": The top-left serif of the N in "IN" terminates at a sharp, upward angle.
• The "G": The vertical serif at the base of the G is blunted and thick.
• The "W": A key diagnostic; the center peak of the W extends higher than the flat tops of the left and right legs.
• Symmetry: The S in "TRUST" appears more symmetrical than on the Medium Motto.
• The "T"s: The first T in "TRUST" features shorter, more centered arms compared to the second T.

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