As a lifelong collector and student of U.S. coinage, I‘ve always had a soft spot for the Washington quarter series. There‘s something about the classic design, the tangible connection to America‘s past, and the thrill of the hunt that keeps me coming back to this workhorse denomination year after year. And of all the dates and issues in the series, the 1941 quarter holds a special place in my numismatic heart.
Minted on the cusp of the United States entering the Second World War, 1941 Washington quarters are relics of a pivotal juncture in the 20th century. They were among the last U.S. coins struck in the traditional 90% silver composition before wartime rationing led to a temporary shift to 35% silver alloy in 1942-1945. As such, they represent a tangible link between the pre- and post-war eras, bridging the gap between the struggles of the Great Depression and the dawn of the Atomic Age.
Whether you‘re a seasoned Washington quarter aficionado or a newcomer to the joys of silver coinage, the 1941 quarter offers something for every level of collector. From well-worn pocket change to high-grade certified specimens, these 80-year-old coins are a fascinating window into the past and a beloved collectible in the present. Let‘s take a deeper dive into the 1941 quarter and explore what makes it so special.
The 1941 Quarter by the Numbers
In 1941, the U.S. Mint produced Washington quarters at all three of its then-operating facilities: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D mint mark), and San Francisco (S mint mark). The mintage figures break down as follows:
| Mint | Mintage | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 79,032,000 | 70.5% |
| Denver | 16,714,800 | 14.9% |
| San Francisco | 16,080,000 | 14.3% |
| Total | 111,826,800 | 100% |
As you can see, the Philadelphia Mint accounted for the lion‘s share of production, striking over 70% of all the quarters minted that year. Denver and San Francisco split the remainder nearly evenly, each contributing around 15% of the total output.
Compared to other years in the Washington quarter series, 1941 was a relatively high-volume production year. In fact, it ranks as the 4th highest mintage among all silver Washington quarters, behind only 1964 (the final 90% silver year), 1962, and 1963.
While sheer quantity doesn‘t necessarily equate to value or scarcity, it‘s an important factor to consider when assessing the overall availability and collectibility of a given issue. With over 111 million quarters struck, 1941 is by no means a "rare" date in the absolute sense. However, as we‘ll see, certain scarce varieties and high-grade examples can be quite challenging to locate.
In addition to the regular circulation strikes, the Philadelphia Mint also produced 15,287 proof sets in 1941, each containing a specially-minted quarter with brilliant mirror surfaces and sharp strike. These quarters were made on polished planchets with freshly-prepared dies, and carefully handled to preserve their pristine finish. 1941 proof quarters are prized by collectors for their aesthetic appeal and represent the pinnacle of minting quality for the year.
Grading and Preservation
As with all collectible coins, the condition or grade of a 1941 quarter is one of the primary drivers of its value and desirability. Coins are graded on the 70-point Sheldon scale, ranging from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70). Factors like the amount of wear, luster, marks, and overall eye appeal determine a coin‘s grade.
For 1941 quarters, most surviving examples fall into the circulated grades from Good (G-4) to About Uncirculated (AU-50). These coins saw varying degrees of use in commerce before being saved, and thus exhibit light to moderate wear on the high points of Washington‘s hair, cheek, and the eagle‘s breast feathers.
Uncirculated (or Mint State) 1941 quarters are those that never entered general circulation and remain essentially as-minted. They are graded from MS-60 to MS-70 based on attributes like luster, contact marks, and any signs of tarnish or toning. While a significant number of 1941 quarters have survived in Mint State thanks to collectors saving them at the time, gems grading MS-65 and above are scarce and highly sought-after.
According to population reports from the two leading third-party grading services, PCGS and NGC, the number of 1941 quarters certified in high Mint State grades breaks down as follows:
| Grade | PCGS Population | NGC Population | Total in Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS-65 | 1,353 | 1,017 | 2,370 |
| MS-66 | 370 | 316 | 686 |
| MS-67 | 56 | 68 | 124 |
| MS-68 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
Source: PCGS CoinFacts and NGC Census as of May 2023
As you can see, the populations thin out dramatically in grades above MS-65, with only a relative handful of coins certified as superb gems in MS-67 and an even more minuscule number in ultra-grade MS-68. These finest known survivors represent the ultimate examples of the issue and often bring significant premiums when they come to market.
The all-time record price for a 1941 quarter was set in 2008 when an NGC-graded MS-68★ specimen sold for $12,650 USD at a Heritage Auctions sale. While not all high-grade examples command such lofty sums, this data point underscores the potential for top-quality coins to achieve impressive results.
Notable Varieties
Beyond the regular circulation strikes, 1941 quarters are known for several interesting varieties and errors that are avidly collected by series specialists. Chief among these is the 1941 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) quarter, which shows prominent doubling in the date, lettering, and other features on the front of the coin. This error occurred when the obverse die received an incomplete hubbing, resulting in a misaligned secondary image.
The most famous variety is known as the FS-101 (per the Cherrypickers‘ Guide to Rare Die Varieties), and it‘s one of the most drastic and sought-after doubled dies in the entire Washington quarter series. On this variety, the doubling is plainest on the date, with the digits appearing thick and slightly offset from one another. Other signs of doubling can be seen in the letters of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.
1941 FS-101 DDO quarters are quite scarce, with only a few dozen examples known to the collecting community. They were first discovered and publicized in the late 1970s, and have been commanding solid premiums ever since. For example, a PCGS-certified AU-55 example sold for $4,465 in a 2020 David Lawrence Rare Coins auction, more than 10x the value of a regular 1941-P quarter in the same grade.
Other collectible varieties from 1941 include a repunched mintmark (RPM) on some Denver Mint quarters, where the D appears slightly doubled due to the mintmark punch being applied twice in slightly different positions. There are also die cracks, cuds, and other minor striking anomalies known on all three mint issues, which are cataloged by variety enthusiasts.
Uncovering Treasures in Pocket Change
One of the great joys of collecting a series like Washington quarters is the opportunity to find interesting pieces right in your pocket change. While the odds of plucking a 1941 quarter from circulation nowadays are slim to none, it wasn‘t too long ago that these silver coins were still showing up from time to time.
I fondly recall the thrill of searching through rolls of quarters obtained from banks in the 1990s and early 2000s, carefully inspecting each coin for telltale signs of age and silver content. On the rare occasion when I‘d come across a well-worn 1941 or other early date, it felt like uncovering a little piece of history hiding in plain sight.
In recent years, with silver prices hovering in the $15-25 per ounce range, any pre-1965 quarter spotted in change gets snapped up quickly by eagle-eyed collectors and silver stackers. After all, even the most common 1941 quarter in low grade is worth about 3x its face value in silver content alone! So while the odds of cherry picking rare varieties from circulation are virtually nil today, there‘s still a certain romance and nostalgia to the idea of finding treasure in everyday coinage.
Assembling a Complete Set
For many collectors, the true test of their dedication to the Washington quarter series is the challenge of assembling a complete date and mintmark set. This means acquiring one example of every regular-issue quarter from 1932 to 1998, including all the branch mint issues and scarce key dates. In total, a complete Washington quarter set comprises 147 distinct coins.
Working on this set gives collectors an immense sense of accomplishment and pride, as they slowly fill in the album holes and track down those elusive final pieces. It‘s a journey that often starts in childhood with a handful of circulated coins, and can take a lifetime to see through to completion.
Within the larger context of the Washington quarter series, 1941 is generally considered a middle-of-the-road issue in terms of scarcity and value. It‘s not nearly as rare or costly as the famed 1932-D and S key dates from the first year of the design, nor is it as common as the late silver issues from the 1960s. In terms of overall desirability and challenge to acquire, 1941 quarters fall somewhere in the middle of the pack.
That being said, high-grade examples and scarce varieties like the doubled die can certainly hold their own with the tougher issues in the series. Collectors who specialize in top-quality coins or error hunting often prioritize these standouts from 1941 as they work toward completing their sets or building specialized variety collections.
A Timeless Design
Beyond the specific merits and challenges of the 1941 issue, the Washington quarter as a whole is a beloved and enduringly popular series in American numismatics. The iconic obverse portrait of George Washington, adapted from the famed Houdon bust, captures the first President in a dignified and timeless pose. The reverse heraldic eagle, clutching a bundle of arrows and olive branch, is a powerful symbol of the nation‘s strength and resolve.
What‘s remarkable about the Washington quarter is how little the design has changed over its more than 90-year lifespan. While other denominations like the cent and nickel have undergone multiple major redesigns in that same period, the quarter has remained largely untouched, with only minor tweaks to the lettering and relief. This consistency and familiarity is a big part of what makes the series so approachable and attractive to collectors of all ages and budgets.
Holding a well-worn 1941 quarter in your hand, it‘s remarkable to think about all the history and economic activity this coin has witnessed in its long life. From the dark days of World War II to the prosperous post-war boom, the social upheaval of the 1960s to the turn of the millennium, these stalwart quarters have been a constant presence in the pockets and purses of generations. In a sense, they are a tangible record of the American experience, linking us back to a time when a single coin could buy a loaf of bread or a gallon of gasoline.
Final Thoughts
Collecting coins like the 1941 quarter is a rewarding and enriching hobby on so many levels. It‘s a way to connect with history, to appreciate the artistry and skill of the minting process, and to preserve tangible pieces of our cultural heritage for future generations. It‘s also a great way to learn about economics, metallurgy, and the fascinating stories and people behind our coinage.
Whether you‘re drawn to the challenge of assembling a complete set, the thrill of the hunt for rare varieties, or simply the satisfaction of holding a well-worn piece of silver in your hand, the 1941 quarter has something to offer every collector. With its classic design, 90% silver content, and link to a pivotal era in American history, it‘s easy to see why this coin has remained a perennial favorite for over 80 years.
If you‘re new to the hobby or just starting to explore the world of Washington quarters, I encourage you to take the time to appreciate the subtle beauty and craftsmanship of the 1941 issue. Examine the intricate details of Washington‘s hair and facial features, the crisp lettering and denticles around the rim, the lustrous glow of the silver surfaces. Imagine the journey this coin has taken from the Mint to your collection, and the many hands it passed through along the way.
As you grow and develop as a collector, you‘ll find your own personal connection to the 1941 quarter and the larger Washington series. Maybe you‘ll be drawn to the challenge of assembling a high-grade set, or the thrill of the hunt for rare varieties. Maybe you‘ll appreciate the historical context of the coin and its link to the World War II era. Or maybe you‘ll simply enjoy the tactile pleasure of holding a weighty piece of silver in your hand and imagining its untold stories.
However you choose to collect, I hope this guide has given you a deeper understanding and appreciation for the 1941 Washington quarter and all it represents. Happy collecting!
Sources and Further Reading
- Bowers, Q. David. A Guide Book of Washington Quarters, 2nd edition. Whitman Publishing, 2016.
- Feigenbaum, John. The Authoritative Reference on Washington Quarters, 2nd edition. DLRC Press, 2021.
- Fivaz, Bill and J.T. Stanton. The Cherrypickers‘ Guide to Rare Die Varieties, 6th edition, volume II. Whitman Publishing, 2015.
- United States Mint Annual Report, 1941. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/510947
- PCGS CoinFacts. "1941 Washington Quarter." Accessed May 20, 2023. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1941-25c/5736
- NGC Coin Explorer. "1941 Washington Quarter." Accessed May 20, 2023. https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/washington-quarters-1932-1998-pscid-56/1941-25c-ms-coinid-38552
