As one of the last 90% silver Washington quarters struck before the switch to copper-nickel clad planchets in 1965, 1963 quarters hold a special place in coin collectors‘ hearts. Not only do they represent the end of an era for 90% silver U.S. coinage, but some high grade examples and rare error varieties can be quite valuable.
Whether you‘ve found a 1963 quarter in pocket change or inherited some from a collection, you‘ll definitely want to know how much they‘re worth. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about 1963 quarter values, key dates, varieties, and more.
Key Date Background on 1963 Quarters
1963 marked the penultimate year that circulating U.S. quarters contained 90% silver, with the remainder being 10% copper. Each coin has a diameter of 24.3mm, weighs 6.25 grams, and has a reeded edge.
The obverse features the standard Washington quarter design used since 1932 – a left-facing portrait of George Washington with inscriptions "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" above. The reverse depicts an eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and an olive branch, with inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "QUARTER DOLLAR."
Three mints struck quarters in 1963:
- Philadelphia (no mint mark) – 77,391,645 minted
- Denver (D mint mark) – 135,288,184 minted
- Philadelphia (no mint mark), Proof – 3,075,645 minted
1963 marked the second highest production year for silver Washington quarters after 1964. The Denver Mint struck far more quarters than Philadelphia.
Values for Regular Strike 1963 Quarters
For circulated 1963 quarters that you might find in spare change, values start around $3.50 to $4.00 based on a silver melt value of approximately $3.20 at a $17/ounce spot price. Uncirculated grades jump up in price significantly.
1963 (P) No Mint Mark Values
– Circulated (VG-XF): $3.50-$8
– AU50-AU58: $8-$15
– MS60-MS63: $12-$17
– MS64: $20
– MS65: $40
– MS66: $120
– MS67: $3,250
1963-D Values
– Circulated (VG-XF): $3.50-$8
– AU50-AU58: $8-$15
– MS60-MS63: $12-$17
– MS64: $20
– MS65: $30
– MS66: $80
– MS67: $3,000
1963 Proof Values
– PR60-PR63: $5-$6
– PR64: $6
– PR65: $7
– PR66: $8
– PR67: $15
– PR68: $50
– PR69: $500
– PR70: $1,600
Proof coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint but carry no "P" mint mark. They feature mirrorlike surfaces and sharp frosty details from being struck with highly polished dies on specially prepared planchets.
Conditional Rarity and Top 1963 Quarter Sales
While millions of 1963 quarters were minted, relatively few survived in pristine uncirculated condition at the superb gem level. This conditional rarity makes high-end examples very desirable to registry set collectors. PCGS has graded just 79 in MS67 with none finer for the 1963 (P) and only 142 in MS67 with 9 in MS67+ for the 1963-D.
Some of the most valuable 1963 quarters to ever sell include:
- 1963-D MS67+ PCGS CAC – $15,862 (2019)
- 1963-D MS67 PCGS – $16,100 (2008)
- 1963 Type B Reverse MS67+ PCGS – $11,162.50 (2015)
- 1963 Doubled Die Obverse MS67+ NGC – $1,680 (2006)
Proof 1963 quarters are much more common at the PR67 level and above compared to regular strikes in MS67 or better. Top sales include:
- 1963 PR70 PCGS – $1,680 (2008)
- 1963 PR69 DCAM PCGS – $805 (2010)
Notable 1963 Quarter Varieties and Errors
A number of notable varieties and errors can be found on 1963 quarters, including:
1963 Type B Reverse – Features a slightly different reverse die with wider spacing between the letters "E" and "S" in "STATES." Scarce variety worth a premium in all grades.
1963 Doubled Die Obverse – Moderate doubling visible on the obverse lettering and date. Several different die pairs exist. Values range from $50-$1,500 depending on DDO variety and grade.
1963 Doubled Die Reverse – Doubling evident on the reverse lettering, particularly "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and denomination. Worth $100-$350+ in higher grades.
1963 Quarters Struck on Incorrect Planchets – Wrong planchet errors with 1963 quarters struck on dime, nickel, or cent planchets are very rare and highly sought after. These off-metal strikes are seldom seen and command strong premiums.
1963 Quarter Struck on a 1963 Dime – A fascinating double denomination error with a quarter struck over an already-minted dime. Only a handful known, with an MS62 bringing $1,440 in a 2007 Heritage sale.
1963-D Quarter Struck on a Cent Planchet – Extremely rare off-metal error with a 1963-D quarter struck on a copper-alloy cent planchet. An MS65 BN specimen sold for $1,265 in 2014.
Authenticity and Counterfeit Detection
Counterfeit 1963 quarters are generally rare but collectors still need to exercise caution, especially when buying raw uncertified coins. Key diagnostics to inspect include overall sharpness of design, quality of mint luster, wear patterns on high points, and weight/diameter.
Any 1963 quarter that doesn‘t weigh 6.25 grams or has the wrong diameter/edge style is an immediate red flag. For peace of mind, stick to coins graded by reputable third party certification services like PCGS or NGC.
Best Places to Buy and Sell
Collectors looking to buy or sell 1963 quarters have many options available:
- Local coin shops – Best for quick sales but expect to get 10-30% less than retail
- Online dealers – Reputable sources to buy from but watch out for high premiums
- eBay – Good variety but seller feedback/authenticity are concerns
- Reddit r/coins4sale – Allows direct negotiations with other collectors
- Major auction houses – Key source for rare varieties/errors but 15-20% buyer‘s premiums apply
For maximum value when selling, consider consigning high-end certified coins to major auction firms like Heritage, Stack‘s Bowers, or Goldberg. Fees are steep but competition can drive prices higher.
Popularity with Collectors
As one of the last 90% silver issues, 1963 quarters are perennially popular with collectors for their intrinsic and numismatic value. Date/mintmark collectors pursue high-grade examples for registry sets, while variety and error specialists seek out rare DDOs, DDRs, and striking mishaps.
Even casual collectors appreciate the history and silver content of these classic Washington quarters. Many coin series transitioned from 90% silver to 40% silver or clad compositions in the mid-1960s, placing a premium on earlier silver issues.
Conclusion
Hopefully this in-depth guide has equipped you with the knowledge to confidently collect, grade, and value your 1963 quarters. Whether you‘re filling albums, completing a set, or hunting down rare varieties, these 90% silver stalwarts make a great addition to any numismatic holding.
Keep an eye out for high grade examples, conditional rarities, unusual errors, and varieties that could be worth a substantial premium. And as always, buy the best you can afford from reputable sources. Happy collecting!
1963 Quarter FAQs
Q: What makes 1963 quarters special?
A: 1963 quarters are the second-to-last 90% silver issue before the switch to clad in 1965. This places a premium on their intrinsic and numismatic value.
Q: How much silver is in a 1963 quarter?
A: Each 1963 quarter contains 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver.
Q: What is the most valuable 1963 quarter?
A: The all-time record is $16,100 for a PCGS MS67 1963-D quarter in a 2008 sale. In 2019, a PCGS MS67+ CAC 1963-D sold for $15,862.
Q: Are 1963 proof quarters worth collecting?
A: Yes, high grade 1963 proof quarters are very popular for their sharp frosty devices and mirrorlike fields. Well-preserved examples make attractive additions to any collection.
Q: Where is the best place to sell my 1963 quarters?
A: For maximum value, consider consigning high grade certified examples to a major auction house. Selling outright to a local coin shop will net you less but offers faster payment.
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