1970 Washington Quarter Value: Uncirculated Gems to Rare Varieties

ByKenneth Bates

As a collector and numismatic expert with over two decades of experience, I‘ve witnessed the evolution of the coin market and the growing demand for modern issues. One series that has captured the attention of astute collectors in recent years is the Washington quarter. Today, we‘ll take an in-depth look at the 1970 quarter value, examining its place in numismatic history, key varieties to pursue, and insider tips for building your collection.

Historical Context and Mintage

The Washington quarter series began in 1932, with the 1970 issue marking the 38th year of production. Designed by John Flanagan, the obverse features a portrait of George Washington modeled after the famed Houdon bust. The reverse, by the same artist, depicts an eagle with wings spread clutching a bundle of arrows with two olive branches arching below.

In 1970, the U.S. Mint produced quarters at three facilities:

Mint Mintage Mint Mark
Philadelphia 136,420,000 None
Denver 417,341,364 D
San Francisco (Proof) 2,632,810 S

While these mintages may seem substantial, it‘s important to consider survival estimates. According to renowned numismatic researcher Q. David Bowers, only about 1% of the Philadelphia and Denver mint‘s output survives in mint state grades today. For the San Francisco proof issue, the survival rate is considerably higher at 80-90%.

Composition and Specifications

Beginning in 1965, the Mint transitioned quarter composition from 90% silver to a copper-nickel clad material. This change was driven by rising silver prices that threatened the sustainability of circulating silver coinage. The new composition features an inner core of pure copper sandwiched between outer layers of cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel).

Astute collectors will note the subtle luster and color differences between the silver and clad issues. Silver quarters exhibit a brilliant white luster, while the clad coins have a slightly subdued gray tone. All 1970 Washington quarters are of the copper-nickel clad composition and share the following specifications:

  • Diameter: 24.3 mm
  • Weight: 5.67 grams
  • Edge: Reeded

Grading and Valuation

As with all collectible coins, grade is a critical component of value. The 1970 Washington quarter is no exception. While strike quality is generally excellent across all 1970 issues, surface preservation determines the grade and, ultimately, the desirability to collectors.

Grading Scale

The industry standard for grading U.S. coins is the Sheldon scale, which assigns a numeric value from 1 to 70 based on wear, luster, and overall eye appeal. Key tiers for collectors include:

  • Circulated: Below Mint State (MS) grades exhibit varying degrees of wear. About Good (AG) to Almost Uncirculated (AU) coins will have minimal numismatic value due to the high survival rate of circulated 1970 quarters.

  • Uncirculated: Also referred to as Mint State, these grades range from MS-60 to MS-70. Coins will have no wear but may show contact marks, diminished luster, or other imperfections. Gem examples grading MS-65 and above are the most desirable for registry set collectors.

  • Proof: Specially produced for collectors at the San Francisco Mint, proof coins feature mirrored fields and frosted devices. Graded on the same 70-point scale, top-quality proof quarters will have deep cameo contrast and pristine surfaces.

Here‘s a breakdown of typical values for uncirculated 1970 Washington quarters:

Grade Value Range
MS-60 to MS-62 $5 to $10
MS-63 to MS-64 $15 to $30
MS-65 $50
MS-66 $100
MS-67+ $150 to $250+

It‘s worth noting that the pricing for superb gem examples can be volatile, with record auction prices achieved for finest-known specimens. For example, a 1970-D quarter graded PCGS MS-68 sold for $2,160 in a September 2021 GreatCollections auction.

Proof Washington quarters from 1970 are widely available and affordable in grades up to PR-69. According to numismatic market analyst Tom DeLorey, "Proof coins minted from 1968 through 1979, while made in fairly large quantities, benefited from greatly improved production and quality control within the Mint. Many exhibit deep cameo contrast and pristine surfaces." Values for top-graded 1970-S proof quarters range from around $400 for PR-69 examples up to $3,000 or more for elusive PR-70 specimens.

1970-S Proof Washington Quarter

Rare Varieties and Errors

While the striking quality was excellent for the 1970 Washington quarter, some notable varieties and errors have surfaced over the years. These range from minor doubled die varieties to dramatic wrong planchet errors. Here‘s a look at some of the most significant:

1970-S Proof Struck on 1941 Canadian Quarter

Undoubtedly the most valuable and intriguing 1970 quarter is this unique proof error. Somehow, a silver 1941 Canadian quarter found its way into the San Francisco Mint‘s proof coining process, resulting in a Washington quarter overstrike. The details of both designs are clearly visible, creating a numismatic chimera. This incredible error sold for $35,000 in a 2004 Superior auction.

1970-D "Thin" Quarter on Dime Planchet

Another notable wrong planchet error occurred at the Denver Mint when a dime-thickness copper-nickel clad planchet was fed into the quarter coining press. The result is a quarter with the weight (2.27 grams) and thickness of a dime. Popularly nicknamed the "Thin Quarter," this error was publicized in a 1971 Coin World article. Examples are scarce but not prohibitively rare, with around 100,000 pieces estimated to exist. Values range from $25 for well-circulated examples to over $350 for uncirculated specimens.

1970-D Thin Quarter

1970-D and 1970-S Doubled Die Varieties

Like other series, the 1970 Washington quarter has its share of minor doubled die varieties. Most are visible under magnification in the lettering and date. The 1970-D issue has a bold doubled die obverse (DDO) variety with clear doubling on "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST." A 1970-D DDO graded PCGS MS-65 sold for $2,875 in a 2020 Stack‘s Bowers auction.

San Francisco produced an intriguing doubled die reverse (DDR) variety showing pronounced doubling in portions of "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Numismatic expert David Lange notes, "The 1970-S DDR is a scarce variety that was discovered by astute collectors examining proof sets. It‘s a coveted issue for Washington quarter variety specialists."

Other Notable Errors

1970 quarters have surfaced with a range of striking and planchet errors, including:

  • Multiple strike and brockage errors at all three mints
  • Off-center strikes up to 75% with full date visible
  • Bonded pairs and die caps
  • Clipped and tapered planchets
  • Foreign planchet errors on Philippine centavo and other world coins

Building a 1970 Quarter Collection

With so many intriguing varieties and a range of price points, the 1970 Washington quarter offers opportunities for collectors of all budgets and interests. Here are some strategies to consider as you build your set:

Assembling a Complete 1970 Set

A basic three-coin 1970 quarter set will include the Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco proof (S) issues. Collectors can easily assemble a circulated set for a few dollars. Those pursuing mint state and proof examples should budget $50 to $100 for attractive, certified specimens in the MS/PR-65 range.

Advanced collectors may expand their 1970 sets to include major varieties such as the "Thin" quarter and significant doubled die examples. A "Thin" quarter can be acquired for $200 to $300 in Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated preservation. Doubled dies are rare and expensive, with the 1970-D DDO often commanding four-figure prices even in circulated condition.

Investing in Finest-Known Gems

For registry set collectors, owning the top-graded example of a coin is the ultimate goal. The 1970 Washington quarter has seen some fierce competition for finest-known status in recent years. As of April 2023, the sole PCGS MS-68+ example of the 1970-D sold for $3,960 in a GreatCollections auction. The only NGC MS-69 1970 Philadelphia quarter realized $5,280 in a January 2022 Heritage sale.

For the 1970-S proof issue, PCGS and NGC have each certified a single PR-70 example with deep cameo contrast. The NGC coin last sold for $7,200 in a 2013 Heritage auction, while the PCGS specimen has been off the market for over a decade. A collector seeking the ultimate 1970 proof set could expect to pay well into five figures to acquire these condition rarities.

Cherrypicking for Errors and Varieties

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of collecting 1970 quarters is the potential for cherrypicking rare errors and varieties from circulation or dealer stocks. While the 1970-S proof on 1941 Canadian quarter is unlikely to be repeated, new doubled dies and striking errors may await discovery.

Numismatic researcher and author Bill Fivaz advises collectors, "Always be on the lookout for the unusual. Examine your quarters carefully for signs of doubling, odd strike characteristics, or off-metal appearances. The 1970 quarter series has yielded some fascinating errors over the years, and there could be more out there waiting to be cherrypicked."

Key Tips for Collectors

As you embark on your journey collecting 1970 Washington quarters, keep these expert tips in mind:

  1. Focus on quality. With such a high mintage, 1970 quarters are readily available in all grades. Whenever possible, purchase certified examples in attractive condition for your budget.

  2. Cherry pick for errors. Spend time examining dealer inventory and online images for signs of doubling or striking anomalies. Rare errors can sometimes be found for the price of a normal coin.

  3. Study variety diagnostics. Familiarize yourself with the key attribution points for notable 1970 quarter varieties. Knowing how to identify a genuine doubled die or "Thin" quarter can help you spot these in the wild.

  4. Consult multiple pricing guides. While widely used references like the Red Book are excellent for baseline values, they may not reflect the most current auction records. Review recent sales from major auction houses to gauge the market for rare varieties and high-grade examples.

  5. Network with specialists. Connect with other Washington quarter enthusiasts through clubs, online forums, and social media groups. These collectors can offer valuable insights, trade opportunities, and camaraderie as you grow your collection.

Certified 1970 Washington Quarter

Explore the Potential of 1970 Quarters

The 1970 Washington quarter may be a modern issue, but it offers a wealth of collecting challenges and opportunities. From superb gem examples to rare errors and varieties, this series has something for every numismatist.

As you explore the potential of 1970 quarters, remember the sage advice of legendary numismatist Eric P. Newman: "The joy of collecting is not in the acquisition, but in the pursuit." May your pursuit of these fascinating coins bring you knowledge, excitement, and lasting connections within the hobby.

Do you have a favorite 1970 quarter variety or error? Share your collecting stories and insights in the comments below. And if you found this in-depth guide helpful, please consider sharing it with your fellow numismatists.

Happy collecting!

Sources and Further Reading

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