1942 Washington Quarter
| Weight | 6.25 grams |
| Diameter | 24.3 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Mintage | 102,117,123 Combined mintage for all 1942 Philadelphia varieties |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Designer | John Flanagan |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-2794 |
Production exploded to 102,117,123 quarters in 1942, the first time the denomination crossed the 100-million mark. America was fully at war, and the economy was running at maximum capacity. Civilian rationing began, but wages rose as factories converted to military production. The enormous volume of paychecks and retail transactions demanded coinage on a scale the Mint had never produced for quarters.
The 1942 remains one of the most frequently encountered Washington quarters in any grade. Rolls and partial bags surface regularly at shows and online. Strike quality varies: Philadelphia's dies ran hard to keep up with demand, and some examples show softness on Washington's hair curls or the eagle's breast. Fully struck pieces exist in quantity but are worth selecting for. The 1942 is a natural candidate for collectors who want a wartime silver quarter at minimal cost. Its historical significance as the first 100-million-plus Washington quarter gives the date a place in the series story that transcends its modest market value.
| Grade | Description | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $12.50–$14.50 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $13–$14.50 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $12.50–$14.50 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $13–$14.50 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $13.50–$15.50 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $14.50–$16.50 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $15–$17.50 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | — |
This table is for educational purposes only and is intended to illustrate general market price trends and pricing steps between grades. Actual market conditions may vary significantly, especially for rarer pieces that often command premiums above the ranges shown here.
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