How Much Is A 1966 Quarter Worth

1966 was the second year after the Washington quarter’s composition changed from silver to copper-nickel. The Philadelphia mint was the only one in the US that produced quarters this year. You can find pieces from regular strikes and those from the Special Mint Set intended for collectors. Both versions came without the mint mark. These coins are not among the expensive ones nowadays, but the 1966 quarter value can be higher for perfectly preserved specimens and rare error pieces.

History of the 1966 Washington Quarter

The US Mint issued Washington quarters for the first time in 1932 to celebrate 200 years of George Washington’s birth. Laura Gardin Frasewhile’s design won the competition after the Commission accepted it. Unfortunately, Mr. Mellon, Treasury Secretary at the time, chose John Flanagan’s design instead. The designer’s creative solution was simple, and the thin relief made striking easier. On the other hand, the US Mint adjusted the design a few times, making coins with different Motto appearances. The initially issued Washington quarters were made of 90% silver, and their compound remained until 1964. Due to the silver price increasing by that year, people hoarded coins, causing a significant shortage. The idea of minting more 1964 silver coins as a countermeasure reduced the silver stock even more. Precious metal prices continued to rise, so Lyndon Johnson, the then-US President, announced the silver elimination from quarters and dimes. Therefore, silver Washington quarters were replaced with cupronickel ones in 1965.

1966 quarter Types

Interestingly, all quarters minted from 1965 to 1968 didn’t have the mint mark. Besides, the coin composition transition caused a minting delay, so the release of the 1966 Washington quarters only started in August of that year. During the next five months, this mint produced and released 821,101,500 regular coins without the mint mark. However, there were no proof coins with the 1966 year on the obverse. Instead, you can find collectible coins from the Special Mint Set. The number of coins minted for this set was 2,261,583 pieces. Each set contained a quarter (Washington), cent (Lincoln), half-dollar (Kennedy), dime (Roosevelt), and nickel (Jefferson) packed in a plastic holder. Since the demand was high, the US Mint limited the order to 25 sets per person. The crisis that affected the US Mint during a few years of the coin composition transition started to disappear at the beginning of 1967. That year, minting dates finally normalized, so proof coins and pieces with the mint mark were back again in 1968.

Features of the 1966 Quarter

Flanagan did his best to create an elegant coin to honor the first President. Besides, this simple 1966 Washington quarter design contained several symbolic elements describing American goals and striving. The obverse of the 1966 quarter (Washington) features Washington’s profile facing left as the dominating element. The date 1966 is under the bust, while LIBERTY is above it. On the left side of the field is a motto, IN GOOD WE TRUST, positioned in line with the upper part of Washington’s neck. Under its right side, you can see the initials JF for John Flanagan, the coin’s designer. The reverse quarter side features the heraldic eagle featuring widely spreading wings and a beam of arrows holding in its claws. The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA frames the coin’s upper edge, while E PLURIBUS UNUM is between the eagle and the country name. The QUARTER DOLLAR stands along the lower edge of the coin. Between the denomination and an eagle are two olive branches connected in a wreathe. All these elements have specific symbolic meanings. For instance, the eagle symbolizes the independence and strength of the US. Arrows present the country’s readiness to defend itself, while the olive branches are there as a symbol of peace.

1966 Washington Quarter Grading

Only the Philadelphia mint produced Washington quarters in 1966. Most were released in circulation, and you can find numerous signs of wear on their surface after years of use. They primarily appear on Washington’s hair and the eagle’s breast. The highest-valued quarter form this year is in MS 68 grade.

1966 Quarter Value Guides

The 1966 Washington quarters’ face value is $0.25. The price doesn’t go much higher for coins in circulated condition. On the other hand, quarters in the mint state are worth approximately $1 to over $20, depending on their appearance and level of preservation. Only rare pieces are more valuable.

1966 No Mint mark quarter Value

The whole set of coins from this year was struck without the mint mark. The value of quarters in the uncirculated condition significantly varies depending on their ranking. $1 to $1.20 is a price range for the 1966 quarters in MS 60 grade. $1 to $1.20 is a price range for the 1966 quarters in MS 61 grade. $1 to $1.20 is a price range for the 1966 quarters in MS 62 grade. $1 to $1.20 is a price range for the 1966 quarters in MS 63 grade. $2 is the price for the 1966 quarters in MS 64 grade. $8.4 is the price for the 1966 quarters in MS 65 grade. $18 to $21.6 is a price range for the 1966 quarters in MS 66 grade. $180 to $250 is a price range for the 1966 quarters in MS 67 grade. The highest-graded quarters from 1966 are those with the MS 68 rank. Their price range is from $6,300 to $7,000, but the most expensive specimens with the same feature are even more costly. One was sold at Heritage Auctions for $21,000 on May 7, 2012.

1966 Washington quarter Value (Special Mint Set)

Proof coins were not issued this year, but the US Mint released Special Mint Sets instead. These coins were slightly lower quality and less expensive than proofs but were also intended for collectors. On the other hand, their quality was better than circulated coins. You can purchase these coins for $1 when they are in MS 60 to MS 63 grades. For better-ranking coins, the price is always higher. At SP 64 grade, the 1966 SMS quarter price is $2. At SP 65 grade, the 1966 SMS quarter price is $4. At SP 66 grade, the 1966 SMS quarter price is $ 7. At SP 67 grade, the 1966 SMS quarter price is $8. For the 1966 SMS quarters in MS 68 rank, you can expect to get at least $35 or sometimes even more. However, one of those coins was sold on eBay in September 2022 for $450.

1966 Washington quarter Value (Special Mint Set CAM)

Besides standard beautiful coins from the Special Mint Set, you can find those with cameo contrast at the following prices: The 1966 SP 65 quarter (CAM) can cost approximately $15. The 1966 SP 66 quarter (CAM) can cost approximately $20. The 1966 SP 67 quarter (CAM) can cost approximately $20. The 1966 SP 68 CAM quarter from SMS is the most expensive piece in the set, priced at least $600. In June 2014, one such coin was sold at $4,112 at Heritage Auctions.

1966 Washington quarter Value (Special Mint Set DCAM)

There are only two grades of the 1966 DCAM quarters intended for collectors. The value for those with MS 67 ranking is $1,500, but their prices can go even higher. In October 2021, such a quality coin was sold for $3,738 at an auction. On the other hand, a piece with deep cameo contrast ranking SP 68 is estimated to be about $3,000.

FAQs about the 1966 Washington Quarter

1. What is the value of a 1966 Washington quarter?

2. Are 1966 quarters rare?

1966 quarters are not considered rare, but the 1966 quarter value can be higher for perfectly preserved specimens and rare error pieces.

3. What is the highest-graded 1966 quarter value?

The highest-graded quarters from 1966 are those with the MS 68 rank. Their price range is from $6,300 to $7,000, but the most expensive specimens with the same feature are even more costly. One was sold at Heritage Auctions for $21,000 on May 7, 2012.

4. Were there any special mint sets for 1966 quarters?

Proof coins were not issued in 1966, but the US Mint released Special Mint Sets instead. These coins were slightly lower quality and less expensive than proofs but were also intended for collectors.

5. What is the value of a 1966 SMS quarter?

You can purchase 1966 SMS quarters for $1 when they are in MS 60 to MS 63 grades. For better-ranking coins, the price is always higher. At SP 64 grade, the 1966 SMS quarter price is $2. At SP 65 grade, the 1966 SMS quarter price is $4. At SP 66 grade, the 1966 SMS quarter price is $ 7. At SP 67 grade, the 1966 SMS quarter price is $8.

6. Where can I sell my 1966 Washington quarter?

You can sell your 1966 Washington quarter through online platforms such as eBay, or through local coin dealers and auctions.