The importance of the 1966 Washington Quarter regarding the history of American coinages is significant. A coin shortage was being faced on this account during this time, and the replacement of silver coins having a composition of 90% with an alloy of copper and nickel was being undertaken by the federal government. The making of the 1966 Washington Quarter with no silver content, therefore, became a breakaway from coinage tradition in the United States. Coining 1966 is very common, though it possesses some errors and other rare facets that can make it valuable for collectors. The article will discuss at length the history of the 1966 Washington Quarter, its price, rare errors, and its features.
Historical Significance of the 1966 Washington Quarter
By the 1960s, the United States started experiencing a coin shortage, where laymen were hoarding the previous old 90% silver coins due to the never-increasing price of silver. The Coinage Act of 1965 was then passed by the U.S. government to mitigate this shortage. Silver was completely removed from the quarter and dime; instead, they were made of a 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy. Furthermore, from 1965 to 1967, the U.S. Mint also decided to remove the mint marks that appear on the coins to prevent numismatists from hoarding coins, making them more available. This explains why the 1966 Washington quarter is not found with any mint mark whatsoever.
Composition and Minting of a 1966 Washington Quarter
That means there were 821,101,500 quarters minted in 1966, so it is one of the most common coins in circulation. As follows is its composition:
- Metal Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel, together with a copper core.
- Metal Weight: 5.67 g.
- Diameter: 24.3 mm.
- Edge: Reeded.
Current value of a 1966 Washington quarter
Most copies of the 1966 quarter are normally worth 25 cents ($0.25), but certain ones with special conditions and errors can fetch much higher prices:
| Condition/Type | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Typical Wear) | $0.25 |
| Uncirculated (Mint State) | $1 to $3 |
| Special Mint Set (SMS) | $2 and up |
| High-Grade Specimens (MS67 or higher) | Up to $11,750 |
Most expensive sale ever: In 2019, a 1966 Washington quarter was auctioned for $11,750. This coin was in MS68 grade, making it a rare and highly valuable one.
Rare errors and characteristics of the 1966 Washington quarter
Error coins are the most sought after among coin collectors because they tend to be more valuable than their everyday counterparts. There are very few errors found on 1966 Washington quarters, and some of them are considered the most important:
Blued state on the face, thumbing the neck, Deep line, inverted ponytail, unreadable letters “AM,” two versus one coin.
1. Doubled Die Error
This error occurs when a coin is struck twice at the mint and slight duplication appears in the design. If you see duplication on the letters or numbers in a 1966 quarter, it may be a valuable coin.
2. Struck-Through Error
If grease, debris, or other foreign matter gets into the coin while it is being minted, parts of the design may be missing or blurred. This error can also be very important to collectors.
3. Off-Center Strike
If the coin is not struck correctly at the mint and is struck unevenly, its design may be partially cut off. The greater the percentage of the design that is missing, the more valuable the coin will be.
4. Filled Die Error
When metal is filled into a coin’s numeral or design, it can become a unique and valuable coin. For example, if the shape of the “6” on a 1966 quarter is unclear, it may be a filled die error.
Do 1966 silver quarters exist?
People sometimes claim to have a silver quarter minted in 1966, but no officially certified 1966 silver quarter has ever been found.
If you suspect you have a silver 1966 quarter, you can weigh it on an accurate scale:
Copper-nickel alloy coin: 5.67 grams
Silver quarter (if present): 6.25 grams
If a 1966 silver quarter is found, it will be a very rare find and could be worth thousands of dollars.
Preservation and Grading of the 1966 Quarter
If you have a 1966 quarter and are looking to keep it for appreciation and sale in the future, you will have to take utmost care of it.
- No touching; it will collect stains: Handling with fresh hands may stain the surface of the coin.
- Place it in a plastic capsule: This protects it from moisture and dirt.
- Go for professional grading: The coin grades are your thing; then grade it through PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation).
Conclusion
Most of the time, the 1966 Washington quarter is an everyday coin, but if a high mint state (MS67 or above) coin or an error coin happens to be with you, it is worth quite a lot. For collectors out there, always check every coin from your pocket. Who knows, you might just have that rare 1966 quarter that can be worth thousands of dollars!
FAQs
1. Is the 1966 Washington Quarter made of silver?
A. No, the 1966 Washington Quarter is made of a copper-nickel clad composition and contains no silver.
2. Why do some 1966 quarters sell for high prices?
A. High-grade specimens, rare minting errors, and special mint set (SMS) versions can significantly increase a 1966 quarter’s value.
3. What is the most valuable 1966 Washington Quarter?
A. The highest recorded auction sale for a 1966 quarter was $11,750 for a coin graded MS68 by PCGS in 2019.
4. How can I tell if my 1966 quarter has a mint error?
A. Look for anomalies like doubled die errors, off-center strikes, filled die errors, or any missing design elements. A professional coin grading service can help verify errors.
5. Why don’t 1966 quarters have a mint mark?
A. Between 1965 and 1967, the U.S. Mint omitted mint marks to discourage hoarding during a national coin shortage.