Not all rare and valuable coins are minted hundred years ago, some are minted a few decades ago, or even less. The great thing about coins is that you can nerve be sure. Some coins can be old for instance 100 years and still be less valuable than a coin minted 7 years ago. The point is not in age, it is in uniqueness and rarity.
While we talk about uniqueness and rarity, we must mention how unique and versatile are Washington Quarters. We firmly believe that there isn’t such a versatile group of the same coins as these are.
In this article we will talk about the 1970 Quarter value, and what makes it special and attractive to collectors. Which errors and varieties to look for and their current prices on the coin market.
The Main Features Of The 1970 Washington Quarter Coins
Before we go deeper into the discussion about the value of the 1970 Washington Quarter coin, let’s go over some basic information such as features, varieties, and most common errors that you can find in this series
Logically, all Washington Quarter coins feature an image of George Washington. You can see his portrait facing left on the obverse side. Above his head, an inscription “Liberty” is engraved. Near the lower edge, you’ll find the date of minting as well as the mint mark, if there is any. The engraving “In God We Trust” is located on the left side of his bust.
On the reverse side, you will notice an image of an American eagle with wings outstretched. Eagle is standing on a bundle of arrows, and just below the arrows are two curved olive branches. Just below branches the denomination “Quarter dollar” is engraved. The Latin motto “E pluribus unum” and “United States of America” are engraved above Eagle’s head.
Another feature that can help you determine this coin is its material composition. Like all coins that were minted after 1965, this one as well is made from a copper-nickel-clad composition. Pay attention to the hue and shine of the coin which is much more subtle.
Also, after 1968, the mint mark on all quarters is relocated to the obverse side. The 1970 Washington Quarter coins bear No mint mark for Philadelphia, mint mark D for Denver, and mint mark S for San Francisco.
These three mints produced together more than 553 million quarters, as well as 2.6 million proof coins. However, this is a bit of a problem since with this mintage a quarter must have something special to stand out. The good news is that there were a lot of error coins in this series.
1970-S Washington Quarter Proof Coins
In most cases, coins that were struck in San Francisco Mint facilities are proof coins. The proof coins are struck on specially prepared dies and carefully selected planchets. Proof coins are intended for coin collectors so they have more detailed designs with reflective fields.
Around 2.7 million of proof quarter coins were minted in San Francisco in 1970. Considering they are meant for collectors, they were stored with much care. Most of these coins are in great condition even nowadays. However, the value can vary greatly.
For instance, a proof coin graded PR63 is only $5, while PR69 is $14. On the other hand, cameo proofs (look for “CAM” on the coin description) are estimated to be worth $42 and up. Also, there are deep cameo coins which are the most valuable. Their price range from $575 up to $2,760.
List of errors that occur on 1970 Washington Quarter coins
Error coin is extremely versatile and extremely rare. What makes them special is their unique design. The fact that no error can’t be repeated the same way is what increases their value and make them attractive to collectors.
If you are an avid error coin collector, you’ll be happy to know that the 1970 Washington Quarter coin series is rich with production errors. Here is the list of error coins found in the 1970 Washington Quarter series:
- Double-struck and Clashed Die Proof – A first error on this list is the one that can be found on coins that originate from the San Francisco Mint facility. A double-struck 1970 quarter with clashed dies. You will recognize this coin with ease since the word “Liberty”, the phrase “In God, We Trust”, and the date are doubled. That means they can be seen twice on the obverse. The coin with this error was estimated to be worth around $1,900.
- Double Die Obverse DDO – Sometimes an error can occur during the process of making a die. When that happens we end up with a die that has a doubled image, which is then transferred onto all the coins that come in contact with it. The double die errors on the obverse of the 1970 quarter are mostly seen on the date on the “1” and the “7”. A 1970 quarter with this error minted in Denver was sold for $2,800.
- Double Die Reverse DDR – Double die errors can also occur on the dies used for the reverse side.DDR errors mostly occur as a doubling on the letters of “United States of America”. Again, the 1970 quarter that was minted in Denver with a double die reverse error was sold at auction for $1,900.
- Double Struck Second Strike 70% Off-Center – In this extremely rare and unique error a double strike coin was paired with a 70% off-center strike. This odd design of the 1970 Denver quarter was sold for $1,020.
- 1970 Quarter Struck on Lincoln cent planchet – The next very rare and unexpected error was quarter struck on Lincoln cent planchet. This error occurred in Denver Mint and a coin was sold for $1,260.
- 1970 Quarter struck on a Jefferson nickel planchet – Also an error was made in Denver mint where a quarter was struck on a nickel planchet. This coin was sold for $216.
- 1970 Quarter that lacks the copper-nickel cladding on the obverse – A bizarre error that originates from Denver Mint, that was estimated to be worth around $540.
- Double struck on 1970 proof quarter – This error occurred on a proof coin minted in San Francisco. The error is a double strike in the coin press collar so the obverse die ended up a little loose. The coin was sold for $1,175.
What are the most popular 1970 Washington Quarter errors?
There are two very famous 1970 Washington Quarter errors. One of them is extremely valuable, and that is the most famous 1970-S proof quarter coin struck on an 80% silver 1941 Canadian quarter error. This unique coin was sold for an amazing $35,000!
The next famous error is the “Thin” 1970-D Washington Quarter error. As you know coins are made by stamping round blank sheets of metal. These blanks are fed into coining presses that will give them the final shape and design.
However, something unusual happened in Denver Mint in 1970. Someone took a blank intended for making dimes and fed it to a stamping machine that was intended for stamping quarters. The end result was quarter coins with the thickness of dimes.
These error coins are known among collectors as “thin quarters” and there are around 100,000 examples. Even though the mintage is a bit higher they are still pretty valuable. A worn-out coin with this error will cost around $30, while the one in the mint state will cost $350 and more.
But this is not all.
There is also one more error coin that occurred on the Canadian coin. We are talking about the overstrike of a 1970-S quarter which was minted on top of a silver Canadian George V quarter. You will recognize it easily since Washington’s neck hides the date, luckily all other details are clear, it was sold for $7,800.
It seems like the 1970 quarters ended up struck on many foreign coins.
Did you know that somehow a 1970-S quarter was minted on a Philippines 25 centavo currency? Well, now you know. However, this coin is recognizable due to its “brassy” appearance. This one-of-a-kind coin was sold for $4,600. It seems that errors really do cost a lot.
Price Guide For Common 1970 Quarter Coins Worth Investing
The value of a 1970 Washington Quarter depends upon several factors. Let’s remember that this series is made in a high mintage volume. Therefore, this coin is pretty common and can still be found in circulation today. This means it has no special value even if it is in mint condition.
However, this is where error coins and proof coins jump in and save the day. We know that a few Proof specimens in nearly perfect condition, as well as a few error coins, have been sold for thousands of dollars.
Quick price overview
There is a major difference between the prices of uncirculated and circulated coins. For instance, 1970 Washington Quarters in circulated condition are estimated to be worth between $0,30 and $30 while those in mint state are $245.
However, a lot of circulated coins are still in good condition and suitable as collecting examples. Here is the list of the top 3 common coins worth investing in:
Current prices of collectible 1970 Washington Quarter coins you can find on the market
Learn How To Determine The Value Of The Washington Quarter?
The time has come to teach you how to search for coins and what to look for. In general, it is straightforward to conclude if your coin is rare or not, if you know what the coin should look like.
A great thing about coins is that they feature a simple design So if there is something obviously different and off (most dynamic deviation from the original coin design) you know that you either scored a big deal or a fake coin.
If you never tried to determine the value of your coin on your own, it might seem like rocket science to you. Luckily, there are a group of factors that will help you do this with ease. Here is the list of things you need to take into consideration:
- Material – When we talk about determining the value of Washington Quarter coins you must learn the difference between coins made from silver (pre-1965 series) and coins made from copper-nickel clad composition (from 1965 until 1999). This will significantly narrow down your options.
- Condition and grade – The condition of your coin will affect the grade, and grade will affect the value and price. There are four main grades you need to pay attention to – Uncirculated, Extremely Fine, Fine, and Good. Collectors prefer investing in Uncirculated coins with the highest grades (MS68+), the lowest they will go is grade Good but these coins will be replaced from the collection as soon as possible.
- Rarity – Rare coins are the golden standard in numismatics. These coins are always in demand and their prices are humongous. A lot of rare coins aren’t discovered yet so make sure you pay attention to even the smallest details.
- Mint mark – Mint mark is something like DNA for coins. It will tell you the origin of the coin. When you know from which facility it originates you can learn the mintage volume. When you know the mintage volume you will find out if your coin is more or less valuable. Keep in mind that the mint mark on pre-1968 quarter coins is located on the reverse side, while those minted after 1968 bear the mint mark on the obverse side.
Where Can You Safely Trade 1970 Washington Quarters?
It became a common practice that in these articles we preach about the safety when trading valuable collectible items. The problem with coins is that they can be easily replicated. If you aren’t so experienced in coin estimation you can easily end up paying a lot of money for nothing.
That being said, we will leave you with a list of trusted sources where you can buy or sell coins without worrying about fakes. Our recommendations are these auction houses and reputable coin web pages – Heritage Auctions, PCGS, Coins For Sale, or Littleton Coin Company.
If you are selling your coin but aren’t sure how to price it, you can first do some research on your own, before asking for professional assistance. Check the web platforms like eBay, Etsy, and LiveAuctioneers.
Here you can gather information like the current price range, demand, and supply. In case you decide to buy a coin from these platforms do it with extra caution. Look for the feedback of the seller, and make sure you consult a specialist before you make a purchase.
Also Read: 1970 S Penny Value Guide (Most Expensive Rare One Sold for $24,150)
FAQ
What is the difference between cameo and deep cameo coins?
As you know proof coins are minted in three variations regular strike, cameo strike, and deep cameo strike. All proof coins are made for collectors so they are extremely detailed and beautiful coins. However, it can always be better, right?
Cameo coins come with the abbreviation “CAM”, and they have a beautiful contrast between glossy fields and frosted designs. On the other hand, even better versions are deep cameos, the abbreviation is “DCAM”, and these feature a stronger contrast.
Also Read: 1968 Half Dollar Value Chart (A Deep Cameo Coin Sold For $21,600 At Heritage Auctions In 2017)
Try Your Luck With This Coin, It Might Be Worth It
Checking your pockets and wallets is a great way to find a quarter coin, but will it be rare and valuable that is a tricky question. Moreover, how will you know which quarter coin is rare and unique if you don’t learn what is specific about each series? This is where our handy quarter value guides can help.
Hopefully, this article answered some of your questions about the 1970 Washington Quarters. Also, we hope it helped you figure out how to handle your precious coins and where you can look for them.
In case you know some information that we didn’t mention here, please do not hesitate to share your opinions and advice in the comment section below.
