Did you decide to dive deeper into the world of coin collecting? If you did the best way to start with it is by collecting all the coins from the Washington Quarter series. This should be a lot of fun considering these coins were in production from 1932 until 1999.
By now we already discussed a lot about the different Washington quarters series and values. If you are interested you can check our last article about the 1977 Quarter value. However, if you are more interested in finding out what is the real 1980 Quarter value, read on.
In this article, we will explore everything 1980 quarter-related, like all collectible variations of this iconic coin, its historical background, and where you can buy them. This unique quarter can be worth a hefty sum at auctions so let’s learn why.
Why Is The 1980 Washington Quarter Series Valuable?
For those of you who don’t know, there is a valid reason why the 1980 Washington Quarter has a historic value and why it is special for collectors.
If you are into collecting coins then you probably know that coins that were minted in the Philadelphia facility didn’t come with a mint mark. However, that changed in 1980 when this mint released the first series of coins, the 1980 Washington Quarters, with a P mint mark.
Even though a billion of these 1980 Quarters were minted, they are still pretty valuable because of the unique fact that they are the first coins with the P mint mark. There are still millions of these coins in circulation today, but keep in mind that they are heavily damaged due to usage.
Price Guide For Common 1980 Quarter Coins Worth Investing
Now that you know why this particular coin is special to collectors you will be able to understand better why they are ready to pay such large amounts of money just to have them. However, it is hard to talk about the exact value considering each specimen has its own factors that determine the price.
In the table below we enlisted regular, as well as error varieties, and their current prices on the coin market so you can conveniently find the information you need without wasting time on your own research.
Quick price overview
There is a major difference between the prices of uncirculated and circulated coins. For instance, 1980 Washington Quarters in circulated condition are estimated to be worth between $0,30 and $15, while those in mint state are $155.
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:
1980-P mint mark Quarter value
If you are a newbie then you probably don’t know that all Quarter coins pre-1980 that were minted in Philadelphia Mint did not bear any mint mark. Only rare editions like commemorative coins carried the P mint mark. However, in 1980 they decided to start engraving the P on all coins minted in Philadelphia Mint.
The 1980 Washington Quarter series which originates from the Philadelphia Mint was produced in the highest mintage volume. It is estimated that around 635,832,000 were released in circulation. What makes this coin attractive to collectors is the fact that this was the first coin with the maker mark P incorporated in the design.
Due to the massive production, you can still find 1980-P Washington Quarters in circulation. That is not a good thing since that lowers the value, an average price is ranging from their face value to $5 if in uncirculated condition.
However, some specimens of 1980-P quarters did fetch a high figure at auctions. Those are coins in pristine condition or those that feature unique errors. A good example is 1980-P Quarter in MS67+ condition sold for $900.
1980-D mint mark Quarter value
Quarters minted in Denver Mint bear a mint mark D. In 1980 this facility minted approximately 518,327,487. Just like the 1980-P coin this one as well has a high mintage volume so due to that it can still be found in circulation.
That means these coins rarely achieve much beyond their face value, the exception is coins in the mint state that can be sold for $7 and more, depending on demand. Some 1980-D Washington Quarters with a unique error or in pristine condition exceed these price ranges. A 1980-D Quarter in mint condition was sold on auction for $1,380.
1980-S mint mark Quarter value
The third variety of the 1980 Washington Quarter is minted in San Francisco Mint. You will recognize it by the S mint mark. These coins are more valuable than the other two varieties because this facility mints only proof coins.
Proof coins are not made for circulation, they are in fact higher in quality and minted for collectors and presentations. Also, what contributes to the value is the rarity, considering these coins are always minted in lower mintage volume. 1980-S Washington Quarter coins are made from clad composition, and it is estimated that over 3,554,806 coins were minted.
An average 1980-S Washington Quarter is estimated to be worth around $10. Those that are in impeccable condition will be worth much more, like the one that was sold for $253 on auction.
You should know that there are two different varieties in contrast – a cameo and deep cameo contrast. The difference between regular strike-proof coins and these are in clarity. Those are CAM and DCAM coins, you will recognize them for their deeply polished and highly reflective surface.
A CAM contrast has a mirror-like luster, All the details including letters and bust will appear milky white and these areas are not reflective. On the other hand, DCAM quarters look like they are black and white. This is due to the high contrast between the reflective field and design. On DCAM coins all the details appear frosty white and creamy.
Most Valuable 1980 Quarter Coins (Table Chart)
The Main Features Of The 1980 Washington Quarter Coins
Like all other Washington Quarters, this one also features an image of the first President George Washington on the obverse side. The inscription “Liberty” is engraved above his head. On the opposite side, you will find a date of minting and a mint mark. The inscription “In God We Trust” is engraved on the left side of his bust, just below his chin.
On the reverse side, you will see an eagle with his wings outstretched toward the rim of the coin. He is clutching a cluster of arrows in his talons while standing above two olive branches. A denomination inscription “Quarter dollar” is engraved under the branches. The Latin motto “E pluribus unum” and “United States of America” are inscribed above Eagle’s head.
Also, you should know that all quarters minted after 1968, bear the mint mark on the obverse side. The 1980 Washington Quarter coins are the first ones to bear the P mint mark when struck in Philadelphia. Also, these coins are minted in Denver and San Francisco as well.
Remember that all coins minted after 1965, are made from copper-nickel clad composition. If you run across the silver coin minted after 1965, in most cases these are error coins. It is easy to recognize a silver coin by weight and shine.
List Of Errors Found On 1980 Washington Quarters
No matter how much the process of minting coins evolved, numerous mistakes can still occur during production because no process is perfect.
The reality is that errors are less common nowadays, but that only enhances the value of modern coins with errors. A good thing is that there are many different varieties of Quarter errors and you can learn more about them by reading this article.
Since you can find a few imperfect pieces in the complete series of 1980 Washington Quarters they will be far more valuable than those from the earlier years. Here is the list of the most common minting errors found in the 1980 Washington Quarter series. Read on and learn how to recognize them.
- 1980 Washington Quarter off-center error – If you take a better look you will notice that a part of the design is missing from the surface. There is an empty crescent-shaped area on the opposite side of the coin. An error like this occurs when the die strikes the coin imprecisely due to an incorrectly placed planchet. The most important thing when it comes to this error is how much design is missing and how far from the center the image s placed. The less design is visible, the higher the value.
- 1980 Washington Quarter struck on a damaged planchet error – This one is easy to recognize. First, the edge is incomplete, and the weight is different. This coin is lighter than a regular one and weighs only 5 grams instead of 5.67 grams.
- 1980 Washington Quarter struck on a five-cent planchet error – Rarely a coin ends up mistakenly struck on the wrong planchet. You can come across the 1980 Washington Quarter coins that were struck on a 5-cent planchet instead of a regular quarter planchet. Since these errors are rare, their value can go up to a few hundred dollars.
- 1980 Washington Quarter missing clad layer on the obverse – This next variety of error is easy to notice. Even though this type of error is rare, from time to time, you can come across a quarter whose copper core is completely or partially visible on one coin side. It is harder to find those coins that feature partial errors when about 50% of the outer layer is missing. However, collectors are more interested in collecting those that don’t have a clad layer on the entire surface. Coins with errors like these are estimated to be worth from $75 to $200.
- 1980 Washington Quarter error with the filled-in P mint mark – As you all know 1980 was the first year that a Philadelphia mint engraved a P mint mark, so naturally there were some mistakes included. You can find a few 1980-P Washington Quarters that have a specific error with a filled-in P.
- 1980 Washington Quarter smooth edge error – In most cases, coins with smooth edges usually are the result of heavy usage in vending machines. However, there are a few examples of smooth edge/no ridges in 1980 quarter coins. These coins can be easily recognized, not only by their smooth edges, but they are also wider and thinner than regular coins. These quarters can be worth $20 to $30 or more.
- 1980 Washington Quarter die break error – Sometimes the coin dies on the press start deteriorating during the striking process. When this happens the end result of a breaking die is faults on the surface such as raised lines or blobs. These are worth a lot of money but their value varies. Depending on the location and magnitude of the crack the final price is formed, and some have been sold for more than $100!
Where Can You Trade Valuable 1980 Washington Quarters?
When buying or selling collectible items you must always think about the safety first. Unfortunately, coins are easily replicated, and the market is full of replicas that even a professional can mistake for a real ones.
This is why you need to establish a network of reliable dealers to work with. Here is our list of auction houses and coin web pages that are proven and reliable – Heritage Auctions, PCGS, Coins For Sale, Stack’s Bowers, or Littleton Coin Company.
Also, web platforms like eBay, Etsy, and LiveAuctioneers are great sources of information for those who are selling their coins. Here you will find valuable information like price range, demand, and supply which will help you form a final price.
If you are thinking about buying coins from these platforms make sure you think it through. Fake coins are very commonly listed on platforms like these. Make a habit of looking for feedback, comments, or anything else that can help you find out if the seller is reliable.
FAQ
Does the 1980 Washington Quarter contain any silver?
No, like all coins minted after 1965, this series as well was struck on planchets made from the copper-nickel-clad composition. However, errors can happen, so if you run across the 1980 quarter that you suspect is made from silver take it to a professional for evaluation.
How much does a quarter weigh?
The standard weight for a copper-nickel-clad quarter is 5.67 grams, however, the clad quarter has a tolerance of +/- .227 grams. Meaning that it is tolerable that a quarter weighs anywhere from 5.44 grams to about 5.9 grams by the U.S. Mint standards.
What you need to keep in mind is that coins from circulation will weigh less than regular coins, due to the loss of metal through circulation.
It’s Time To Close This Chapter
More than 1.1 billion quarters were minted in 1980, so there is a high chance you run across one that will fit in your collection perfectly. Hopefully, this article answered some of your burning questions about the 1980 quarter value. We have high hopes that it will help you figure out how to handle your precious coins and where you can trade them risk-free.
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. Good luck and happy hunting!
