Top-grade 1943 Washington Quarters have sold for over $4,000 at auction — but most circulated examples are worth between $5 and $20. The gap is almost entirely driven by condition and error varieties, particularly the rare Doubled Die Obverse. This guide gives you every number you need to know where your coin stands.
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Use the Free CalculatorThe DDO is the most valuable variety on the 1943 quarter. Use this checklist to determine if your coin could be one.
The table below gives quick-reference value ranges for all three 1943 Washington Quarter mint issues and key varieties across the four main condition tiers. For a thorough in-depth 1943 quarter identification walkthrough, including full photo comparisons for each grade, visit that dedicated resource. Silver melt value sets the absolute floor for every coin listed.
| Variety | Worn (G–F) | Circulated (VF–AU) | Uncirculated (MS60–64) | Gem MS (MS65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943-P (No Mark) | $5 – $8 | $8 – $18 | $25 – $65 | $100 – $400+ |
| 1943-D (Denver) | $5 – $9 | $9 – $22 | $30 – $80 | $120 – $500+ |
| 1943-S (San Francisco) | $5 – $10 | $10 – $25 | $30 – $90 | $150 – $600+ |
| 1943 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) | $50 – $150 | $150 – $600 | $600 – $1,500 | $1,500 – $4,000+ |
| 1943 Off-Center Strike (major) | $40 – $100 | $100 – $300 | $300 – $800 | $800 – $2,000+ |
| 1943 Die Crack / Break | $8 – $20 | $20 – $60 | $60 – $150 | $150 – $500+ |
| 1943 Lamination Error | $15 – $40 | $40 – $100 | $100 – $250 | $250 – $700+ |
Values are estimates based on PCGS price guide data and recent auction results. Silver melt value provides the absolute floor. Individual coins may vary based on strike quality, eye appeal, and surface preservation. DDO and off-center rows highlighted; verify suspected errors with a professional grader.
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The 1943 Washington Quarter series contains several error varieties that command significant premiums over bullion value. These range from dramatic mechanical errors like off-center strikes to the subtle but highly sought-after Doubled Die Obverse, created when the working die received more than one impression from the master hub at a slightly different angle. Each variety requires a different diagnostic approach; the cards below walk you through what to look for, what to expect in the market, and which specific features separate a genuine error from a damaged coin.
The Doubled Die Obverse is the crown jewel of 1943 Washington Quarter error collecting. It was created during the die-making process when a working die received two impressions from the master hub at slightly different angles or positions. This mechanical error was baked into the die itself, meaning every coin struck from that die carries the same doubled image permanently — making it a true variety, not a one-off accident.
On a genuine DDO, the doubling appears most prominently on the date numerals, the word LIBERTY, and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Under a 10× loupe, collectors look for two distinct, rounded, separated images — not the flat, shelf-like shadow left by machine doubling (also called strike doubling), which has no collector premium. The spread of doubling on hub-doubled dies tends to be rotational or distorted, not simply offset in one direction.
Collectors pay a steep premium for the 1943 DDO because strong examples are genuinely scarce, and the variety is well-documented in CONECA and Cherrypickers' Guide listings. A strong-strike circulated example can exceed $600, and gem uncirculated specimens with clear, strong doubling have realized $1,500 or more at major auction houses. The spread between a problem-free example and a cleaned or damaged one is enormous at this level.
An off-center strike occurs when a planchet feeds into the coining chamber without being properly centered between the obverse and reverse dies. The resulting coin shows a crescent of blank, unstruck metal on one or more sides, while the struck design is compressed into the remaining area. Because the coining presses of the 1940s relied on mechanical feeders, off-center planchets occasionally slipped through quality control and reached circulation.
Value on an off-center 1943 quarter depends almost entirely on two factors: the percentage of misalignment and whether the full date remains visible. A coin struck 5–10% off-center is worth a modest premium, while a dramatic 40–50% off-center example with a fully readable date can attract serious collector interest. Coins struck so far off-center that the date is lost have diminished appeal regardless of the dramatic blank crescent they display.
Major off-center strikes on 1943 quarters are genuinely uncommon — the Philadelphia Mint's high-volume production made quality control inconsistencies relatively rare proportionally. Dramatic examples in Mint State condition are particularly prized because most off-center coins that survived did so in circulated grades after spending time in commerce. A boldly off-center (40%+) example with a readable date commands strong bids at specialized error coin auctions.
Die cracks develop when a working die, subjected to repeated high-pressure strikes, develops fractures in its steel face. Each subsequent coin struck from the cracked die picks up a raised, irregular line tracing the crack's path across the design. As the die continues to fail, the crack deepens and widens; in severe cases it results in a die break or cud — a raised, blank blob where a piece of die steel chipped away completely.
Minor die cracks on 1943 quarters (thin lines crossing the field or a portion of the design) add modest interest but limited premium. Major die cracks that cross important design elements — particularly the eagle's wings or Washington's portrait — and cud breaks at the rim are significantly more valuable. A cud break, where a piece of the rim die shattered and left a raised blob replacing part of the design, is the most desirable die-failure variety and commands the highest prices in this sub-category.
Die cracks are easier to authenticate than many other varieties because they produce a raised line on the coin (the metal flows into the crack in the die). Collectors and variety specialists document die cracks by die state — early die state (faint crack), late die state (dramatic crack), and terminal die state (cud). Later die states with more dramatic cracks or cuds are progressively rarer and more sought-after by specialists in die variety collecting.
Lamination errors occur when impurities, gas pockets, or delamination zones exist within the coin's silver-copper alloy planchet before or during striking. Because the 1943 Washington Quarter was struck in 90% silver during wartime, occasional batch inconsistencies in the alloy mixing process at the mint's strip mills created internal stress zones. When struck, or even later in circulation, these zones cause the coin's surface to crack, peel, or separate in thin flaps or patches.
Lamination flaws range from barely perceptible — a faint raised seam barely visible under magnification — to dramatically spectacular, with a large flap of metal lifted away from the coin's face, revealing the rough, porous subsurface beneath. Pre-strike laminations (where the planchet separated before being struck) show the flaw struck flat into the design, while post-strike laminations (occurring after the coin left the mint) show a raised flap over the existing design details.
Collectors value lamination errors primarily on the size, location, and drama of the separation. A small edge lamination has modest appeal; a large mid-field lamination flap covering Washington's portrait or the eagle, especially in Mint State, is genuinely exciting to error specialists. Because the 1943 silver alloy was produced under wartime production pressures, lamination rates were somewhat higher than peacetime issues, making this variety relatively available compared to some other 1940s quarter errors.
A broadstruck coin results when the retaining collar — the ring that surrounds the planchet during striking and forms the coin's reeded edge and standard diameter — fails to engage properly. Without the collar's constriction, the metal flows outward freely under die pressure, producing a coin that is thinner and wider than standard. The reeded edge is partially or entirely absent, replaced by a rounded, spread appearance at the periphery. Misaligned die errors occur when one die is shifted off-center relative to the other, creating a design that appears offset on one face.
On a broadstruck 1943 quarter, the overall design is fully struck but the coin's diameter measurably exceeds the standard 24.3mm. The rims are soft or entirely absent on a true broadstrike, distinguishing it from simply a weak-rim coin. Misaligned die errors, where the collar was in place but one die shifted, show a design that runs off one side while the opposite side shows an oversized rim — a distinctive and dramatic appearance that is immediately recognizable to error specialists.
Both broadstrikes and misaligned die errors are mechanical in nature — they result from equipment failure rather than die-preparation errors — which means each example is unique and not part of a documented variety series. Value depends heavily on the severity of the misalignment, the completeness of the design, and overall surface quality. Strong broadstrikes in Mint State with no wear are prized by error coin specialists, who often prefer dramatic, clearly legible examples over subtle misalignments.
Use the free calculator to estimate your coin's value based on mint mark, condition, and which error variety you've identified.
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| Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Est. Surviving Circulated | Est. Surviving Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | 99,700,000 | Millions | Hundreds of thousands |
| Denver | D | 16,095,600 | Many thousands | Tens of thousands |
| San Francisco | S | 21,700,000 | Many thousands | Tens of thousands |
| Total 1943 Quarters | ~137,495,600 | Circulated survivors are plentiful; gem MS65+ coins are genuinely scarce | ||
Grading is the single biggest factor separating a $5 coin from a $400 one. Here's what each tier looks like.
Washington's hair above the ear and cheek are flat and merged with the field. The eagle's breast feathers are mostly gone. Major design elements (portrait outline, eagle, lettering) remain clear but raised detail is largely lost. Silver melt value plus a small premium is typical. Worth $5–$8 for Philadelphia, slightly more for D and S.
Hair detail above the ear is visible but high points show wear. Eagle's feathers partially defined. An About Uncirculated coin has only slight friction on the cheek and eagle's breast — nearly all original detail remains intact. Luster may be present in protected areas on AU coins. Worth $8–$25 for most issues; closer to $25 for a strong AU.
No trace of wear anywhere, but may show bag marks, contact marks, or weak strike. Under rotating light, the cartwheel luster flows from the center outward. The cheek and eagle's breast show full detail with no friction. Surface marks and luster quality differentiate MS60 from MS64 significantly. Worth $25–$90 depending on mint and quality.
Exceptional luster, minimal contact marks, and strong original strike. Washington's hair strands are individually defined; the eagle's breast feathers are sharp and complete. Eye appeal is striking under any lighting. Gem coins are exponentially scarcer than typical MS examples and command strong premiums, especially for the D and S mint marks. Worth $100–$600+ depending on mint and grade point.
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Your coin is only worth what a buyer will pay. Here's where serious buyers look — and which venue fits your coin best.
The world's largest numismatic auction house. Best for high-grade (MS65+) specimens, confirmed error varieties, and rare die varieties like the DDO. Heritage's network of serious collectors means competitive bidding drives prices to fair market value. Submit well in advance — consignment deadlines can be weeks to months before auction dates. Expect a seller's commission.
The most liquid secondary market for 1943 Washington Quarters in any grade. For circulated and mid-grade examples, eBay often returns fair market value quickly. Check recently sold prices for 1943 quarters listed on eBay to see actual completed sales before setting your asking price. Use "Sold Listings" filter in eBay's advanced search to see real transaction prices, not just asking prices.
Fast and convenient — walk in and walk out with cash. Dealers typically pay 50–70% of retail value for common circulated coins, though they may pay closer to melt value for worn examples. Local shops are ideal if speed matters more than maximum return. Bring multiple opinions before accepting any single offer, especially for error varieties where attribution can dramatically affect value.
The r/Coins4Sale and r/CoinSnap communities have active collector bases who often buy directly from fellow enthusiasts, eliminating dealer margins. Best for identified, well-photographed coins where you can document the variety. The community can also help authenticate errors before you sell. No seller's fees, but no buyer protections — typically peer-to-peer agreements via PayPal Goods & Services.