The 1982-D Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from 25 cents in heavily worn condition to around $10 or more in uncirculated grades, with top-tier examples graded MS67 selling for hundreds of dollars at auction. If you found one in a jar of old change, you might be sitting on more than just pocket money.
The 1982-D Washington Quarter was struck at the Denver Mint during a year that coin collectors consider a bit of a turning point in U.S. coinage. Production numbers were relatively modest compared to some earlier years, and the coins were made from a copper-nickel clad composition — no silver here. Still, condition is everything when it comes to value, and even a common date like this one can fetch a premium when it’s been well preserved. If you’re not sure what you’ve got, using a CoinKnow app is a great first step to identify your coin and get a fast, reliable estimate of what it might be worth.
Background on the 1982-D Washington Quarter
The Washington Quarter series has been in production since 1932, honoring the first U.S. president. By 1982, the coins were well into their clad era, transitioning away from the 90% silver composition that ended in 1964. The “D” mintmark on the 1982 quarter tells you it was made in Denver, Colorado. That mintmark appears on the obverse of the coin, just to the right of Washington’s ribbon. The Denver Mint struck approximately 480 million quarters in 1982, making this coin plentiful in circulation — but that doesn’t mean every example is worthless. High-grade survivors from mint rolls and original bank rolls can still command solid prices, especially when graded by a third-party service like PCGS or NGC.
1982-D Washington Quarter Value by Grade
Most people find these quarters in circulated condition, which means some wear on the high points of Washington’s hair and cheek. Even so, here’s a general breakdown of what you can expect depending on condition. For a more detailed look at 1982 Washington Quarter price data across multiple grade levels, certified coin price databases are an excellent resource.
| Grade | Condition Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 (Good) | Heavy wear, design visible but flat | Face value ($0.25) |
| VF-20 (Very Fine) | Moderate wear, some detail remains | $0.50 – $1 |
| EF-40 (Extremely Fine) | Light wear on high points | $1 – $2 |
| MS-63 (Uncirculated) | No wear, some contact marks | $3 – $6 |
| MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated) | Sharp strike, minimal marks | $8 – $20 |
| MS-67 (Superb Gem) | Near-perfect surfaces | $100 – $400+ |
What Makes a 1982-D Quarter More Valuable
Not all 1982-D Washington Quarters are created equal. Strike quality, luster, and surface preservation play a massive role in determining value. Coins that came from sealed mint sets or original rolls tend to have sharper details and brighter surfaces, which translates to higher grades — and higher prices. Eye appeal matters too: a coin with strong luster, full rim definition, and no distracting scratches will always sell better than one that looks dull or cleaned. Cleaning is actually one of the biggest value killers. Even a tiny polish or wipe can drop a coin from a gradable MS grade to a “details” designation, cutting its value significantly. If you want a comprehensive breakdown of 1982 quarter values across different conditions and mintmarks, there are some solid resources available online that track recent sales and auction results.
How to Check Your 1982-D Quarter at Home
You don’t need to be an expert to do a basic evaluation. Start by looking at the coin under good lighting — natural daylight or a simple desk lamp works well. Check the high points of Washington’s portrait for any smoothing or flatness, which indicates wear. Then look at the fields (the flat background areas) for any hairlines or scratches. If your coin looks bright and original with no signs of cleaning, you might have something worth getting graded. The CoinKnow app is a handy tool for this — just snap a photo of your quarter and let it help you identify the grade range and approximate market value. It’s free to use and gives you a solid starting point before you decide whether professional grading is worth the cost.
Is the 1982-D Quarter Worth Collecting
For most people, a circulated 1982-D Washington Quarter is worth spending — it’s a common coin that spent decades in everyday pockets. But if you happen to have a roll of them that’s never been opened, or a coin that looks unusually sharp and lustrous, it’s absolutely worth a second look. Collectors who specialize in modern Washington Quarters are always hunting for high-grade examples, and registry set competition has pushed prices for MS67 and above coins well into collector territory. Whether you’re a beginner just getting into coins or someone who stumbled across a stash of old change, tools like CoinKnow make it easy to sort the keepers from the spenders without any guesswork.
FAQ
Q: Is a 1982-D Washington Quarter made of silver?
A: No, the 1982-D Washington Quarter contains no silver. It is made from a copper-nickel clad composition, with a copper core and outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Silver quarters were last made for circulation in 1964.
Q: How do I know if my 1982-D quarter is worth getting professionally graded?
A: If your coin shows no signs of wear, has original luster, and doesn’t appear to have been cleaned or polished, it may be worth grading. Coins that grade MS65 or higher can be worth $10 or more, and MS67 examples have sold for over $100. Grading fees typically run $20–$40, so it’s only worth it for coins that could return a meaningful premium.
Q: Where can I sell a valuable 1982-D Washington Quarter?
A: You can sell through major auction platforms like eBay, Heritage Auctions, or Great Collections. For higher-grade examples, having the coin certified by PCGS or NGC first will typically get you a better price and more buyer confidence.
