1950 Washington Quarter

After a relatively slow year in 1949, Washington quarters saw increased production and a couple headlines of numismatic interest in 1950. Notably, the production of proofs returned in 1950, after a World War II-induced hiatus that began in 1943. There was also the production of two mintmark-related varieties that are considered quite scarce by coin collectors today: the 1950 D over S variety and 1950 S over D quarter.

Here’s a look at mintages and values for 1950 Washington quarters:

• 1950, 24,920,126 minted; $11.50

• 1950 proof, 51,386; $50

• 1950-D, 21,075,600; $11.50

• 1950-D Over S; mintage uncertain; $60

• 1950-S, 10,284,004; $11.50

• 1950-S Over D, mintage uncertain; $75

*Values are for coins graded Fine-12, unless otherwise noted.

While a coin collector assembling a typical, regular-strike-only Washington quarter date-and-mintmark collection need not worry about the expensive varieties or the proof specimen, many series aficionados will. Looking for any of the three “more-expensive” 1950 Washington quarters – the proof, D over S, and S over D – will require some concerted effort, as they are relatively difficult to find. However, a collection that contains any – and especially all – of those three scarcer quarters is surely exceptional and could potentially garner handsome returns for your investment down the line.