1938-S Washington Quarter (Silver) Value
A 1938-S Washington Quarter (Silver) is worth roughly $12.50 to $578 depending on its condition. Its intrinsic melt value stands at $6.60 based on spot prices from 2026-06-01 Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
1938-S Washington Quarter (Silver) value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $6.60 |
| Good (G-4) | $12.50 to $18.00 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $15.50 to $23.00 |
| Fine (F-12) | $20.00 to $29.50 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $28.00 to $41.50 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $42.00 to $62.00 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $61.50 to $91.00 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $95.50 to $140 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $168 to $248 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $393 to $578 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
What is a 1938-S Washington Quarter (Silver) worth right now?
A 1938-S Washington Quarter (Silver) that spent decades in circulation is worth about $12.50 today. One that never circulated at all can bring up to $578. The honest answer for most inherited or pocket-found examples sits in the lower half of the table.
1938-S Washington Quarter (Silver) specifications
- Series
- Washington Quarter (Silver)
- Year
- 1938
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 2,832,000
- Composition
- 90% silver, 10% copper
- Weight
- 6.25 g
- Diameter
- 24.3 mm
- Edge
- Reeded
- Designer
- John Flanagan
- Silver content
- 0.18084 troy oz
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Identifying the San Francisco mint mark
Flip your 1938 Washington Quarter (Silver) over and locate the "S". On the reverse, below the wreath between the olive branches (1932-1964) That single letter separates the San Francisco issue from its siblings and can move the price substantially.
The value drivers behind this coin
The mintage of 2,832,000 puts the 1938-S Washington Quarter (Silver) among the scarcer issues of its series. It is findable, but nice examples take patience, and the market prices that difficulty in.
Silver content matters for the 1938-S Washington Quarter (Silver): 0.1808 oz per coin, valued at $6.60 right now. The melt floor moves daily with the metals market and sets the minimum any dealer will pay.
Its very availability makes the silver Washington a favorite entry point: a date run from 1941 is achievable on a modest budget, while early Denver issues in true Mint State remain condition rarities. For the 1938-S Washington Quarter (Silver), the enduring popularity of the series translates directly into buyers in every grade and every market cycle.
Summary: the 1938-S Washington Quarter (Silver) is valued between $12.50 and $578 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.