The US Mint has long been producing some of the finest coinage in the world, and the Washington Quarter is a perfect example of that. First minted in the early 1900s, the Washington Quarter quickly revolutionized the way in which Americans pay for goods and debts. Still being produced today, the Washington Quarter is just as relevant now as it was back in the days of World War II.
Washington Quarters, for collectors, are preferred to be in excellent condition—especially considering how recently they were produced. Unfortunately, there are far fewer well-preserved quarters than worn pieces, so finding one that has been excellently preserved is never an easy task.
For most every Washington Quarter, you will find that collectors take their time when it comes to assessing condition. Because no one wants to add a torn up coin to their collection, it only follows that prospective collectors carefully analyze the surfaces of the coin, looking for any and all imperfections. Thanks to the age of these coins and their overall utility, it is much more common to find a coin that shows ample sign of wear.
Normally, the work that is assessing the condition of the coin is something that is saved for a professional coin-grading organization. Realizing that not everyone has a boatload of money and time to send their coins away for grading, we have provided below an outline that aptly describes coins of a given grade.
Uncirculated: If a coin is graded as being Uncirculated, this means that the coin in question will have never been circulated. Thanks to this, the coin will have absolutely no signs of wear and will appear as though it was just recently minted. Going for the highest prices, these coins are the coins collectors desire most.
Extremely Fine: An Extremely Fine coin is one that was exchanging hands for a very limited amount of time, and did not incur much damage during that time. Though these coins will appear to be pristine at first glance, under close inspection you will be able to make out imperfections such as light scratching and some surface wear. All in all, however, these coins have been well-preserved.
Fine: Fine is the grade given to coins that spent a good amount of time in circulation, but were taken out before heavy damage could take place. The surfaces of these coins will have been worn down considerably, but the imagery and texture of the coin will be able to be easily deciphered.
Good: A Good Washington Quarter, though seldom found, is one that has suffered a good bit of damage thanks to its being in circulation for an extended period of time. From bending to chipping and just about everything in between, the damage found on these coins is fairly extensive.
When it comes to assigning a price to the 1941 Washington Quarter, there are a few things you must look at. First, because there were multiple types of Quarter minted every year, the exact type of Quarter you have (and its scarcity) will be the first factor playing into the price. Secondly, the condition of the coin means everything, and those well-preserved pieces are often the priciest ones. Below is a chart that will help you better understand what you might be asked to pay for a 1941 Washington Quarter given its type and condition.
1941 Washington Quarter
DATE | GOOD | FINE | EXTREMELY FINE | UNCIRCULATED |
---|---|---|---|---|
1941 Washington Quarter | N/A | N/A | $7.50 | $8 |
1941 Washington Quarter (D) | N/A | N/A | $8 | $13 |
1941 Washington Quarter (S) | N/A | N/A | $8 | $11 | Source: Red Book |