1956 Washington Quarter

The Washington Quarter may seem like a strange coin to collect simply because it is still being circulated today. While this may be so, those Washington Quarters that are extremely valuable to collectors are those that were minted up until the mid-1960s. At that point, the composition of the coin was changed forever, and it is the coin’s composition that separates it from the Washington Quarters that are still being produced today.

Collectors are constantly vying to get their hands on these pieces, but with only a limited number of well-preserved pieces still in existence, this is by no means a simple task. Quite frankly, it is only going to be more of a challenge as time moves forward.

Grading the 1956 Washington Quarter

For collectors, the first thing that will be looked at on a coin is the surfaces. Collectors wanting to only add the best pieces to their collection will pour over the surfaces of a given coin looking to spot any and all imperfections. This is not such an easy task, however, and is often left to professionals.

This is why so many collectors opt to have their coins sent away for grading. Knowing that not everyone can have their coins graded, we have provided below a listing of the major coin grades as well as the characteristics associated with them.

Uncirculated: If a coin is receiving of an Uncirculated grade, this means that the piece in question will have spent absolutely no time exchanging hands. The surfaces of these pieces will have the look of a newly minted coin, and will feel that way too. For collectors, Uncirculated is the magic word and describes coins that they want in their collections.

Extremely Fine: Just one step down from Uncirculated, Extremely Fine coins are in great condition. Apart from some very light surface wear, these coins will be in excellent shape and appear to be mostly pristine. For collectors, these coins are also great additions to any collection.

Fine: This grade is given to coins that show ample signs of wear and tear, but are not so heavily damage that the imagery and inscriptions on the coin have been compromised. You will notice that the surfaces of the coin may have been worn down due to the exchanging of hands over the years, but this is about the extent of any significant damage.

Good: In Good condition, it is safe to say that the coin has seen better days. Good is the lowest grade a coin can receive and is indicative of a piece that has been extremely heavily circulated and damaged. The signs of wear present on these coins are seemingly endless, and the imagery and inscriptions on the coin’s faces may no longer be so easy to make out.

Pricing the 1956 Washington Quarter

When it comes to the Washington Quarter, the exact way to determine an accurate asking price is to take into consideration the type of coin you possess as well as the condition it is in. Because most years saw at least two different types of quarters minted, the exact type of quarter you own will play into the asking price. Secondly, the condition of the coin means everything to collectors and will also play into the asking price. Below is a chart aimed at giving you a better idea of what you might be asked to pay for a Washington Quarter given its grade and type.

1956 Washington Quarter

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1956 Washington Quarter	N/A	N/A	$7	$8
1956 Washington Quarter (D)	N/A	N/A	$7	$8
Source: Red Book