The 1939 Washington Quarter with no mint mark is worth anywhere from $6 in worn condition to over $1,500 in high-grade mint state. Most examples found in pocket change or old jars are silver bullion coins, but specific varieties can command a significant premium among serious collectors.

Condition	Estimated Value
Good (G-4)	$6.00 – $7.50
Very Fine (VF-20)	$9.00 – $12.00
Extremely Fine (EF-40)	$15.00 – $22.00
Uncirculated (MS-60)	$35.00 – $50.00
Choice Uncirculated (MS-65+)	$150.00 – $1,500+

History of the 1939 Washington Quarter No Mint Mark

In 1939, the United States was slowly climbing out of the Great Depression, and the Washington Quarter had been the standard 25-cent piece for only seven years. This series was originally intended to be a one-year commemorative for George Washington’s 200th birthday in 1932, but it proved so popular that it replaced the Standing Liberty design permanently. If you find a quarter from this year that lacks a small letter on the back, it means it was struck at the main Philadelphia Mint.

Identifying these coins is easy if you have the top coin identifier app installed on your phone. Back in 1939, Philadelphia produced over 33 million quarters. Compared to modern production numbers that reach into the billions, this is a relatively low mintage. Because these coins were made of 90% silver, many were melted down over the decades, making well-preserved examples more difficult to find today.

For the average American, the most important thing to know is that your 1939 “No Mint Mark” quarter is inherently valuable because of its precious metal content. However, checking the specific 1939 silver quarter worth can reveal if your coin is a common “junk silver” piece or a numismatic treasure. Tools like CoinKnow can help you instantly distinguish between a coin worth its weight in silver and one worth hundreds of dollars in collector value.

Understanding the Silver Content and Bullion Value

Before worrying about the “grade” or the rarity of your coin, you should know that every 1939 Washington Quarter is a silver coin. Until 1964, U.S. quarters were minted with an alloy consisting of 90% silver and 10% copper. This gives the coin a “melt value” that fluctuates with the live market price of silver. Even if the coin is heavily scratched, worn flat, or damaged, it will always be worth significantly more than 25 cents.

A standard 1939 quarter contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. To find the minimum value of your coin, you can multiply the current spot price of silver by 0.18. For instance, if silver is trading at $25 per ounce, your quarter is worth at least $4.50 in raw metal alone. However, collectors usually pay a small premium on top of this for “pre-war” silver dates.

Because the prices for these coins can change daily based on both the silver market and collector demand, many people use CoinKnow to keep an eye on their portfolio. The app provides real-time updates so you don’t accidentally sell a valuable asset for too little. You can also view recent 1939 Washington Quarter auction prices to see what buyers are currently paying for similar items in the marketplace.

Metal Type	Percentage	Weight
Pure Silver	90%	5.625 grams
Copper	10%	0.625 grams
Total Weight	100%	6.25 grams

Determining the Grade of Your 1939 Philadelphia Quarter

The condition, or “grade,” of your coin is the single most important factor in determining if it is worth $7 or $700. In the world of coin collecting, we use a 70-point scale. Most coins found in circulation today range from “Good” (G-4) to “Extremely Fine” (EF-40). For a 1939 quarter to be worth a significant premium, it generally needs to be in “Mint State” (MS), meaning it never actually spent time being used as money.

When inspecting your quarter, look at the highest points of the design: Washington’s hair curls above his ear and the eagle’s breast feathers on the reverse. If these areas are smooth and flat, the coin is circulated. If you can see fine details in the hair and distinct feathers on the eagle, you might have an Uncirculated specimen. CoinKnow offers a high-resolution photo identification feature that can help you compare your coin to known grades to get a ballpark estimate.

Collectors are especially interested in coins with “Full Birds.” This refers to the eagle on the back having a clear, sharp chest and legs. If your 1939 quarter has original mint luster—that frosty look that catches the light when you tilt it—you should handle it only by the edges. Touching the face of a high-grade silver quarter can leave finger oils that eventually turn into ugly black spots, lowering the value.

Rare Varieties and Errors to Look For

While the 1939 Philadelphia quarter is usually straightforward, there are a few rare “doubled die” varieties that can turn a common coin into a high-value item. A doubled die occurs when the coin hub strikes the die multiple times, leaving a blurred or “doubled” image on the coin. For the 1939 issue, you should look closely at the lettering on the reverse, particularly the words “QUARTER DOLLAR” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

If you see clear doubling in the letters, your coin could be worth hundreds of dollars even in average condition. Another thing to look for is “re-punched mint marks,” though this specifically applies to the Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) mints. Since your Philadelphia coin has no mint mark, your focus should remain on the “Double Die Reverse” (DDR).

Using tools like CoinKnow helps enthusiasts identify these tiny errors that are often missed by the naked eye. Sometimes, what looks like a scratch or a smudge is actually a rare mint error. Always check the rim of the coin as well; if it is unusually thick or has a “cud” (a blob of extra metal), you might have a valuable minting mistake that collectors crave.

Error Type	Description	Approximate Value
Double Die Reverse	Doubling on the eagle’s wings or text	$50 – $400
Off-Center Strike	The image is shifted to one side	$100+
Lamination Error	Metal peeling off the surface	$10 – $30

Where to Sell Your 1939 Silver Quarter

If you’ve determined that your 1939 Washington Quarter is worth more than its face value, you have several options for selling it. For common, worn coins, your local coin shop is the easiest route. They will likely pay you a percentage of the silver “melt” value. This is a quick way to get cash, though you won’t get the maximum collector price.

For higher-grade coins or those with potential errors, online marketplaces like eBay or specialized auction houses are better choices. When selling online, clear photographs are mandatory. High-resolution photos showing both the front (obverse) and back (reverse) will help buyers feel confident in what they are purchasing. Many sellers find that using CoinKnow to verify the details of their coin before listing it helps them write more accurate and professional-looking descriptions.

Finally, if you believe you have a “Gem” condition coin (MS-65 or higher), consider having it professionally graded by services like PCGS or NGC. Grading can cost $30-$50 per coin, so it’s only worth it if the coin’s value justifies the expense. A certified 1939 quarter in a plastic “slab” will almost always sell for more than an uncertified one because the buyer knows the grade is guaranteed by experts.

FAQ

Q: Does a 1939 quarter have a mint mark?

A: 1939 quarters were minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The Philadelphia version has “No Mint Mark.” The Denver coins have a small ‘D’ and San Francisco coins have an ‘S’ located on the back of the coin, directly below the center of the eagle.

Q: Is a 1939 quarter made of real silver?

A: Yes, all Washington Quarters minted from 1932 through 1964 are made of 90% silver. They are often called “90% silver quarters” or “junk silver” by investors and collectors.

Q: How can I tell if my 1939 quarter is worth more than $10?

A: If the coin looks like it just came from the bank—with no scratches, full details on the eagle’s chest, and a shiny, lustrous surface—it is likely worth more than $10. Additionally, coins with a “Double Die” error on the reverse are worth a significant premium.

Q: Should I clean my 1939 quarter to make it look better?

A: No! Never clean a collectible coin. Cleaning removes the original surface (mint luster) and leaves tiny scratches that professional collectors can see instantly. A cleaned coin is often worth 50% less than an uncleaned one, even if the cleaned one looks “shofny.”