The 1979-S Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $1 in typical proof condition to over $150 for rare Type 2 varieties in pristine grades. While these coins were not released into general circulation for daily spending, many Americans find them in inherited collections or “proof sets” tucked away in drawers.

Condition / Variety	Estimated Value
1979-S Type 1 (Filled S) PR65	$3 – $5
1979-S Type 2 (Clear S) PR65	$10 – $15
1979-S Type 2 (Clear S) PR70 Deep Cameo	$120 – $185+

Understanding the 1979-S Proof Quarter History

In 1979, the United States Mint produced millions of Washington Quarters across three different facilities: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. While the coins from Philadelphia and Denver were meant for your pocket, the “S” mint mark indicates a Proof coin intended strictly for collectors. If you’ve just discovered a shiny, mirror-like quarter with an “S” under the “In God We Trust” motto, you likely have a piece of a 1979 United States Proof Set.

Because these coins were sold directly to the public in protective plastic cases, they usually look much nicer than the coins you find in change. However, their value depends heavily on which version of the “S” mint mark appears on the coin. During this year, the Mint famously changed the design of the mint mark punch halfway through production, creating two distinct varieties known as Type 1 and Type 2. To get an instant identification of your coin’s specific variety, many collectors use a top coin identifier app to ensure they aren’t overlooking a more valuable version.

If you are just starting out, using a tool like CoinKnow can help you distinguish between standard circulation strikes and these special proof editions. Most 1979-S quarters will have a “Deep Cameo” finish, which means the portrait of George Washington looks frosty and white, while the background (the field) looks like a dark, polished mirror. This contrast is highly prized by collectors and is the baseline for modern proof coin valuations.

The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Mint Marks

The most critical factor in determining your 1979-S Washington Quarter value is the clarity of the mint mark. The “Type 1” variety is often called the “Filled S.” This is because the punch used to create the “S” was worn down, making the letter look like a blob of metal where the center loops are nearly filled in. This was the initial style used in 1979 and is significantly more common than its successor.

The “Type 2” variety, known as the “Clear S,” is much more desirable. Later in 1979, the Mint replaced the worn punch with a new, sharper one. On a Clear S coin, the loops of the “S” are distinct, and the serifs (the ends of the letter) are sharp and well-defined. Because fewer of these were produced before the end of the year, they fetch a premium. According to recent 1979-S Washington Quarter auction data, the Type 2 can be worth five to ten times more than the Type 1 in equal condition.

To the untrained eye, these differences can be hard to spot. If you are struggling to see the detail, CoinKnow allows you to snap a high-resolution photo and zoom in to compare your mint mark against known Type 1 and Type 2 examples. Generally, if the “S” looks round and “mushy,” it’s Type 1. If it looks like a crisp capital letter with clear space inside the curves, you might have found a Type 2 winner.

Mint Mark Variety	Identification Features	Scarcity
Type 1 (Filled S)	Mushy appearance; centers of ‘S’ filled with metal.	Common
Type 2 (Clear S)	Crisp edges; clear openings in the top and bottom loops.	Scarce

Condition and the “Deep Cameo” Standard

Condition is king in the world of coin collecting. For proof coins like the 1979-S, we use a grading scale that goes up to 70. A “PR70” coin is perfect—it has no scratches, no fingerprints, and no manufacturing flaws even under 5x magnification. Most 1979-S quarters found in original mint packaging will grade between PR67 and PR69. While a PR68 Type 2 might sell for $20, a “perfect” PR70 can skyrocket in value.

The term “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) is also vital. This refers to the heavy contrast between the frosty design and the mirror-like fields. In the 1970s, the Mint was still perfecting this process, so not every coin came out with a strong cameo. When searching for a 1979 quarter value guide, you will notice that coins without the “Deep Cameo” designation are worth considerably less because they lack the visual “pop” that collectors crave.

It is important to handle these coins only by their edges. The oils from your skin can permanently damage the mirror finish of a proof coin, instantly lowering its grade and value. If your coin is still in its original plastic lens from the US Mint, it is best to leave it there. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC are often required to verify a PR70 grade, but you can get a preliminary idea of your coin’s state using the CoinKnow visual recognition tool.

Market Values for 1979-S Proof Quarters

The market for modern proof quarters is stable but highly dependent on the “Type.” For the average person who finds a 1979-S Type 1, the value is roughly equivalent to the cost of a cup of coffee. However, for those who hold the rarer Type 2, there is a genuine collector market. Prices for these coins have remained steady over the last decade, with “perfect” specimens occasionally setting new records at major auctions.

Here is a breakdown of current market values based on professional grading standards:

Grade (PCGS/NGC)	Type 1 Value	Type 2 Value
PR65 Deep Cameo	$4.00	$12.00
PR68 Deep Cameo	$10.00	$25.00
PR69 Deep Cameo	$18.00	$45.00
PR70 Deep Cameo	$115.00	$175.00

As you can see, the jump from PR69 to PR70 is massive. This is because “perfect” coins are incredibly rare. Most 1979-S coins have microscopic “hairlines” (tiny scratches) caused by the coin sliding inside its packaging or during the minting process itself. If your coin looks absolutely flawless under a magnifying glass, it may be worth the investment of professional grading.

What About 1979 Quarters Without an “S”?

While the 1979-S is the star of the year for collectors, it’s worth mentioning the billions of other quarters minted in 1979. Quarters with a “P” (Philadelphia) or “D” (Denver) mint mark were made for circulation. For the most part, these are only worth their face value of 25 cents. However, like any coin, there are exceptions for extremely high-grade examples or those with rare mint errors.

A 1979-P or 1979-D quarter in “Uncirculated” condition—meaning it was never spent and looks like it just came from the bank—can be worth between $1 and $5. If the coin is graded MS67 (Mint State 67) or higher, the price can jump into the hundreds. Rare errors, such as coins struck on the wrong metal planchet or off-center strikes, can also increase the value significantly. If you find a 1979 quarter that looks “weird” or different from the others, it’s always worth checking a database or a value app to see if you have an error coin.

How to Sell Your 1979-S Quarter

If you’ve identified your coin as a 1979-S Type 2 or a high-grade Type 1, you might be wondering how to turn it into cash. For coins valued under $20, your best bet is usually a local coin shop or a platform like eBay. Coin dealers will typically pay about 50-70% of the retail value, as they need to make a profit when they resell it.

For coins that you suspect are PR70 (perfect condition), the process is a bit different. You would first need to send the coin to a grading service like PCGS or NGC. This costs money (usually $20-$50 per coin plus shipping), so you should only do this if the potential value of the coin justifies the expense. Once graded and slabbed in a protective holder, these coins can be sold at major auction houses or specialized numismatic sites where collectors compete for the highest-graded specimens.

FAQ

Q: Is a 1979-S quarter made of silver?

A: No. By 1979, the United States Mint had long since transitioned to a “clad” composition. The 1979-S Washington Quarter is made of a core of pure copper, bonded to outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel. It does not contain any silver.

Q: Why is my 1979 quarter so shiny if it’s not silver?

A: You likely have a Proof coin. Proof coins are struck using specially polished dies and blanks. This results in a mirror-like background and a frosted foreground, giving it a much more brilliant appearance than standard pocket change.

Q: How many 1979-S Quarters were minted?

A: The San Francisco Mint produced 3,677,175 proof sets in 1979. Each of these sets included one 1979-S Washington Quarter. While millions were made, the number of “Type 2 Clear S” varieties is much smaller, which is why they are more valuable.

Q: Can I find a 1979-S quarter in my pocket change?

A: It is very rare, but not impossible. Sometimes, a person might break open a proof set and spend the coins like regular money. This is called “impaired proof.” Once a proof coin has been circulated, its value drops significantly, usually to just a few cents over face value.

Q: How can I tell for sure if I have a Type 2 Clear S?

A: Look closely at the mint mark “S” under magnification. A Type 1 “Filled S” will look like the center is clogged with metal. A Type 2 “Clear S” will have clear, open loops and a very distinct shape. Using an app like CoinKnow is the easiest way for beginners to make this comparison at home.