1980 Washington Quarter Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?
Most 1980 Washington quarters you find in pocket change are worth face value — 25 cents. These are copper-nickel clad coins produced in large numbers across three mints.
In top uncirculated condition, a USA Coin Book guide estimate for an MS65 example reaches about $7.29. Proof, variety and error coins are a different story and need to be evaluated on their own merits.
Fast Way to Identify Your 1980 Washington Quarter
Want a quick read on what you have? Upload clear photos of the front and back of your 1980 quarter and our identifier will give you a preliminary take on the version and mint.
It is not a substitute for professional authentication or grading, but it is a solid starting point before you dig deeper.
1980 Washington Quarter Value
Upload both sides of your 1980 Washington Quarter.
Front Obverse
Upload photo
Back Reverse
Upload photo
Which 1980 Washington Quarter Versions Are Worth Money?
- The 1980-P and 1980-D quarters are worth checking in uncirculated grades, where a USA Coin Book MS65 guide estimate is about $7.29 each.
- The 1980-S Proof has a guide estimate around $6.25 in PR65, with higher-contrast examples potentially carrying more appeal.
- Authenticated mint errors such as a missing clad layer, off-center strike, wrong planchet or doubled die can carry premiums well above face value depending on severity and condition.
- A repunched mintmark or die break adds collector interest; value depends on the specific variety and its visual impact.
Step 1: Identify Your 1980 Washington Quarter Mint Mark and Version
Three mint versions exist for 1980 Washington quarters. Look near the date on the obverse for the mintmark: a P means Philadelphia, a D means Denver, and an S means San Francisco proof.
1980 was the first year Philadelphia quarters carried a P mintmark. If you cannot see any letter, check under magnification before assuming it is a Philadelphia coin — the mark can be weak or obscured by wear.
All regular-issue 1980 quarters are copper-nickel clad, weighing about 5.67 grams and measuring 24.3 mm across. An S mintmark does not mean silver.
If you want to verify composition, look at the edge: you should see a visible copper core sandwiched between the outer layers.
Coin Value Lookup is a good place to look up guides for other dates and denominations if you are working through a pile of change or a collection.
Step 2: Check Your 1980 Washington Quarter Grade
Start on the obverse. The hair just above Washington's ear and the cheekbone show friction first.
Even light rub will dull the original mint luster in those spots. On the reverse, check the eagle's breast feathers for the same softness.
Do not confuse a weak strike with wear. Some 1980 quarters left the press with mushy detail that never existed, and no amount of preservation can bring it back.
Compare your coin to the reference image to see what full-strike detail looks like versus genuine friction.
Original luster matters. A coin that has been cleaned will show fine hairlines under angled light, and that drops its grade significantly.
Contact marks — small nicks from banging around in bags at the mint — are normal on uncirculated coins, but heavy ones limit the grade ceiling.
For proof coins, mirror fields and frosted devices indicate a proof finish, but the contrast designation is separate from the numerical grade. A proof can still have handling marks.
Step 3: Check 1980 Washington Quarter Value by Mint and Version
1980 Washington Quarter — P
The 1980-P is the Philadelphia business strike and the first year this mint placed a P on the quarter. Look for it tucked in near the date on the obverse.
The design shows Washington on the front with an eagle clutching arrows and olive branches on the back, standard for the series.
In typical circulated condition, these are worth 25 cents. A USA Coin Book guide estimate puts an MS65 example at about $7.29.
Getting there requires full original luster, minimal bag marks and no cleaning. Most survivors from pocket change will not reach that level.
| Range | Grade | Price | Auction Records | Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | PO 1 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| FR | FR 2 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AG | AG 3 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G | G 4 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G 6 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VG | VG 8 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VG 10 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| F | F 12 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| F 15 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF | VF 20 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VF 25 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 30 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 35 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| XF | XF 40 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| XF 45 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU | AU 50 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AU 53 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 55 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 58 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS | MS 60 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| MS 61 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 62 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 63 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 64 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 65 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 66 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 67 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 68 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 69 | — | — | — | |
| MS 70 | — | — | — |
1980 Washington Quarter — D
The 1980-D was struck at Denver. The D mintmark sits near the date, same position as the P on its Philadelphia counterpart.
Same copper-nickel clad composition, same 5.67-gram nominal weight.
Circulated examples are face value. The USA Coin Book guide estimate for MS65 is $7.29, identical to the Philadelphia issue.
A clean, lustrous coin with sharp hair detail and a well-struck eagle breast is what you are looking for at that grade. Denver production was high, so finding one is not hard — finding one in gem condition is the real challenge.
| Range | Grade | Price | Auction Records | Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | PO 1 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| FR | FR 2 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AG | AG 3 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G | G 4 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G 6 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VG | VG 8 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VG 10 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| F | F 12 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| F 15 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF | VF 20 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VF 25 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 30 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 35 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| XF | XF 40 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| XF 45 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU | AU 50 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AU 53 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 55 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 58 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS | MS 60 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| MS 61 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 62 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 63 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 64 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 65 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 66 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 67 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 68 | — | — | — | |
| MS 69 | — | — | — | |
| MS 70 | — | — | — |
1980 Washington Quarter — S Proof
The 1980-S Proof was made at San Francisco exclusively for collector sets, not for circulation. Look for the S mintmark near the date.
Proof coins have mirror-like fields and sharply struck details, giving them a distinctly different look from business strikes.
A USA Coin Book guide estimate places a PR65 at about $6.25. Coins with stronger contrast between frosted devices and reflective fields may attract more attention, but the guide figure cited here is a general proof grade estimate, not specific to any contrast designation.
These remain copper-nickel clad — the S does not indicate silver content.
| Range | Grade | Price | Auction Records | Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR | PR 1 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| PR 2 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 3 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 4 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 6 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 8 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 10 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 12 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 15 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 20 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 25 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 30 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 35 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 40 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 45 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 50 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 53 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 55 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 58 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 60 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 61 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 62 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 63 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 64 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 65 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 66 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 67 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 68 | Coin Identifier | |||
| PR 69 | Coin Identifier | |||
| PR 70 | Coin Identifier |
1980 Washington Quarter Error List
1. 1980 Washington Quarter — Missing Reverse Clad Layer
A 1980-P quarter with a missing reverse clad layer will show exposed copper on the back, giving it a reddish or orange appearance instead of the usual silver tone. One documented example weighs 4.7 grams, noticeably below the normal 5.67 grams.
That weight difference is a key diagnostic.
Photograph both faces and the edge. You want to see that the obverse retains its normal clad surface while the reverse shows raw copper.
Reddish toning alone is not enough — environmental damage, chemical exposure and deliberate plating can mimic the look. A genuine missing-clad error will show properly struck design details on both sides with a measurably lower weight.
No reliable numeric price range is available; value depends on authentication, condition and the severity of the missing layer.
2. 1980 Washington Quarter — Off-Center Strike
An off-center 1980-P quarter shows a crescent-shaped blank area where the planchet was not fully covered by the die. A documented example displays roughly 10 percent displacement toward the 10 o'clock position, with the date and P mintmark still visible.
Both the date and mintmark being readable matters for value — without them, attribution gets difficult. Compare both sides carefully: a misaligned die shifts the image on one face only, while a true off-center strike shifts both.
Post-mint damage like cutting or hammering can create blank-looking edges, so look for genuine struck surfaces across the entire design area. No specific price range is adopted for this error; what it is worth depends on the degree of displacement, sharpness of remaining detail and professional authentication.
3. 1980 Washington Quarter — Wrong Planchet / Off-Metal Strike
A 1980-D quarter struck on a nickel planchet has been reported. This would mean the coin was fed the wrong blank — one intended for a five-cent piece instead of a quarter.
The result would differ from a normal quarter in weight, diameter and possibly edge appearance.
To check, compare your coin's measured weight and diameter against both the standard quarter specs (5.67 g, 24.3 mm) and a nickel's specs. The design may appear incomplete if the smaller blank did not fill the dies.
Coins that simply look odd due to plating, corrosion or acid damage are not wrong-planchet errors. Condition, the specific wrong metal and design completeness all affect what such a coin is worth, but no numeric price range is available here.
Professional authentication is essential for this category.
4. 1980 Washington Quarter — Doubled Die Reverse
A doubled die reverse has been reported for the 1980-D quarter. This type of error is created during die manufacturing when a misalignment between hub impressions leaves doubled design elements on the die itself.
Look at the reverse lettering and design contours under magnification. Genuine doubling will show consistent separation or notching on the affected elements, and it will appear on every coin struck by that die.
Machine doubling — a much more common and less valuable phenomenon — produces a flat, shelf-like distortion rather than true separated images. Reflections from strong lighting or simple wear can also fool you.
No specific price range is adopted; value depends on the strength of the doubling, overall condition and authentication.
5. 1980 Washington Quarter — Broadstrike
A broadstrike error occurs when a 1980 quarter is struck without the retaining collar that normally constrains the planchet. The result is a coin that spreads outward, appearing slightly larger than normal with a weakened or absent rim and no reeded edge.
The full design should still be present — that is what distinguishes a broadstrike from an off-center strike, where part of the design is missing. If the coin just looks flat or deformed, consider whether it was damaged after leaving the mint.
A coin smashed on railroad tracks, for example, will show uneven spread and distorted surfaces. A genuine broadstrike has properly struck details with uniform outward expansion.
No numeric price range is adopted; value depends on the degree of spread, condition and professional verification.
6. 1980 Washington Quarter — Repunched Mintmark
A repunched mintmark has been reported on 1980 quarters. This error was created when the mintmark punch was applied more than once to the working die in slightly different positions, leaving traces of the earlier impression.
Under magnification, look for remnants of a second letter near or partially overlapping the primary mintmark. The ghost image should be consistent and show the same style of letter.
Machine doubling around the mintmark area, die chips or simple corrosion can create confusing lookalikes. Compare your coin at matching magnification to a known normal example.
No numeric price range is available for this variety; value depends on the clarity and separation of the repunching, the coin's overall condition and authentication.
7. 1980 Washington Quarter — Die Crack / Die Chip
Die breaks and cud errors have been reported on 1980 quarters. These happen when a crack forms in the steel die from repeated use.
Interior die cracks appear as thin raised lines on the coin's surface. A cud is a more dramatic version — a piece of the die rim breaks away entirely, leaving a raised blob of featureless metal connected to the rim.
To identify a die crack, look for raised lines that do not follow any design element. They will feel slightly raised to the touch.
Do not confuse them with incuse scratches, which are recessed into the surface, or with corrosion deposits and foreign material stuck to the coin. No specific price range is adopted; larger and more visually dramatic breaks generally attract more collector interest than hairline cracks.
8. 1980 Washington Quarter — Doubled Die Obverse
A doubled die obverse has been reported for the 1980-P quarter. Like its reverse counterpart, this error originates during die production when the hub impression is slightly misaligned between applications, creating true doubled elements on the obverse die.
Examine the obverse lettering — especially LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST — under magnification and consistent lighting. Genuine doubling shows clear, consistent separation or notching on affected letters.
Machine doubling produces flat shelf-like distortion that lacks the rounded, separated profile of a true doubled die. Worn die contours and lighting reflections can also create false positives.
No numeric price range is adopted for this variety; value is driven by the strength of the doubling, the coin's grade and professional authentication.
