The 1990-S Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $2 in typical Proof condition to over $1,200 for rare, high-grade specimens. While most quarters you find in your pocket change are everyday business strikes, the “S” mint mark indicates a special coin produced exclusively for collectors.

Condition/Grade	Estimated Value
PR65 (Choice Proof)	$2.00 – $5.00
PR69 (Near Perfect)	$15.00 – $25.00
PR70 (Deep Cameo)	$350.00 – $1,250.00

Understanding the 1990-S Proof Washington Quarter

If you have discovered a 1990 Washington quarter with a small “S” under the “In God We Trust” motto, you are looking at a Proof coin. Unlike the millions of quarters struck in Philadelphia or Denver for general circulation, the San Francisco Mint produced these specifically for annual Proof Sets. These coins were never intended to buy a soda or pay for a parking meter; they were sold at a premium to hobbyists who wanted the finest examples of American coinage.

The distinction is important because the manufacturing process for a proof coin is much more intense. The planchets (coin blanks) are polished, and the dies are specially treated to create a mirror-like background and a frosted appearance on George Washington’s portrait. If you find one in your change today, it likely fell out of a broken collector’s set. To get an instant identification of your find, you can use the top coin identifier app to see if your coin maintains its proof-like luster or if it has been “impaired” by circulation.

When using tools like CoinKnow, collectors often look for the “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) designation. This refers to the sharp contrast between the shiny field and the white, snowy frost on the design elements. A 1990-S without this contrast is significantly less valuable. Most 1990-S quarters were kept in protective plastic, meaning the market is relatively saturated with high-grade examples, making only the perfect specimens truly rare.

Detailed Price Guide for 1990 Washington Quarters

To understand the broader market, we must compare the 1990-S with its counterparts from Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D). While the “S” mint mark is more “special,” the values for business strikes in extraordinary condition can actually exceed those of the proof versions. This is because business strikes were meant to be used, and finding one in “Mint State” (MS) condition is a challenge for many hobbyists.

For instance, looking at the 1990-P Washington quarter auction data, we see that high-grade MS67 coins can fetch hundreds of dollars. The 1990-S follows a different pricing curve because the supply of high grades is much higher. Unless a 1990-S is graded a perfect PR70 by a service like PCGS or NGC, it usually trades for the price of a cup of coffee.

Mint Mark	Mintage Total	Typical Value (High Grade)
1990-P	613,792,000	$5 – $50 (MS65+)
1990-D	927,638,181	$5 – $45 (MS65+)
1990-S (Proof)	3,299,559	$2 – $1,200 (PR65-PR70)

Grading the 1990-S: Why Small Scratches Matter

In the world of coin collecting, the difference between a $10 coin and a $1,000 coin is often invisible to the naked eye. For the 1990-S Washington Quarter, the grade is everything. Since these were struck using higher pressure and polished dies, any tiny hairline scratch or “milk spot” (cloudy white haze) significantly reduces the price. Most collectors who find these coins in the wild have what is known as an “Impaired Proof.”

To determine if your coin is worth sending to a professional grader, you should check the comprehensive 1990 quarter value analysis which breaks down the visual cues of different grades. A PR69 coin looks perfect to most people, but a PR70—the highest possible grade—must be absolutely flawless under 5x magnification. Because the San Francisco Mint struck over 3 million of these, only the 1-in-1,000 “perfect” coins hold substantial financial weight.

If you aren’t sure how to grade your coin, the CoinKnow app can provide high-resolution comparisons to help you spot scratches that might disqualified your coin from a top-tier grade. Remember, the 1990-S is made of a copper-nickel clad composition (75% copper, 25% nickel), so it shouldn’t be confused with the silver quarters of the pre-1964 era.

Rare Errors to Look For in 1990 Quarters

While the 1990-S is a collector’s coin, error hunters often look for mistakes that happened during the minting process. While extremely rare in the Proof series, errors on the 1990 coinage can drastically increase the value. Some common errors to watch for include “Off-Center Strikes,” where the design isn’t centered on the coin, or “Double Dies,” where part of the lettering or date appears doubled.

One specific error for the 1990-S involves “No S” coins, similar to the famous 1990 No S Penny. While a certified “No S” 1990 Quarter hasn’t become a major headline like the penny, checking your proof quarters for missing mint marks is a standard habit for many. If you find a proof-quality coin from 1990 that lacks the “S” mark, you should immediately have it authenticated.

Error Type	Description	Potential Value
DDR (Doubled Die Reverse)	Doubling in the eagle’s feathers or “Quarter Dollar”	$50 – $200
Off-Center Strike	Coin struck misaligned with the die	$100 – $500+
Die Break (Cud)	A lump of metal where the die cracked	$20 – $100

Is the 1990-S Quarter Made of Silver?

A common misconception among everyday Americans is that all special mint mark coins or “shiny” quarters are silver. Unfortunately, the 1990-S Washington Quarter is not silver. The U.S. Mint did not begin producing the Silver Proof Sets for the Washington Quarter series again until 1992. Therefore, every 1990-S you find is a standard copper-nickel clad coin.

You can verify this yourself by looking at the “edge” (the side) of the coin. If you see a orange/copper stripe running through the middle, it is clad. A solid silver coin would have a bright, white/silver edge throughout. While it isn’t made of precious metal, it is still a piece of numismatic history. For those using the CoinKnow app, you can easily filter for clad vs. silver years to ensure you aren’t misidentifying your collection.

If you happen to find a 1990-S that looks like silver and weighs more than 5.67 grams (the standard clad weight), you might have a “wrong planchet” error, where a 1990 coin was accidentally struck on a silver blank intended for another denomination or a future year. These are “holy grail” coins that can sell for thousands at major auction houses like Heritage Auctions.

Where to Sell Your 1990-S Washington Quarter

If you’ve determined that your 1990-S is a high-grade specimen or a rare error, your next step is selling it. For an everyday 1990-S Proof that is worth $2 to $5, your best bet is a local coin shop or a platform like eBay. However, be aware of shipping costs, as they might exceed the value of a single coin.

For coins that are truly valuable—those elusive PR70 Deep Cameo examples—professional grading is mandatory. Companies like PCGS or NGC will slab the coin in a protective case and certify its grade. Once certified, these coins can be sold through boutique numismatic auctions where serious collectors compete for the highest quality items. Always check recent “sold” listings rather than “asking” prices to get a realistic view of what people are actually paying.

FAQ

Q: How can I tell if my 1990 quarter is a proof?

A: Look for the “S” mint mark and a mirror-like finish. Proof coins have very sharp details and a shiny, reflective background that looks remarkably different from the dull, matte finish of coins found in your pocket.

Q: Is there a 1990-P or 1990-D quarter worth more than the 1990-S?

A: Yes. While the 1990-S is “special,” a 1990-P or 1990-D in MS67 or MS68 condition is actually rarer than a standard 1990-S proof. Collectors pay a premium for high-grade business strikes because most were used and damaged in circulation.

Q: What is the weight of a 1990-S Washington Quarter?

A: The standard weight for this clad coin is 5.67 grams. If you find one that weighs significantly more or less, you may have an error coin that warrants further investigation by a professional.

Q: Why is my 1990-S quarter not shiny anymore?

A: This is likely an “impaired proof.” It means the coin was taken out of its protective case and spent as regular money. Skin oils, dirt, and contact with other coins wear down the polished surface, reducing its value to almost face value.