2017-S George R. Clark Silver Quarter Price and Value Guide
The 2017-S George R. Clark Silver Quarter is worth anywhere from $10 in uncirculated condition to over $50 in perfect Proof-70 deep cameo state. These special S-mint coins were issued as part of the America the Beautiful series and contain actual silver bullion, making them a treasure for everyday Americans to find.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Uncirculated (MS-63 to MS-65) | $10.00 – $15.00 |
| Proof-65 (Deep Cameo) | $15.00 – $22.00 |
| Proof-69 (Deep Cameo) | $25.00 – $35.00 |
| Proof-70 (Perfect Grade) | $55.00 – $110.00+ |
Understanding the 2017-S George R. Clark Silver Quarter
If you have stumbled upon a shiny quarter featuring a frontiersman leading his men into a fort, you likely have the George R. Clark National Historical Park quarter. While millions of copper-nickel versions were minted in Philadelphia and Denver for general use, the “S” mint mark version from San Francisco is special.
To help you distinguish between a common pocket change find and a collectible treasure, many people use a top coin identifier app to get instant results. The silver version of this coin was never intended for circulation and was sold directly to collectors in sets.
The CoinKnow app is particularly helpful here because it can help you differentiate between the “Clad” proof and the “Silver” proof. The 2017-S silver quarter is made of 90% silver and 10% copper. Finding one of these in your change is rare, as it usually means someone broke open a collector set and spent the coins at face value.
The design honors George Rogers Clark, a Revolutionary War hero who led a surprise march to capture Fort Sackville. It is the 40th release in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. Because of its silver content and low mintage, it holds a premium far above its 25-cent face value.
Silver Content vs. Clad Value
The most important factor in determining the 2017-S George R. Clark silver quarter value is the metal composition. In 2017, the United States Mint produced two versions of the “S” mint quarter: a base-metal clad version and a silver version.
The silver version contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. This means that even if the coin is scratched or damaged, it will always be worth its “melt value.” As silver prices fluctuate, the baseline price of this coin moves with it.
Collectors looking for specific 2017 silver quarter price trends often find that the George R. Clark issue maintains a higher premium than earlier releases in the series. This is due to the smaller number of sets sold that year compared to the early 2010s.
If you aren’t sure which one you have, check the edge of the coin. If you see a solid silver-colored edge with no copper stripe, you likely have the silver version. Using CoinKnow allows you to snap a photo and check the weight specifications to be 100% sure before selling.
| Feature | Silver Version Spec | Clad Version Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper | Copper-Nickel Clad |
| Weight | 6.25 Grams | 5.67 Grams |
| Edge Appearance | Solid Silver | Copper/Orange Stripe |
How Grading Affects Your Silver Quarter’s Value
When it comes to modern silver quarters, the difference between a $15 coin and a $100 coin often comes down to the grade. Coins are graded on a scale from 1 to 70. Since the 2017-S silver quarters were only sold in protective sets, most remain in high grades.
A grade of PR-69 refers to a “near-perfect” coin that might have a tiny, nearly invisible microscopic flaw. These are very common and usually sell for a small premium. However, a PR-70 “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) is a perfect coin with no flaws at 5x magnification.
A PR-70 grade can significantly boost the current market worth of 2017 quarters. These perfect specimens are highly sought after by Registry Set collectors who want the absolute best version of every coin minted.
For the average person who found a coin in their pocket, the grade will likely be lower. If the coin has been handled, it may have fingerprints or light scratches. These prints can actually damage the silver surface over time, so it is best to hold the coin only by its edges.
Mintage Numbers for the George R. Clark Quarter
Mintage refers to how many coins were produced. In the world of coin collecting, lower mintage usually translates to higher long-term value. In 2017, the Philadelphia and Denver mints produced hundreds of millions of George R. Clark quarters for use in grocery stores and banks.
The “S” mint silver proofs were produced in much smaller quantities. Usually, the mintage for these silver proof sets hovers around 500,000 to 600,000 units. Because these are sold only in sets of five (representing all five national parks released that year), they are much harder to find individually.
Comparing the 2017-S silver quarter to other years in the series, it sits in the middle of the pack for rarity. It is not the rarest of the America the Beautiful series, but it is certainly not common. If you have the silver version, you are holding a piece of history that is significantly more valuable than your average change.
Collecting the America the Beautiful Silver Series
Many collectors aim to complete the entire “America the Beautiful” (ATB) series in silver. This series, which ran from 2010 to 2021, features 56 different designs. The George R. Clark quarter is a favorite for many because of its action-oriented reverse design.
The detail on the silver proof version is much sharper than on the circulating coins. You can clearly see the rifles, the textures of the clothing, and the fortification in the background. This high level of “strike” quality is what attracts collectors to the silver proofs.
If you are looking to start a collection, using tools like the CoinKnow app can help you track which coins you have and what their current market value is. It provides a digital portfolio so you can watch your silver investment grow over time as the price of bullion and the collector demand increases.
| 2017 ATB Release Name | Silver Proof Mintage (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Effigy Mounds (Iowa) | 590,000 |
| Frederick Douglass (DC) | 585,000 |
| Ozark Waterways (MO) | 575,000 |
| Ellis Island (NJ) | 570,000 |
| George R. Clark (IN) | 570,000 |
How to Safely Sell Your 2017 Silver Quarter
If you have confirmed that you have a silver version of the George R. Clark quarter and you want to turn it into cash, you have several options. The fastest way is a local coin shop. However, keep in mind that a shop owner must make a profit, so they may offer you 20% to 30% less than the “book value.”
Online auctions like eBay are great for reaching individual collectors willing to pay top dollar. If your coin is professionally graded by NGC or PCGS, it will sell much faster and for a more predictable price. For ungraded coins, clear, high-quality photos are essential.
Before selling, always check the current “spot price” of silver. Since this coin is 90% silver, its value will never fall below the price of the metal it contains. Being an informed seller is the best way to ensure you don’t get underpaid for your find.
FAQ
Q: How can I tell if my 2017-S quarter is silver without a scale?
A: The easiest way is the “Tissue Test.” Place a single layer of facial tissue over a standard copper-nickel quarter and your 2017-S quarter. If the “S” quarter looks distinctly white/bright through the tissue while the other looks dark or gray, it is silver. Also, look at the edge; silver quarters have no copper stripe.
Q: Why is it called a “George R. Clark” quarter?
A: The coin commemorates the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Indiana. Clark was a soldier from Virginia and the highest-ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during the Revolutionary War.
Q: Is a 2017-S copper-nickel (clad) quarter worth anything?
A: Yes, but significantly less than the silver version. Clad “S” mint quarters are also sold in proof sets and can be worth $1 to $5 depending on their condition. They do not have the silver bullion value but are still collectible.
Q: Can I find a 2017-S silver quarter in my pocket change?
A: It is extremely rare but possible. These are often called “circulated proofs.” They usually end up in change when a collection is stolen or when someone who doesn’t know the value spends a proof set. If you find one, it will likely be scratched, which lowers the value to its silver content (around $5-$8).
