The 1987-P Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $0.25 in worn condition to over $400 in high-grade mint state. While most coins found in pocket change today are only worth their face value, certain rare specimens in exceptional condition can be surprisingly valuable to serious numismatic collectors.

Condition	Estimated Value
Circulated (Average)	$0.25 – $0.35
About Uncirculated (AU58)	$1.00 – $2.50
Mint State (MS63)	$5.00 – $12.00
Choice Mint State (MS65+)	$25.00 – $400.00+

History and Context of the 1987-P Quarter

The 1987-P Washington Quarter was produced during an era when the United States Mint was striking billions of coins to keep up with the demands of commerce. By the late 1980s, the design featuring George Washington had been in use for over half a century. Understanding the rarity of these coins requires a look at production numbers. If you are unsure exactly what you have in your hand, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between various years and mint marks instantly.

In 1987, the Philadelphia Mint produced a total of 582,499,481 quarters. Because over half a billion were made, the coin is considered very common in circulated grades. However, finding one in “Mint State” condition—meaning it never actually entered circulation to be spent at a grocery store—is much harder. Most quarters from this year have been banged around in pockets, vending machines, and cash registers for decades, leaving them scratched and dull.

Collectors often look for “Condition Rarity.” Since 1987 was not a year where people saved many mint sets or rolls compared to other years, high-grade examples can actually be scarcer than those from the 1960s or 1970s. This makes the 1987-P an interesting target for enthusiasts using CoinKnow to track market trends.

Determining the 1987-P Washington Quarter Grade

When assessing the 1987-P Washington Quarter value, the most important factor is the grade. Grading is a process used by experts to determine how much wear a coin has sustained. For the average person, this can be simplified into a few categories: Circulated, About Uncirculated, and Mint State.

A “Circulated” coin will show wear on Washington’s hair and the eagle’s breast feathers on the reverse. An “About Uncirculated” coin might look shiny but will have slight friction on the highest points of the design. A “Mint State” coin (MS) is one that looks exactly as it did the day it left the mint, with full original luster.

According to current 1987-P quarter price data, the leap in value from an MS63 to an MS67 is massive. While an MS63 might be worth ten dollars, an MS67 can fetch hundreds because there are so few known to exist in that pristine condition.

Grade Designation	Visual Description	Market Price
Good (G04)	Heavily worn, outlines only.	$0.25
Extremely Fine (XF45)	Light wear on hair and feathers.	$0.50
Mint State 65 (MS65)	Strong luster, very few marks.	$25.00
Mint State 67 (MS67)	Virtually perfect to the naked eye.	$450.00+

Identifying Key Mint Marks and Features

The “P” on the 1987-P quarter stands for the Philadelphia Mint. You can find this small letter on the right side of the coin, behind George Washington’s ponytail. During this era, quarters were also minted in Denver (D) and San Francisco (S). The Philadelphia minting process in 1987 was known for producing coins with somewhat “mushy” details compared to modern laser-etched coins.

Many people wonder if their 1987 quarter is silver. Unfortunately, the US Mint stopped using 90% silver for quarters in 1964. The 1987-P is a “clad” coin, made of a core of pure copper sandwiched between layers of cupronickel (75% copper and 25% nickel). You can usually see the copper stripe on the edge of the coin if you look at it from the side.

Using an app like CoinKnow can help you identify if your coin has any unusual minting characteristics. While the 1987-P is common, checking the “P” mint mark carefully is the first step in ensuring you have the correct variety before looking up its potential market price. Detailed 1987 Washington quarter info suggests that while silver isn’t an option for business strikes this year, the quality of the strike itself is the primary driver of value.

Rare 1987-P Quarter Errors to Look For

Error coins are the “holy grail” for everyday coin hunters. Because the mint was producing millions of coins, mistakes occasionally happened. Errors can significantly increase the value of an otherwise common 1987-P quarter.

One common error is the “Off-Center Strike,” where the coin blank was not properly aligned with the dies. This results in a portion of the design being missing and a crescent-shaped blank area on the coin. A 10% to 20% off-center 1987-P quarter can sell for $20 to $50.

Another error to watch for is the “Double Die.” This happens when the hub strikes the die twice at a slightly different angle, leaving a doubled image on the coin’s lettering or date. While no major, famous double dies exist for the 1987-P like they do for the 1955 penny, minor doubling can still add a premium for specialized collectors. Always check your coins under a magnifying glass!

Error Type	Description	Potential Value
Off-Center Strike	Design shifted off the edge.	$15 – $100
Broadstruck	Struck without the collar, making it flat/wide.	$10 – $30
Die Crack	Raised lines caused by a broken die.	$2 – $10

Why Condition Rarity Matters for 1987 Quarters

The term “Condition Rarity” is central to the modern coin market. For a 1987-P quarter, millions were produced, so the coin itself isn’t rare. What is rare is a 1987-P quarter that has survived 35+ years without a single scratch. Most quarters from the 80s were put into circulation immediately, and the few that were saved in Mint Sets often suffered from “bag marks”—tiny nicks caused by coins hitting each other in large canvas bags at the Mint.

Because of this, a 1987-P quarter in MS67 (a very high grade) is a trophy for collectors of the Washington series. In fact, professional grading services like PCGS or NGC have only certified a few hundred examples in such high grades. If you happen to find an uncirculated roll of 1987 quarters in a bank or an old collection, it is worth using CoinKnow to see if any individual coins are worth the cost of professional grading.

If you are looking at a coin you found in your change, it is almost certainly a “filler” coin worth 25 cents. However, if you find one in a protective plastic flip or an original mint set, the value could be significantly higher. Always handle such coins by the edges to avoid getting finger oils on the surfaces, which can degrade the grade and value over time.

Where to Sell Your 1987-P Washington Quarter

If you believe you have discovered a high-value 1987-P quarter or a significant error, you have several options for selling it. For common quarters in decent shape, local coin shops are the easiest route, though they may only offer a small premium over face value because they need to make a profit.

For high-grade coins (MS65 and above), online auctions like eBay or GreatCollections are popular. eBay allows you to reach a massive audience of “everyday” collectors. When listing on eBay, make sure to take high-resolution photos of both the front (obverse) and back (reverse) of the coin. Clear photos are the most important factor in getting a fair price.

Finally, for the absolute best specimens, professional auction houses like Heritage Auctions are the way to go. These venues are typically reserved for coins valued at $500 or more. Before you commit to any sale, always double-check the current market prices to ensure you are getting a fair deal for your piece of American history.

Selling Platform	Best For…	Pros/Cons
Local Coin Shop	Quick cash, lower-value coins.	Instant payment; Lower prices.
eBay	Mid-range errors and MS coins.	Huge audience; High fees.
Major Auction Houses	Certified Rare/Top Grades.	Highest prices; Takes months.

FAQ

Q: Is a 1987-P quarter made of silver?

A: No, the 1987-P Washington Quarter is not silver. It is a “clad” coin composed of a copper core and a cupronickel outer layer. Standard silver quarters ended in 1964, though the Mint does produce silver “Proof” quarters for collectors in certain years (but not for general circulation in 1987).

Q: What does the ‘P’ mean on my 1987 quarter?

A: The ‘P’ is the mint mark for the Philadelphia Mint. It indicates that the coin was manufactured in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Other quarters from that year might have a ‘D’ for Denver or an ‘S’ for San Francisco (usually only found in Proof sets).

Q: I found a 1987-P quarter in my pocket; is it worth more than 25 cents?

A: In the vast majority of cases, a 1987-P quarter found in pocket change is only worth its face value of 25 cents. These coins have usually seen too much wear to be of interest to high-end collectors. However, if it looks brand new or has a visible error, it could be worth more.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1987-P quarter?

A: The record price for a 1987-P Washington Quarter is over $600 for a specimen graded MS67 by a professional grading service. Most collectors will never find a coin of this quality in circulation, as they are typically found in well-preserved Mint sets.

Q: How can I tell if my 1987 quarter is an error coin?

A: Look for things that seem “wrong”—parts of the design missing, the image being off-center, or strange raised bumps (die cracks). Use a magnifying glass or a coin identifier app to compare your coin to a standard 1987-P quarter to spot differences.