A 1941-S quarter graded PCGS MS68 sold for $28,750 at auction — yet most circulated examples are worth $7–$20 in silver. The difference comes down to mint mark, condition, and whether your coin carries one of the known doubled die varieties. Use the tools below to find out exactly where your coin lands.
Select your mint mark, condition, and any known errors, then click Calculate to see your coin's estimated value range.
If you're not yet sure of your coin's mint mark or condition, the 1941 Quarter Coin Value Checker is a free third-party tool that lets you upload photos to get an AI-assisted estimate.
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Go to the Calculator →The most collected variety of the 1941 quarter is the Large S mint mark — officially designated FS-501 and FS-503 in the Cherrypickers' Guide. Compare your coin to the images and checklist below.
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For a fully illustrated step-by-step 1941 quarter identification walkthrough, see this detailed complete 1941 Washington quarter reference guide with photo examples. The table below gives a quick-scan overview across all varieties and condition tiers.
| Variety | Worn (G–F) | Circulated (EF–AU) | Uncirculated (MS63–65) | Gem (MS66+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941-P (No Mark) | $7–$12 | $12–$18 | $24–$55 | $125–$10,800+ |
| 1941-D (Denver) | $7–$12 | $12–$20 | $40–$80 | $200–$20,700+ |
| 1941-S (San Francisco) | $8–$14 | $14–$22 | $45–$90 | $250–$28,750+ |
| 1941 Proof (Philadelphia) | N/A | $95–$160 | $160–$400 | $1,500–$15,863+ |
| 1941-P DDO (FS-101/102/103) | $15–$30 | $30–$75 | $75–$200 | $300–$500+ |
| 1941 DDR (FS-801) | $20–$45 | $45–$100 | $100–$300 | $400–$600+ |
| 1941-S Large S (FS-501) | $8–$16 | $16–$30 | $65–$150 | $300–$600+ |
★ Gold = signature variety (1941-S). Orange-red row = rarest variety (DDR FS-801). Values are market ranges, not guarantees — check PCGS Price Guide for current certified figures.
🪙 CoinKnow gives you a fast on-the-go way to identify your 1941 quarter's approximate value from a photo — a coin identifier and value app.
The 1941 Washington Quarter produced several documented error varieties across all three minting facilities. Each card below covers the error's origin, visual diagnostics, and current collector value — listed in descending order of numismatic significance.
A Doubled Die Obverse occurs when the working die receives two or more misaligned hub impressions during the die-preparation process, permanently embedding a "ghost" offset image into the die face. The 1941 Philadelphia quarter has three separately catalogued DDO varieties — FS-101, FS-102, and FS-103 — each with slightly different doubling positions and strengths.
The doubling is primarily visible on LIBERTY across the top of the obverse, IN GOD WE TRUST below Washington's chin, and the fine hair detail above and behind Washington's ear. The date numerals may also show subtle splitting or widening under magnification. The FS-101 variety is considered the strongest and most collectible of the three.
Collectors prize DDO examples because the doubling is a true die error — mechanically permanent and fully traceable to the die-making stage — rather than post-strike damage. Strong examples visible without a loupe carry meaningful premiums, and PCGS-certified specimens tend to attract competitive bidding at major auctions.
The 1941 Doubled Die Reverse FS-801 is formed by the same hub-doubling mechanism as the obverse varieties, but on the reverse die. The result is offset doubling embedded into the lettering and eagle design on the back of the coin. Among 1941 Washington Quarter errors, the DDR is considered the harder variety to locate, with fewer confirmed examples than the DDO varieties.
Primary diagnostic features appear in the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and QUARTER DOLLAR, where letters show a clear secondary impression slightly displaced from the primary. The eagle's wing feathers and tail feathers may also exhibit doubling when examined under proper numismatic magnification of 5×–10×. Coins where doubling is visible to the naked eye are the most desirable.
Because this reverse variety is less frequently encountered than the DDO, it commands a modest premium over comparable DDO examples in the same grade. Authentication by PCGS or NGC is strongly recommended, as die polish lines and strike-related broadening can mimic doubling to the untrained eye.
The 1941-S Large S is a mint mark punch variety, not a die-stage error. It arose when the San Francisco Mint applied a physically larger-format "S" punch to a subset of working dies during the production year, creating coins with a noticeably taller and wider mint mark compared to the standard Small S. The Large S is also nicknamed the "Trumpet S" because the letter's top and bottom terminals flare outward in a shape resembling a trumpet bell.
Visually, the Large S is identifiable by comparing the overall height and width of the S against nearby lettering. On an authentic Large S, the S exceeds the height of surrounding letters in the QUARTER DOLLAR legend, whereas the Small S sits comfortably below that height. Both FS-501 and FS-503 designations cover specific positional variants of this larger punch.
While neither the Large S nor Small S commands a dramatic premium over the other today, the Large S is the more actively traded and discussed variety among Washington quarter specialists. Examples in Gem Mint State with strong strike and original luster have sold into the mid-hundreds, with the finest examples in higher demand as the series continues to mature.
An off-center strike happens when a planchet fails to seat correctly in the collar before the dies descend, causing the design to be stamped offset from the coin's physical center. The result is a crescent-shaped blank area on one or both sides of the coin, with the full or partial design pushed to one side. Off-center errors are striking errors — they happen at the moment of the strike, not during die preparation.
The value of a 1941 quarter off-center strike depends heavily on two factors: how far off-center the strike is (expressed as a percentage) and whether the date remains fully visible. An example with 10–15% off-center displacement and a complete readable date is considered a desirable "type coin" error. More dramatic examples showing 20–50% displacement with full dates command significantly higher premiums.
Among collectors specializing in error coinage, a silver-era off-center quarter with a legible date offers double appeal — both as a mint error and as a 90% silver piece. Values rise steeply with the degree of off-center displacement and preservation of design elements. Certified examples from PCGS or NGC's error coin division help establish legitimacy and maximize sale prices.
A clipped planchet results from a manufacturing defect during blank preparation, before the coin is struck. As metal strip feeds through the blanking press, the punch occasionally overlaps a hole left by a previously punched blank, cutting out a curved section (curved clip) or a straight section (straight clip) from the new planchet's edge. The coin is subsequently struck normally — meaning all design elements are visible — but the physical coin is missing a portion of its edge.
On a 1941 quarter clipped planchet, you will see a smooth, rounded missing arc (curved clip) or a straight indented cut along the coin's rim. The Blakesley effect — a weak or missing design element directly opposite the clip — is a useful authenticity test: genuine clips typically show weaker design detail on the side of the coin diametrically opposite the missing section, because the planchet metal was deficient in that area before striking.
Clipped planchet errors on 90% silver quarters hold appeal to both error coin collectors and silver bullion enthusiasts. The premium over melt value depends on the size and clarity of the clip and whether the coin retains strong surface detail. Dramatic multi-clip examples — where more than one section is missing — are especially sought after and can command premiums well above single-clip specimens of the same date and mint.
Run it through the calculator above to see an estimated value based on your specific mint mark, condition, and error type.
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| Mint / Variety | Mintage | Est. Survival | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (No Mark) | 79,032,000 | ~7.9 million | First Washington Quarter to exceed 79M; common through MS65; scarce MS67+ |
| Denver (D) | 16,714,800 | ~1.7 million | Genuinely scarce in Gem (MS65+); known for well-struck surfaces; DDO varieties documented |
| San Francisco (S) | 16,080,000 | ~1.6 million | Only ~10% survival estimated; scarce in upper MS grades; Large S (FS-501) variety exists |
| Philadelphia Proof | 15,287 | ~12,000 | Struck on polished planchets for collectors; deeply mirrored fields; no mint mark |
| Total (all strikes) | 111,842,087 | ~11.2 million est. | First year in Washington Quarter series to exceed 100 million combined production |
Composition specs: 90% silver, 10% copper · Weight: 6.25–6.30 grams · Diameter: 24.3 mm · Edge: Reeded · Silver content: 0.18084 troy oz · Designer: John Flanagan (obverse portrait adapted from Jean-Antoine Houdon's 1785 bust) · Melt value fluctuates with silver spot price — check current silver prices for the latest figure.
📱 CoinKnow lets you match your coin's surfaces against graded reference examples — a coin identifier and value app — so you can cross-check your condition assessment before deciding whether to submit for professional grading.
The right venue depends on your coin's grade and whether it's an error variety. Here's a practical breakdown:
The best option for PCGS or NGC certified examples in MS65+ or error variety coins. Heritage has handled the top auction sales for 1941 quarters, including the record $23,500 1941-P MS68 and the $20,700 1941-D MS68 CAC. Expect 17–20% buyer's premium; consignment minimums typically apply for lower-value lots.
Ideal for circulated examples and mid-grade uncirculated coins. The active secondary market for 90% silver quarters means your coin will find buyers quickly. Browse recently sold 1941 Washington quarter prices and completed eBay listings to price your coin competitively before listing.
The fastest option for worn and circulated examples where silver melt value dominates. Local dealers will typically pay 70–85% of silver spot for circulated 90% silver quarters. Bring your coin unclean and uncleaned — dealers reduce offers for polished or cleaned coins. Useful for quick cash on bulk silver lots.
A fee-free peer-to-peer marketplace popular with collectors who want to buy directly. Works best for clearly photographed coins with a stated price. Requires account history and community trust. Good for mid-grade error varieties where you have identified the specific variety and can document it with quality photos.
If your 1941 quarter appears uncirculated with strong luster and minimal marks, professional grading by PCGS or NGC is almost always worth the submission fee. A certified MS65 1941-S is worth two to three times an equivalent raw (ungraded) example. Graded coins are also dramatically easier to sell on eBay, Heritage, and Stack's Bowers. The current standard submission fee from PCGS is around $30–$65 per coin depending on tier — easily recovered on any gem example.
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