The 1947-S Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $6 in worn condition to over $1,200 in pristine mint state. If you have found one of these shiny silver coins in an old jar or a family collection, you are holding a piece of American history minted just after World War II.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Good / Very Good | $6.00 – $7.50 |
| Fine / Very Fine | $8.00 – $10.00 |
| About Uncirculated | $12.00 – $18.00 |
| Uncirculated (MS60+) | $25.00 – $150.00 |
| Gem Mint (MS67+) | $500.00+ |
History and Identifying the 1947-S Washington Quarter
The Washington Quarter was first introduced in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. By 1947, the design by John Flanagan had become a staple of American commerce.
If you are trying to identify your coin, searching for the best coin identifier app can help you confirm the date and mint mark instantly. The “S” on this specific coin indicates it was produced at the San Francisco Mint.
During this era, quarters were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This gives them an intrinsic “melt value” that fluctuates with the silver market. Even a heavily damaged 1947-S quarter is worth its weight in silver, which is usually several times its face value.
For everyday collectors, the 1947-S is particularly interesting because the San Francisco Mint produced fewer quarters than the Philadelphia or Denver mints that year. A total of 5,432,000 were struck in San Francisco, making it a “semi-key” date for those trying to complete a full set. Using tools like CoinHix can assist you in tracking these specific mintages and how they impact your collection’s total worth.
Understanding the Silver Content and Melt Value
Before diving into numismatic (collector) premiums, every owner of a 1947-S Washington silver quarter should understand its base value. Each coin contains 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver.
When silver prices are high, the floor price for these coins rises. Many people sell “junk silver” bags consisting of worn quarters from the 1940s. However, because the 1947-S has a relatively low mintage, it is often worth more to a collector than to a refinery.
| Silver Weight | Purity | Typical Melt Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| 6.25 Grams | 90% Silver | $4.50 – $6.00 (Market Dependent) |
It is important not to clean your coins. Wiping a silver quarter with a cloth or using chemicals can leave microscopic scratches that ruin its numismatic value. A dirty, original coin is always more valuable to a professional collector than a shiny but “cleaned” coin.
If you are curious about live market shifts, check out this 1947 Washington quarter value breakdown to see how recent silver spikes have affected the asking prices for mid-grade specimens.
How to Grade Your 1947-S Silver Quarter
Grading is the process of determining a coin’s condition. For the 1947-S, the difference between a coin that was in someone’s pocket and a coin that sat in a bank vault for 70 years is hundreds of dollars.
“Good” (G4) condition means the coin is very worn. The rim is flat, and Washington’s hair lacks detail. “Fine” (F12) condition shows some of the curls in Washington’s hair, and the eagle’s breast feathers on the reverse are starting to show.
“About Uncirculated” (AU50-AU58) coins look new at first glance but show slight rubbing on the highest points, such as Washington’s cheekbone. “Mint State” (MS) coins have never been used in trade and retain their original “mint luster”—that frosty, flickering light that dances when you tilt the coin.
Checking a 1947-S quarter price chart by grade is the best way to see where your specific coin falls. If the coin looks exceptionally brilliant with no scratches, it might be worth sending to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC.
For a quick reference, here is how grading affects the 1947-S specifically compared to the more common Philadelphia (No Mint Mark) version:
| Grade Indicator | 1947 (P) Value | 1947-S Value |
|---|---|---|
| Circulated (Average) | $6.50 | $7.00 |
| MS63 (Choice Mint) | $25.00 | $35.00 |
| MS66 (Premium Quality) | $55.00 | $120.00 |
Valuable Errors to Look For
Error coins are the “lottery tickets” of the coin collecting world. While the 1947-S isn’t famous for a massive variety like the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel, there are still specific flaws that can skyrocket the price.
One common error to look for is the “Repunched Mint Mark” (RPM). This happens when the person striking the die with the “S” letter punch hit it twice, slightly out of alignment. If you look at the “S” under a magnifying glass and see a faint shadow or a second “S” overlapping the first, you have an RPM. These can add a 20-50% premium to the value.
Another exciting find is the “Doubled Die” error. This is less common for the 1947-S but can occur on the letters “IN GOD WE TRUST” or the date. If the letters look like they have been printed twice, you should definitely have the coin looked at by an expert. Using CoinHix can help you compare high-resolution photos of known errors to the coin in your hand.
Finally, look for “Die Cracks” or “Cuds.” These are raised lines of metal that appear when the steel die used to stamp the coin begins to break. While small cracks are common, large ones that obscure parts of the design are considered collectible.
Where to Sell Your 1947-S Washington Quarter
If you’ve determined that your coin is a high-grade specimen or has a rare error, you probably want to know the best way to turn it into cash. For common, circulated 1947-S quarters, your local coin shop is the easiest route. They will usually pay slightly below the silver “spot” price or a wholesale collector price.
For coins worth more than $100, online auctions like eBay or GreatCollections are better options. These platforms allow you to reach a national audience of collectors who are specifically looking for a 1947-S to fill a hole in their Whitman folders.
Before selling, ensure you have clear, high-resolution photos of both the front (obverse) and back (reverse). CoinHix is an excellent resource for organizing your digital inventory and keeping track of recent realized auction prices, so you don’t get underpaid.
Professional grading is only recommended if the coin is in “Uncirculated” condition. A 1947-S in MS67 condition recently sold for over $1,500, but getting that grade requires the coin to be virtually perfect, with no marks from other coins hitting it in a bag.
1947-S Washington Quarter Key Facts Summary
To summarize why this coin is special: it marks the end of an era. The late 1940s saw a shift in production, and the San Francisco mint eventually stopped producing quarters for long stretches of time in the 1950s.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mint Mark Location | Reverse (Back), below the eagle |
| Total Mintage | 5,432,000 |
| Scarcity | High for S-mint, Moderate overall |
| Metal Group | Pre-1965 Silver Series |
Whether you are a seasoned collector or just someone who found a “weird looking quarter” in a desk drawer, the 1947-S is a fantastic coin to own. Its silver value provides a safe price floor, while its historical rarity offers the potential for a significant payday if the condition is right.
FAQ
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1947 silver quarter?
A: For silver quarters minted between 1932 and 1964, the mint mark is located on the reverse (tails) side. Specifically, look directly below the center of the eagle’s wreath, above the “R” in the word “QUARTER.” If you see an “S,” it was made in San Francisco. If you see a “D,” it was made in Denver. If there is no letter, it was made in Philadelphia.
Q: Is the 1947-S Washington Quarter rare?
A: It is considered “semi-key.” While not as rare as the 1932-D or 1932-S, its mintage of 5.4 million is significantly lower than most modern quarters, which are minted by the hundreds of millions. Finding one in high-grade “Uncirculated” condition is much rarer than finding a worn one.
Q: How much silver is in a 1947-S quarter?
A: The coin is made of 90% silver and 10% copper. It contains approximately 0.1808 ounces of pure silver. To find the silver value, multiply the current market price of one ounce of silver by 0.1808.
Q: Should I clean my 1947-S quarter to make it worth more?
A: No! Never clean a collectible coin. Cleaning removes the original surface of the metal and creates tiny scratches. Professional graders can easily spot a cleaned coin, and they will give it a “Details” grade, which typically lowers the value by 50% or more.
Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1947-S Washington Quarter?
A: In high grades like MS67+ or MS68, these coins can sell for thousands. A record price for a 1947-S in a PCGS MS68 holder reached over $4,000 in a major auction, though such coins are incredibly rare and usually show beautiful “toning” (natural rainbow colors).
