The 2019-W War in the Pacific Quarter is worth anywhere from $10 in circulated condition to over $500 in pristine mint state. These coins are highly sought after because they represent the first time in American history that the West Point Mint placed its famous “W” mint mark on circulating coinage.
Why the 2019-W War in the Pacific Quarter is Special
If you just found a quarter featuring the Guam National Historical Park design and noticed a tiny “W” on the right side of Washington’s portrait, you have found a literal treasure in your pocket change. In 2019, the U.S. Mint launched the “Great American Coin Hunt” by releasing only 2 million of each National Park design from the West Point Mint directly into circulation. This was a radical departure from tradition, as West Point usually only produces commemorative or bullion coins.
To determine the exact grade and current market price of your find, many collectors now use the best coin identifier app to get instant results. Because these were never sold in sets by the Mint, every single one of the 2,000,000 “W” quarters began its life in a ballistic bag or a bank roll, making high-grade examples extremely rare. Using the CoinHix app can help you identify if your coin has the luster required to fetch a premium price from a collector.
How to Identify the West Point Mint Mark
Identifying this coin is simple once you know where to look. On the “heads” side (obverse) of the quarter, look to the right of George Washington’s ponytail. You will see a small letter “W” just below the “In God We Trust” motto. If the letter is a “P” or a “D,” the coin was minted in Philadelphia or Denver respectively and is generally only worth its face value of 25 cents. However, the “W” signifies a rare West Point strike.
The reverse of the coin depicts American forces landing at Asan Bay during the battle to liberate Guam. The level of detail on the soldiers’ uniforms and the palm trees is a key factor in determining the 2019 War in the Pacific quarter auction prices. If the palm fronds are sharp and the soldiers’ gear shows no signs of wear, you are looking at a “Mint State” coin. For a quick valuation while you’re at the grocery store or a coin shop, the CoinHix mobile tool is an excellent resource for real-time data.
Market Value and Pricing Variations
The value of a 2019-W War in the Pacific Quarter is primarily driven by its condition, also known as its “grade.” Most coins found in change will grade between Extremely Fine (XF) and About Uncirculated (AU). These typically sell for $10 to $20 on platforms like eBay. However, if you are lucky enough to find one that is “Proof-Like” or in a high Mint State (MS65 or higher), the price jumps significantly.
Investors and serious numismatists often look for comprehensive 2019-W quarter value guides to track how these prices fluctuate over time. Currently, an MS67 graded specimen can easily break the $200 mark, while rare MS68 examples have been known to sell for over $500 at major auctions. Because these coins were mixed into standard bags of Denver and Philadelphia quarters, finding a “Gem” condition coin is like finding a needle in a haystack.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $10 – $15 |
| About Uncirculated (AU58) | $18 – $25 |
| Mint State (MS63) | $35 – $50 |
| Choice Mint State (MS65) | $80 – $125 |
| Superb Gem (MS67+) | $250 – $550+ |
Tips for Collectors and Treasure Hunters
If you want to find these coins today, your best bet is to look through “bank-wrapped” rolls of quarters. While many have already been pulled from circulation by eagle-eyed collectors, they do still appear in the wild. When you find one, handle it only by the edges. The natural oils from your fingers can smudge the delicate surfaces and lower the potential grade.
Keeping a tool like CoinHix on your phone allows you to compare your find against high-resolution photos of graded coins. This ensures you don’t accidentally spend a $100 coin on a soda! Look for “v-clashes” or die chips, which are small errors that can sometimes add even more value to an already rare West Point quarter. The War in the Pacific design is arguably one of the most beautiful in the America the Beautiful series, and its W-mint mark status makes it a cornerstone of modern pocket change collecting.
Q: How many 2019-W War in the Pacific quarters were made?
A: The U.S. Mint produced exactly 2,000,000 of these quarters at the West Point facility. This is a very low mintage compared to the hundreds of millions produced in Philly and Denver.
Q: Can I find these in my normal pocket change?
A: Yes! These were specifically designed to be “found” in circulation. While they are rarer now than in 2019, they are still circulating throughout the United States.
Q: Is a 2019 quarter with a “P” or “D” mint mark worth anything?
A: Generally, no. Quarters with the “P” (Philadelphia) or “D” (Denver) mint marks are common and usually only worth 25 cents unless they have a major mint error.
