United States 1932 quarter dollar
The Washington quarter was originally issued in 1932 as a circulating commemorative for the 200th anniversary of his birth. The design proved popular enough that regular production commenced in 1934 and the design was struck in silver until 1964. A slightly modified design was struck in copper-nickel clad copper 1965-1998. The eagle reverse was dropped with the commencement of the State Quarter program in 1999 but Washington's bust remains on the obverse. This specimen was lot 4438 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it sold for $3,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "1932 Washington Quarter. MS-67 (PCGS). Handsome sandy-gold iridescence drifts toward the right borders, leaving areas of silvery near-brilliance elsewhere. The strike is razor sharp throughout, and the luster is full with a billowy satin finish. The design of the quarter was changed in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Despite being introduced in the depths of the Great Depression, numismatists were able to set aside quite a few Uncirculated examples of the new coins from the Philadelphia Mint. Mint staff were still working out some of the kinks in Flanagan's somewhat high relief design, and so more than a few of these are rather softly struck. This is reflected in the dearth of Superb Gem specimens even despite the number of coins saved from circulation. While Gem Mint State pieces are relatively available for the 1932, this is not the case for Superb Gem specimens at the pinnacle for the issue. That offered here will certainly make a significant addition to a top ranked collection on the PCGS Set Registry. PCGS Population: 21; 2 finer (both MS-67+)."
Recorded mintage: 5,404,000.
Specification: 6.25 grams, 0.900 silver and 0.100 copper, 24.3 mm diameter, reeded edge, designed by John Flanagan.
Catalog reference: KM 164.
- Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.
- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
- Harper, David C., ed., North American Coins & Prices: A Guide to U. S., Canadian and Mexican Coins, 17th Ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2007.
- [1]Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction: Session 8: U.S. Coins Part 1: Half Cents Through Half Dollars - Lots 4001-4586, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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