Quarter · 1978
1978 Quarter Value
A 1978 quarter is worth $0.24 to $0.89 in circulated condition, depending on its mint mark and wear.
Prices updated:
About the 1978 quarter
The 1978 quarter is a regular circulation issue, struck in copper-nickel clad copper, weighing 5.67 g, 24.26 mm across, from a design by John Flanagan. It was struck at Philadelphia, Denver — 808,825,152 coins in all.
For scale, 1978 mintage was 12% higher than in 1977, when 725,080,978 were struck.
Denver made the fewest at 287,373,152, against 521,452,000 from Philadelphia.
Value chart by grade
| Mint mark | Mintage | G | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No mint mark | 521,452,000521.5M | $0.24 | $0.24 | $0.25 | $0.28 | $0.49 | $0.49 | $0.79 |
| D | 287,373,152287.4M | $0.25 | $0.25 | $0.25 | $0.30 | $0.30 | $0.30 | $0.89 |
What the grades mean
Grades run G to UNC, then MS60–MS70, where most value sits. How coin grading works →
How to identify your 1978 quarter
What if it has already been cleaned?
Still identifies the same — you lose the premium. Don't try to fix it.
Where is the mint mark
It sits on the obverse to the right of Washington's ponytail. No letter means Philadelphia — normal, not rare. What the letter means →
Proof and collector versions
Alongside the coins made for circulation, the Mint sold 1 collector version of the 1978 1978 quarter — proofs and special finishes struck at San Francisco and sold directly in sets.These never entered circulation, so if your coin came out of a till or a jar it is not one of them. They carry an S mint mark and a mirror or satin finish that is obvious next to an ordinary coin. The scarcest was struck in 3,127,781.
| Format | Mint | Mintage | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof | S | 3,127,7813.1M | $2.19 |
What to do with your 1978 quarter
Don't clean it
Leave the surface alone — see the warning above.
Is it worth grading?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. Against a mintage of 808,825,152 and a best circulated value of $0.89, the fee is more than the coin returns. Keep it raw unless it is exceptional or you suspect a variety.
Where to sell
Dealer: fastest, pays least. Auction: best for coins worth $100+. eBay: most buyers, most fees.
Specifications
¼ Dollar "Washington Quarter"
- Composition
- Copper-nickel clad copper
- Weight
- 5.67 g
- Diameter
- 24.26 mm
- Thickness
- 1.75 mm
- Edge
- Reeded (119 reeds)
- Designer
- John Flanagan
- Mints
- United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States Mint of Denver, United States Mint of San Francisco (collector issues only)
FAQ
How much is a 1978 quarter worth?
A circulated 1978 quarter is worth $0.24 to $0.89 depending on condition and mint mark.
How many 1978 quarters were made?
About 808,825,152 in total — Philadelphia 521,452,000, Denver 287,373,152.
Are there rare 1978 quarter varieties?
No varieties are catalogued for this date.
What is the S quarter from 1978?
An S mint mark on a 1978 quarter means a collector coin from San Francisco — 1 proof and special-finish versions were sold in sets rather than released into circulation. The scarcest was struck in 3,127,781. They are not found in change.
Should I get my 1978 quarter graded?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. For this date the best circulated examples guide at $0.89, from a mintage of 808,825,152 — the fee is many times what the coin returns, so keep it raw unless you suspect a genuine error.
More on quarters
1973 Quarter1974 Quarter1976 Quarter1977 Quarter1982 Quarter1983 Quarter