1979 Quarter: More Than Spare Change?

Long before state quarters, the 1979 quarter quietly entered circulation — and some are still underestimated.

The production of 25-cent coins in 1979 was carried out within the standard series featuring the image of George Washington, approved in 1932.

This mintage contains no silver, complying with the standards of the Coinage Act of 1965.

The 1979 quarter value directly depends on the degree of preservation, determined by the Sheldon scale.

Coin Specifications:

• Material: Copper-nickel alloy (copper layers clad with a copper-nickel mixture).

• Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel.

• Total Weight: 5.67 grams.

• Diameter: 24.26 mm.

• Thickness: 1.75 mm.

• Edge Type: Reeded (119 reeds).

The 1979 issue preceded the launch of the "50 State Quarters" program, which began only in 1999.

Coins from this period are frequently withdrawn from circulation due to natural wear, reducing the number of specimens in high preservation.

Production Statistics by Mints

In 1979, production was conducted at three main facilities: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.

Each facility marked the products with a specific mint mark, located to the right of the bow in Washington’s hair on the obverse.

The total mintage volume for circulation exceeded 1 billion units.

Such a quantity excludes a deficit of ordinary specimens, placing the emphasis only on coins without traces of circulation (Uncirculated).

Condition Grading and Its Impact on Price

Specimens having a grade below MS65 (Mint State 65) are valued at face value or with a minimal markup.

Price Guidelines for Regular Issues Philadelphia:

1. MS63: $1 – $3. Coins possessing numerous small scratches from bags.

2. MS65: $10 – $20. Objects having retained the original mint luster with minimal contact marks.

3. MS67: $150 – $350. A rare condition for business-strike coins of this year.

4. MS67+: $1,000+. Exceptional specimens possessing perfect centering and an absence of visible defects with the best coin value app.

The dynamics of price changes for MS67 specimens show an annual growth of 4-6% resulting from the transition of coins from private collections to long-term investment portfolios.

Proof Varieties: Type 1 vs Type 2

In 1979, the San Francisco Mint updated the working die for the "S" mint mark.

This led to the emergence of two clearly distinguishable types of Proof quality coins.

Type 1: Filled S

The initial version of the die used at the beginning of the year.

The letter "S" appears indistinct, with the central loops practically merging with the background.

The market value of such coins in PR69 Deep Cameo grade is approximately $5 – $8.

Type 2: Clear S

In the middle of the year, a new die with a deep and clearly expressed letter "S" was introduced.

The contours of the mark have sharp edges, leaving the inner part of the letter free from metal flow.

Type 2 Auction Indicators

• Grade PR69 DCAM: $15 – $25.

• Grade PR70 DCAM: $150 – $250.

According to Population Reports data, significantly fewer Type 2 specimens are recorded, creating an increased value relative to Type 1.

Record Sales and Investment Analysis

The price for coins in MS67+ condition for the Denver Mint (D) is consistently higher due to the difficulty of finding specimens without damage on the obverse.

Statistics show a price decrease of 10-15% during periods of economic recession for grades below MS65, however, top positions (MS67+) maintain stability or gain 2-3% in value per year regardless of market conditions.

Minting Errors and Production Defects

Defective 1979 coins represent a separate market segment.

The value of such lots is determined by the uniqueness of the error and the degree of visual impact of the defect.

Off-Center Strike

This occurs upon incomplete entry of the planchet into the strike zone of the dies.

Specimens having a displacement of more than 50% while retaining the date are valued in the range of $100 – $250.

A displacement of 10-20% trades at a price of $20 – $45.

Broadstruck

This arises upon failure of the retaining collar, allowing the metal to spread beyond the standard diameter.

The coin becomes flat and wide, losing the reeded edge.

The price for such a defect ranges from $15 to $40.

Clipped Planchet

A result of a malfunction during the punching of planchets from the metal strip.

The coin possesses a characteristic "crescent" cutout along the edge.

The value varies from $20 to $60 depending on the size of the missing segment.

Double Die

Minor doublings on the inscriptions "IN GOD WE TRUST" or "LIBERTY" are recorded, but do not have the status of major varieties.

The value of such specimens rarely exceeds $10 – $30.

Supply and Demand Ratio

The 1979 coin market is characterized by high liquidity for graded specimens.

The number of coins certified by PCGS and NGC companies increases by 1-2% annually, slowing price growth for mid-range grades.

Population Percentage Distribution (Philadelphia):

• MS63 and lower: 85%.

• MS64-MS65: 12%.

• MS66: 2.8%.

• MS67 and higher: 0.2%.

The minimal percentage of coins in the highest grade explains the sharp price jump between MS66 and MS67.

Investors purchasing 1979-D coins in MS67 condition focus on long-term storage for a period of 10 years or more.

Identifying a Valuable Specimen

To detect a coin possessing a value above the nominal, it is necessary to perform a sequential inspection.

• Luster Check: Presence of the original "frosty" luster without signs of cleaning or polishing with abrasives.

• Strike Zone Analysis: Absence of deep scratches on Washington’s cheek and the central feathers of the eagle on the reverse.

• Mint Mark Determination: Searching for the letter "D" for potentially more expensive positions in high grade.

• Type 2 Investigation: Using a coin scanner app to confirm the clarity of the "S" mark.

Finding a coin in ordinary circulation possessing MS67 characteristics is considered a statistically improbable event.

Most valuable specimens are extracted from unopened Bank Wrapped Rolls of that period.

Conclusion

The 1979 quarter is not rare in a mass sense, being available in billion-piece mintages.

Exceptional financial value is represented only by specimens having retained the pristine mint state or possessing confirmed production errors.

Auction records exceeding $3,000 confirm the presence of a narrow but stable demand for coins in MS67+ and PR70 grades.