1958 Washington Quarter Value (No Mint Mark): Price Guide
The 1958 Washington Quarter with no mint mark is worth anywhere from $6 in worn condition to over $1,200 in high-grade mint state. For most everyday Americans, finding one of these silver quarters in an old jar or piggy bank is an exciting discovery that connects you directly to a classic era of American coinage.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Good (G4) to Fine (F12) | $6.00 – $8.00 |
| Extremely Fine (XF45) | $10.00 – $12.00 |
| Uncirculated (MS60) | $15.00 – $25.00 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS65+) | $40.00 – $1,250.00+ |
Why the 1958 Washington Quarter With No Mint Mark Matters
If you hold a 1958 Washington Quarter and notice there is no small letter “D” on the back above the word “Quarter,” you have a coin minted in Philadelphia. Back in the late 1950s, the Philadelphia mint did not use a mint mark on quarters. This specific year is particularly interesting for collectors because it represents the tail end of the “Silver Era.” Unlike the quarters you find in your change today, which are made of copper and nickel, the 1958 version is 90% silver.
For many people who aren’t professional numismatists, identifying these nuances can be a bit tricky. Using a top coin identifier and value app is often the first step to ensuring you don’t accidentally spend a valuable piece of history at the grocery store. In 1958, the Philadelphia mint produced over 6.3 million quarters. While this sounds like a lot, it is significantly lower than the Denver mint’s production of over 78 million that same year, making the Philadelphia version a bit more elusive in the market.
When you use an app like CoinKnow, you can quickly snap a photo to verify the minting origin. The scarcity of 1958 Philadelphia quarters compared to their Denver counterparts means that even in average condition, they hold a premium over their raw metal value. As silver prices fluctuate, the “melt value” of this coin provides a solid floor for its price, but the collector interest provides the ceiling.
Silver Content and the “Melt Value” or 1958 Quarters
The primary reason a beat-up, scratched 1958 Washington Quarter is still worth more than twenty-five cents is its silver content. Every quarter minted for circulation between 1932 and 1964 contains 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. This means that as the global price of silver rises, so does the value of your pocket change. Even if the coin is in “cull” condition—meaning it is heavily worn or damaged—it will always be worth its weight in silver.
To calculate the base value, you multiply the current spot price of silver by 0.1808. For instance, if silver is trading at $25 per ounce, your quarter is worth roughly $4.50 in metal alone. However, collectors usually pay a bit more for the historical “premium.” If you are curious about the technical breakdown, checking the 1958 quarter value information can help you distinguish between a coin only worth its silver and one worth a collector’s premium.
Because these coins are part of the “junk silver” category, many people buy them in bulk as an investment hedge. But before you throw your 1958 Philadelphia quarter into a bag of scrap silver, you should check for high-grade qualities. A coin that has survived 60+ years without being scratched or dulled by skin oils is a rare find indeed.
| Silver Price per Ounce | Approximate Melt Value |
|---|---|
| $20.00 | $3.62 |
| $25.00 | $4.52 |
| $30.00 | $5.42 |
Determining the Grade of Your 1958 No Mint Mark Quarter
The “grade” of a coin is the most significant factor in determining its market price. Coins are graded on a scale from 1 to 70. A coin graded 1 is essentially a flat disc of metal, while a 70 is absolutely perfect under magnification. For the average person, you can categorize your coins into four main buckets: Good, Fine, About Uncirculated, and Mint State.
A “Good” condition coin will have a heavily worn image of George Washington, and the rim might be merging with the letters. “Fine” coins show some detail in Washington’s hair. “About Uncirculated” coins look almost new but have slight “rub” on the high points of the design, like the cheekbone or the eagle’s breast feathers. Finally, “Mint State” coins have never spent a single day in a cash register; they retain their original “mint luster,” a frosty glow that moves when you tilt the coin.
If you believe you have a high-grade specimen, you should look at the 1958 Philadelphia quarter pricing data for uncirculated grades. A slight jump from a grade of MS66 to MS67 can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars. Many users find that keeping track of these grades is much easier with tools like CoinKnow, which helps catalog and estimate values based on visual comparisons.
The Rarity of High-Grade 1958 Quarters (Low Mintage Impact)
As mentioned earlier, the Philadelphia mint only produced about 6.3 million quarters in 1958. While that might sound like a huge number, in the world of modern American coins, it is considered a relatively “low mintage” year. For comparison, some years saw production numbers in the hundreds of millions. Because fewer were made, fewer have survived in perfect condition.
In the late 1950s, people weren’t as focused on “bagging” uncirculated rolls of quarters as they were with pennies or nickels. Most 1958 quarters went straight into circulation. They were used to buy milk, bread, and gasoline. Decades of heavy use mean that finding one today that looks like it just rolled off the press is statistically difficult.
Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC have certified very few 1958 No Mint Mark quarters in MS67 or higher. When these ultra-rare, “gem” condition coins go to auction, they can fetch thousands of dollars. For the everyday collector, the quest is to find a “choice” uncirculated coin that has a sharp strike and minimal “bag marks” (the tiny nicks caused by coins hitting each other in large transport bags).
| Mintage Site | Total Mintage | Scarcity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (No Mark) | 6,360,000 | Moderate-High |
| Denver (D) | 78,124,760 | Low |
Identifying Rare Errors and Varieties
Even if your coin isn’t in perfect condition, it might be worth more than the standard value if it contains a “mint error.” Errors occur during the manufacturing process and are often highly sought after by specialists. For the 1958 Washington Quarter, popular errors include “doubled dies,” “off-center strikes,” and “re-punched mint marks” (though the latter applies to the Denver mint).
A “doubled die” error happens when the hub imprints the image onto the die twice, slightly offset. On a 1958 quarter, you should look closely at the lettering in “IN GOD WE TRUST” or the date. if the letters look thickened or show a distinct “ghosting” or second line, you might have discovered a valuable variety. A strong doubled die error can double or triple the value of the coin instantly.
Another error to keep an eye out for is the “die crack.” As coin dies aged, they would sometimes crack under the pressure of striking blanks. This results in a raised line of metal on the finished coin that looks like a tiny vein or lightning bolt. While small die cracks are common, large ones—especially those that run across the face of Washington—can add a nice premium for error collectors. Using the CoinKnow app’s zooming features can help you spot these tiny imperfections.
A Word on 1958 Proof Sets and Their Value
In addition to the 6.3 million quarters struck for daily use, the Philadelphia mint also produced “Proof” coins in 1958. These were not intended for circulation but were sold in sets directly to collectors. Proof coins are struck using specially polished dies and blanks, resulting in a mirror-like finish and incredible detail.
A 1958 Proof Washington Quarter will also have no mint mark, but you can easily tell it apart from a regular strike. The background (field) of the coin will be so shiny you can almost see your reflection in it, and the design (devices) will often have a “frosty” or matte appearance. In 1958, there were 875,652 proof sets produced.
A high-quality Proof-67 or Proof-69 1958 quarter can be quite valuable. Many of these coins develop a beautiful “toning” over time—a rainbow-colored oxidation that occurs if the coin was stored in certain types of paper or albums. Toned proofs are a niche market where collectors often pay massive premiums for exceptional visual appeal.
| Proof Grade | Value Range |
|---|---|
| PR65 (Proof 65) | $25 – $35 |
| PR67 (Proof 67) | $50 – $70 |
| PR69 (Proof 69) | $300 – $500+ |
FAQ: Common Questions About the 1958 No Mint Mark Quarter
Q: Is a 1958 quarter made of silver?
A: Yes, all Washington Quarters minted in 1958, including those with no mint mark from Philadelphia and those with a “D” from Denver, are made of 90% silver and 10% copper. This makes them significantly more valuable than modern copper-nickel quarters.
Q: How do I know if my 1958 quarter is a proof?
A: Proof quarters have a mirror-like, reflective finish and very sharp details. If the coin looks like a normal quarter you’d find in change but is just very clean, it’s likely a “Business Strike.” If it looks like it was polished to a reflective glow, it’s likely a “Proof.”
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1958 quarter?
A: On the 1958 Washington Quarter, the mint mark is located on the reverse (back) of the coin, directly above the “R” and “T” in the word “QUARTER” and below the center of the eagle. If you see no letter there, it was minted in Philadelphia.
Q: Should I clean my 1958 quarter to make it worth more?
A: No! Never clean your coins. Collectors prefer original surfaces, even if they are dark or toned. Cleaning a coin with chemicals or clothes can leave microscopic scratches that permanently destroy its numismatic value, often reducing it to just its silver “melt” value.
Q: What is the most expensive 1958 quarter ever sold?
A: While prices fluctuate, ultra-high-grade 1958 quarters in MS67+ condition have sold at major auctions for over $5,000. These are exceptionally rare coins that have been professionally authenticated and graded.
