1938 Washington Quarter Errors and Varieties: Identification Guide

The 1938 Washington quarter is a common date struck only at Philadelphia and San Francisco, with no major recognized variety. GetCoinHunt helps you search inventory from multiple coin dealers in one place, compare available examples, and create a wishlist alert when the right coin is not currently listed.

Design and history

The 1938 Washington quarter belongs to John Flanagan’s long-running eagle-reverse design type, struck to mark the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth. The obverse shows Washington after Jean-Antoine Houdon’s portrait bust; the reverse depicts a perched eagle with wings spread above a bundle of arrows and an olive branch. This design ran from 1932 through 1998, aside from the dual-dated 1776–1976 Bicentennial quarter, before giving way to the 50 State Quarters Program in 1999, per the U.S. Mint’s quarter history.

1938 quarters were struck at Philadelphia and San Francisco only — no Denver quarter was issued this year — in the series’ standard composition of 90% silver and 10% copper, nominally 6.25 grams.

Preserve original surfaces when examining any coin from this era — never clean or polish a quarter to make a suspected feature easier to see. Cleaning creates hairlines and can destroy both collector value and diagnostic evidence.

Errors and varieties to know

No major, broadly recognized year-defining error or variety is attributed to the 1938 Washington quarter by NGC’s VarietyPlus or PCGS CoinFacts. The absence of a Denver quarter this year is a mintage fact, not an error.

That doesn’t mean no individual mint error can exist. Off-center strikes, clipped planchets, wrong planchets, struck-through pieces, and similar production accidents are possible across nearly any date, but each must be diagnosed from the physical minting evidence on the individual coin rather than assumed from a listing description. Minor doubled dies and repunched mint marks catalogued in specialist references such as CONECA’s error-variety glossary should be attributed only when a coin matches the complete published diagnostic, not merely a resemblance.

How to examine a 1938 Washington quarter

Use diffuse, raking light and a 5x to 10x loupe, then compare the coin side by side with a problem-free example from the same mint:

• Raised, rounded, repeatable features may come from the die.
• Incuse cuts, displaced metal, bright scrapes, flattened rims, and random dents point toward damage.
• Shelf-like flat doubling commonly indicates machine doubling, not a doubled die.

If the coin appears off-metal, weigh it on a scale accurate to 0.01 gram; a normal 90% silver quarter from this era weighs about 6.25 grams. Photograph the whole obverse, whole reverse, edge, and any specific diagnostic area in the same neutral lighting before seeking attribution.

Buying considerations

Certified versus raw coins

For an ordinary 1938 quarter, certification isn’t necessary. For a claimed doubled die or repunched mint mark, a PCGS- or NGC-certified example removes doubt about the attribution.

Understanding grades and condition

Most 1938 quarters are common in circulated grades from both mints. Compare strike quality, remaining luster, and marks when judging Mint State examples, and confirm that any assigned grade is backed by a recognized grading service.

Problem coins

Watch for listings describing cleaned, improperly cleaned, scratched, bent, or corroded coins. A details-graded example can be a lower-cost way to own the coin, but the stated problem should be reflected in the asking price.

Suggested search terms and filters

Begin with a broad search: “1938 Washington quarter,” “1938-P Washington quarter,” or “1938-S Washington quarter.”

Then narrow with:

• By mint mark: P or S
• By grade: circulated grades through MS65 and above
• By certification: PCGS, NGC, or “certified 1938 Washington quarter”

Availability and pricing notes

Ordinary examples are common and inexpensive from both mints. Listings and asking prices don’t necessarily represent completed-sale values, so compare grade and certification carefully before buying.

GetCoinHunt does not guarantee that every listing is authentic, accurately graded, or fairly priced. Authentication, grading, pricing, return policies, and fulfillment remain the responsibility of the dealer or marketplace offering the coin.

How the GetCoinHunt wishlist alert works

1. Search for the coin. Enter “1938 Washington Quarter” to search participating dealer inventory.
2. Review the available matches. Compare listings by mint mark, grade, certification, and asking price.
3. Add the search to your wishlist. If the right example isn’t available, save it as a wishlist item.
4. Get notified about new matches. GetCoinHunt sends an alert when new dealer inventory matches your wishlist.
5. Evaluate the coin before buying. Verify certification and photographs, and review the seller’s terms.

Frequently asked questions

Why was no 1938-D quarter issued?

The Denver mint did not strike quarters in 1938. Philadelphia and San Francisco were the only mints producing the denomination that year.

Is there a major variety for the 1938 Washington quarter?

No. NGC’s VarietyPlus and PCGS CoinFacts do not recognize a major, broadly collected variety for this year.

Is a 1938 Washington quarter valuable?

Most circulated examples are common and inexpensive. Value concentrates in high-grade Mint State coins.

What if no suitable coin is currently available?

Add “1938 Washington Quarter” to your wishlist below. You’ll be notified when newly detected dealer inventory matches your search.

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