The 1945-S Washington Quarter is worth anywhere from $5 in well-worn condition to over $200 or more in high-grade mint state — and if you’ve got one sitting in a drawer or coin jar, it’s definitely worth a closer look.
What Makes the 1945-S Quarter Special
The “S” mintmark on this coin tells you it was struck at the San Francisco Mint during the final year of World War II. That historical backdrop alone makes it an interesting piece, but what really gives it value is the silver content — every Washington Quarter minted before 1965 is made of 90% silver.
That means even a beat-up, heavily circulated 1945-S quarter carries melt value just from the silver alone, which typically works out to around $4–$5 depending on silver spot prices.
Beyond that, condition matters a lot. Collectors will pay a serious premium for coins that look sharp and clean, so don’t rub or clean yours before getting it checked out.
If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, a free coin identifier app can help you figure out the mintmark, date, and estimated grade without needing to visit a coin shop right away.
How Much Is the 1945-S Washington Quarter Worth by Grade
The condition of a coin — its “grade” — is the single biggest factor in determining value. Collectors use a 70-point scale, with higher numbers meaning better condition. Here’s a general breakdown of what the 1945-S quarter is worth at different grades:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, design still visible | $5 – $7 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, details readable | $7 – $9 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $10 – $15 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-55) | Slight friction, nearly full luster | $15 – $25 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | No wear, minor blemishes | $30 – $55 |
| Mint State (MS-65) | Gem quality, strong luster | $80 – $200+ |
For the most up-to-date auction results and certified coin pricing, you can browse 1945-S Washington Quarter price data across mint state grades to see what recent buyers have actually paid.
Silver Value and Why It Matters Even for Worn Coins
Even if your 1945-S quarter looks rough — worn flat, a little dark, some scratches — it still has real monetary value thanks to the silver.
Each Washington Quarter from this era contains about 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. When silver trades around $28–$30 per ounce (as it has recently), that puts the base melt value around $5 per coin.
That’s your floor. The coin is worth at least that much to a silver buyer, no questions asked.
Collectors and dealers pay more once condition improves, but knowing you’ve got a silver coin means you never have to feel like it’s “just an old quarter.” It has real intrinsic value that paper money doesn’t.
CoinKnow is a great tool that can instantly tell you both the current silver melt value and the collector value of your coin, right from your phone.
What to Look for on Your 1945-S Quarter
Before you assume all 1945-S quarters are the same, there’s one detail worth knowing about: the 1945 Philadelphia Mint quarter (no mintmark) and the Denver Mint “D” version each have slightly different mintage numbers, which can affect collector demand.
The San Francisco “S” mint produced over 17 million quarters in 1945 — a large number, which is why most 1945-S quarters aren’t rare in lower grades. But in gem uncirculated condition (MS-65 and above), they become noticeably scarcer, and that’s where values climb.
Check the reverse of the coin, just below the eagle, for the “S” mintmark. If you’re having trouble reading it, try using CoinKnow to snap a photo — the app can identify the mintmark and pull up relevant value data automatically.
You can also find a detailed breakdown of 1945 quarter values across all mint varieties and grades to compare how the S-mint stacks up against the Philadelphia and Denver issues.
Tips for Selling or Keeping Your 1945-S Quarter
If you’re thinking about selling, here are a few practical tips:
Don’t clean it. Cleaning destroys collector value. Even a gentle rinse can leave hairline scratches that drop a coin from MS-63 to MS-60 in a collector’s eyes.
Get it graded if it looks uncirculated. Professional grading through PCGS or NGC adds credibility and often increases resale value significantly, especially for coins that look close to gem quality.
Know your audience. Circulated examples sell fine to silver stackers and casual collectors on eBay or at local coin shows. Gem examples should go through a coin dealer or auction house to get full market value.
Use apps to get a starting point. CoinKnow gives you a fast, reliable estimate so you’re not walking in blind when you talk to a dealer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a 1945-S Washington Quarter rare?
A: Not in circulated condition — over 17 million were made. However, in high mint state grades like MS-65 or above, they become significantly harder to find and worth considerably more to collectors.
Q: How do I find the mintmark on a 1945-S quarter?
A: Flip the coin to the reverse side and look below the eagle’s tail feathers. The “S” mintmark is small but visible with decent lighting. A magnifying glass or coin identifier app makes it easier to spot.
Q: Can I sell my 1945-S quarter just for silver?
A: Absolutely. Any coin dealer or precious metals buyer will purchase it for silver melt value, which is roughly $5 per coin at current silver prices. If your coin is in nice shape, though, it may be worth more to a coin collector than a silver buyer.
