A 1998-D quarter graded MS-67+ sold for $1,528 at Heritage Auctions — all from a coin that spent a billion trips through pocket change. Meanwhile the 1998-P MS-66 reached $1,440 at Stack's Bowers in June 2024. Most 1998 quarters are worth just 25¢, but the ones that slipped through uncirculated can be surprisingly valuable. This guide tells you exactly which is which.
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The 1998-D is the most talked-about variety in this series because it becomes genuinely rare in MS-66 and above. Use this 4-point check to see if yours might qualify.
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All circulated 1998-P and 1998-D quarters are worth face value. Premiums begin only in uncirculated grades — and the gap between the two mints is dramatic at MS-66 and above. For a complete illustrated 1998 quarter identification walkthrough with photo grading examples, see the in-depth 1998 Washington quarter value guide and reference.
| Variety | Worn / Circ. | MS-63 / MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-P (Philadelphia) | $0.25 | $1 – $3 | $7 – $10 | $12 | $60 – $200 |
| 1998-D (Denver) ⭐ | $0.25 | $1 – $3 | $5 – $7 | $49 – $65 | $215 – $1,528+ |
| 1998-S Clad Proof | — | — | $3 – $5 | $7 – $8 | $10 – $219 |
| 1998-S Silver Proof 🔴 | — | — | $9 – $12 | $15 – $20 | $25 – $930+ |
| 1998 Error / Multi-Strike | $50+ | $100 – $300 | $300 – $800 | $800 – $1,140 | $1,140+ |
⭐ Signature variety (conditional rarity). 🔴 Rarest regular variety. Values based on PCGS auction data and Heritage/Stack's Bowers recent sales · 2026 edition.
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Despite mintages in the hundreds of millions, the 1998 Washington Quarter produced some genuinely dramatic mint errors. Mechanical failures at the press — misaligned planchets, die collar malfunctions, doubled-hub impressions, and wrong-metal incidents — each tell a different story and command a very different price at auction. Here are the five most important error types to know, ranked and explained.
A double-struck error occurs when a coin is not ejected from the press after the first blow and receives one or more additional strikes. In 1998, several Philadelphia Mint quarters survived the press experiencing two, three, or even four full impressions from the dies.
Visual identification is straightforward: look for a second, partially overlapping image of Washington's portrait on the obverse and/or a second eagle impression on the reverse. The more off-center the second strike — and the greater the angular rotation between impacts — the more visually dramatic and desirable the error becomes to collectors.
These errors command the highest premiums in the 1998 series because they are mechanical spectacles. A 1998-P triple-struck example graded MS-67 realized $1,080 at auction in October 2021. A 1998-P quadruple-struck piece in MS-65 brought $1,140 at Heritage Auctions. Double strikes with the second image significantly off-center have sold in the $840 – $960 range at Heritage.
An off-center strike results when a planchet is fed into the press misaligned, causing the die to strike it off-center. The degree of misalignment ranges from a subtle 5–10% shift (barely noticeable) to a dramatic 80–90% displacement where most of the planchet remains blank.
To identify an off-center 1998 quarter, look for a crescent-shaped area of flat, unstrucked planchet metal on one side of the coin, with the complete design compressed into the remaining struck portion. The reeded edge will be incomplete or missing entirely on the open side. Collector preference heavily favors coins where the date remains clearly readable despite the displacement.
Values range widely based on displacement percentage and grade. A minor 15% off-center 1998-P in MS-66 sold for $67 in 2022. A 75% off-center 1998-D brought $139 the same year. A dramatic 50%+ off-center 1998-P in MS-65 realized $2,040 — making it the most expensive off-center 1998 quarter on public record. The strong collector demand for dramatic misalignments on this final-year design drives these premiums.
Doubled die errors on the 1998 Washington Quarter occur when the working die receives multiple, slightly misaligned impressions from the hub during the die-making process. The resulting die then imprints that doubling onto every coin it strikes. Unlike double strikes, the doubling on a true doubled die is baked permanently into the die itself.
On the 1998 DDO, look for spread or notching on the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST," the date digits, or Washington's profile details on the obverse. The DDR variety shows doubling on reverse lettering such as "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" or "QUARTER DOLLAR." Under a 10× loupe with raking side-illumination, a true doubled die shows distinct, stepped letter serifs or rounded doubling — not a mechanical doubling "shelf" from bag damage.
Collectors have long valued 1998 doubled die varieties as accessible entry-level errors that can be found in roll hunting. Circulated examples typically bring $50 to $150 depending on the strength of the doubling, while uncirculated pieces with dramatic spread can reach $300 to $400 or more. The key is finding strong hub doubling rather than the common machine doubling that has no collector premium.
A missing clad layer error occurs when a planchet is delivered to the mint already missing one of its outer copper-nickel bonding layers. Since modern clad quarters are made of a copper core sandwiched between two copper-nickel outer layers, removing one of those outer layers exposes the warm, reddish-brown copper core beneath. The resulting coin is visually striking — one side appears normal while the other glows a distinctly different color.
Identifying a genuine missing clad layer is straightforward but requires attention to color and weight. A normal 1998 quarter weighs 5.67 grams; a coin with a fully missing clad layer will weigh noticeably less, around 5.0–5.3 grams depending on which layer is absent. The exposed side shows the copper core in its natural state — no design was struck into a missing layer, so the surface may be relatively smooth or show soft, mushy design detail on the affected side.
Collectors prize missing clad layer quarters because the error originates before the coin ever reaches the press — it is a planchet-preparation defect, not a striking anomaly. Values depend on whether the missing layer is a full or partial absence and which side is affected. Full single-layer missing examples have sold in the $150–$500 range, with exceptional pieces or those in gem mint state reaching higher.
A broadstrike error occurs when the retaining collar — the ring die that confines the planchet during striking and creates the reeded edge — is missing or fails to engage properly. Without the collar constraining the metal, the planchet spreads outward under the force of the press blow, creating a coin measurably wider in diameter than a standard 1998 quarter's 24.3 mm.
A broadstruck 1998 quarter is visually distinctive: the coin is physically larger than normal, the reeded edge is absent or only partially formed, and the design elements near the rim may appear slightly stretched or spread outward. The lettering around the perimeter — "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" — may touch or merge with the rim area. Despite the striking irregularity, the full design is usually present and legible.
Broadstrikes are relatively accessible errors that appeal to beginning error collectors because they are easy to identify and present well in a collection. Values depend on the severity of the collar escape and the grade. Modest examples in circulated grades bring $30–$60, while attractive uncirculated broadstrikes with full design detail and good eye appeal can reach $100–$200 or more. The 1998 series broadstruck examples have appeared in both Heritage and eBay auction records.
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The 1998 Washington Quarter was struck at three facilities in four distinct varieties. Total circulation mintage exceeded 1.7 billion coins — one of the largest annual quarter outputs of the decade. Despite these massive numbers, condition rarity drives real premiums in the 1998-D.
| Mint | Mint Mark | Strike Type | Composition | Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None (P) | Business Strike | Clad (Cu-Ni / Cu) | 896,268,000 |
| Denver | D | Business Strike | Clad (Cu-Ni / Cu) | 821,000,000 |
| San Francisco | S | Clad Proof | Clad (Cu-Ni / Cu) | 2,086,507 |
| San Francisco | S | Silver Proof | 90% Silver / 10% Cu | 878,792 |
| Total 1998 Production | ~1,720,233,299 | |||
Washington's hair strands above the ear are merged together and lack separation. The eagle's breast feathers are flat and largely indistinct. The lettering remains readable but design detail is soft. Both 1998-P and 1998-D coins in this condition are worth exactly 25 cents — no numismatic premium applies. Only the coin's metal value matters here.
Light wear appears on Washington's cheek, the high hair strands above the ear, and the eagle's breast feathers. In AU-58, only the slightest friction shows on the very highest points. Luster is partially broken in the hair and on the eagle's body. These coins remain common and bring at most $0.85 from date-set collectors. Professional grading is not economically warranted.
No wear at all — full original mint luster present. Contact marks from bag handling are visible in Washington's fields and on the eagle's breast. MS-63 examples show moderate bag marks; MS-65 pieces have only minor marks in non-focal areas. At MS-65 the 1998-P and 1998-D diverge slightly: the P brings $7–$10 while the D brings $5–$7 due to the D's weaker average strike quality.
This is where the 1998-D becomes a conditional rarity. MS-66 1998-D examples bring $49–$65 versus just $12 for the 1998-P. At MS-67, the D trades for $215–$275 while the P brings only $60. The coin must show exceptional luster, sharp eagle feather detail, and near-mark-free fields. At MS-68 and above, professional certification by PCGS or NGC is mandatory before selling.
🔬 CoinKnow helps you match your coin's surface and luster against graded examples to narrow down the condition tier before sending to a grading service — a coin identifier and value app.
The best venue depends on your coin's grade and whether it's been certified. High-grade or error pieces deserve a competitive market; common circulated coins are best spent or rolled.
The largest U.S. numismatic auction house and the venue for most top-grade 1998 quarter sales, including the MS-67+ 1998-D at $1,528 and the quadruple-struck MS-65 at $1,140. Submit certified coins graded MS-66 or above, or dramatic error pieces. Heritage's buyer pool is global, maximizing competitive bidding on condition rarities and dramatic mint errors. Best for gems and high-profile errors.
The most liquid market for mid-tier uncirculated 1998 quarters and error coins. Check recent sold listings for 1998-D Washington quarter auction results to set a realistic asking price before listing. Use PCGS or NGC holder photos, auction format for error coins, and fixed-price for common uncirculated examples. eBay is ideal for MS-64 to MS-66 coins and off-center errors valued between $50 and $500.
Walk-in convenience with immediate cash, but dealers typically pay 50–70% of retail value to maintain their margin. Best for circulated collections or quantities of common coins you want to clear at once. For a key-date 1998-D in MS-66 or a dramatic error, a local dealer may offer less than auction venues. Get multiple quotes if your coin is certified and potentially valuable.
A peer-to-peer marketplace where collector-to-collector transactions cut out the middleman. Fees are minimal and the community skews knowledgeable, which means informed buyers who understand conditional rarity. Best for certified mid-grade pieces (MS-64 to MS-66) or interesting error coins you want to sell at fair market value without auction house commissions. Requires verified account history for trust.
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