1993 Quarter Error List & Value
The 1993 quarter is something you may find in your pocket or purse right now, but there are plenty of valuable examples of this coin to look out for. These are mostly quarters of the highest grades or proof coins, but rare errors easily add to the value.
While most 1993 quarters are only worth $0.25, those of the highest grade are worth $8 or more. Proof coins are worth about $4.50 to $8.75 depending on whether they are silver or not. The best examples of these coins sell for hundreds at auction.
Keep reading to learn more about the different types of 1993 quarters and the value they carry. We also include sections on general coin grading and valuable errors to look out for.
1993 Quarter Value Chart |
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Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | Proof |
1993 P Quarter Value | $0.25 | $0.25 | $0.25 | $8.00 | / |
1993 D Quarter Value | $0.25 | $0.25 | $0.25 | $8.00 | / |
1993 S Proof Quarter Value | / | / | / | / | $4.50 |
1993 Silver S Proof Quarter Value | / | / | / | / | $8.75 |
The 1993 quarter is part of the George Washington Quarter series that started in 1932 to commemorate the First President’s 200th birthday. Both the obverse and reverse designs are by John Flanagan, who won a contest put on by the Washington Bicentennial Committee and Commission of Fine Arts the previous year.
On the front of the quarter we see Washington’s left-facing profile. The required inscription LIBERTY is positioned along the top curve of the coin. Underneath Washington’s chin is IN GOD WE TRUST, and the year 1993 is nestled along the bottom rim.
All 1993 quarters have a mint mark on the obverse, just below Washington’s hair.
The back of the coin features the majestic bald eagle design we see regularly today. The eagle is perched with its wings spread on a bundle of arrows above olive branches. Arrows on such coins symbolize preparation while the olive branches represent peace.
The top curve of the coin reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and underneath that (between the eagle’s wings) is the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM (“Of many, one”). The QUARTER DOLLAR denomination is indicated underneath the olive branches.
Circulating coins and most of the proof coins made in 1993 are clad, composed of 91.67 percent copper with the remaining 8.33 percent nickel on the outside for the “silver” color. The exception to this is a run of 761,353 silver proof coins that are 90 percent silver, containing about 0.2 ounces of silver.
All 1993 quarters are circular with a 24.3 mm diameter and a 1.75 mm thick reeded edge. Clad quarters weigh 5.67 grams, while silver proofs weigh 6.30 grams. A total of 1,288,146,920 quarters were minted this year.
1993 P Quarter Value
The Philadelphia mint produced the second-highest population of quarters for circulation in 1993, marking only 639,276,000 with the mint’s now standard “P”. The majority of these coins are still in use today, leaving them with a value no more than $0.25.
A number of high-grade 1993 P quarters exist and are valuable to collectors. These sell for about $8 from dealers or at market, although the value may go up with coins of the highest grade or well-preserved coins with mint errors.
The current auction record acknowledged by PCGS is a NGC-graded MS66 1993 P quarter that sold for $780 in 2022. Not only is this coin of a higher grade, but it’s triple struck, with the second and third strikes significantly off center.
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1993 D Quarter Value
The Denver mint saw the highest production of business-strike quarters of any mint in 1993, and it marked 645,476,125 coins with a “D”. Most of these coins remain in circulation today, and they’re only worth their face value of $0.25 if they show any signs of wear.
It isn’t until a coin is “Uncirculated” that it garners any attention. Because these coins are so rare, the value jumps up to an average of $8 per coin, even with minor marks and signs of handling. The most desirable coins are those that require a microscope to detect these marks, although sellers wait to part from these coins until they go to auction.
The auction record holder belongs to a PCGS MS67+ 1993 D quarter, the highest grade of this coin acknowledged at auction. The coin sold in an online eBay auction for $1,485 in 2018.
More recent records show slightly less spectacular MS67 1993 D quarters sell for $100 to $200.
1993 S Proof Quarter Value
The San Francisco mint struck all proof quarters in 1993, the majority of which (2,633,439) remained clad proofs. Most of the coins were snatched up by collectors as soon as they were released, resulting in a high remaining population of well-struck and well-preserved coins.
Proof quarters have an average sale higher than circulated coins due to their stunning details and limited original production, but they’re more common than circulated coins of a high grade. For this reason, most proof coins will not sell for as much as a well-preserved business-strike coin.
You can purchase a 1993 proof quarter for about $4.50 from a coin dealer or at market. These average proofs may show slight signs of handling, but they retain a Mint State grade.
Higher graded coins (usually MS65 or higher) sell for more than this, especially if they have a DCAM designation. The auction record belongs to a PCGS PR70 DCAM 1993 S proof quarter that sold for $420 in 2009.
Proof Quarters and Cameo Grading
Cameo quality appears on a sliding scale and proof coins, and professional grading services use certain designations to refer to coins with higher cameo contrast.
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These DCAM or UCAM coins were likely the first ones struck by the special proof dies, resulting in a more highly contrasted field and deep, even frosting on both sides of the coin.
In most cases (if not all) a proof coin with a DCAM or UCAM designation is worth more.
1993 Silver S Proof Quarter Value
The San Francisco mint also produced a small quantity of silver proof quarters (761,353) in 1993. These are also marked with an S for the mint, but they weigh more and have a solid silver side (whereas clad quarters have a slight copper stripe on the edge).
Silver proof quarters are worth at least their silver melt value (about $2.20), but most are worth much more than that. When you go to a coin dealer or find them at market, expect a price around $8.75.
The auction record for the 1993 silver s proof quarter belongs to a PCGS-graded PR70 DCAM that sold for $1,380 in 2007. This coin shares the top grade with 25 coins at PCGS and NGC, with no greater examples found than these.
1993 Quarter Grading
Understanding how to evaluate your coins is a great skill to have, and it supports a numismatic hobby nicely. While hobby grading isn’t a replacement for a professional service, it helps you understand the general condition and potential value of your coins.
You can do this without fancy lights or magnifying glasses. It’s nice to have a physical example of a well-struck Washington Quarter to compare to, but simply knowing what to look for goes a long way.
Lower grades have obvious signs of wear and grime. Their images are flat and free of details, and they’re usually worth no more than their face value.
If your 1993 quarter appears in better condition, focus attention on high points that wear down first. These include Washington’s hair and the feathers of the eagle, as well as the rim of the coin.
Rare 1993 Quarter Errors
The most common (yet still rare) errors found in 1993 quarters are double die strikes and off center strikes. A more stunning error is a quarter with missing clad.
We expand on these issues below, but you may also come across errors such as:
- Broadstrikes: coins struck outside of their retaining collar; result in a slightly flatter, oddly shaped coin
- Incorrect planchets: quarters struck on a planchet intended for another coin; often smaller in size but with the quarter designs; may or may not have quarter composition
- Broackages: errors that result in a mirror image of a design on the opposite side (e.g. a mirrored obverse on the reverse of the quarter)
- Struck through: quarters struck when another object was between the blank and the die; results in the outline of the object on the blank (can be staples, cloth, grease, metal shavings, or other contaminants)
- Clipped planchets: when part of the quarter’s rim is clipped off in processing; must have mint mark and date for proper evaluation
While rare mint errors are fun to come across, they aren’t guaranteed to increase the value of your 1993 quarter. Most collectors prefer a high-graded coin to an error coin; the premium of your error leans mostly on the existing condition of the coin.
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1993 Double Die Quarter
When a 1993 quarter is struck by a die with a partial or fully doubled image, it’s considered a double die coin. These coins are often described as DDO for a double die obverse and DDR for double die reverse. Coins with a tripled or quadrupled image are more rare, but you may come across them.
A double struck coin is not always easy to identify. For easier evaluation, focus on the letters and numbers of the coin and look for any doubled lines.
More serious double die errors garner more attention and a higher premium, but the original condition of the coin is more important when valuing this error.
1993 Off Center Quarter
An off-center 1993 quarter is generally easy to identify. These coins were only struck once, but the parts were positioned slightly off center when it occurred. Coins may or may not be circular, but there’s a slight deviation on the rim and a potential loss of detail depending on how misaligned the parts were.
The value of an off-center error depends on grade as well as how far the mark the coin was struck. Off center quarters aren’t valuable until they are of Uncirculated condition and at least 10 percent off center.
1993 Missing Clad Quarter
A 1993 missing clad quarter is missing its outer nickel layer that protects the copper and gives the coin its color. Most missing clad errors only occur on one side of the coin, occurring as the clad layer doesn’t properly bond and comes off when the coin is struck.
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The most valuable way for this to occur is for the coin to have a dual missing clad layer, leaving only the copper core. There are only about 5 to 10 examples of this in the Washington Quarter series.
1993 Quarter FAQs
What Is a 1993 D Quarter Worth?
A 1963 D quarter is worth $0.25 to $8 or more. The 1993 D quarter has the largest population of quarter-dollar pieces from this year, making it the most available and least desirable.
Are There Any Valuable 1993 Quarters?
There are no particularly rare and valuable quarters from 1993, but most Uncirculated coins are worth more than their face value. A 1993 quarter with a verified mint error is almost more rare and therefore valuable.
What Is the Error on a 1993 Quarter?
There are no widely recognized errors in 1993 quarters. The most popular errors you may encounter are double-struck or off-center quarters; less common errors include broadstrikes, incorrect planchets, partial collars, and brockages.
Is There a 1993 Silver Quarter?
Along with a 1993 clad proof quarter, there are 1993 silver proof quarters.
Is the 1993 P Quarter Doubled Die Obverse Rare?
A 1993 P quarter with a double die reverse is rarer than a standard quarter, but it’s a fairly common error. A 1993 DDO quarter usually only carries a premium if it’s of a higher grade.