1941 Washington Quarter Dollar
Numismatic Currency / Metal Coinage • John Flanagan (Designer), produced by the United States Mint
Style & Movement
Art Deco / American Neoclassical Numismatics
Medium & Technique
90% Silver, 10% Copper. Struck with dies using a high-pressure minting press for relief and incuse lettering.
Creation Period
1941
Dimensions & Format
24.3 mm diameter, circular format
Subject Description
Obverse features a profile bust of George Washington facing left, based on the 1785 bust by Houdon. Iconic inscriptions include "LIBERTY", "IN GOD WE TRUST", and the date "1941".
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (G) to Very Good (VG) grade. The coin shows significant circulation wear, rounded edges on the central portrait, and loss of fine hair detail.
Estimated Market Value
$5.00 - $8.00 USD (primarily based on silver melt value and base numismatic premium)
Auction Estimate
$4.00 - $12.00 USD
Provenance History
Standard circulation currency issued by the US Federal Reserve; subsequent private acquisition through trade or collection.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the 20th-century shift in American coinage from allegorical figures (Liberty) to historical presidents. The Washington design was introduced in 1932 to commemorate his 200th birthday.
Notable Features
Pre-1965 silver content (90% silver). Note the 1941 date, which suggests production during the build-up to the U.S. entry into World War II.
Condition Issues
Heavy circulation wear, surface scratches (bag marks), slight toning, and loss of detail in high-relief areas like Washington's hair and ear.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a PVC-free archival coin flip or capsule. Do not clean or polish, as chemical abrasives significantly reduce numismatic value.
Collector Notes
Value