A 1978 Washington Quarter struck on a dime planchet sold for $14,100 at Heritage Auctions in 2016 — graded NGC MS-68. At the other end of the spectrum, most circulated examples are worth exactly 25 cents. This free calculator and error guide tells you exactly where your coin falls.
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Diameter 24.3mm · Weight 5.67g · Reeded edge · Full design visible on both sides · Normal silver-gray color on both faces
Dime planchet: ~17.9mm, ~2.27g · Nickel planchet: ~21.2mm, ~5.00g · Design compressed or clipped at edges · Reeded edge (dime) or smooth (cent planchet)
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For a full step-by-step 1978 quarter identification breakdown and grading walkthrough, see our companion guide. The table below summarizes current market values by mint, condition, and variety.
| Variety | Worn / Circ. | AU (About Unc.) | MS-63–65 | MS-66 | MS-67+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978-P (No Mint Mark) | $0.25 | $0.25–$0.90 | $2.50–$22 | $18–$35 | $150–$2,875 |
| 1978-D (Denver) | $0.25–$0.85 | $0.30–$0.85 | $3.50–$15 | $20–$35 | $250–$1,528 |
| 1978-S Proof (Standard) | — | — | PR-65: $4 | PR-67: $7 | PR-70: up to $115 |
| 1978-S Proof DCAM | — | — | PR-65: $5 | PR-67: $6 | PR-70 DCAM: $472 |
| DDO (Doubled Die Obverse) | $5–$15 | $15–$40 | $40–$75 | $75–$150 | $150+ |
| Off-Center Strike (15%+) | $20–$50 | $40–$80 | $80–$150 | $150–$264 | $264+ |
| Missing Clad Layer | $100–$200 | $200–$425 | $300–$500 | $400–$600 | $600+ |
| Wrong Planchet (Nickel) | $200–$350 | $350–$500 | $500–$600 | $600–$800 | $800+ |
| Wrong Planchet (Dime) ★ | $1,000+ | $2,000+ | $5,000+ | $8,000+ | $14,100 (record) |
★ Rarest variety row. Gold row = signature variety. Values based on PCGS, NGC, Heritage Auctions, and Stack's Bowers data.
🪙 CoinHix lets you photograph your 1978 quarter and get an instant estimated value and variety identification on your phone — a coin identifier and value app.
With over 808 million business-strike quarters produced across two facilities, the 1978 Washington Quarter series generated a well-documented range of mint errors. The five varieties below represent the most collectible, highest-value deviations from the standard issue — each one the result of a distinct mechanical or procedural failure at the U.S. Mint. Error values vary dramatically based on the type, severity, and grade, so read each card carefully before assuming what your coin might be worth.
A wrong planchet strike occurs when quarter dies accidentally impress their design onto a blank intended for a different denomination. In 1978, this happened when dime, nickel, and cent planchets entered the quarter press coinage chamber — a result of mixed coin blanks in hopper bins before striking. The error is genuine and unmistakable; it is not an alteration or post-mint modification.
Visual identification depends on which planchet was used. A quarter struck on a dime planchet measures roughly 17.9mm instead of the normal 24.3mm, and weighs approximately 2.27 grams versus the standard 5.67 grams. The design elements appear compressed or partially missing at the outer edges because the smaller blank could not accommodate the full die area. A quarter on a nickel planchet is slightly less dramatic but still measurably smaller and lighter.
Collectors pay extraordinary premiums for wrong planchet errors because of their visual drama, confirmed authenticity, and extreme rarity. The 1978 quarter struck on a dime planchet and graded NGC MS-68 set the all-time series record at $14,100 (Heritage Auctions, 2016). Nickel planchet examples graded PCGS MS-65 have sold for $528–$600, while a cent planchet example was offered at $1,795 — each type commands dramatically more than any regular-issue 1978 quarter.
A missing clad layer error occurs during the planchet preparation stage, when the outer cupro-nickel layer fails to properly bond to one side of the copper core strip before the blanks are punched and struck. The defective planchet then passes through quality control undetected and receives a full strike from the dies, producing a finished coin with one normal face and one completely different face.
The visual signature is unmistakable once you know what to look for. The affected face of the coin appears dull reddish-brown — the raw copper core — while the opposite face shows the normal silver-gray cupro-nickel finish. The coin also weighs noticeably less than the standard 5.67 grams: a one-sided missing clad layer typically brings the weight down to the range of 4.5–5.0 grams. Both obverse-missing and reverse-missing examples are known for 1978 quarters.
The eye-catching two-toned appearance makes missing clad layer errors among the most coveted planchet errors in circulation-era coinage. A 1978-D quarter with a missing obverse clad layer, graded ANACS AU-58, realized $425 at a specialized error coin auction in June 2020. Circulated examples in lower grades still bring $100–$300 depending on which face is affected, with the obverse-missing variety often commanding a premium because Washington's portrait appears on raw copper.
The Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) is a die manufacturing error — not a striking anomaly — that occurs when a working die receives two slightly misaligned hub impressions during the hubbing process. Every coin subsequently struck from that die carries the permanent doubling effect embedded in the die itself, which distinguishes true hub doubling from machine doubling or die deterioration doubling, neither of which carries any numismatic premium.
On 1978 Washington Quarters, the doubling is most pronounced on the obverse lettering: the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "LIBERTY" are the primary diagnostic areas to examine. Under a 10× loupe, genuine hub doubling appears as rounded, raised, shelf-like separation between the primary letters and their secondary impressions — the two sets of letters are distinct and offset. Machine doubling, by contrast, shows flat, smeared metal displacement with no rounded secondary image.
Verified DDO examples for both the Philadelphia and Denver 1978 quarters are documented in numismatic literature, though they are classified as minor varieties rather than major national collectibles. A 1978 DDO graded PCGS MS-65 sold for $75 at a major numismatic auction in April 2021, confirming the collector market for verified examples. Higher-grade examples in MS-66 and above would command significantly stronger premiums, while circulated DDO quarters still bring modest amounts over face value when the doubling is clearly visible.
An off-center strike occurs when a planchet is not correctly seated within the collar before the die descends, causing the die to impress the full design onto only a portion of the blank. The resulting coin shows the complete or partial quarter design shifted to one side, with an equal area of blank, unstruck metal visible on the opposite side. The error ranges from mild (5–10% off-center) to extreme (50%+ off-center).
For 1978 quarters, the most collectible off-center examples are those where the date "1978" remains fully visible despite the shift — this is a key value driver. A 15% off-center strike retains most of Washington's portrait and the date but shows a clear crescent of blank metal. More dramatic shifts of 30–50% increase visual impact but may eliminate the date entirely, which can reduce collector desirability even as the error becomes more spectacular to view.
The value range for 1978 off-center quarters spans $20 for modest 5–10% examples to $264 for a premium certified piece. A 1978 quarter struck 15% off-center graded PCGS MS-67+ sold for $264 at Stack's Bowers in May 2025, demonstrating that grade still matters significantly even on error coins. Double-struck off-center examples — where the coin received two separate strikes in different positions — are even more valuable, with an NGC MS-63 example struck 65% off-center on its second strike bringing approximately $290 at auction.
Two distinct but commonly grouped errors round out the 1978 quarter error spectrum. A broadstrike error occurs when a planchet is struck without being contained by the collar die, which normally constrains the metal and produces the coin's sharp edge and correct diameter. Without that constraint, the metal spreads outward under die pressure, producing a coin that is wider than standard — typically 25–26mm versus the normal 24.3mm — with a smooth, rounded edge instead of normal reeding.
The filled "D" mint mark error is specific to Denver-minted 1978 quarters. It occurs when grease, metal dust, or debris accumulates in the recessed cavity of the die's letter punch during production, preventing the full impression of the "D" from transferring to the coin. The result is a "D" that appears as a partial blob, a filled circle, or a nearly solid smear where a crisp open letter should be. This is technically a grease-filled die error, a subset of strike-through errors.
Broadstrike errors for 1978 quarters are worth $25–$90 depending on grade and how far the strike spread. An MS-64 broadstrike example is documented selling for approximately $30 at auction, while a well-preserved MS-66 example struck on a 1978-D with an improperly annealed planchet reached around $90. The filled "D" carries minimal premium unless the fill is essentially 100% and verified by a third-party grading service — partial fills are common and undesirable. Both error types are more accessible to beginning error collectors than the major planchet errors above.
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| Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Strike Type | Est. Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | 521,452,000 | Business strike | ~35% |
| Denver | D | 287,373,152 | Business strike | ~35% |
| San Francisco | S | 3,127,781 | Proof only | ~81% |
| Total | — | 811,952,933 | — | — |
Grading determines the majority of a 1978 quarter's value. Since these coins command serious premiums only above MS-67, understanding the distinction between MS-66 and MS-67 is critical for anyone considering PCGS or NGC submission.
📱 CoinHix lets you compare your coin's surfaces against graded reference examples to help narrow your grade estimate before submission — a coin identifier and value app.
The right venue depends on what you have. A circulated example belongs in a coin jar. A MS-67+ specimen or a confirmed error coin belongs somewhere that gets it in front of serious buyers.
The premier venue for high-grade and error 1978 quarters. Heritage handled the record $14,100 wrong planchet sale and the $1,528 MS-67+ Denver result. Their collector base and marketing reach produce strong realized prices for coins at MS-67 or above, confirmed major errors, and rare proof varieties. Best for coins worth $500+.
Ideal for mid-range 1978 quarters — MS-65 to MS-66 examples, minor error varieties, and proof coins. Check recently sold 1978 Washington Quarter prices and completed eBay listings to set a competitive asking price before listing. PCGS or NGC certification significantly increases buyer confidence and final sale price on this platform.
Convenient for quick sales of circulated and low-grade uncirculated examples, but dealers typically offer 50–70% of retail. Good option if you have multiple 1978 quarters to sell in bulk and want immediate cash. Bring a PCGS or NGC certified coin — dealers pay closer to market for slabbed coins.
A growing peer-to-peer marketplace with zero seller fees. Best for raw (ungraded) coins in the $5–$100 range where certification cost isn't justified. The numismatic community on Reddit is knowledgeable and can recognize genuine errors, but photographic documentation must be excellent. Not recommended for coins above $500.
PCGS and NGC submission fees start around $30–$50 per coin. It's only worth it if your coin grades MS-67 or higher (where values jump to $150+), if it's a confirmed major error (wrong planchet, missing clad layer), or if it's a 1978-S proof in PR-69 or PR-70 DCAM. For everything else — circulated coins, MS-63 to MS-66 regulars, and minor errors — raw (ungraded) sales on eBay or Reddit are more economical.