The 1980 Washington quarter may not carry the silver content of its pre-1965 ancestors, but it still represents a fascinating era in modern U.S. coinage. By this year, copper-nickel clad quarters had been the standard for fifteen years, and production across Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco was running at historic highs.

While most circulated examples remain worth only their face value (25 cents), mint state coins and proof issues can command premiums. The Philadelphia “P” mint mark also made its first appearance in 1980—an important milestone that forever changed how collectors track mint origins.

Circulated 1980 quarters typically trade between $0.25 and $0.67, but higher-grade coins show added value. Mint State (MS) Philadelphia examples reach $10.83, Denver issues top out around $9.50, and San Francisco proofs (DCAM) hold collector value at $5.33.

For collectors, knowing the difference between everyday pocket change and premium specimens is essential—especially when error varieties are considered, since those can bring dramatically higher prices.

1980 Quarter Value By Variety

Here’s the breakdown of 1980 quarter values across different conditions and mint marks:

TYPE	GOOD	FINE	AU	MS	PR
1980 P Quarter Value	$0.25	$0.29	$0.67	$10.83	—
1980 D Quarter Value	$0.25	$0.29	$0.67	$9.50	—
1980 S DCAM Quarter Value	—	—	—	—	$5.33

Top 10 Most Valuable 1980 Quarters Worth Money

Rank	Coin / Variety	Grade	Price	Details
1	1980-P Washington Quarter	MS67+	$1,560	Finest-known Philadelphia issue; rare in top pop.
2	1980-D Washington Quarter	MS67	$1,075	Exceptional strike quality; very few survive this high.
3	1980-P Washington Quarter	MS67	$960	Scarce in gem condition due to heavy circulation.
4	1980-S Proof Quarter (DCAM)	PR70	$650	Perfect proof with deep cameo contrast.
5	1980-D Quarter	MS66+	$425	High-grade Denver specimen; sharply struck with luster.
6	1980-P Quarter	MS66+	$350	Premium eye appeal; fewer than 100 certified at this level.
7	1980-S Proof Quarter	PR69 DCAM	$285	Stunning cameo contrast; proof-only issue from San Francisco.
8	1980-D Quarter	MS66	$200	Represents top-end condition rarity for Denver mint.
9	1980-S Proof Quarter	PR69 CAM	$150	Collector favorite; frosted devices with mirrored fields.
10	1980-P Quarter	MS65	$95	Early gem designation; accessible entry point for registry sets.

History of the 1980 Quarter

By 1980, the Washington quarter had already been in circulation for nearly half a century. Originally introduced in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth, John Flanagan’s design had become a permanent fixture of U.S. coinage.

The year 1980 marked an important transition point in U.S. minting history. For the first time, quarters struck at the Philadelphia Mint carried the “P” mint mark on the obverse—something collectors had never seen before. Prior to 1980, Philadelphia coins typically had no mint mark, making this year the official start of a new identification system for modern quarters.

Three mints were active in 1980:

• Philadelphia (“P”) – introduced its new mint mark and produced the largest share.
• Denver (“D”) – continued to strike business-strike coins for circulation.
• San Francisco (“S”) – issued proof-only quarters for collectors.

These coins were all struck in the copper-nickel clad composition (91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel) that had been introduced in 1965 to replace 90% silver quarters. By 1980, this clad design was the standard, and silver quarters were already disappearing into collections or bullion hoards.

For collectors, the 1980 quarter represents more than just another clad coin—it reflects the end of anonymity for Philadelphia strikes, the growing importance of mint marks in modern coinage, and the evolution of U.S. minting practices during the late 20th century.

Key Features of the 1980 Quarter

The Obverse of the 1980 Quarter

The obverse (heads side) continues John Flanagan’s classic portrait of George Washington, introduced in 1932. Washington faces left, with the word “LIBERTY” above his head and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the left. The date 1980 appears at the bottom.

The key feature of this year is the mint mark—for the first time in history, coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint bear a small “P” mint mark, located to the right of Washington’s ponytail ribbon. Denver quarters carry the traditional “D”, while San Francisco proofs show an “S.”

The Reverse of the 1980 Quarter

The reverse design, unchanged since 1932, features a heraldic eagle with its wings spread wide, perched on a bundle of arrows, symbolizing strength and readiness to defend the nation. Beneath the eagle are two olive branches forming a semicircle, symbolizing peace.

Inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the top, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above the eagle’s head, and “QUARTER DOLLAR” along the bottom.

Other Features of the 1980 Quarter

• Composition: Copper-nickel clad (91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel)
• Weight: 5.67 grams
• Diameter: 24.3 mm
• Thickness: 1.75 mm
• Edge: Reeded with 119 reeds
• Designers: John Flanagan (obverse and reverse)

By 1980, silver had long been phased out of circulation quarters, and these copper-nickel clad issues were standard. Collectors note the new “P” mint mark as the defining feature that sets the 1980 quarter apart from earlier Washington quarters.

1980 Quarter Grading

Like all modern quarters, the value of a 1980 Washington quarter depends heavily on its condition (grade). Circulated coins are almost always worth face value, but Mint State (MS) and Proof grades can bring strong premiums.

Key details to check when grading a 1980 quarter:

• Obverse (front): Washington’s cheek and hair above the ear—these high points show wear first.
• Reverse (back): Eagle’s breast feathers and wings should retain sharp definition.
• Mint State examples: Should show full luster (cartwheel shine) and minimal contact marks.
• Proofs (S mint): Graded by strike quality and cameo contrast (CAM/DCAM).

1980 Quarter Value by Grade

Grade	Description	Value Range
G-4	Heavily worn, major details visible but flat	$0.25
F-12	Moderate wear, legends clear, portrait worn	$0.29
AU-50	Light wear on high points, some luster	$0.67
MS-60	Uncirculated, duller luster, many marks	$4 – $6
MS-63	Average uncirculated, good luster, some marks	$7 – $9
MS-65	Gem uncirculated, sharp strike, few marks	$10 – $15
MS-67	Superb gem, full luster, nearly flawless	$150 – $300+
PR-65	Proof strike with mirror fields, minor flaws	$4 – $6
PR-67 CAM	Proof with strong cameo contrast	$7 – $12
PR-69 DCAM	Deep cameo, top grade proof	$30 – $50+

1980 Quarter Value Guides

1980-P Quarter Value

The 1980-P Washington Quarter is historically important because it marked the first year Philadelphia quarters featured the “P” mint mark. Prior to this date, coins from Philadelphia carried no mint mark, making 1980 a turning point in U.S. coinage history.

The Philadelphia Mint struck 635,832,000 quarters in 1980, making them plentiful in circulation. As a result, most examples in worn condition trade only for their face value of $0.25.

However, in higher mint state grades (MS-65 and above), 1980-P quarters become significantly scarcer due to contact marks and weak strikes typical of high-production runs. Collectors particularly prize well-struck examples with full luster.

1980-P Quarter Value Chart

Grade	Value Range
Good (G-4)	$0.25
Fine (F-12)	$0.29
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	$0.67
Mint State (MS-60)	$2 – $4
Mint State (MS-63)	$5 – $7
Mint State (MS-65)	$10 – $15
Mint State (MS-67)	$120 – $200+

1980-D Quarter Value

The 1980-D Washington Quarter was struck at the Denver Mint with a total mintage of 518,327,487 coins, slightly lower than Philadelphia’s output that same year. While common in circulation, these coins carry strong collector appeal in higher grades because Denver strikes from the late 1970s and early 1980s often display softer details and bag marks from mass production.

Circulated examples remain worth only their face value of $0.25, but uncirculated pieces graded MS-65 or better show a premium, especially when the strike is unusually sharp and the luster is strong.

High-grade certified examples can reach into the triple digits, with MS-67 specimens being true condition rarities.

1980-D Quarter Value Chart

Grade	Value Range
Good (G-4)	$0.25
Fine (F-12)	$0.29
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	$0.67
Mint State (MS-60)	$2 – $3
Mint State (MS-63)	$4 – $6
Mint State (MS-65)	$9 – $15
Mint State (MS-67)	$100 – $175+

1980-S DCAM Quarter Value

The 1980-S Washington Quarter represents the San Francisco Mint’s proof-only production for that year. Struck exclusively for collectors, these coins were not intended for circulation and were sold in proof sets. The Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation is the highest proof classification, given to coins that exhibit intense contrast between heavily frosted design elements and deeply mirrored fields.

What makes the 1980-S DCAM quarter desirable is the consistency of San Francisco proof quality during this era. Most proofs from 1980 exhibit strong cameo contrast, but only the sharpest, deepest frosts earn the coveted DCAM status. Collectors especially seek examples with flawless fields, no haze, and crisp edge reeds.

Despite a large mintage of over 3.5 million proof quarters, perfect DCAM specimens graded PR-70 are rare and highly collectible. Prices rise steeply from PR-67 upward, with top-pop coins often selling at auction premiums.

1980-S DCAM Quarter Value Chart

Grade	Value Range
PR-64 DCAM	$3 – $4
PR-65 DCAM	$4 – $5
PR-66 DCAM	$5 – $6
PR-67 DCAM	$7 – $9
PR-68 DCAM	$10 – $15
PR-69 DCAM	$18 – $25
PR-70 DCAM	$200 – $400+

Rare 1980 Quarter Error List

Although most 1980 Washington quarters trade at face value, several rare minting mistakes transform ordinary pieces into high-demand collectibles. Below are the most significant errors for this year, complete with details and updated value charts.

1. 1980-P Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)

One of the most dramatic errors from 1980 is the Doubled Die Obverse (DDO). Collectors can spot strong doubling on the inscriptions “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” as well as on the date. The doubling is caused by misaligned hub impressions during die creation.

This error is especially desirable in higher grades, where the doubling remains sharp and clear.

Value Chart – 1980-P DDO Quarter

Grade	Value Range
VF-20	$35 – $60
EF-40	$75 – $120
AU-50	$150 – $250
MS-60	$300 – $450
MS-63	$600 – $850
MS-65	$1,200 – $1,800
MS-66	$2,500+

2. 1980-D RPM (Repunched Mint Mark)

Before the introduction of computer-guided punching, mint marks were applied by hand. This occasionally produced Repunched Mint Marks (RPMs), where the “D” mint mark appears doubled or shifted.

On 1980-D RPM quarters, collectors report clear shadow-like impressions, usually north or southeast of the primary mint mark.

Value Chart – 1980-D RPM Quarter

Grade	Value Range
VF-20	$20 – $35
EF-40	$45 – $70
AU-50	$90 – $140
MS-60	$180 – $250
MS-63	$300 – $450
MS-65	$700 – $1,000
MS-66	$1,500+

3. 1980 Off-Center Strike

An off-center strike occurs when a coin is not properly aligned within the striking chamber. Examples from 1980 can range from 5% to more than 50% off-center. The more dramatic the misalignment—especially if the date remains fully visible—the higher the coin’s value.

Value Chart – 1980 Off-Center Quarter

Off-Center %	Value Range
5–10%	$50 – $100
15–25%	$120 – $250
30–50% (with full date visible)	$300 – $600+

4. 1980 Clipped Planchet

Clipped planchet errors occur when the blank metal sheet was misfed during punching, creating coins with crescent-shaped “clips” missing from their edges. On 1980 quarters, authentic clips will also show the “Blakesley Effect”—a flattening on the opposite rim of the clip.

Value Chart – 1980 Clipped Planchet Quarter

Clip Size	Value Range
Small (1–3%)	$25 – $60
Medium (4–10%)	$70 – $150
Large (10%+)	$175 – $350+

5. 1980 Broadstrike Error

A broadstrike error occurs when a quarter is struck without a collar to contain the metal. This results in a coin that looks wider and slightly flattened but still shows all design elements.

These errors are uncommon for 1980 and often sell well among collectors of striking anomalies.

Value Chart – 1980 Broadstrike Quarter

Grade	Value Range
XF	$40 – $70
AU	$80 – $120
MS	$150 – $300

Where to Sell Your Quarter Coin?

Now that you know the value of your quarter, the next step is deciding where to sell it. There are several trusted options—both online and in person—that can help you get the best price depending on your coin’s rarity and condition.

To see the full list of recommended places, along with their advantages and disadvantages, check our complete guide on where to sell your quarter coins.

FAQ about the 1980 Quarter

1) Why is the 1980 quarter historically significant?

It was the first year Philadelphia quarters carried a “P” mintmark. Before 1980, Philadelphia coins had no mintmark, making this date a turning point in U.S. Mint history.

2) What are the condition rarities for 1980 quarters?

Although mintage was massive (Philadelphia 635M, Denver 518M, San Francisco Proofs 3.5M), true MS-67+ business strikes are scarce. Most coins show weak strikes on Washington’s hair and the eagle’s breast, plus heavy bag marks.

3) How do Proof varieties from 1980-S impact value?

All proofs were struck at San Francisco with the “S” mintmark. The top-tier coins are PR-69 DCAMs, where the frost is thick and the mirrors are deep black. Fewer survive in perfect condition due to die polish wear, haze, or handling.

4) What cherrypicker varieties exist in 1980 quarters?

• 1980-D RPMs (Repunched Mintmarks): Visible doubling/notching on the D.
• Minor DDO/DDR varieties: Collectible but not dramatic.
• Struck-through errors: Common in the early ’80s and add premiums.

5) How do graders penalize strike weakness for this date?

On business strikes:

• Obverse: Washington’s hair above the ear and temple curls.
• Reverse: Eagle’s breast and arrow shafts.
  Even with pristine fields, a flat strike caps the coin at MS-65/66. Only sharply struck examples with booming luster reach MS-67.

6) What are the most dramatic 1980 quarter errors?

• Wrong planchets (dime or foreign coin stock) create undersized, lightweight coins.
• Missing clad layer errors show dramatic copper surfaces.
• Major off-centers or broadstrikes are visually striking and collectible.

7) What are the strongest long-term investment plays in 1980 quarters?

• MS-67+ Philadelphia coins with the first “P” mintmark
• 1980-D RPMs certified in high grade
• 1980-S PR-69 DCAM proofs with haze-free mirrors and deep frost

These combine historical importance, registry set demand, and low survival rates in top condition.

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