A 1962 quarter can be worth thousands, depending on grade

UnoTV (Jackelin Díaz, 1 September 2026) warns that finding a 1962 25-cent coin is not enough to talk about thousands of dollars. The price, the note says from the NGC Price Guide, depends on grade, mint mark, and the marks on each piece.

Silver through 1964

The Washington quarter has been struck since 1932. Through 1964 it is 90% silver; from 1965, a copper core with copper-nickel cladding. A 1962 is therefore silver: there is bullion and collector interest, but a circulated example does not “automatically” sell for thousands.

In 1962 there was a Philadelphia mint (no mark) and Denver (D). The obverse shows George Washington, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date; the reverse, the eagle with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and QUARTER DOLLAR.

What the NGC guide cites

According to UnoTV, the guide puts a circulated 1962 in good to excellent condition at about US$12 to 14.50. Uncirculated, MS-60 to MS-64: US$17 to 25.50. MS-65 to MS-66: US$27 to 475. Only an MS-67 or higher example enters the US$8,750 to 11,000 band that headlines many viral notes.

MS means Mint State: no commercial circulation. One grade point at the top changes the price because bag marks and luster are hard to keep. The note stresses not to clean the coin and to certify it (PCGS or NGC) if it looks exceptional. Those highs are for specific pieces, not for “the 1962 coin” in change.

More detail in UnoTV (opens in a new tab) and in the NGC Price Guide (opens in a new tab) for the 1932–1964 Washington type.