A 1985-D Washington quarter graded NGC MS-67+ sold for $3,377 at GreatCollections — while the coin right next to it in your pocket change is worth a quarter. The difference? A handful of bag marks on Washington's cheek. This guide shows you exactly how to tell them apart, identify every valuable error, and find what your coin is really worth.
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Use the Free CalculatorThe MS-67 grade is where 1985 quarter values jump dramatically — from $20 to over $1,500. Use this checklist to see if your coin has a chance at the top tier.
Visible wear on Washington's cheek and hair. Bag marks scattered across the fields. Luster may be diminished or broken. Worth $0.25–$15 depending on grade.
Fully original luster blazing across fields. No wear on highest points. Minimal contact marks — none in prime focal areas like Washington's cheek. Worth $50–$1,500+.
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The table below shows estimated values across all varieties and conditions. For a detailed in-depth 1985 quarter identification walkthrough covering every grade and diagnostic feature, see this complete 1985 quarter reference guide. Values reflect current market data from PCGS and major auction records.
| Variety | Worn / Circ. | Fine–AU | MS-60–65 | MS-66 | MS-67 / Gem+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985-P (Philadelphia) | $0.25 | $0.25–$1 | $1–$15 | $25–$75 | $450–$1,528 |
| 1985-D (Denver) ⭐ | $0.25 | $0.25–$1 | $1–$16 | $21–$100 | $550–$3,377+ |
| 1985-S Proof (PR-65–68) | — | — | $3–$7 | $15–$25 (DCAM) | $75–$125 (PR-70) |
| 1985 DDO Error 🔴 | $25–$50 | $50–$100 | $150–$300 | $300–$500+ | Market price |
| 1985 DDR Error | $25–$50 | $50–$150 | $150–$300 | $300+ | Market price |
| 1985 Off-Center Strike | $15–$30 | $30–$100 | $100+ | $200+ | Market price |
| 1985 Clipped Planchet | $5–$20 | $20–$50 | $50–$100 | $100+ | Market price |
| 1985 Broadstrike | $10–$25 | $15–$35 | $35–$75 | $75+ | Market price |
⭐ = MS-67 Condition Rarity (top auction record holder) · 🔴 = Most Sought Error · "Market price" = Insufficient public sales data; consult PCGS Price Guide.
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With over 1.29 billion 1985 quarters minted across Philadelphia and Denver, mint errors inevitably occurred. These range from die-creation mistakes like the Doubled Die Obverse to mechanical errors like off-center strikes and clipped planchets. The cards below cover the six most significant varieties in descending order of collector interest, with identification guidance, value ranges, and notable auction data where available.
The Doubled Die Obverse is the most celebrated error variety among 1985 Washington quarters. It originates during the hubbing process: when a working die is pressed against the hub more than once at a slightly different angle or rotation, each subsequent impression locks a ghost-like secondary image into the die's surface. Every coin struck from that die then carries the same doubled design.
The doubling appears most dramatically on the obverse inscriptions "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "LIBERTY," where collectors can see two distinct, slightly separated sets of letters under a 5× to 10× loupe. On stronger specimens, Washington's hairline and facial features also show visible separation between primary and secondary images. True hub doubling produces raised, fully three-dimensional letters — not the flat, shelf-like shadow of mechanical doubling.
Circulated DDO examples typically command $25–$100 depending on doubling strength. Uncirculated coins graded MS-63 to MS-65 can bring $150–$300 or more, with eye appeal and certification by PCGS or NGC adding measurable premiums. The stronger the die separation and the higher the grade, the more collectors will pay — making this the most rewarding variety to search for in circulation rolls.
The Doubled Die Reverse is the mirror companion to the DDO — a hub doubling error that occurs in the reverse die rather than the obverse. During die preparation, the working reverse die received multiple hub impressions at slightly offset angles, embedding a doubled image into the die steel itself. Every coin struck from that die carries the same doubled reverse design elements.
The doubling on DDR specimens is most visible on the eagle's neck feathers and the tips of the wings, where two distinct sets of feather lines appear under magnification. The reverse inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" also show separated, doubled lettering on confirmed specimens. Collectors must distinguish true hub doubling — with raised, crisp secondary images — from common mechanical doubling, which leaves a flat, shelf-like shadow with no depth.
A circulated 1985 DDR quarter typically sells for $50–$150. Uncirculated examples graded MS-63 to MS-65 by PCGS or NGC bring $150–$300 or more, with dramatic, clearly defined doubling commanding the highest prices. The DDR is slightly less well-known to casual collectors than the DDO, making it a potential cherry-pick for those who inspect the reverse carefully.
An off-center strike occurs when the planchet (blank coin disc) is not properly centered between the dies at the moment of striking. The obverse and reverse dies come together with full force, but because the planchet has shifted position within the collar, only part of the design is impressed onto the metal. The result is a distinctive crescent-shaped blank area along one side of the coin where no design was transferred.
The severity of off-center errors is measured as a percentage of the design missing. Small 5–10% off-center strikes show a thin blank crescent at the rim and are the most commonly encountered, selling for $15–$30. More dramatic 20–50% off-center examples are significantly rarer and more prized by error collectors, especially when the date and mint mark remain legible on the design portion that was struck.
Larger off-center strikes — 50% or more where the design is dramatically compressed to one side and a wide blank crescent is visible — are genuinely scarce and can bring $100 or more in circulated condition. The critical value factor is that the date must remain visible; undated off-center errors are worth considerably less regardless of percentage. Uncirculated examples command the strongest premiums.
A clipped planchet error results from a flaw in the planchet-cutting stage of coin production. Quarter planchets are punched from long metal strips; when the punch overlaps a previously punched hole, a curved section is cut away from the blank before striking. The resulting planchet has a smooth, curved indentation along one edge that reveals the coin's copper core. This clipped planchet is then fed into the striking press and struck with the quarter dies.
Two primary clip types occur on 1985 quarters: curved clips (the most common, caused by overlapping blank punches) and straight clips (caused when the punch falls at the very end of a metal strip). Curved clips show a smooth, rounded missing section whose arc matches the diameter of another coin blank. Straight clips present a linear cut edge. On struck clipped coins, the Blakesley effect — a weak or missing area of rim directly opposite the clip — is a diagnostic indicator of a genuine mint error rather than post-strike damage.
Value depends almost entirely on clip severity. Small clips removing 5–10% of the planchet are the most common and typically bring $5–$20. Medium clips (15–25% missing) range from $20–$50. Large clips removing 30% or more can bring $75–$100 in circulated condition, especially when the date and mint mark remain intact. Uncirculated clipped planchet errors with strong luster command the strongest premiums from error coin specialists.
A struck-through grease error occurs when a foreign substance — most commonly die lubricant, metallic debris, or cloth fiber — becomes lodged in the recessed cavities of a working die. When the die strikes a planchet, the obstruction prevents the metal from flowing fully into the die cavity, producing an area where the design appears weak, flat, or completely absent. Unlike a worn die, the weak area is sharply localized rather than uniformly shallow across the die.
On 1985 quarters, grease strikes most commonly affect the reverse, where fine detail areas like the eagle's breast feathers, the lettering of "IN GOD WE TRUST," or Washington's hair detail on the obverse can appear mushy or missing. When an entire inscription is filled, the error can be dramatic — a 1985 quarter missing the "G" in "GOD" so that it reads "IN COD WE TRUST" is a well-documented filled-die variety that circulates widely but carries no premium because it results from post-strike die wear, not lubricant buildup. True struck-through grease creates a blank, smooth, recessed area within the design.
Value depends on the severity and location of the strike-through. Minor examples affecting only small letters bring $10–$20. A dramatic fill covering a major design element — Washington's portrait, the date, or entire inscriptions — can bring $50–$100 or more, especially in uncirculated condition. Authentication by a professional grading service is advisable for significant examples, as post-strike damage can mimic this error type.
A broadstrike error occurs when the retaining collar — the ring-shaped die component that surrounds the planchet during striking and forms the coin's edge and reeding — fails to engage properly or is completely absent at the moment of striking. Without the collar's constraint, the metal flows outward freely as the dies press the design into the planchet, producing a coin that is noticeably larger in diameter than normal and correspondingly thinner.
On 1985 broadstrike quarters, the design appears complete but the rim is either very weak, missing entirely, or tapers away at the edges. The reeding (the series of parallel grooves on the edge) may be absent or only partially present. The coin's diameter will measure noticeably wider than the standard 24.3mm. A standard quarter weighs 5.67 grams; a broadstrike will weigh approximately the same but spread that weight over a larger, thinner disc.
Broadstrikes are among the most visually dramatic of the common mechanical errors because the coin's abnormal size is immediately apparent. Values for 1985 broadstrike quarters typically fall in the $10–$25 range for circulated examples; uncirculated broadstrikes with full luster can bring $35–$75 or more. The most desirable examples show a clean, complete design compressed outward with a clearly missing rim, confirming the collar-failure origin rather than post-strike alteration.
Use the free calculator above to get an instant value estimate based on your specific mint mark, condition, and error type.
Calculate Your Error Coin's Value
| Mint | Mint Mark | Type | Mintage | Est. Survival Rate | MS-67 Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | P | Business Strike | 775,818,962 | ~35% | Extremely scarce — fewer than a handful certified |
| Denver | D | Business Strike | 519,962,888 | ~35% | Conditionally rare — top sale $3,377 (MS-67+) |
| San Francisco | S | Proof Only | 3,362,821 | ~85.5% | PR-70 DCAM: $75–$125; high survival keeps values accessible |
| Total 1985 Production | 1,299,144,671 | Combined circulation: over 1.29 billion coins | |||
Washington's facial features are flattened. Hair strands merge into a smooth mass. Eagle's feathers are flat and indistinct. Rim may be worn into lettering on heavily circulated examples. Worth face value unless an error coin.
Some wear on the high points — Washington's cheek and the eagle's breast — but design detail is largely visible. Luster may survive in protected areas. Still worth little more than face value for common dates.
No wear, but contact marks from bag handling are visible. Luster is present. MS-65 coins show only minor marks under 5× magnification. Strike quality varies — look for sharp hair and feather detail for higher grades within this range.
Washington's cheek is free of marks. Full blazing luster. Sharp strike with complete hair and feather detail. MS-67 is the condition rarity of this date — very few are known. A single bag mark on the cheek drops value dramatically.
📱 CoinKnow can match your coin's surface to graded reference examples in its database, helping you cross-check your condition assessment before submitting for professional grading — a coin identifier and value app.
Different venues suit different coins. Here's where to get the best return for each situation.
Best for: MS-67+ specimens and confirmed error coins with PCGS/NGC certification.
Heritage reaches the world's largest pool of serious Washington quarter collectors. Competition between bidders can push prices well above dealer offer prices for genuinely rare grades. Budget 15–20% in buyer's premiums on the realized price. Minimum consignment thresholds apply — Heritage is most effective for coins worth $500 or more.
Best for: Error coins, uncirculated raw examples, and MS-65 and below certified coins.
eBay delivers the broadest audience of casual and mid-level collectors. To see how your coin compares to the real market, check the recently sold prices for 1985-P Washington quarters on eBay — filtering to completed sales shows actual transaction prices rather than wishful asking prices. Use auction format for error coins to let competition set the price; fixed price works for common MS-64 and below.
Best for: Circulated examples, quick cash, and getting an expert second opinion before selling elsewhere.
A local coin dealer offers the convenience of an immediate transaction. Expect to receive 50–70% of retail value — dealers need a margin to resell. Useful for circulated quarters worth $0.25–$5 where shipping and auction fees would eliminate any profit. Always get opinions from two or three dealers before accepting an offer for a potentially valuable coin.
Best for: Connecting with fellow collectors who understand conditional rarity and will pay fair prices for mid-grade coins.
The r/Coins4Sale and r/CoinCollecting communities include knowledgeable collectors who recognize the value of MS-65+ 1985 quarters and error varieties. Transactions are peer-to-peer, so you keep more of the sale price than on eBay or at auction. Confirm account history, use PayPal Goods & Services for protection, and provide clear photos including the mint mark area.