The 1990-P Washington Quarter is worth between $0.25 and around $10 for most circulated examples, but in top mint state grades, it can fetch $20 or more from serious collectors. If you just found one in a drawer or coin jar, here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the 1990-P Washington Quarter?
The 1990-P Washington Quarter was struck at the Philadelphia Mint and is part of the long-running Washington Quarter series that began back in 1932. The “P” mintmark on the obverse (front) side tells you it came from Philadelphia. These coins were produced in huge quantities for everyday circulation, which means millions of them are still floating around in change jars and old collections across the country.
If you’re not sure what you have or want to confirm the details before checking a price guide, using the best coin identifier app can save you a lot of time. A quick scan with a reliable app helps you confirm the date, mintmark, and condition before you start researching value.
The coin features the classic left-facing portrait of George Washington designed by John Flanagan, with “LIBERTY” arching above and the date below. On the reverse is the heraldic eagle design used throughout most of the series. The coin is made of a copper-nickel clad composition — no silver here — which is one reason most circulated examples aren’t worth much above face value.
How Much Is the 1990-P Washington Quarter Worth?
For most people who find a 1990-P quarter, the honest answer is: it’s probably worth face value or just a little above. Coins that have been circulated and show wear are common, and collectors don’t pay premiums for worn examples of this date. However, uncirculated examples — especially those that were never used in commerce — can be worth real money.
Here’s a general value breakdown based on grade and condition:
| Grade / Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Good to Fine) | Face value ($0.25) |
| Extremely Fine (EF-45) | $0.50 – $1 |
| Mint State 63 (MS-63) | $1 – $3 |
| Mint State 65 (MS-65) | $5 – $10 |
| Mint State 67 (MS-67) | $20 – $50+ |
| MS-67+ or Higher (PCGS/NGC) | $100+ |
For the most up-to-date auction results and certified coin prices, you can browse live 1990-P Washington Quarter price data by grade on CoinHix to see what these coins are actually selling for right now.
What Makes a 1990-P Quarter More Valuable?
Condition is everything with a modern coin like this. Because the 1990-P was minted in massive numbers — over 613 million pieces — there’s nothing rare about a worn one. What separates a $0.25 coin from a $50+ coin is the surface quality. Coins that never saw circulation and were stored carefully can develop beautiful original luster that collectors love.
Key factors that boost value include:
– Strike sharpness – Is the design fully defined with no weak areas?
– Luster – Does the coin still have its original cartwheel shine?
– Surface preservation – Are there contact marks, scratches, or spots?
– Eye appeal – Does it look clean and attractive overall?
Professional grading services like PCGS and NGC evaluate all of these factors when assigning a numerical grade. A coin graded MS-67 by one of these services is worth significantly more than an ungraded coin claimed to be in the same condition — because buyers trust the third-party opinion.
CoinHix is a great tool for tracking where your coin sits on the value scale based on current market prices by grade.
How to Check Your 1990-P Quarter’s Value Today
The easiest way to get a real-world sense of what your coin is worth is to look at recent sales data. Prices in old price guides can be outdated, especially for coins where the top-grade population is very small. For a thorough overview of what collectors and dealers are currently paying, this detailed 1990 quarter value breakdown covers the full range from circulated to gem mint state examples.
You can also download CoinHix on your phone to get instant pricing on Washington Quarters and thousands of other U.S. coins. It’s especially handy when you’re sorting through a coin collection and want quick answers without flipping through a thick reference book.
If you think your coin might grade MS-67 or higher, it’s worth sending it to PCGS or NGC for professional grading. The cost of grading can be recovered — and then some — if the coin comes back in a top-pop grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the 1990-P Washington Quarter made of silver?
A: No. The 1990-P quarter is made of copper-nickel clad, not silver. The U.S. Mint stopped making silver quarters for circulation after 1964. Unless you have a special silver proof version, this coin has no silver content.
Q: How many 1990-P Washington Quarters were made?
A: The Philadelphia Mint struck approximately 613,792,000 quarters in 1990. That’s over 600 million coins, which is why worn examples are so common and generally only worth face value.
Q: Should I clean my 1990-P quarter before selling it?
A: Absolutely not. Cleaning a coin — even gently — removes the original surface and dramatically reduces its value to collectors. A cleaned coin will almost always be worth less than an original, uncleaned one, even if the cleaned version looks shinier. Leave it as-is and let a grader assess its natural condition.
