1978 Quarter Errors: Value Guide & Rare Varieties
Is your 1978 Washington Quarter worth money? Learn values for wrong planchet errors ($500–$1,200+), Missing Clad Layer, DDO, RPM-001, and off-center strikes. The No Mint Mark myth debunked.
Most 1978 Washington Quarters are worth face value (25¢), but wrong planchet errors sell for $425–$1,200+, and a flawless normal coin graded MS67+ has sold for $2,875.
- 🥇 Struck on Cent Planchet — copper-colored, ~3.11g: $1,100–$1,200
- 🥈 Struck on Nickel Planchet — silver, ~5.0g, slightly undersized: $600+
- 🥉 Struck on Dime Planchet — dramatically small, ~2.27g: $500–$550
- 📌 Missing Clad Layer — one side copper, ~4.7g: ~$425
- 📌 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) — split serifs on lettering: ~$75 in MS65
⚠️ Biggest trap: The "1978 No Mint Mark Error" is a myth — Philadelphia never used a P mintmark on quarters until 1980. Machine Doubling (flat, shelf-like marks on the date) also has zero numismatic value.
1978 Washington Quarter Errors Error Checker
Check your coin for valuable errors and varieties
Values shown are typical retail estimates as of 2026-01.
Error coin values vary significantly based on grade, eye appeal, and current market conditions.
Professional authentication (PCGS/NGC) is strongly recommended for suspected Wrong Planchet, Missing Clad Layer, and Doubled Die varieties.
Machine Doubling (flat, shelf-like appearance) is NOT a valuable Doubled Die error — it has zero numismatic premium.
A 1978 quarter with no mint mark is a normal Philadelphia strike, not an error. Philadelphia did not use a P mintmark on quarters until 1980.
Disregard asking prices on Etsy or unverified eBay listings. Only verified sold results from reputable auction houses reflect true market value.
Grading fees ($30–$50) often exceed the coin's value unless it grades MS67+ or is a confirmed major error.
A 1978 Washington Quarter from your pocket change is almost certainly worth exactly 25 cents. But among the 800+ million struck at Philadelphia and Denver that year, a handful of genuine manufacturing mistakes slipped through — coins pressed onto the wrong metal blank, missing an entire metal layer, or bearing permanent die errors — that collectors will pay hundreds to over a thousand dollars to own. This guide walks you through each one, step by step. For standard grade-by-grade prices, see our full 1978 Washington Quarter Value Guide.
1978 Washington Quarter: Key Specifications & Mintage
These physical constants define every genuine 1978 Washington Quarter. The 5.67 gram weight is your single most important diagnostic number — any significant deviation points directly to a potential mint error. A digital scale accurate to 0.01g is the most valuable tool you can own for this coin.
| Mint | Mintmark | Mintage | Type | Weight / Diameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (P) | None | 521,452,000 | Business Strike | 5.67 g / 24.30 mm | $0.25 circ · $0.50–$5 MS |
| Denver (D) | D | 287,373,152 | Business Strike | 5.67 g / 24.30 mm | $0.25 circ · $0.50–$5 MS |
| San Francisco (S) | S | 3,127,781 | Proof Only | 5.67 g / 24.30 mm | $2–$10 Proof · $1–$3 Impaired |
ℹ️ The Copper Sandwich
All 1978 quarters use copper-nickel clad construction: a pure copper core bonded between two cupronickel (75% Cu, 25% Ni) outer layers. This creates a visible copper stripe on the edge. If that stripe is absent or your coin looks entirely copper-colored, weigh it immediately — it may be a valuable planchet error.
⚠️ No Mintmark = Normal Philadelphia Coin
Philadelphia did not add a "P" mintmark to quarters until 1980. A 1978 quarter with no mintmark is the standard Philadelphia issue — over 521 million were made this way. It is not a rare error.
Registry and auction data: PCGS CoinFacts 1978-P · PCGS CoinFacts 1978-D · PCGS CoinFacts 1978-S DCAM · Full 1978 Quarter Value Guide →
1978 Quarter Quick Checks: Do You Have a Valuable Error?
Run through these four checks in order. The first three can reveal coins worth $75–$1,200; the fourth is a trap that catches thousands of collectors every year.
Check 1: Weight & Planchet — The $1,200 Test
Weigh the coin on a digital scale accurate to 0.01g. Also examine the edge for the copper stripe. Use calipers to measure diameter if available.
Any weight below 5.40g or above 5.90g is abnormal. Copper-colored at ~3.11g = cent planchet. Silver-colored at ~5.0g = nickel planchet. Dramatically small at ~2.27g = dime planchet. One copper side at ~4.7g = missing clad layer.
A "dryer coin" tumbled in a clothes dryer looks strange but retains the standard 5.67g weight. Environmental damage (buried coins, acid exposure) can discolor a coin red or brown — but it still weighs 5.67g. If it weighs normally, it is not a planchet error.
Check 2: 1978-D Repunched Mintmark (RPM-001) — Denver Coins Only
The "D" mintmark on the obverse (front), to the right of Washington's ponytail. Use a 10x–20x loupe (a small magnifying glass designed for coins).
A distinct secondary D image shifted to the Southwest. The clearest sign is notching or separation in the serifs — the small horizontal lines at the very ends of each letter stroke. You should see two separate impressions, not just blur.
A "blob D" where the inside space of the letter is filled in by a die chip — common and worth nothing extra. Also not Machine Doubling, which creates a flat, featureless shelf rather than the notched separation of a true RPM.
Check 3: Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
The obverse lettering — especially LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Use a 10x loupe with oblique (angled) lighting so shadows reveal fine detail.
Split or notched serifs — the ends of letters look like a snake's tongue, with two distinct rounded impressions. Letters appear thicker or wider than on a normal coin. This is Class I or Class II doubling locked permanently into the die.
Machine Doubling (MD) — the most common look-alike. MD produces a flat, shelf-like shadow that makes letters appear thinner, not thicker. MD is considered worthless damage by numismatists, regardless of how dramatic it looks.
Check 4: Machine Doubling & "No Mint Mark" — STOP, These Are Traps
Doubled-looking date or lettering on any 1978 quarter, or a Philadelphia coin with no mintmark that an online listing claims is rare.
Machine Doubling is caused by loose dies and creates flat, stepped shadows — it is worthless. No mintmark on a 1978 Philadelphia quarter is completely normal — 521 million were made this way.
If the doubling looks like a flat step or shelf and the letters appear thinner than normal — it is Machine Doubling. If the coin has no mintmark — it is a standard Philadelphia strike. See full Traps section →
1978 Quarter Error Values: Master Reference Table
This table aggregates all verified errors and varieties for the 1978 Washington Quarter. Amber-highlighted rows are the most valuable. Error Type links lead to full identification guides below. Prices reflect actual sold auction results, not asking prices.
| Error Type | Category | Mint | Rarity | Value Range | Top Auction Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Struck on Cent Planchet | Planchet Error | P / D | High | $1,100–$1,200 | $1,200 (MS64) |
| Struck on Nickel Planchet | Planchet Error | P / D | High | $600+ | $600+ (MS66, est.) |
| Struck on Dime Planchet | Planchet Error | P / D | High | $500–$550 | $528 (MS62) |
| Missing Clad Layer (Obv.) | Planchet Error | P / D | Mod–High | ~$425 | $425 (AU58) |
| Off-Center Strike (10–30%) | Striking Error | P / D | Moderate | $30–$250 | $104 (20%, MS66) |
| Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) | Die Variety | P / D | Moderate | ~$75 (MS65) | $75 (MS65, 2021) |
| Repunched Mintmark RPM-001 | Die Variety | D only | Low–Mod | $10–$25 | — |
| Off-Center Strike (<10%) | Striking Error | P / D | Common | $5–$20 | $27 (MS65) |
| Broadstrike | Striking Error | P / D | Common | $20–$50 | — |
| Filled Die ("Blob D") | Grease Error | D | Common | Face Value | — |
| No Mint Mark | Normal Issue | P (standard) | N/A — Not an error | Face Value | N/A |
💡 Condition Rarity: When a Normal Coin Beats an Error
A perfectly preserved, normal 1978-P quarter graded MS67+ sold for $2,875. The massive 1978 production run meant almost every coin left the Mint with bag marks. A truly mark-free example is rarer than most minor errors — and the market knows it.
1978 Quarter Valuable Errors: Detailed Identification Guide
Wrong Planchet Errors — Cent, Nickel & Dime
Normal silver quarter (left) vs. 1978 quarter struck on a copper cent planchet (right) — different color, smaller diameter, design cut off at edges.
What Are Wrong Planchet Errors?
A planchet is the metal disc fed into the coin press. If a blank intended for a one-cent coin accidentally enters the quarter press, the quarter dies stamp it — creating a coin with a quarter design on the wrong-sized, wrong-metal blank. These errors are significant because they should be physically impossible: different denominations are produced in separate areas of the Mint. When one slips through, it is a genuine piece of Mint history.
How to Identify — By Planchet Type
Planchet weight reference chart: weigh your coin first to determine which error type you may have.
- Cent Planchet (~3.11g): Copper-colored, noticeably smaller. The quarter design is cut off at the edges because the cent blank is too small to hold the full design. Sold at Sullivan Numismatics for $1,200 (PCGS MS64 Red).
- Nickel Planchet (~5.0g): Silver-colored, slightly smaller than 24.3mm diameter, may not reach the rim. Weight difference of 0.67g from standard is the key diagnostic. Heritage Auctions lists similar examples at $600+ (MS66). Note: both quarters and nickels are non-magnetic, so a magnet test cannot distinguish them.
- Dime Planchet (~2.27g): Dramatically undersized — approximately 17.9mm vs. the standard 24.3mm — with much of the quarter design missing. Heritage Auctions example (MS62); Stack's Bowers 2024: $528.
Edge views: normal clad quarter shows the copper-nickel-copper stripe (top). A wrong planchet error lacks this stripe entirely (bottom).
False Positives
Two look-alikes to rule out first: (1) Copper-plated novelty quarters sold as curiosities — they appear copper-colored but weigh 5.67g. (2) Environmentally damaged coins buried in soil or exposed to acid turn reddish-brown but retain the standard 5.67g weight. Weight is the definitive test: standard weight means no planchet error, regardless of color.
Market Values
- 🟡 Cent Planchet, MS64:$1,100–$1,200
- 🟡 Nickel Planchet, MS66:$600+
- 🟡 Dime Planchet, MS62:$500–$550
Missing Clad Layer
Missing Clad Layer: one side exposes raw copper core (left) while the other side retains normal silver cupronickel (right). Note the weak, mushy detail on the copper side.
Origin & Background
During manufacturing, metal strips are clad (layered) before coin blanks are punched from them. Occasionally a strip comes through with one nickel outer layer missing or peeled away. When that defective blank is punched and struck, one face of the resulting coin is raw copper instead of the normal silver-colored cupronickel. The detail on the copper side is typically weak and mushy because the thinner planchet doesn't fully fill the die chamber, leaving the design soft and indistinct.
How to Identify
- One side appears copper-red; the other side looks normal silver
- Weigh it — should be approximately 4.7g vs. the standard 5.67g
- The copper side will show noticeably weaker, softer design detail
- A certified example graded AU58 sold for $425 (ANACS, 2020)
False Positives
Environmental damage (buried coins, battery acid, chemical exposure) can turn a surface copper-red, but the coin will retain approximately 5.67g. Toned or stained coins also mimic discoloration. The weight test is definitive: 5.67g = post-mint damage; ~4.7g = potential missing clad layer error.
Auction Record
$425 for AU58 (ANACS, 2020).
Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
True DDO (left): split serifs make letters appear thicker. Machine Doubling (right): flat shelf-like shadow makes letters appear thinner — zero extra value.
Origin & Background
A Doubled Die error is created during the die-making process, not during coin striking. A working die is hardened by pressing it against a master hub. If the die and hub are misaligned during a second hubbing, a double impression is permanently locked into the die steel — and every coin struck by that die will carry the doubling. For 1978, known doubled dies show Class I or Class II doubling on the obverse lettering. The doubling is generally minor, visible mostly to specialists under magnification, which explains the modest $75 MS65 price point. Reference: Variety Vista Washington Quarter DDO Listings.
How to Identify
- Examine LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST under 10x magnification with angled light
- Look for split serifs — the ends of the letter strokes appear notched, like a snake's tongue
- Letters appear thicker or wider than on a normal coin due to two distinct overlapping impressions
- Doubling is consistent across the lettering, not isolated to one letter
False Positives to Avoid
Machine Doubling (MD) is by far the most common look-alike, and it dominated 1978 production because the Mint extended die life to reduce costs. As dies eroded, they would shift slightly after striking, shearing the metal and dragging a flat contour alongside the design. MD makes letters look thinner and the secondary image is flat — not rounded or separated. MD carries zero numismatic value, no matter how dramatic it appears under magnification.
Auction Record
$75 for MS65 (PCGS Auction, 2021).
1978-D RPM-001 (Repunched Mintmark D/D Southwest)
RPM-001: the secondary D mintmark impression is shifted to the Southwest, producing visible separation in both the upper and lower serifs.
Origin & Background
Before 1990, mintmarks were hand-punched individually into each working die. If the initial punch landed off-position, the worker would repunch it — but if the die had already been used, a Repunched Mintmark (RPM) was created with two visible impressions. For RPM-001 on the 1978-D quarter, the secondary punch is displaced to the Southwest. Reference: Variety Vista 1978-D RPM-001.
How to Identify
- Denver coins only — examine the D mintmark under 20x magnification
- Look for a distinct secondary D image shifted to the Southwest
- The clearest diagnostic is separation or notching in the serifs at both the top and bottom of the letter D
- The two impressions should show clear separation — not mere blurriness or a feathered edge
False Positives to Avoid
A die chip filling the center of the D creates a "blob D" where the open space inside the letter is partially filled. This is extremely common and worth nothing extra. Machine Doubling on the mintmark creates a flat shelf alongside the letter, not the notched serif separation characteristic of a true RPM.
Market Notes
The RPM-001 commands only modest premiums ($10–$25 in MS60) and market data for specific sales is limited. Professional attribution by PCGS or NGC would be required to realize maximum value, and at this price level, grading fees ($30–$50) typically exceed the coin's value. Best held as a variety specimen rather than submitted for certification unless the example is MS65 or higher with strong, clear diagnostics.
Off-Center Strikes
20% off-center strike: a crescent of blank planchet appears at the upper edge, but the date "1978" remains readable — the single most important factor for value.
Origin & Background
An off-center strike happens when the planchet is not properly seated in the collar before the dies come together. The design prints off-center, leaving a crescent of blank (unstruck) metal on one side. The more dramatic the misalignment, the rarer the coin — provided the date remains readable. A coin that is 50% off-center with a visible "1978" date is far more valuable than one 70% off-center where the date was struck off the planchet entirely.
Value by Severity
- 📌 Under 10% off-center:$5–$20 (design slightly cut off one side)
- 📌 10%–30% with readable date:$30–$125
- 📌 30%–60% with readable date:$100–$250
- 📌 Broadstrike (struck without collar, design stretched, no reeding):$20–$50
Auction Record
$104 for a 20% off-center MS66 example (Heritage Auctions, 2022).
False Positives
A misaligned die strike creates uneven rims but keeps the full design within the planchet boundary — not a true off-center. A dryer coin (tumbled in a clothes dryer) may have a smooth, rounded edge resembling a broadstrike, but its diameter is smaller than 24.3mm (rim pushed inward), whereas a broadstrike error has a diameter larger than 24.3mm (metal flowed outward without a collar). Measure with calipers.
1978 Quarter Error Traps: Common Myths & Misidentifications
These four traps account for the overwhelming majority of disappointed collectors. Learn to spot them instantly.
Standard 1978 Philadelphia quarter with no mintmark — completely normal. Not a rare error. Over 521 million were made this way.
⚠️ The "1978 No Mint Mark Error" Myth
A 1978 quarter with no mintmark. Online listings — often on Etsy or unverified eBay — describe it as a "rare error" worth $100, $500, or more.
Sellers exploit the misconception that all modern quarters should carry a mintmark. Philadelphia coins before 1980 simply did not — by design, not by accident. The listings prey on collectors unfamiliar with this history.
- Philadelphia issued 521,452,000 quarters in 1978 with no mintmark — all standard
- The "P" mintmark was not added to quarters until 1980
- Only verified sold prices from Heritage, Stack's Bowers, or GreatCollections reflect true market value — not asking prices on Etsy
Value: Face value only (25 cents).
Machine Doubling on a 1978 quarter: flat, shelf-like shadows alongside the date letters — worthless, regardless of how dramatic it appears.
⚠️ Machine Doubling (MD) — The Most Common Trap
The date "1978" or the letters in LIBERTY appear doubled — a second, offset image is visible alongside the original design elements.
The Mint extended die life in 1978 to reduce costs. Worn, loose dies would shift slightly after striking, shearing the metal and dragging a flat contour alongside the design — called "Mechanical Doubling" or "Die Shift." This happened on enormous numbers of coins.
- The secondary image is flat and shelf-like — it looks like a step, not a raised impression
- Letters appear thinner than normal (metal was sheared away, not duplicated)
- Doubling often affects the date, mintmark, and lettering all at once — a hallmark of MD
- Under magnification, there is no separation or notching in the serifs — just a flat ledge
Value: Face value only.
Dryer coin (left): smaller diameter, raised rounded rim from collision damage. Broadstrike (right): larger than 24.3mm, design stretched outward.
⚠️ Dryer Coins vs. Broadstrikes
A quarter with a smooth (unreeded) edge, a thick or rounded rim, and an unusual "puffed up" appearance — resembling a broadstrike error worth $20–$50.
Coins tumbled in commercial or home dryers receive thousands of rim impacts that beat the edge inward, creating a smooth, rounded, polished rim. The result superficially mimics a broadstrike error.
- Dryer coin (PMD): diameter is smaller than 24.3mm — the rim was pushed inward
- Broadstrike (error): diameter is larger than 24.3mm — metal flowed outward without a collar
- Measure with digital calipers. Less than 24.3mm = post-mint damage. Greater than 24.3mm = possible broadstrike
Dryer coin value: Face value only.
⚠️ Environmental Damage vs. Missing Clad Layer
A quarter that appears copper-red or rusty on one or both sides, resembling a Missing Clad Layer error worth $425.
Coins buried in soil or exposed to battery acid, chemicals, or acidic water oxidize and turn red-brown on the surface. The color change is chemical — the metal itself is unchanged.
- Environmental damage: weighs approximately 5.67g (standard weight)
- Missing Clad Layer: weighs approximately 4.7g (significantly underweight)
- Also look at the copper-side detail: a true missing clad layer shows soft, mushy design detail; environmental damage shows normal sharpness under the discoloration
Value if damaged: Face value only.
1978 Quarter Grading: How Condition Affects Value
Coins are graded on the Sheldon Scale from 1 (barely identifiable) to 70 (absolutely perfect). For 1978 quarters, the grade difference is dramatic at the very top — the jump from MS65 to MS67+ can mean thousands of dollars on an otherwise normal coin.
| Grade Range | What It Means | Typical Value (P or D) |
|---|---|---|
| Good–Fine (G–F) | Heavy wear, design outline visible | Face value ($0.25) |
| VF–XF | Moderate to light wear, clear detail | Face value ($0.25) |
| MS60–MS64 | Uncirculated; bag marks or weak strike areas | $0.50–$2 |
| MS65 | Gem Uncirculated; minor contact marks | ~$5 |
| MS67 | Superb Gem; virtually mark-free | $50–$100+ |
| MS67+ | Condition rarity — population of only a handful | Up to $2,875 |
The scarcity of MS67+ coins exists because high-volume 1978 production meant coins were bagged together by the thousands at the Mint, creating contact marks before they even left the building. A truly pristine, mark-free example is rarer than most minor errors — and priced accordingly.
⚠️ Grading Fee Reality Check
PCGS and NGC grading fees typically run $30–$50 per coin. This expense only makes financial sense if your coin can realistically grade MS67 or higher, or if it is a confirmed major error (wrong planchet, missing clad layer, significant off-center). Submitting a normal circulated or low-MS quarter for grading at $50 is a guaranteed financial loss.
1978 Quarter Authentication: When to Get It Certified
Professional authentication by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) seals your coin in a tamper-evident holder with an official grade and, for varieties, an attribution. This eliminates buyer skepticism and consistently raises the price achieved at auction.
Submit for Authentication If:
- Your coin weighs significantly below 5.40g or above 5.90g — potential wrong planchet
- One side appears copper-red and weighs approximately 4.7g — potential missing clad layer
- The design is visibly off-center by more than 10% with a readable date
- Under 10x magnification you see split serifs (not flat shelves) on LIBERTY or IN GOD WE TRUST — potential DDO
- The coin appears absolutely pristine under normal lighting with booming, undisturbed luster — potential MS67+
Do NOT Submit If:
- The "doubling" looks flat and shelf-like — Machine Doubling has zero extra value
- The coin has no mintmark — standard Philadelphia issue
- The coin weighs 5.67g and shows circulation wear — face value regardless of certification
- The coin has been cleaned, polished, or dipped — cleaning permanently destroys numismatic value and will result in a "details" grade that suppresses prices
💡 Handling Protocol for Suspected Errors
If you believe you have a wrong planchet or missing clad layer error, do not clean it, do not polish it, and handle it only by the edges. Submit it directly to PCGS or NGC. Original surfaces are essential to value — any attempt to "improve" the coin's appearance will damage it permanently.
For in-person evaluation by an authorized dealer, use the dealer locator on the official PCGS website or NGC website.
1978 Quarter Errors: Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 1978 quarter with no mint mark rare or valuable?
No. The Philadelphia Mint did not use a "P" mintmark on quarters until 1980. Every 1978 Philadelphia quarter — all 521,452,000 of them — has no mintmark. It is the standard issue, not an error. Online listings claiming a "1978 No Mint Mark Error" is worth hundreds of dollars are factually incorrect. Ignore asking prices on Etsy; only verified sold prices from Heritage, Stack's Bowers, or GreatCollections reflect actual market value.
My 1978 quarter looks copper-colored. Could it be valuable?
Weigh it immediately. If it weighs approximately 3.11g, it may be struck on a cent planchet — worth $1,100–$1,200. If it weighs approximately 4.7g with normal silver appearance on one side, it may have a missing clad layer — worth ~$425. If it weighs the standard 5.67g, the copper color is environmental damage (acid, soil) and the coin is worth 25 cents.
How do I tell Machine Doubling from a real Doubled Die?
Under 10x magnification, examine the serif ends of letters in LIBERTY or IN GOD WE TRUST. Machine Doubling: the secondary image is flat and shelf-like; letters appear thinner than normal because metal was sheared. Zero extra value. Doubled Die (DDO): serifs are split or notched like a snake's tongue; letters appear thicker or wider with two distinct rounded impressions. A confirmed 1978 DDO is worth approximately $75 in MS65.
What is the most valuable 1978 Washington Quarter?
By auction record for a specific error, a 1978 quarter struck on a cent planchet (PCGS MS64 Red) sold for $1,200 at Sullivan Numismatics. However, a perfectly preserved normal 1978-P quarter graded MS67+ sold for $2,875 — demonstrating that extreme condition rarity can equal or exceed major error values. Both categories require professional certification to achieve top prices.
Is the 1978-D RPM-001 worth submitting for grading?
At $10–$25 in MS60, the RPM-001 does not typically justify a $30–$50 grading fee. The exception is an unusually high-grade example (MS65+) with strong, clear diagnostics. For most collectors, the RPM-001 is best appreciated as an interesting die variety to attribute and hold, rather than submitted for certification at a financial loss.
What is the 1978-S quarter, and is it valuable?
The 1978-S was struck exclusively as a Proof coin for annual collector sets (3,127,781 minted). Proofs have mirror-like fields and frosted raised devices — a contrast effect called "Deep Cameo" (DCAM). A standard 1978-S Proof is worth $2–$10; a high-contrast Deep Cameo example reaches the higher end. A circulated 1978-S (from a broken Proof set) is worth $1–$3. Finding an S-mint coin in circulation is unusual but not rare — it simply means a Proof set was broken up.
What tools do I need to check 1978 quarter errors?
Four tools cover almost every diagnostic need: (1) Digital scale accurate to 0.01g — the single most important tool for planchet errors. (2) 10x–20x loupe — for examining mintmarks and lettering serif detail. (3) Digital calipers — to measure diameter for broadstrikes vs. dryer coins. (4) Magnet — standard U.S. clad quarters are non-magnetic; a coin that sticks is likely a novelty, counterfeit, or foreign issue.
Sources & Methodology
All values and diagnostics in this guide are drawn from verified professional references as of January 2026. Price data reflects actual sold auction results only — not asking prices on secondary marketplaces. No eBay, blog, or unverified forum sources were used.
- PCGS CoinFacts — 1978-P 25C Washington Quarter
- PCGS CoinFacts — 1978-D 25C Washington Quarter
- PCGS CoinFacts — 1978-S 25C DCAM Proof
- NGC Coin Explorer — 1978-D 25C MS
- Variety Vista — 1978-D RPM-001 Diagnostic Page
- Variety Vista — Washington Quarter DDO Listings
- Sullivan Numismatics — 1978 Quarter on Cent Planchet, PCGS MS64 Red ($1,200)
- Heritage Auctions — 1978 Quarter on Dime Planchet, MS62
- Heritage Auctions — 1978 Quarter on Nickel Planchet, MS66
- Heritage Auctions — 1978 Quarter 20% Off-Center Strike, MS66 ($104)
A note on images: To help illustrate coin diagnostics and rare varieties — especially complex errors that are difficult to describe in text alone — this guide uses AI-generated images. All written values, diagnostics, and variety attributions have been manually reviewed against the cited sources above. While our editorial team works to ensure every image is accurate and helpful, AI-generated illustrations may occasionally misrepresent fine details. If you spot any discrepancy between an image and its written description, please contact us or leave a comment below — we review all feedback and correct errors promptly. Numismatic knowledge is a community effort, and your input helps us build a more accurate resource for everyone.
