1939 Washington Quarter

Mint: Philadelphia

Mintage: 33,540,000

Obverse Designer: John Flanagan

Reverse Designer: John Flanagan

Composition: Silver

Fineness: 0.9000

Weight: 6.2500g

ASW: 0.1808oz

Melt Value: $4.41 (7/29/2020)

Diameter: 24.3mm

Edge: Reeded

The American economy regained strength toward the end of 1938 and improved steadily over the next few years, yet the Great Depression was not finally put to rest until the nation's entry into World War II in 1941. This progress is evident in the dramatically increased production of quarter dollars at the Philadelphia Mint for 1939. Such a number of coins has resulted in large numbers of Mint State survivors spanning a range of die states from hard, smooth surfaces to deeply furrowed. While the latter often display dazzling luster, the discriminating collector should seek an early die state with sharp details.

A minor doubled-die obverse variety is illustrated in the Wexler/Flynn book on this series, but it has attracted little attention outside of variety specialists.