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The 1950-D/S Washington Quarter is a notable and sought-after variety within the popular Washington quarter series, which has been a cornerstone of U.S. coinage since its introduction in 1932. This particular coin is distinctive for its repunched mintmark variety, where the original “S” mintmark from San Francisco is clearly visible beneath the later “D” mintmark applied at the Denver Mint. It stands as one of the more dramatic and well-known repunched mintmark (RPM) varieties in U.S. numismatics, particularly within 20th-century coinage. In Very Good (VG) condition, the coin exhibits considerable wear from circulation but still retains all major design elements and the key characteristics that identify it as the 1950-D/S variety.
The obverse of the 1950-D/S quarter features the iconic portrait of George Washington, designed by sculptor John Flanagan. Washington faces left, with the word “LIBERTY” curving across the top of the coin and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the left below his chin. The date “1950” is centered below the bust. In Very Good condition, much of the finer detail in Washington’s hair and facial features is worn smooth from circulation. However, the outline of the bust, date, and inscriptions remain clear and readable, with most lettering bold enough to be easily discerned by eye. Despite the wear, the integrity of the design and its historical significance remain intact.
The reverse of the coin features an eagle with wings spread, perched atop a bundle of arrows, a symbol of strength and military readiness. Below the arrows are two olive branches forming a semicircle, symbolizing peace. Arcing around the top is the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” centered above the eagle’s head and “QUARTER DOLLAR” below the olive branches. On this variety, the repunched mintmark—where an “S” was punched into the die and then re-punched with a “D”—is located beneath the olive branches on the reverse. In VG condition, the eagle’s feathers and the details of the arrows and olive branches are mostly smooth, but the primary elements of the design remain visible, and the D/S mintmark anomaly can still be detected with magnification.
The repunched mintmark (RPM) on the 1950-D/S quarter is what distinguishes this coin from its regular-issue counterparts. During the 1950s, mintmarks were punched into working dies by hand, which occasionally led to misalignment or mistakes. In this case, a die intended for the San Francisco Mint was re-marked with a Denver “D,” resulting in a visible overlap. This particular RPM is strong and easily seen under magnification, making it a highly desirable and collectible variety. The variety is officially listed in the Cherrypickers’ Guide and other major numismatic references, which has helped elevate its prominence among Washington quarter specialists and error variety collectors alike.
The 1950-D Washington Quarter had a total mintage of 21,075,600 pieces, but only a fraction of those are of the D/S variety. While the precise number of surviving D/S quarters is unknown, it is considered a scarce and widely recognized variety. Most examples were released into circulation and discovered later by keen-eyed collectors, meaning the majority of surviving specimens show varying degrees of wear. Examples in higher grades such as Extremely Fine (XF) and About Uncirculated (AU) are considerably rarer and command substantial premiums, but even those in Very Good condition are actively collected due to the variety’s significance.
In Very Good condition, the 1950-D/S quarter is considered a circulated example that has seen extensive handling in commerce. While the fine details in Washington’s hair and the eagle’s feathers are heavily worn, the coin retains a strong enough outline to allow all key features, including date, lettering, and mintmark, to remain legible. Collectors who seek this variety often value VG specimens as affordable entry points into variety collecting. These coins offer the thrill of rarity and the satisfaction of attribution without the high cost associated with higher-grade examples. Moreover, the D/S feature is often still visible in VG coins, especially under a 5x or 10x loupe, making them excellent study pieces for collectors interested in minting anomalies.
Because of its status as an RPM variety, the 1950-D/S quarter has gained steady demand from multiple segments of the collecting community. Washington quarter specialists seek it as part of a complete date/mint/variety set, while error collectors pursue it for its prominent repunched mintmark. Even general U.S. coin collectors appreciate its place as one of the key Washington quarter varieties of the post-war era. The fact that it was not widely known at the time of issue and that most were released into circulation adds to its historical appeal and sense of discovery. Well-worn examples, like those in VG condition, help tell the story of the coin’s journey through the hands of Americans in the mid-20th century.
The coin’s silver composition further enhances its desirability. Like all Washington quarters dated 1932 to 1964, the 1950-D/S is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, with a total silver content of 0.1808 troy ounces. Even well-circulated examples thus retain intrinsic value based on the current silver market. While numismatic demand for the D/S variety exceeds its melt value, the precious metal content provides a strong base of support for its market price, even in lower grades. For this reason, the 1950-D/S remains both a collectible and a bullion-based investment in silver coinage.
In conclusion, the 1950-D/S Washington Quarter in Very Good condition is a well-worn yet historically and numismatically significant coin that showcases one of the more prominent mintmark errors of the mid-20th century. With its strong design fundamentals, classic Flanagan portrait, and the notable D over S variety, this coin offers both collectors and silver investors an accessible and intriguing piece of American numismatic history. Though its details may be softened by circulation, its rarity, silver content, and status as a variety keep it firmly in demand, making it a worthy addition to any Washington quarter collection or error coin portfolio.