1938-S Washington Quarter MS-65 NGC

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In 1938, the San Francisco Mint produced a classic piece of American numismatic history: the Washington Quarter. This specific coin has been certified in Mint State 65 (MS-65), preserving the crisp details of its original strike. Struck in 90% silver, with an actual silver weight of 0.17875 troy ounces, this coin represents a key era in twentieth-century American coinage. The obverse displays the familiar left-facing portrait of George Washington, a design created by sculptor John Flanagan. This iconic image first appeared in 1932, replacing the Standing Liberty design. Although originally intended as a single-year commemorative release to mark the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth, the design proved so popular that it became a permanent fixture. Following a temporary pause in quarter production during 1933, the series resumed in 1934 and has been minted annually ever since. On the reverse, Flanagan's powerful depiction of a bald eagle with outstretched wings dominates the center. The inscriptions read "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along the top rim and "QUARTER DOLLAR" along the bottom. This 1938-S issue carries the "S" mint mark, indicating its origin at the San Francisco facility.