Original 1952 United States Silver Coinage | Philadelphia Mint | George Washington Portrait | Heraldic Eagle Reverse | Circulated Condition
Offered for sale is a 1952 Washington Quarter, a genuine-design United States twenty-five-cent coin produced during the post-World War II era and struck in the traditional composition of 90% silver and 10% copper.
This example is identified as a Philadelphia Mint issue, commonly designated 1952-P, although Philadelphia quarters of this period did not carry a P mintmark.
Designed by sculptor John Flanagan, the coin features a left-facing portrait of President George Washington on the obverse and an American eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse.
The coin contains approximately 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver at its original mint specifications.
This particular example exhibits extensive evidence of circulation, including softened design details, dark spotting, scratches, surface abrasions, and uneven gray-to-golden toning.
Despite these characteristics, the date, portrait, reverse eagle, and principal inscriptions remain identifiable.
The accompanying photographs show the exact coin offered for sale.
Historical Background
The Washington quarter was introduced in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth.
Although originally developed as a commemorative design, the Washington quarter became the standard circulating twenty-five-cent coin, replacing the Standing Liberty quarter.
By 1952, the United States had entered a period of postwar economic expansion. President Harry S. Truman occupied the White House, and the Korean War was ongoing.
Silver coinage remained an important part of everyday American commerce, with quarters commonly used for retail purchases, transportation, and household transactions.
The Philadelphia Mint produced 38,780,093 Washington quarters in 1952, making this a relatively accessible date within the silver Washington quarter series.
The original 90% silver composition continued through 1964. Beginning in 1965, regular circulating quarters were manufactured using copper-nickel clad materials.
Today, 1952 Washington quarters are collected for their precious-metal content, historic design, and connection to mid-twentieth-century American commerce.
Design Features
Obverse – Front
Left-facing portrait of George Washington.
Inscription "LIBERTY" above the portrait.
Inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" to the left of Washington.
Date "1952" beneath the portrait.
Original design by John Flanagan.
No Philadelphia mintmark on the obverse.
Reverse – Back
Heraldic American eagle with outstretched wings.
Bundle of arrows beneath the eagle.
Olive branches positioned below the arrows.
Inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
National motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
Denomination "QUARTER DOLLAR."
