Original 1953 United States Silver Coinage | Denver Mint | George Washington Portrait | Heraldic Eagle Reverse | Circulated Condition
 
 
Offered for sale is a 1953-D United States Washington Quarter, a historic twenty-five-cent coin produced at the Denver Mint during the early years of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration.
 
Struck in the traditional composition of 90% silver and 10% copper, this quarter represents an original example of mid-twentieth-century American silver coinage.
 
Designed by sculptor John Flanagan, the coin features a left-facing portrait of George Washington on the obverse and an American eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse.
 
The reverse displays a clearly identifiable D mintmark, positioned beneath the olive wreath and above the denomination, confirming Denver Mint production.
 
This particular example exhibits circulation wear, dark surface spotting, scratches, and uneven gray-to-golden coloration. The date, mintmark, portrait, eagle, and principal inscriptions remain identifiable.
 
The accompanying photographs depict 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, replacing the Standing Liberty quarter.
 
Originally intended as a commemorative design, the Washington quarter became a permanent denomination in United States circulating coinage.
 
The 1953 issue was produced during a period of economic expansion following World War II.
 
That year marked the beginning of Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency and the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, which ended major hostilities in the Korean War.
 
The Denver Mint produced 56,112,400 Washington quarters dated 1953, making the issue relatively accessible to collectors today.
 
During this period, American quarters continued to be struck from 90% silver, a composition retained through 1964.
 
Beginning in 1965, regular circulating quarters transitioned to a copper-nickel clad composition.
 
Today, 1953-D Washington quarters are collected for their silver content, historical significance, and place within the Washington quarter series.
 
Design Features
Obverse – Front
Left-facing portrait of President George Washington.
Inscription "LIBERTY" above the portrait.
Inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" to the left.
Date "1953" beneath Washington.
Original design by John Flanagan.
 
Reverse – Back
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."
Clearly visible "D" mintmark beneath the wreath.