The 1998 Washington Quarter (Buy on eBay) represented the final issue of the series before the start of the 50 State Quarters Program in the following year. The obverse portrait of George Washington designed by John Flanagan would be retained in modified form for the following series. However, this was the final appearance of the heraldic eagle reverse.
The United States Mint promoted certain annual sets as the final appearance of the heraldic eagle reverse “until at least 2009.” At the time it was assumed that the original reverse might resume following the conclusion of the State Quarters series. In actuality, the State Quarter series was followed by the District of Columbia & U.S. Territories series and the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. Following the conclusion of the later program, a specific provision describes a new reverse design featuring Washington crossing the Delaware.
The 1998 quarter is widely available in Uncirculated grades. The original mintages were 896,268,000 pieces at the Philadelphia Mint and 821,000,000 pieces at Denver. The 1998 Mint Set provides a steady supply of high mint states examples from either facility. Premiums are paid for coins at exceptionally high certified grades. The example shown above is graded NGC MS 68.
Proof versions of the coin were also minted in the standard clad composition or 90% silver. These were included in the 1998 Proof Set and 1998 Silver Proof Set.
1998 Washington Quarter Specifications:
- Designer: John Flanagan
- Composition: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel; 90% silver, 10% copper (silver proof)
- Diameter: 24.3 mm
- Weight: 5.67 grams; 6.25 grams (silver proof)
- Edge: reeded
- Mint Mark: “none” (Philadelphia), “D” (Denver), “S” (San Francisco)
1998 Washington Quarter Mintages:
- 1998-P: 896,268,000
- 1998-D: 821,000,000
- 1998-S Proof: 2,086,507
- 1998-S Silver Proof: 878,792
