The 2021-S Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter Silver Proof holds a unique place in U.S. coin history. Released after the America the Beautiful Quarters Program ended, this coin filled the gap before the American Women Quarters Program began in 2022. If that program hadn’t been created, this design might have been the permanent quarter.
The quarter’s design was finalized in 2020 and revealed on Christmas Day of that year to mark the 244th anniversary of George Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware River in 1776. The reverse of the coin, showing Washington with his troops, was designed by Benjamin Sowards, while the obverse features a restored version of John Flanagan’s iconic Washington Quarter portrait, which hadn’t been used since before the 1998 State Quarters program.
Minting Details
The San Francisco Mint produced two versions of the Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter in 2021: one in the usual clad composition and another in .999 fine silver. The silver proof was part of the U.S. Mint’s 2021 Silver Proof Set, which collectors quickly snapped up.
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How Much Is the 2021-S Washington Silver Proof Worth?
At the current silver price of around $32 an ounce, the intrinsic value of the 2021-S Silver Proof Quarter is around $7. However, collectors value it much higher. Certified “perfect” versions (graded PR70 Deep Cameo by PCGS or PF70 Ultra Cameo by NGC) are selling for prices between $40 to $99 on platforms like eBay, depending on the label and rarity.
Key Market Data
Here’s some recent data on noteworthy specimens sold online:
- PCGS PR70DCAM #44230282: Sold for $99 on eBay in September 2024.
- PCGS PR70DCAM #42138504: Sold for $40 to $70 on eBay in August and September 2024 with the First Strike label.
- NGC PF70UCAM #6252934-017: Sold for $75 with the Washington Crossing the Delaware label in August 2024.
Coin Design
- Obverse: The obverse features John Flanagan’s famous portrait of George Washington, restored to its classic design. The word LIBERTY is at the top, and the date 2021 is at the bottom. The San Francisco Mint’s “S” mintmark is behind Washington’s ponytail.
- Reverse: The reverse shows General George Washington leading his troops across the icy Delaware River, saber drawn, ready for battle. The image represents the famous night of December 25-26, 1776. The inscriptions include CROSSING THE DELAWARE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and QUARTER DOLLAR.
- Edge: The edge of the coin is reeded, like most modern U.S. quarters.
Designers Behind the Coin
- John Flanagan: Known for his work in medallic art, Flanagan’s portrait of George Washington has graced U.S. quarters since 1932.
- Benjamin Sowards: An artist with a background in portraiture and book illustrations, Sowards created the reverse design for this quarter.
- Michael Gaudioso: A former U.S. Mint Medallic Artist who worked on the reverse sculpture, Gaudioso has an extensive background in fine arts, studying in prestigious schools in the U.S. and Russia.
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Coin Specifications
- Mintmark: S (San Francisco)
- Mintage: 350,323
- Alloy: .999 fine silver
- Weight: 6.343 grams
- Diameter: 24.30 mm
- Edge: Reeded
- Designers: John Flanagan (Obverse), Benjamin Sowards and Michael Gaudioso (Reverse)
Conclusion
The 2021-S Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter Silver Proof is more than just a coin—it’s a piece of American history. With its stunning design and unique place in numismatics, it’s a must-have for collectors, especially in its .999 silver proof form. Whether you’re drawn to its historic significance or its collector’s value, this coin is sure to be a treasure in any collection.
Ethan is a passionate rare coin collector with years of experience uncovering the stories and history behind unique coins. His insightful articles are a go-to for anyone curious about coin values or their fascinating backstories.