The 2021-S Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter Silver Proof is a special collector’s coin released by the U.S. Mint. It was issued after the America the Beautiful Quarters Program ended in January 2021 and before the American Women Quarters Program began in 2022.
Although the design was meant for just one year, it would have been the permanent quarter design if the American Women Quarters Program had not been launched. The design, completed in 2020, was revealed on Christmas Day, marking the 244th anniversary of George Washington’s historic crossing of the Delaware River in 1776.
The reverse side (back) of the coin was designed by Benjamin Sowards, an artist from the Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program (AIP), and sculpted by Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso. The front (obverse) of the coin features the classic portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan, which hadn’t been used since the State Quarters Program in 1998.
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Versions of the Coin
The San Francisco Mint produced two different proof versions of the Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter. One is made with a standard clad composition (a mix of copper and nickel), and the other in 99.9% pure silver. The silver version was available in the Mint’s 2021 Silver Proof Set.
Value of the 2021-S Silver Proof Quarter
As of now, with the silver price hovering around $32 per ounce, the 2021-S Silver Proof Quarter has a base value of about $7. But in reality, collectors often pay more for coins in great condition.
On eBay, some coins graded as perfect (PR70) by top grading services like NGC and PCGS are selling for around $70. Uncertified coins in excellent condition have sold between $15 and $30 on online platforms.
Market Data and Top Specimens
Some of the best-rated coins for this quarter include:
- PCGS PR70DCAM: Sold for $99 on eBay (September 25, 2024) with a special Limited Edition Proof Set insert.
- NGC PF70UCAM: Sold for $75 with a Washington Crossing the Delaware label (August 9, 2024).
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Coin Design Breakdown
- Obverse (Front): The front of the coin has the famous image of George Washington facing left, designed by John Flanagan. The year “2021,” “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the San Francisco “S” mintmark are also featured.
- Reverse (Back): The back shows General Washington leading his troops through the icy Delaware River, sword in hand. You’ll see inscriptions like “CROSSING THE DELAWARE,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
- Edge: The coin has a reeded edge, typical for many U.S. coins.
Coin Specifications
- Mintmark: S (San Francisco)
- Mintage: 350,323
- Alloy: 99.9% pure silver
- Weight: 6.343 g
- Diameter: 24.30 mm
- Designers: John Flanagan (obverse), Benjamin Sowards and Michael Gaudioso (reverse)
Designer Highlights
- John Flanagan: Famous for designing the original Washington Quarter.
- Benjamin Sowards: Known for his artwork in fantasy novels and teaching art at Southern Utah University.
- Michael Gaudioso: A former Mint artist who worked on various coins and also has a background in stained glass and classical art studies.
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.