1997-D 25C MS67 Certification #02857787, PCGS #5941

Charles Morgan

By the end of 1997, the fate of the long-running Washington Quarter series was sealed. The classic John Flanagan design, which debuted in 1932, had continued with only minor modifications through most of its production life. Its Art Deco-inspired Heraldic Eagle reverse saw a two-year break in 1975 and 1976 for Jack Ahr’s Bicentennial Drummer Boy design, but the original motif resumed in 1977 and continued through the 1980s and early 1990s.

Gradually, starting around 1991, the United States Mint began initiating a series of subtle design modifications intended to improve detail and eye appeal on Washington's portrait. However, the resulting "improvements" were generally viewed by collectors as detrimental. Like an amateur artist attempting to restore a fading masterpiece, the heavy-handed alterations lost the expression of the original design, giving rise to the collector nickname "Spaghetti Hair" for the clumpy, overly detailed rendering of Washington's wig.

Legislative Changes and Mint Modernization

The series transition was formalized on December 1, 1997, when President Bill Clinton signed the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act into law. This act confirmed that a new ten-year quarter series would commence in 1999, making the 1998 issue the final one of the classic type, and the 1997 issue the penultimate.

This legislative shift coincided with a period of significant positive transformation at the Denver Mint. Over a crucial couple of years, the Denver facility had not only become profitable enough to operate on its own revenues but had also embarked on a massive five-year, $100 million plan to modernize its equipment. This substantial investment included the purchase of three annealing furnaces and a high-speed press capable of producing 700 planchets per minute, dramatically increasing the facility's production quality and potential rate.

The staff's performance was also highly recognized. Under the leadership of new superintendent Raymond J. DeBroekert, Denver became the first Mint field office to win a Hammer Award. Vice President Al Gore presented this award to "teams of federal employees who have made significant contributions in support of reinventing government principles"

Collecting the 1997-D Washington Quarter

The 1997-D Washington Quarter (#5941) is collected primarily in two ways: as raw coins and as certified collectibles. As a general rule, collectors should seek only Mint State coins, as circulated examples carry virtually no premium over face value.

Sourcing Mint State Coins

At the time of issue, the most common way collectors sourced this date was through their local bank branches, where fresh uncirculated coins could typically be acquired at face value (rolls of 40 coins for $10). Collectors would need to be within the Denver Mint’s service area to acquire the "D" issue, otherwise they would receive the 1997-P (#5940) struck at Philadelphia. Today, original bank rolls of the 1997-D trade for about $40.

A superior, though more costly, method to acquire an example of each coin was by purchasing the United States Mint’s 1997 Uncirculated Coin Set.

• The set contained one uncirculated example of every circulating coin from both the P and D Mints.
• The Mint produced 950,473 of these sets (its lowest total since 1963) and sold them at a cost of $8 each.
• These sets remain affordable today and are an excellent source for Gem (MS65) and Superb Gem (MS67) quality coins.

Value and Condition Census

• Coins graded MS66 and MS67 trade for approximately $50 to $75.
• The PCGS condition census currently tops out at MS68. The population of coins graded at this level is extremely small, with no new additions to the top census grade since 2019.

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