By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes ….
The 2021 Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter was released by the United States Mint after the America the Beautiful Quarters Program ended in January. Instead of another round of national parks, which was allowed by law, the one-year design type was issued to meet the need for quarters before the American Women Quarters Program started in 2022 (though if the American Women program hadn’t been created, Crossing the Delaware would have been the new permanent design).
The design was finished in 2020 and revealed on Christmas Day of that year, which was the 244th anniversary of Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware River in 1776. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) designer Benjamin Sowards created the quarter’s reverse, and Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso sculpted it. The obverse saw the welcome restoration of John Flanagan’s iconic Washington Quarter portrait, which had not been struck in this form since before the 50 State Quarters Program in 1998.
The San Francisco Mint struck two different Proof versions of the Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter: one in the clad composition of the business-strike coin and another in .999 fine (99.9% pure) silver. The latter was available in the Mint’s 2021 Silver Proof Set.
How Much Is the 2021-S Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter Silver Proof Worth?
At the current spot price of silver of about $30.67 an ounce, the 2021-S silver quarter Proof has an intrinsic value of just under $7. So any example a collector might obtain is worth at least that much (at the time of writing; silver prices fluctuate).
The major grading services NGC and PCGS have certified thousands of “perfect” specimens with the Deep Cameo/Ultra Cameo designation. Such coins have been sold on eBay for prices ranging from $65 to $70 recently.
Meanwhile, Raw examples in excellent condition have sold for $15 to $30 on eBay.
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2021-S Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter Silver Proof Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens
Four months into 2025, the 2021-S Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter Silver Proof in Proof 70DCAM/UCAM condition shows no significant price movement.
Retailers are earning approximately $20 per coin over the retail submission cost. More if submitted in bulk. However, Proof 69 coins remain losers. This will suppress certified populations, as shown by comparing current populations with figures from six months ago.
The PCGS and CAC PR70DCAM population has remained unchanged since at least October 2024, while the NGC population has risen from 5,183 to 5,248 during the same timeframe.
Top Population: PCGS PR70DCAM (1,161, 10/2025), NGC PF70UCAM (5,272, 10/2025), and CAC PR70DCAM (4, 10/2025).
- NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, September 30, 2025 – $70. Buy it Now.
- NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, August 26, 2025 – $89.18. Buy it Now.
- NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, August 20, 2025 – $127.99. Buy it Now.
- NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, April 8, 2025 – $70. Buy it Now.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, April 7, 2025 – $56. 13 Bids. Thomas Cleveland signature label.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, April 6, 2025 – $65.12. 18 Bids.
- NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, April 3, 2025 – $75. Buy It Now.
- NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, April 1, 2025 – $69.99. Buy It Now.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, March 18, 2025 – $115. Buy It Now. First Day Issue label.
- NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, March 6, 2025 – $49.99. Buy It Now.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, September 25, 2024 – $99. Limited Edition Proof Set on insert.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, September 13, 2024 – $70. First Strike label.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, September 5, 2024 – $80. First Strike label.
- PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, August 18, 2024 – $40. First Strike label.;
- NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, August 9, 2024 – $75. Washington Crossing the Delaware label (#430).
- NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, July 27, 2024 – $62. Advance Releases/7-Coin Silver Proof Set on insert. Advance Releases label.
- NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, July 20, 2024 – $70. Advance Releases/7-Coin Silver Proof Set on insert. Golden Gate Bridge label.
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Design
Obverse:
The obverse features John Flanagan’s famous effigy of President George Washington, facing left. Inside a flat rim is the word LIBERTY at the top, and the date 2021 is at the bottom. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is placed to the lower left of Washington, the words arranged in two lines. The S mintmark for San Francisco is on the right of Washington, behind his ponytail. The designer’s initials JF are on the right side of the base of Washington’s neck.
Reverse:
General Washington faces right, saber drawn, as he commands his troops through the overnight crossing of the icy Delaware River. In the background is a boat filled with Continental Army soldiers. Inscriptions include CROSSING THE DELAWARE, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the denomination QUARTER DOLLAR.
Edge:
The edge of the 2021-S Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter Silver Proof is reeded.
Designers
American sculptor John Flanagan’s work in the medallic and metal arts ranks him as one of the best artists of his generation. For generations of coin collectors, he is most famous for his Washington Quarter design (View Designer’s Profile).
AIP artist Benjamin Sowards studied at Brigham Young University and Laguna College of Art and Design. He is known for his portraiture and fully painted book illustrations – including the Leven Thumps series of young adult fantasy novels. He has taught as Director of the Illustration Program at Southern Utah University since 2001.
Former Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso joined the United States Mint in 2009, having worked at the Willet Hauser stained glass studio in Minnesota. He studied at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, the New York Academy Graduate School of Figurative Art in New York City, and the Repin Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia. Gaudioso retired from the Mint in 2020.
Coin Specifications
| Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter Silver Proof | |
| Year of Issue: | 2021 |
| Mintmark | S (San Francisco) |
| Mintage: | 350,323 |
| Alloy: | .999 silver |
| Weight: | 6.343 g |
| Diameter: | 24.30 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| OBV Designer: | John Flanagan |
| REV Designer: | Benjamin Sowards (design) | Michael Gaudioso (sculpt) |
| Quality: | Proof |
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That is a gorgeous coin!!!
The design by Flannagan is supurb!!!!
Good article
Just a beautiful coin!
beautiful coin
So many varieties which is the best to invest in?
it’s a shame it was only a one year issue….really love the design
I like this coin.
Love this coin!
Recently found an error on top of Washingtons hat.
Recently found an error on top of Washingtons hat.
It is interesting that this design would have been permanent if the Women’s quarters design hadn’t replaced it.
I liked the coin when it came out and still do.
To much for a modern coin.
Beautiful coin. The mirror-finish on proof quarters always fascinated me. Wonderful depiction of the historical event. Knowing that it was released on Christmas day (the day of Washington’s crossing) adds to the enjoyment of the piece.
Beautiful coin. The mirror-finish on proof quarters always fascinated me. Wonderful depiction of the historical event. Knowing that it was released on Christmas day (the day of Washington’s crossing) adds to the enjoyment of the piece.
Nice coin!
such a beautiful coin i love mine…..
I already have that beauty
Such a beautiful coin.
Nice looking coin
It is a beautiful coin and I have the entire silver set series going back to 1992. However, I miss that eagle on the back and wish they would mint the old variation on a yearly basis also
I still love finding the regular quarters with this design.
Nice obverse design
I really want some of these.