The Ultimate List Of Quarters Worth Money: 30+ Rare Errors And Key Dates To Check In Your Pocket Change (Updated 2025)
Every quarter you hold in your hand today, December 21, 2025, has the potential to be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The vast majority are worth only 25 cents, but a small percentage—due to low mintage numbers, key dates, or spectacular minting errors—have become highly sought-after treasures in the world of numismatics. This comprehensive guide, updated with the latest 2024-2025 auction results, provides an expert list of the most valuable quarters you need to be actively hunting for, from the classic silver issues to modern State Quarter errors.
The key to finding a valuable quarter is understanding what makes a coin rare: a low original mintage, a historical significance that drives collector demand, or a unique manufacturing flaw. Whether you are a casual coin roll hunter or a seasoned collector, this list of over 30 valuable quarter entities will help you identify the coins that can turn a quarter into a small fortune.
The Rarest of the Rare: Pre-Washington and Key Date Classics
Before the iconic George Washington design, quarters featured the Draped Bust and Barber designs. These early coins, especially those from the 19th and early 20th centuries, are often the most expensive due to their age and scarcity. Even the earliest Washington Quarters contain key dates that command massive premiums.
- 1796 Draped Bust Quarter: This is the first quarter ever minted by the U.S. Mint and is one of the most valuable US coins in existence. Only a few hundred are believed to still exist. A Gem Mint State specimen has been valued at nearly $2.5 Million.
- 1901-S Barber Quarter: With a mintage of only 72,664, this is the lowest-mintage Barber quarter and a major rarity. High-grade specimens are extremely rare and can sell for six figures.
- 1913-S Barber Quarter: Another extremely low mintage coin, with only 40,000 struck. This coin is exceptional for a Barber quarter and is highly sought after by collectors.
The Washington Quarter Silver Era (1932–1964)
Washington Quarters minted between 1932 and 1964 contain 90% silver, making them immediately worth more than face value based on the current silver spot price. The following are the absolute key dates and varieties from this series:
- 1932-D Washington Quarter: The "D" mint mark indicates it was struck at the Denver Mint. With a mintage of only 436,800, it is the lowest mintage Washington quarter. Even in good condition, its value starts around $175.
- 1932-S Washington Quarter: Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin has the second-lowest mintage at 408,000. Its value starts at about $125 in lower grades.
- 1943-S Doubled Die Obverse (DDO): This variety features a noticeable doubling on the "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto and the date. Values start around $560 and can climb significantly in better grades.
- 1950 S over D and 1950 D over S: These are over-mintmark varieties where one mint mark was mistakenly stamped over another. The 1950 S over D can be worth $400 to $1,100, while the 1950 D over S can fetch $340 to $3,300.
- 1964-D Washington Quarter: While millions were minted, a 1964-D graded MS-68 (a nearly perfect condition) is exceptionally rare and can command prices between $20,000 and $40,000. Its 90% silver content also makes all 1964 quarters valuable.
Modern Quarter Errors and Varieties (Post-1965)
After 1964, the U.S. Mint switched to a copper-nickel clad composition, eliminating the silver content. However, this new era introduced a new source of value: spectacular minting errors. These mistakes, especially on State Quarters and America the Beautiful Quarters, are highly collectible.
The Most Valuable State Quarter Errors
The State Quarters Program (1999-2008) produced several notable errors that are now highly sought after by collectors and coin roll hunters.
- 2004-D Wisconsin "Extra Leaf" Varieties: These are arguably the most famous modern error quarters. There are two versions: the "Extra High Leaf" and the "Extra Low Leaf," both caused by a die break. Circulated examples can be worth $50-$65, with uncirculated coins selling for hundreds.
- 2005-P Minnesota Doubled Die: This variety shows significant doubling on the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the state's outline. Values range from $5 to $100 depending on the grade and severity of the doubling.
- 1999-P Delaware Spitting Horse: A die break on the reverse of the Delaware quarter gives the horse the appearance of "spitting." While not the most expensive error, it is a popular and easily identifiable variety.
- 2009 District of Columbia Double Die: This doubled die error, found on the reverse, can be worth around $10 to $20 in lower grades.
Extreme Post-1964 Mint Errors
The most shocking values come from major errors, often involving the wrong metal or a mix-up with another denomination.
- 2000-P Sacagawea Dollar Struck on a State Quarter Planchet (The "Mule"): While not a quarter error itself, this is a famous mistake where the Sacagawea dollar obverse was paired with the State Quarter reverse die. Only a handful are known, and they sell for tens of thousands of dollars.
- 1970-S Proof Quarter Struck on a 40% Silver Planchet: This is a major mint error where a 1970-S proof quarter was accidentally struck on a leftover 40% silver clad planchet intended for the 1965-1970 half dollars. This coin is valued at approximately $75,000 in high grades and is one of the most famous U.S. Proof Major Mint Errors.
- 1974 and 1977 Quarters on 40% Silver Clad Planchets: Similar to the 1970-S, these transitional errors involve the wrong metal composition. They are extremely rare and highly valuable.
- 1982-P and 1983-P No Mint Mark Quarters: These are not technically errors but rather a lack of a mint mark, which was accidentally omitted from the Philadelphia-minted coins. Because the U.S. Mint no longer produced Proof sets in 1982, uncirculated examples of the 1982-P are scarce. The 1982-P and 1983-P "No P" quarters are highly sought after, with uncirculated pieces selling for hundreds of dollars.
The Newest Discoveries: America the Beautiful and American Women Quarters
The newest series of quarters continue the tradition of minting errors that create instant collector value. Keeping an eye on the latest issues is crucial for finding fresh, unique coins.
- 2022 Maya Angelou "Wart on the Nose" Error: This variety, found on the first coin in the American Women Quarters Program, features die marks that appear on the President's face, most prominently on his nose. These die marks, sometimes referred to as a "cold sore," are attracting collector attention.
- 2023-S Maria Tallchief Quarter: Recent auction results from 2024–2025 show that high-grade (MS) examples of the 2023-S Maria Tallchief quarter are realizing prices up to $79.97, demonstrating early collector demand for pristine examples of the American Women Quarters series.
- 2024-P Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray Quarter: Early 2024-2025 auction data indicates that MS-graded examples of this quarter are already selling for premiums, with some realizing $89.99, showing that even the newest coins can be valuable if in top condition.
Essential Quarters to Always Check
For the serious collector, here is a quick-reference list of specific dates and varieties to check in your pocket change. These are the "bread and butter" of valuable quarter hunting, with values ranging from $5 to over $1,000 depending on condition:
- 1934 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
- 1936-D Washington Quarter
- 1937 Doubled Die Obverse
- 1942-D Doubled Die Obverse
- 1943 Doubled Die Obverse
- 1955-D Doubled Die Reverse
- 1965-1968 40% Silver Clad (Transitional Errors)
- 2001-P New York State Quarter Doubled Die
- 2004-D Wisconsin "Extra Leaf"
- 2005-P Minnesota Doubled Die
- 2006-P Nevada Doubled Die Reverse
- 2007-P Wyoming Doubled Die Reverse
- 2020-W Quarters (All varieties)
The world of valuable quarters is constantly evolving. New error coins are discovered every year, and auction prices for key dates fluctuate based on market demand. By focusing on the three main categories—pre-1965 silver content, key date mintages, and modern minting errors—you significantly increase your chances of finding a rare quarter that is worth far more than its 25-cent face value. Always remember that condition is paramount; a coin in Mint State (MS) condition will always command the highest price.
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