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In the early 2000s, one of the most successful numismatic programs - 50 State Quarters - was launched in the USA. Within this program 2003 state quarters for 5 states came to light.
Are you also interested to know how much is a 2003 quarter worth and what interesting features do these 25-cent pieces have? Is there an available 2003 quarter error list with pictures to study the most interesting variants and are 2003 quarters worth money?
Well, this guide will help you understand the designs, check the 2003 quarter value, learn more about their minting errors, and accurately check the value of coins effortlessly. Are you ready? Then let us start here.
A Few Words about 50 State Quarters Program
The program was started by the U.S. Mint in 1999. The goal is to attract public interest in numismatics and emphasize the uniqueness of each state. Designs were chosen together with the state authorities. The coins were issued from January through October and each had identical technical parameters:
Characteristics | Parameter |
Diameter | 24.26 mm. |
Weight | 5.67 g |
Composition (regular) | Nickel plated copper core |
Composition (silver Proof) | 90% silver, 10% copper |
Obverse design | Portrait of George Washington (the same for all coins) |
Mints | P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco Proof/Silver Proof) |
In 2003, collectors received five new quarters at once - each reflecting the spirit of its home state. Let's talk about each one in detail.
January: Illinois 2003 Quarter
The coin is honoring Illinois, the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. The reverse features Lincoln himself, a silhouette of a farmer, the industrial landscape of Chicago, and the inscription "Land of Lincoln". The coin is a symbolic bridge of the state's past and future, symbolizing its contribution to U.S. history.
Mintage Figures
The coin was minted at three places:
Philadelphia - 2003 Illinois Quarter P with a mintage of ~226 million coins for mass use
Denver - 2003 Illinois quarter D with a mintage of ~ 237 million pieces for circulation
San Francisco (S) - Proof (3,084,245 mirror-faced pieces) and Silver Proof (1,125,755 silver coins) for collectors only
What about Illinois 1818 quarter 2003 value? Well, please refer to the table below to see the specific costs for different variants:
Grade | 2003 P | 2003 D | Proof (S) | Silver Proof (S) |
Circulated | $0.25–$1 | $0.25–$1 | — | — |
Uncirculated (MS65+) | $1–$3 | $1–$4 | $2–$4 | $5–$10 |
2003 Illinois Quarter Error List
Of course, this year's 25-cent piece is no exception and is far from a perfect coin in terms of minting errors: the quarter is rife with minting defects, and some of them are spectacular and costly. Here are some of them:
2003 P Rim Burr Error
Defective edge due to a metal burr on the die, which makes the edge look jagged and uneven
A rare type of defect, valued for its uniqueness
Price is about $60 on eBay
2003 D Land of Lincoln Facial Error
Lincoln's face is deformed, the nose seems to be flattened by a damaged die stamp
A pronounced defect, visible to the naked eye
This 2003 Illinois quarter value reached $2,000 on eBay
2003 D Heavy Strike-Thru + CUD + Lamination
A powerful strike through a foreign body (strike-thru)
There is evidence of metal delamination (lamination)
Large pothole on the edge (CUD)
The example is estimated at $170
2003 P Triple Struck Error
The coin was triple struck: displacements are visible all over the surface
Considered unique among similar specimens
The cost is about $250
March: Alabama 2003 Quarter
Helen Keller 2003 quarter is the first in a series featuring a blind and deaf woman. The reverse features Helen Keller in a rocking chair, the inscription “Spirit of Courage” and her name in Braille. On the sides are two pine branches - a symbol of fortitude. This design is one of the most recognizable in the series: thus it is not surprising that the 2003 Helen Keller quarter value can be slightly higher among other pieces.
Issue Questions
The coin, similar to the previous one, was produced at three mints:
Philadelphia (P) - more than 225 million pieces
Denver (D) - about 232 million pieces
San Francisco (S) - Proof and Silver Proof for collectors
Most circulated specimens are inexpensive, but error examples of Alabama 1819 quarter 2003 worth more than their face value.
One thing to consider here is that Alabama 25 cents are slightly less common in high grades than Illinois pieces, and proof issues are slightly more expensive. The table below shows approximate values:
Grade | 2003 P | 2003 D | Proof (S) | Silver Proof (S) |
Circulated | $0.25 – $0.75 | $0.25 – $0.75 | — | — |
Uncirculated (MS65+) | $1 – $2.50 | $1 – $2.50 | $2 – $5 | $6 – $10 |
2003 Alabama Quarter Error List
Which particular 2003 quarters worth money? First of all, coins with minting features. So, refer to the top interesting 2003 Helen Keller quarter error examples that can be a great addition to any collection.
2003-P Missing Obverse Clad Layer Error
The top nickel layer on the obverse is missing
Copper base is bare and has some yellow-brown areas.
This 2003 Alabama quarter value is high - up to $500 on eBay
2003 Doubled Die + Broadstruck (5.4g)
Doubling of date and inscriptions
Extended minting and design offset
Price is about $35 in marketplaces
2003-D Misaligned Strike / Distorted Rim
Distorted edge, strong displacement of the pattern
The coin is visually “chewed”, with a deformed rim
This 2003 d quarter value is about $50-$70
June: Maine 2003 Quarter
The reverse depicts the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse against the ocean horizon. On the sea surface is a schooner with inflated sails as a symbol of Maine's maritime history. At the bottom is the date “1820,” a reminder of the state's entry into the union. At the same time, this is one of the few designs with both natural elements and architectural details.
Minting Details
Maine coins were minted at the two major places for circulation and at the San Francisco Mint for collector versions. A total of over 489 million pieces were issued, including:
Philadelphia (P): 217,400,000 coins
Denver (D): 231,400,000 pieces
San Francisco (S): Proof (regular): 3,084,245 pieces and Silver Proof: 1,125,755 specimens
This volume makes the coin fairly common, but it is the presence of errors and high grades that creates collector interest. To see the specific numbers, please refer to the table below.
Grade | 2003-P | 2003-D | Proof (S) | Silver Proof (S) |
Circulated | $0.25 – $0.75 | $0.25 – $0.75 | — | — |
Uncirculated (MS 65+) | $1 – $2.50 | $1 – $2.50 | $2 – $4 | $6 – $9 |
2003 Maine Quarter Error List
Despite relatively strict quality control, Maine Quarter also comes across a number of notable errors. The following error specimens are recorded on the market:
2003-P Off-Center Strike Error (MS 62 PCGS)
Mintage center offset by about 5%
A fairly rare error for this coin
The cost is about $60-$90
2003-P Improperly Annealed Planchet (Copper Wash)
Copper coloration of the surface due to improper thermal annealing
The coin looks spotty and charred
Market value can reach $35-$65
2003-D Clad Layer Missing
Partial absence of nickel coating
The surface of the coin is spotty, copper-colored
Cost on eBay is about $85
August: Missouri 2003 Quarter
The design of this piece refers to one of the most significant expeditions in American history, the Lewis and Clark voyage (by the way, there are other coins with Lewis and Clark). The reverse shows Lewis and Clark sailing down the Missouri River in a boat with the sail up. Ahead of them is the famous Gateway Arch, symbolized as the “gateway to the West.” The inscription “Corps of Discovery 1804-1806” - the official name of the expedition - is stamped at the bottom.
Minting Issues
As with the other coins, this quarter was produced at three U.S. mints:
The Philadelphia Mint produced 225 million pieces for circulation nationwide.
The Denver Mint produced slightly more - 230.5 million pieces, also for mass circulation.
San Francisco was only involved in collector minting: Clad Proof - 3,084,245 coins, Silver Proof - 1,125,755 coins.
Similar to the others, Proof issues were never intended for circulation. This makes them especially desirable among numismatists, determining a higher 2003 Missouri quarter value based on condition and type of issue. The approximate value of the specimens is shown in the table below:
Grade | 2003-P | 2003-D | Proof (S) | Silver Proof (S) |
Circulated | $0.25 – $0.75 | $0.25 – $0.75 | — | — |
Uncirculated (MS65+) | $1 – $2.50 | $1 – $2.50 | $2 – $5 | $6 – $10 |
2003 Missouri Quarter Error List
While most Missouri Quarter specimens are commonplace coins, there are some interesting minting errors among them. Here are the most notable ones:
2003-P Struck Through Grease Error (MS-64 ANACS)
The coin was minted with a dirty stamp, resulting in weak and partially blurred image details
This 2003 P quarter value is $46.00 on GreatCollections and the same error example on eBay is estimated at $70
2003-D Copper Wash Error
The coin has a broken coating: the nickel coating is partially missing, which makes the copper wash peek through
This is a rare manufacturing error ( blank defect)
This 2003 D Missouri quarter value is about $40
2003-P Waffle Cancelled Error
Characteristic waffle deformation of the design over the entire surface
Created by a press machine (specifically at the mint to cancel the coin)
Should not be in circulation and is extremely rare
The cost is about $70.00
2003-D Washington Has "Feathers"
Washington's obverse shows relief “feathers” or textured bands on the neck and chin area (due to stamp wear)
Collectors call such effects “feathered neck”
The cost of the coin on eBay is $50.00
October: Arkansas 2003 Quarter
The reverse of the coin features a symbolic depiction of Arkansas' natural riches: a flying eagle, a lake and a pine forest, and in the center are rice fields and a diamond, referring to the only natural source of these precious stones in the US. At the bottom is the date “1836,” the year Arkansas entered the union.
Mintage and Facts
Regular versions of the coin were also minted at the Philadelphia (P~230 million pieces) and Denver (D - 228 million pieces) mints, both of which are mass-produced and easily found in circulation.
Proof versions in rolls and sets for collectors were also produced in San Francisco:
Proof (S) (copper-nickel) ~3 million pieces
Silver Proof (S) (90% silver) ~ 1.1 million pieces
Keep in mind that the 2003 gold quarter was not issued as either proof or investment piece. All gold quarter 2003 examples are either private gilded versions with no numismatic value or misleading offers. But what is another real Arkansas 1836 quarter 2003 worth? See the table:
Grade | 2003-P | 2003-D | Proof (S) | Silver Proof (S) |
Circulated | $0.25 – $0.75 | $0.25 – $0.75 | — | — |
Uncirculated (MS65+) | $1 – $2.50 | $1 – $2.50 | $2 – $4 | $6 – $9 |
2003 Arkansas Quarter Error List
The 2003 Arkansas Quarter is also not without some anomalies. Certain copies are being offered for sale at impressive prices:
2003 Improperly Annealed Planchet (Copper Wash) Error
The coin has a copper tint due to improper annealing of the billet before minting, which resulted in a partial absence of nickel plating
The error is rare and valuable
Coin price is estimated at $300
2003 Missing Clad Layer Error (AU 58 PCGS)
Coin with partially missing external nickel plating
Discolored copper surface tint
Offer price is about $200 on eBay
2003-P Struck on Roosevelt Dime (MS64 NGC)
The coin is minted on a blank from a 10-cent coin (dime)
Due to an incorrect planchet, design elements of both coins are visible
The piece is offered at $10,000
Things to Remember
The 2003 coins are a great reason to take a closer look in your wallet. They combine an interesting design with potential value that may even increase over time. But remember that value is not constant and the numbers and prices in this article can change based on various factors, so check the current worth before buying and selling with Coin ID Scanner - quick, easy, convenient. And good luck in your search!
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