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The State Quarters program celebrated many states in 2006, and Colorado was one of them. Let's analyze this quarter and its design, value, and errors.
Colorado State Quarter Overview
On June 14, 2006, the U.S. Mint’s 50 States Quarters Program issued the Colorado quarter. Compared to most other 2006 issues, Colorado had a small mintage (only the South Dakota quarter had a smaller number in 2006).
The Colorado quarter was struck at three mints:
About 274,800,000 bits from Philadelphia.
About 294,200,000 bits from Denver.
Roughly 4 million bits from San Francisco.
Design-wise, State Quarters often feature nature. The North Dakota quarter, for example, features animals. The Colorado quarter, on the other hand, showed its landscape in full glory.
The reverse design was created by Leonard Buckley. The focal point is the Rocky Mountains. Evergreen trees stand at the bottom. Finally, at the base of the design is a banner with a motto, “Colorful Colorado”. The whole design celebrates Colorado's nature and beauty.
The obverse design, originally made by John Flanagan, features George Washington’s profile. All State quarters share the same design. This has inscriptions “LIBERTY” at the top, “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the left of Washington, and the date “2006”.
"It may not be the most lush so far as the number of trees, but it’s the most beautiful state, the most diverse, our waters, our foliage, our animals, it’s very difficult to bring all that together with one quarter."
— Frances Owens
Summit Daily Newspaper
2006 Colorado Quarter Value
Even though compared to other 2006 issues, Colorado quarters are smaller in mintage, they are still considered common. Therefore, most coins go for the face value.
Coin Type | Typical Value Range |
Circulated Business Strikes (P or D) | Face value (~$0.25) |
Uncirculated (P or D) | $2+ |
Proof (Clad) | $6 |
90% Silver Proof | $20+ |
Rare Colorado Quarter Error Varieties
Collectors hunt error coins because errors are rare to come by. The 2006 Colorado quarters had a few interesting mishaps.
Here is the 2006 Colorado quarter error list with pictures:
Off-center strikes: When a coin is struck off the center of the planchet, part of the design is shifted to the side. Small shifts are often worth $15+, but the bigger shifts could cost over $50.
Broadstrikes: When the coin is not properly retained, it gets “squashed” by the press and comes out very thin, sometimes flat. Usually, broadstruck bits are worth $30+.
Die breaks and die chips: Due to mishaps with coin dies, some lumps and/or cracks form after a strike. Die-breaks are common, and most are worth $10+, but some large, attractive cuds tied to a known die can be valuable.
Double die: Due to misalignment, some design elements appear doubled. This error is extremely valuable, and most coins could really be worth $50+.
Missing clad layer: Modern quarters are copper-core with a nickel layer. If the outer nickel layer is partially missing, the copper part gets exposed. This error is striking and rare, often worth over $75 in value.
The 2006 Colorado quarter errors are a rare find, but the coin it’s worth your time. Colorado quarters are already valuable in terms of design and message, and with errors, they will become truly priceless.
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