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Even though the American Women Quarters program is a recent release, each representative may demonstrate outstanding results within its value group, i.e., affordable but potentially more valuable pieces that are of great importance to collectors. The US quarter Maria Tallchief is a fine example of how coins can be equally meaningful and quite interesting from an aesthetic perspective.
The highest 2023 Maria Tallchief quarter worth refers to the product of San Francisco, i.e., the 2023-S 25C (regular strike), and comes down to $80, but other varieties may become precious, too. For instance, the proof variety, made of silver, may sell for the price of $15, and this is the baseline, upon which the numismatic worth is layered.
So, what does this coin look like? How to check coin value, and why do errors increase the worth for good?
Who Is Maria Tallchief on the Quarter?
Maria Tallchief was America’s first major Native American prima ballerina who redefined the concept of ballerina and facilitated the formation of a new school of the New York City Ballet. Having been a representative of the Osage Nation, Maria became a renowned figure praising her cultural heritage and the art of classical ballet in the American variation on the world stage.
The rise of her career took place in the 1940s and 1950s, when she was brought as the leading dancer to the New York City Ballet under the direction of George Balanchine. Their collaboration started, and there came the fame. Her exceptional technique, powerful presence, and emotional intensity – these created a distinctly American style of ballet, which aimed to get faster, more athletic, and expressive.
The most prominent works you might probably know:
The Firebird
Swan Lake
The Nutcracker
Orpheus
Scotch Symphony
Apollo
What Is the 2023 Maria Tallchief Quarter?
It was officially released soon after the launch of the quarter of Jovita Idar, i.e., on October 23, 2023, as the final coin issued that year within the series. Each coin in the series features a unique and thoughtfully crafted design, as it is meant to be vividly expressing the legacy of the woman it honors – figures who devoted their lives to doing something vital for society.
Obverse: The obverse features a left-facing portrait of George Washington, originally created by Laura Gardin Fraser, with the inscriptions "LIBERTY" along the upper rim, "IN GOD WE TRUST" to the left of the profile, the year "2023" below Washington’s chin, and a mint mark beneath.
Reverse: The reverse, on its part, captures Maria Tallchief in her iconic role as The Firebird, in graceful motion, with her arms raised, perpetuated in “flight”. Apart from this, this side also bears the following inscriptions: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along the upper rim, "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and “QUARTER DOLLAR” along the bottom rim, "MARIA TALLCHIEF" positioned right below the figure of the ballerina, and the initials of its creators, i.e., “BS*” and “JFM**”.
*Benjamin Sowards, the designer of the reverse
**Joseph F. Menna, the sculptor who engraved the design
The Main Features of the 25C Coin | |
Denomination | 25 cents |
Composition | Clad: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel 99.9% silver (proof) |
Diameter | 24.26 mm |
Weight | 5.67 grams |
Thickness | 1.75 mm |
Edge | Reeded |
Mint Marks | “P” for Philadelphia “D” for Denver “S” for San Francisco |
Most Valuable 2023 Maria Tallchief Quarter Examples (by Type)
2023 P 25C
Produced by: Philadelphia Mint
Mintage: 185,800,000
Auction Record: $30 for MS66
As usual, the Philadelphia Mint was responsible for the production of the most common coin in the series – the one bearing the “P” mint mark. Hence, the 2023 P Maria Tallchief quarters are quite standard circulation coins, which are abundant, but higher-grade uncirculated examples may still attract collectors, especially those without long-standing experience.
2023 D 25C
Produced by: Denver Mint
Mintage: 184,800,000
Auction Record: $12 for MS65
A bit more expensive is the Maria Tallchief quarter D, i.e., the one with mass production meant for circulation. Mint State coins with sharp details and few contact marks can be considered decently valuable, but the grade and other special attributes make a difference.
2023 S 25C (Regular)
Produced by: San Francisco Mint
Mintage: 502,560
Auction Record: $80 for MS67
This was the first coin from San Francisco, and even though this Mint usually produces proof coins only, this year it also focused on the production of business strikes, which belong to the most valuable groups of the coins of the series.
2023 S 25C (Silver Proof)
Produced by: San Francisco Mint
Mintage: 502,560 (total San Francisco mintage; silver subset is smaller)
Auction Record: $33 for PR70DCAM
Nevertheless, there was released one more instance, i.e., the Maria Tallchief 2023 quarter produced completely from silver. The silver proof version was struck for collectors using a .999 fine silver planchet, which might boast the added intrinsic value (not available to the rest of the coins). Its deep cameo contrast and perfect grade make it a premium collectible anyway.
“The 2023-P and D mint mark American Women Tallchief Quarters were officially released into circulation in October 2023. That same day, the United States Mint offered the coins to its customers in two roll sets, three roll sets and in 100 coin bags…”
— Jaime Hernandez, numismatist, PCGS price guide editor
PCGS CoinFacts
2023 Maria Tallchief Quarter Value Overview
How much is a Maria Tallchief quarter worth? This mainly depends on a few factors, namely the mint location, survival rates, demand, and, most importantly, its grade.
As soon as it is a recent release, and its circulation period could not have left high-grade examples exposed to heavy wear, collectors still have a fair chance of finding well-preserved pieces cheaper than they will over the years. As a rule, coins are graded on a 70-point scale: the higher the grade, the higher the price. Nevertheless, this is not particularly applicable to recent issues that are still widely available in circulation.
Is a Maria Tallchief Quarter Worth Anything Today?
Type | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
2023-P 25C | $0.25 | $0.54 | $0.54 | ~$1.50 |
2023-D 25C | $0.25 | $1.30 | $1.30 | ~$1.50 |
2023-S 25C (Clad) | – | – | $2.50 | ~$5.10 |
2023-S 25C (Silver) | – | – | – | ~$47 |
*Prices may fluctuate according to market demand, condition, collector interest, and melt values, too. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult reputable coin pricing guides like those provided by Coin ID Scanner, PCGS, or NGC grading services.
2023 Maria Tallchief Quarter Error List With Values
Die Chip Error
Estimated Value: $600
When it comes to relatively widespread but still rarely spotted Maria Tallchief quarter errors, one should pay attention to a die chip error. Its nature is obvious: a raised bump or blob of metal appears on the surface, usually around Tallchief’s head or feathers, caused by a chip in the die during striking.
Doubled Die (DD)
Estimated Value: $500
Another flaw comes down to the visible doubling of letters or design elements, particularly noticeable in the inscriptions or facial details on the reverse. This might happen on both sides of the coin, which is to create the most desirable error attributes, i.e., DDO (doubled die obverse) and DDR (doubled die reverse).
3rd Feather Error
Estimated Value: $50
Some Maria Tallchief quarter 2023 coins might bear a peculiar deviation with an extra feather that appears because of the die wear or doubling in the headdress design. Although it may not be visible right away, high-resolution inspection reveals the error in a second.
Strike-Through Error
Estimated Value: $20
When foreign material (like grease or cloth) interferes with the strike, there appears a recessed or blurred area on the coin’s surface. This is how a strike-through (strike thru) deviation is born. Even though its value may not be overly impressive, it is still a decent option to look for.
Maria Tallchief Quarter “In God We Trust” Error
Estimated Value: $899
Among the first deviations in the 2023 D Maria Tallchief quarter error list is the "IN COD WE TRUST" misprint, which turns a regular phrase into a funny pun. To be more precise, it is an error where the word "God" in the motto appears as "Cod" due to a filled die or damage to the "G", making this one of the most sought-after novelty errors ever found on the auction platforms for numismatists and the like.
How to Identify a Valuable Maria Tallchief Quarter
So as to identify a valuable coin, one should understand how well it is preserved and which grade could be attributed. Even though it is hard, the preliminary evaluation can be carried out at home: firstly, inspect the surfaces for visible wear, scratches, dullness, and damage, and then check the sharpness and completeness of the design details. Stronger luster is more desirable.
Besides, do not forget to look for unusual features, i.e., the deviations from the standard design or specifications, rare varieties, or instances with proven pedigree.
Do not neglect coins that seem insignificant at first. Their potential may grow, and the coin stored in your collection may turn into a valuable asset overnight.
FAQs
Is Maria Tallchief quarter rare?
This is a rather common coin, as its mintage figures are immense. Besides, the release was recent, which is why the survival rates are still very high.
What is the error on the Maria Tallchief quarter?
There are various errors found on the quarter coins. These usually come down to off-center strikes, doubling, clipped planchets, or weakly struck letters. The range is extraordinary.
Why is Maria Tallchief on a quarter?
The coin is meant to honor women who made major contributions to U.S. history. She was one of such figures (America’s first major prima ballerina and a Native American artist at the same time).
What is a Maria Tallchief quarter worth 2023?
The values differ, but most of them are worth 25 cents. The prices may reach $80, only when the condition is immaculate, or one may find errors on the surface.
What is the melt value of the Maria Tallchief quarter?
For common clad coins, melt value is irrelevant, since they contain no silver (or other precious metal) and are worth face value only. The 2023-S silver proof, however, has a true silver melt value, which is approximately $17.
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