Contents:
Nowadays, there exist thousands of various coins that might captivate collectors all around the globe, and American quarters represent one of the most intriguing parts of the whole numismatic sphere. Their long and rich history, as well as noteworthy designs, refer to the hardships of the bygone days. But which options should we pay special attention to? What if an exceptionally prized opportunity is to be missed?
Fear not, for we are here to explore some of the significant instances that might be successfully incorporated into any collection, be it of historical interest or aesthetic one. What is the most valuable quarter? How to check coin value so as not to fall flat in the end? Let us see.
So, What Makes a Quarter Valuable?
Not every quarter is made similarly. Some elements can transform an average coin into a treasure, even though the majority are just worth their face value of 25 cents. Here are the main factors that may turn an ordinary piece into the most expensive quarter:
Rarity
The rarer a coin is, the more valuable it tends to be. In fact, collectors are usually interested in coins with limited mintage or those that were produced for a brief period of time. For instance, limited-edition designs or certain early 20th-century quarters can fetch greater prices because of their scarcity (not their design in the first place).
Mint Errors
As a result of minting errors, a quarter's worth might rise dramatically. Like in any other numismatic case, coins struck on the incorrect planchet, off-center strikes, and double dies (instances in which portions of the design seem duplicated) represent the most common examples. Due to these deviations, the coin becomes a rare find to be obtained.
Condition (Grade)
The worth of a quarter increases with its quality, that is the rule. So as to grade a coin, most authorized services rely on the Sheldon Coin Grading Scale which ranges from Poor (P-1) to Mint State (MS-70). Compared to a regularly circulated quarter, a well-preserved one with clear details and no wear can command a significantly higher price.
Unique Designs
One may believe that unique design is a determinant, and it is partially true (examples are those in the State Quarters or America the Beautiful series). Nevertheless, a single coin may not be as valuable as a complete set.
Precious Metals Content
Although copper-nickel alloys make up the majority of modern quarters, older quarters (minted prior to 1965) contain 90% silver. These coins' content alone has the potential to substantially boost their value.
Related article: What Makes a 1921 Silver Dollar Rare?
What Are the Most Valuable Quarters? Top 100
Since 1796, quarters have been a common feature of American currency, and their values fluctuate according to a number of factors presented above. But what are the most expensive quarters in the world? Explore below.
Rank | Year/Mint Mark | Key Features | Estimated Value |
1 | 1796 Draped Bust | First U.S. quarter, extremely rare | $50,000+ |
2 | 1804 Draped Bust | Very low mintage | $40,000 - $60,000 |
3 | 1823/2 Capped Bust | Overdate error | $30,000 - $50,000 |
4 | 1853 Arrows and Rays | Distinctive design, transitional type | $200 - $1,000 |
5 | 1870-CC Seated Liberty | Rare Carson City mint quarter | $8,000 - $15,000 |
6 | 1896-S Barber | Key date, low mintage | $7,000 - $20,000 |
7 | 1901-S Barber | Very low mintage | $6,000 - $16,000 |
8 | 1913-S Barber | Semi-key date | $3,000 - $10,000 |
9 | 1916 Standing Liberty | First year of issue, low mintage | $4,000 - $10,000 |
10 | 1932-D Washington | Low mintage, key date | $2,000 - $10,000 |
11 | 1932-S Washington | Low mintage, key date | $1,500 - $8,000 |
12 | 1943-P Washington | Doubled die obverse error | $500 - $3,000 |
13 | 1964-D Washington | Final 90% silver quarter | $15 - $35 |
14 | 1970-S Proof | Struck on a 1941 Canadian quarter | $5,000 - $10,000 |
15 | 1999-P Delaware | “Spitting Horse” die crack | $200 - $500 |
16 | 2004-D Wisconsin | Extra leaf varieties (high and low) | $300 - $1,200 |
17 | 2005-P Minnesota | Doubled die (extra tree) | $150 - $800 |
18 | 2019-W Lowell | First-ever West Point mint quarter | $15 - $150 |
19 | 2020-W Salt River Bay | Low mintage West Point mint quarter | $15 - $150 |
20 | 2023-P Bessie Coleman | Early release in American Women series | $1 - $5 |
21 | 1892 Barber | First year of Barber quarters | $50 - $200 |
22 | 1917 Standing Liberty | Type 1, no stars below eagle | $50 - $300 |
23 | 1927-S Standing Liberty | Low mintage | $500 - $5,000 |
24 | 1955-D Washington | Doubled die obverse | $200 - $1,000 |
25 | 1965 Washington | Transitional error on 90% silver planchet | $7,000 - $10,000 |
26 | 2000-P Virginia | Die clash error | $25 - $100 |
27 | 2001-P Kentucky | Die crack (thoroughbred’s neck) | $20 - $75 |
28 | 2009-D District of Columbia | Doubled die reverse | $30 - $100 |
29 | 1936-D Washington | Semi-key date | $50 - $300 |
30 | 1937-S Washington | Low mintage | $75 - $500 |
31 | 1996-W Washington | Special issue, West Point Mint | $30 - $100 |
32 | 1983-P Washington | No mint set issued, high-grade demand | $30 - $75 |
33 | 1940-D Washington | Semi-key date | $30 - $150 |
34 | 1945-S Washington | Micro “S” mintmark variety | $30 - $150 |
35 | 1999-P Georgia | Die chip on the peach | $20 - $100 |
36 | 2003-P Maine | Common State Quarter, circulated | $0.25 - $3 |
37 | 2008-D Alaska | Extra claw variety | $20 - $75 |
38 | 2020-W Marsh-Billings | Low mintage West Point quarter | $15 - $150 |
39 | 2023-P Edith Kanaka‘ole | Collector interest in early issue | $1 - $5 |
40 | 2004-P Texas | Die crack on a star | $10 - $50 |
41 | 1934-P Washington | “Light Motto” (weak “In God We Trust”) | $50 - $200 |
42 | 1893-S Barber | Early Barber series, semi-key date | $400 - $3,000 |
43 | 1866-S Seated Liberty | Motto added, low mintage | $500 - $2,000 |
44 | 2022-P Maya Angelou | First American Women Quarter, the collector demand | $1 - $5 |
45 | 2005-D Kansas | “In God We Rust” grease-filled die error | $50 - $150 |
46 | 2006-P Colorado | Die crack through the mountain | $20 - $75 |
47 | 2015-S Kisatchie Proof | America the Beautiful proof issue | $5 - $30 |
48 | 2016-W Cumberland Gap | Low mintage experimental strike | $50 - $100 |
49 | 2009-P Guam | Doubled die obverse | $30 - $150 |
50 | 1807 Draped Bust | Scarce date, early U.S. quarter | $5,000 - $20,000 |
51 | 1950-D Washington | Over-mintmark (D/S) variety | $150 - $800 |
52 | 2001-D New York | Die clash error | $20 - $100 |
53 | 2020-W Tallgrass Prairie | Low mintage, West Point Mint | $15 - $150 |
54 | 1976-S Bicentennial Silver Proof | Special 40% silver proof issue | $10 - $50 |
55 | 1954-S Washington | Semi-key date | $20 - $100 |
56 | 1805 Draped Bust | Rare date, collector favorite | $5,000 - $15,000 |
57 | 1968-S Proof | Doubled die reverse | $500 - $1,500 |
58 | 1849-O Seated Liberty | New Orleans Mint, low mintage | $3,000 - $10,000 |
59 | 1897-O Barber | Scarce New Orleans Mint example | $200 - $1,000 |
60 | 1914 Barber | Scarce date | $100 - $500 |
61 | 1939-S Washington | Low mintage | $50 - $300 |
62 | 1934-D Washington | Strong “In God We Trust” variety | $50 - $500 |
63 | 2011-P Vicksburg | America the Beautiful, doubled die | $30 - $150 |
64 | 2021-W Tuskegee Airmen | Last West Point Mint quarter | $15 - $100 |
65 | 1858 Seated Liberty | Transitional variety, high grade | $200 - $1,500 |
66 | 1982-P Washington | No mint set issued, scarce high-grade | $25 - $200 |
67 | 2000-D Maryland | Die crack through the dome of the capitol | $10 - $50 |
68 | 2007-P Wyoming | Extra saddle horn die variety | $25 - $75 |
69 | 1861 Seated Liberty | Civil War-era quarter, collector demand | $150 - $1,000 |
70 | 1838 Capped Bust | Scarce final year for design | $2,000 - $10,000 |
71 | 2002-P Ohio | Die chip near astronaut’s helmet | $10 - $50 |
72 | 1853 Seated Liberty | With arrows design | $200 - $1,000 |
73 | 2018-P Apostle Islands | Minor doubled die reverse | $20 - $100 |
74 | 1917-D Type 1 | Standing Liberty, strong design appeal | $200 - $2,000 |
75 | 1924-S Standing Liberty | Semi-key date | $100 - $800 |
76 | 2022-P Nina Otero-Warren | Low mintage early issue | $1 - $5 |
77 | 1999-P New Jersey | Die crack through Washington’s face | $10 - $75 |
78 | 2004-P Florida | Die clash error | $10 - $50 |
79 | 1999-P Connecticut | Minor doubled tree trunk | $20 - $75 |
80 | 2023-P Eleanor Roosevelt | Recent issue in the American Women series | $1 - $5 |
81 | 1999-D Georgia | Die crack on the obverse, popular State Quarter | $10 - $50 |
82 | 2002-D Indiana | Die chip on the racecar wheel | $10 - $40 |
83 | 1862 Seated Liberty | Civil War-era quarter, high demand | $100 - $800 |
84 | 1952-S Washington | Low mintage, semi-key date | $30 - $150 |
85 | 1827 Capped Bust | Extremely scarce, proof-only issue | $25,000 - $40,000 |
86 | 1873 Seated Liberty (Closed 3) | Key variety, collector favorite | $3,000 - $12,000 |
87 | 2000-P South Carolina | Die clash error | $20 - $75 |
88 | 2020-W Weir Farm | Low mintage, West Point Mint | $15 - $150 |
89 | 2021-P Washington Crossing the Delaware | Popular modern design | $1 - $5 |
90 | 1962-D Washington | Common silver quarter in high-grade | $10 - $50 |
91 | 1854 Seated Liberty (With Arrows) | Design update, collectible issue | $150 - $800 |
92 | 1908-O Barber | Scarce New Orleans Mint example | $200 - $1,000 |
93 | 1984-P Washington | Doubled die reverse | $100 - $400 |
94 | 1942-D Washington | Semi-key date, high-grade demand | $25 - $150 |
95 | 1926-D Standing Liberty | Semi-key date, low mintage | $100 - $1,000 |
96 | 1801 Draped Bust | Very scarce early quarter, high demand | $10,000 - $50,000 |
97 | 2014-P Great Sand Dunes | Minor doubled die variety | $20 - $75 |
98 | 1941-S Washington | Scarce wartime quarter, semi-key | $25 - $150 |
99 | 1834 Capped Bust | Early quarter, collector interest | $2,000 - $8,000 |
100 | 2022-D Wilma Mankiller | American Women series, collector demand | $1 - $5 |
These were some of the most worthy instances. For more detailed information, please refer to reputable resources like Coin ID Scanner, as it incorporates extensive databases, insights from professional coin numismatists, and more. Try now to manage your collection with ease.
Top 10 Most Valuable Quarters to Look For Defined
1796 Draped Bust Quarter: There are few remaining examples of the 1796 Draped Bust Quarter, i.e., the first US quarter ever struck. This piece depicts Lady Liberty draped in a flowing gown. The reverse, though, features an eagle with a shield. Thanks to its unusual early design and rarity, it is highly sought after by collectors.
1804 Draped Bust Quarter: The 1804 Draped Bust Quarter, like the 1796 version, has a big, graceful image of Liberty on the front and a shielded eagle perched on the back. This coin is known for its distinct characteristics and is uncommon because of its limited production.
1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter: The overdate error in the 1823/2 Capped Bust quarter, where a "2" appears beneath the "3" in the year, is also remarkable. The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with a shield, while the obverse depicts Liberty wearing a cap.
1870-CC Seated Liberty Quarter: The reverse of the 1870-CC Seated Liberty Quarter has a brash, majestic eagle, while the front features a seated Liberty with a shield and wreath. It is unique due to the Carson City mintmark, which is unusual for coins in the US.
1896-S Barber Quarter: Charles Barber's iconic design is featured in the 1896-S Barber Quarter, which depicts Liberty with a headband on the obverse and a heraldic eagle on the reverse. The coin, which is extremely valuable due to its scarcity, was minted in San Francisco, as indicated by the "S" mintmark.
1916 Standing Liberty Quarter: The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter depicts Liberty standing with an olive branch and shield. Many collectors appreciate its audacious design, which features an eagle in flight on the reverse.
1932-D Washington Quarter: The first year of the Washington Quarter series, this coin features a profile of George Washington. This coin is particularly sought-after because of the "D" mintmark on the back.
1943-P Washington Quarter: On the obverse of the 1943-P Washington quarter, there is a double die error that is most obvious on the word "Liberty" and the date. Although the coin's design is identical to that of a normal Washington quarter, its mistake lends it a distinctive charm.
2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter: On the back of the 2004-D Wisconsin quarter, one may note a picture of a cow and a corn stalk. The mistake variation, on its part, has an extra leaf on the corn stalk.
1796 Draped Bust Quarter: With fine details on both the obverse and reverse, the premium 1796 Draped Bust Quarter displays a crisp, distinct image of Liberty draped in a gown. It is a remarkable specimen of early American coinage with well-preserved features visible.
*For values, consult our table presented above.
Examine your pocket change first if you are serious about finding these coins, and do not forget to look at your bank's rolls of quarters. Who knows? You might already be holding the next big coin just waiting to be found!
Sources:
Facebook 
X (Twitter) 
Pinterest 
LinkedIn 
