In 1999, the U.S. Mint started the 50 State Quarters Program, releasing special quarters for each state. Each quarter had a unique design on the back that represented an important part of that state’s history, culture, or landmarks. Over a period of ten years, from 1999 to 2008, five new quarters were released every year, following the order in which each state joined the Union or ratified the Constitution.
These quarters quickly became popular with collectors and history enthusiasts. Let’s dive deeper into what makes these quarters special, which ones might be harder to find, and how you can tell if your quarters are worth more than 25 cents.
The First and Last Quarters Released
The first state quarter ever produced was Delaware’s, which came out in 1999. This quarter features an image of Caesar Rodney on horseback, a tribute to his famous 80-mile ride to vote for Delaware’s decision to sign the Declaration of Independence.
The final quarter in the series, released in 2008, was Hawaii’s. It showcases King Kamehameha I, a famous Hawaiian monarch, alongside the eight major islands of Hawaii.
How Many Quarters Were Made?
The 50 State Quarters Program was a massive effort. In total, the U.S. Mint produced 34.3 billion quarters during the program. Each state had at least 400 million quarters minted, although some had significantly more. States like Virginia, Connecticut, and New York had over 1 billion quarters made, making them easier to find. In contrast, states like Oklahoma, Maine, and Wisconsin had fewer than 500 million quarters minted, making them more challenging to come across.
Hard-to-Find Quarters
Some state quarters are harder to find than others. Here are five of the least-minted quarters, which may be more valuable to collectors:
- Oklahoma: 416.6 million minted
- Maine: 448.8 million minted
- Wisconsin: 453.2 million minted
- Missouri: 453.2 million minted
- Alabama: 457.4 million minted
If you’re trying to complete a collection, finding these quarters might take a little extra effort.
How to Tell If Your Quarters Are Valuable
While most state quarters are only worth their face value of 25 cents, some might be worth more, especially if they’re in mint condition or have special markings. Coins produced in Denver (marked with a “D”) or Philadelphia (marked with a “P”) might be worth up to $3.50, according to Coin Trackers.
The rarest and most valuable quarters come from San Francisco, marked with an “S.” For example, Ohio quarters marked with an “S” can be worth as much as $15. Other valuable quarters include Oklahoma and New Mexico quarters with the “S” marking, which can be worth up to $10.
Factors that can make a quarter more valuable include:
- Mint Condition: Quarters that are in perfect condition (no scratches or damage) are more valuable.
- Errors or Defects: Some quarters have unique features, like extra leaves or other design errors, which can increase their value.
- Silver Proof: Quarters that were specially made in silver for collectors can also be worth more than regular quarters.
The 50 State Quarters Program not only gave us beautiful designs representing every state, but it also created an exciting opportunity for coin collectors. With billions of these quarters still in circulation, many people are still searching for specific designs to complete their collections. While most quarters may only be worth their original value, some rare and mint-condition coins can fetch a higher price.
If you’re a collector or just curious, it’s worth checking your spare change to see if you have any of these valuable quarters. Who knows? That 25-cent coin in your pocket could be worth a lot more!
