Coin collecting can be a fascinating and rewarding hobby. While many coins are worth only their face value, some quarters in circulation are worth far more. These valuable quarters often have unique features, such as low mintages or errors, that make them highly sought after by collectors. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most valuable quarters you might find in circulation, and explain what makes them so special.
1. 2019-W and 2020-W Washington Quarters
The Washington quarter, first produced in 1932, features an image of George Washington on the front. Most modern quarters are made in large numbers, but in 2019, the U.S. Mint tried something new. They produced limited quantities of Washington quarters at the West Point mint. These quarters, marked with a “W”, were mixed in with regular quarters in circulation, making them rare and collectible.
Though they aren’t highly valuable in circulated condition yet, their rarity makes them potential future collectibles. No other quarters with the “W” mintmark have been made since 2020.
2. 1932-D Washington Quarter
The 1932-D Washington quarter, minted in Denver, is part of the first batch of Washington quarters ever made. Only 436,800 of these quarters were minted, making them rare. Collectors are willing to pay a premium for them, especially if they are in good condition. Even quarters in worn condition can be worth much more than their face value, with some graded coins fetching hundreds of dollars.
3. 1932-S Washington Quarter
Similar to the 1932-D quarter, the 1932-S quarter was minted in San Francisco, with only 408,000 produced. Today, it is believed that fewer than 40,000 of these quarters still exist. Like the Denver-minted 1932 quarter, this coin is highly valuable to collectors, especially in mint condition. Even well-worn examples are worth a considerable amount.
4. 1937-S Washington Quarter
Another rare quarter from the Washington series is the 1937-S, also minted in San Francisco. While its mintage was not as low as the 1932 quarters, it is still rare enough to command higher prices than regular quarters. Quarters from this year in “about uncirculated” condition can be valued as high as $165.
5. 2004-D Wisconsin 50 States Quarter, Extra Leaf Error
The U.S. Mint produced a series of quarters from 1999 to 2008, featuring each state. The 2004 Wisconsin quarter, however, has a unique error that makes it especially valuable. Some quarters have an extra leaf on the husk of corn on the reverse side. This error comes in two versions: “Extra Leaf Low” and “Extra Leaf High”, both of which are highly sought after by collectors. Coins with this error can be worth as much as $105 in higher grades.
6. 1934 Washington Quarter, Double Die Obverse
A double die obverse is a rare error that occurs when a coin’s die is struck more than once, creating a doubled image. In 1934, some Washington quarters were struck with this error, making them valuable. The most noticeable doubling appears on the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST”. Even in poor condition, these quarters can be worth significant amounts, with higher-graded examples fetching up to $440.
7. 1943 Washington Quarter, Double Die Obverse
In 1943, another Washington quarter with a double die obverse was struck in Philadelphia. While it is not as visually dramatic as the 1934 version, it is much rarer. These quarters are worth far more than their face value, with even low-graded examples fetching over $135. Coins in nearly uncirculated condition can be worth as much as $8,500.
8. 1950-S/D and 1950-D/S Washington Quarters
In 1950, two variants of Washington quarters were produced with overpunched mintmarks. The 1950-S/D (San Francisco over Denver) and 1950-D/S (Denver over San Francisco) quarters are both valuable to collectors. Even in circulated condition, these quarters are worth more than regular 1950 quarters, with higher-graded coins valued at up to $325.
Finding one of these valuable quarters in your pocket change can be exciting. Whether it’s a rare mint error or a low-mintage coin, these quarters are worth far more than 25 cents to collectors. If you’re serious about coin collecting, learning how to spot these valuable coins can turn your pocket change into a treasure trove. Always check for mintmarks, unusual designs, or visible errors, as they could make a significant difference in a coin’s value.
