Ever wondered if the spare change lying around could be worth a fortune? Rare coins, including quarters with specific errors or rare features, can sometimes sell for thousands of dollars. Knowing what to look for could help you uncover valuable coins hidden in your everyday pocket change.
One such example is a 1983 Washington quarter that recently sold for $300 at an online auction. This quarter had a rare minting error that made it valuable to collectors. These kinds of mistakes are what make some coins worth a lot more than their face value.
Why Some Quarters Are Valuable
Coins can become valuable for various reasons, but one common factor is minting errors. A minting error occurs when something goes wrong during the coin-making process, making the coin look different from the rest. These unusual coins become rare and, in some cases, highly sought after by collectors.
For the 1983 Washington quarter that sold for $300, the mistake was an “offset error.” This means the coin’s design was not perfectly centered during production. Additionally, the mintmark, a letter that shows where the coin was made, was filled in and hard to see, making it unique.
Coins like these were minted in Denver, and they are still in circulation today. However, some quarters, like the ones made in 1932, are considered the most valuable. A Washington quarter from 1932 with a “D” mintmark from Denver could be worth up to $89,000, depending on its condition.
What to Look for in Rare Quarters
If you’re curious about whether the quarters in your wallet could be valuable, here are some things to check for:
- Year of the Coin: Look at the year under George Washington’s head. Quarters made in 1932 or earlier could be worth a lot of money.
- Mintmark: The letter next to Washington’s head shows where the coin was made. A “D” indicates it was minted in Denver, which is the rarest location for Washington quarters.
- Condition: The better the condition of the coin, the more valuable it is. Coins are graded on a scale from 1 to 70, with 70 being the best condition.
A 1932-D Washington quarter in excellent condition once sold for $89,000 in 2001. If you happen to find one in even better condition, it could be worth even more!
Other Rare Coins to Watch Out For
Rare quarters aren’t the only valuable coins you could find. There are many other rare coins that can be worth a lot of money due to minting errors or their age. Here are a few examples:
- A Lincoln penny with a double die error sold for $2,000.
- A Buffalo nickel was auctioned for $1,165.
- A 1971 Eisenhower silver dollar fetched $264,000.
Even newer coins can have value. For instance, a Lincoln penny from 2020 sold for $525 because of its rarity.
Valuable Minting Errors
Some of the most valuable coins have minting errors that make them stand out from the rest. A dime that’s missing a mintmark could be worth up to $456,000. Certain coins from 1975 were produced without this identifying letter, making them extremely rare.
Another type of valuable coin is the mule coin, which features mismatched designs on the front and back. These mistakes make the coins incredibly rare and valuable to collectors.
You never know when a simple quarter or penny could turn out to be worth thousands of dollars. By knowing what to look for, such as minting errors, rare dates, and mintmarks, you could discover a valuable coin right in your pocket. Whether it’s a Washington quarter from 1932 or a modern penny with a unique error, rare coins can fetch high prices at auction. Check your coins carefully – you could be holding a small fortune without even realizing it.
