Usually, when we think about valuable coins, our minds drift to ancient treasures or rare vintage finds. However, the world of coin collecting is full of surprises, and you might be overlooking potential riches right in your pocket. As a modern coin enthusiast, you might not have access to centuries-old antiques, but fear not – modern quarters can also be surprisingly valuable. While you might not strike gold with every coin, some modern quarters are worth significantly more than their face value, sometimes reaching hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of valuable modern quarters and explore which ones are worth keeping an eye out for.
1. 2010 Hot Springs National Park Quarter
When discussing “modern” coins in the resale market, it’s helpful to define our terms. Typically, an antique is an item over 100 years old, while vintage collectibles are between 50 and 99 years old. Interestingly, Washington Quarters, first minted in 1932, technically fall into the modern category. Our focus will be on these Washington Quarters and their more recent iterations.
- Year: 2010
- Series: America the Beautiful National Parks + Monuments – Hot Springs Arkansas
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 69
- Date of Sale: November 15th, 2012
- Price: $999
Our exploration will include coins as recent as 2022, and even potentially some from 2023 if we can identify valuable examples. We’ll examine quarters from various series, including the popular America the Beautiful series (also known as National Parks + Monuments), the inspiring American Women series, the nostalgic 50 State Quarters program, and the less common DC + Territories Quarters.
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2. 1981-S Proof Deep Cameo Washington Quarter
Close-up of a 1981-S Proof Deep Cameo Washington Quarter showcasing its mirror-like fields and frosted devices, highlighting the desirable "Deep Cameo" contrast sought after by collectors.
Since their inception in 1932, every quarter has featured George Washington on the obverse (heads side). However, the reverse (tails side) has seen several design changes over the years. Even the portrait of Washington itself has undergone three distinct versions, each with its own unique story. Let’s begin our journey by understanding the evolution of the Washington Quarter.
- Year: 1981
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 70 DCAM
- Date of Sale: November 29th, 2007
- Price: $2,530
In numismatic terms, any image, figure, or design element on a coin is referred to as a “device,” while words are known as “mottos” or “legends.” Interestingly, the very first George Washington design created for the quarter actually became the most recent. Designed in 1931, this original depiction wasn’t used on the quarter until the launch of the American Women Quarters program in 2022.
Check 1981 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
3. 1984-P Clad Type 2 Washington Quarter Business Strike
Back in 1924 and again in 1930, the US Congress established committees to organize events for the Washington Bicentennial. This significant milestone marked 200 years since the birth of George Washington, a pivotal Founding Father and the first US President. The public desired a commemorative coin to honor this occasion.
- Year: 1984
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Grade: MS 67
- Date of Sale: February 4th, 2016
- Price: $1,293
However, at that time, the production of commemorative coins was deemed too costly by the government. President Herbert Hoover ultimately vetoed the commemorative coin idea. As a compromise, a circulating coin was proposed instead. While a Half Dollar was initially considered, a Quarter was chosen for this special, limited one-year issue.
Check 1984 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
4. 1963-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
Image of a 1963-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike, highlighting its lustrous silver surface and sharp details, indicative of its high grade and valuable silver content.
To select the design for this new coin, the mint and the bicentennial committee held a design competition. The winning submission came from Laura Gardin Fraser, a talented sculptor. Interestingly, her husband was none other than her former art teacher, the renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser, famous for designing the Buffalo Nickel, among other notable works.
- Year: 1963
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Grade: MS 68
- Date of Sale: August 31st, 2022
- Price: $24,000
Laura Gardin Fraser was an accomplished sculptor in her own right. She had previously designed the Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar in 1926 and collaborated with her husband on numerous other coins and medals. Despite her artistic reputation and winning design, her Washington sculpture was, surprisingly, rejected for the quarter at that time.
Check 1963 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
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5. 1999-S Delaware Proof Deep Cameo Washington Quarter
Image of a 1999-S Delaware Proof Deep Cameo Washington Quarter, emphasizing the frosted devices and mirrored fields characteristic of a Deep Cameo proof coin from the State Quarters series.
Instead of Fraser’s design, Andrew W. Mellon, the Treasury Secretary at the time, selected a design by John Flanagan. This Flanagan portrait remained the standard depiction of Washington on the quarter until 2021. However, in 2022, with the launch of the American Women Quarters series, Laura Gardin Fraser’s original 1931 design finally graced the 25-cent coin.
- Year: 1999
- Series: State Quarters – Delaware
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 70 DCAM
- Date of Sale: November 29th, 2007
- Price: $1,323
In the intervening years, Flanagan’s design was subtly modified by William Cousins to accommodate additional design elements on the coin. Therefore, while most quarters credit Flanagan with the initials “JF” on the obverse, coins from 2022 onwards feature “LGF” (Laura Gardin Fraser), while those minted between 1999 and 2021 display both “JF” and “WC” (William Cousins). The reverse designs, of course, vary significantly across these different periods and series.
Check 1999 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
6. 1965 Type 2 Clad Washington Quarter Business Strike
Nearly every commemorative coin series has featured designs by different artists. The initials found on the reverse side of these coins reflect this diversity, ranging from Elana Hagler to Charles L. Vickers. These design changes sometimes contributed to the somewhat confusing placement of mint marks on Washington Quarters.
- Year: 1965
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: None (Coin Shortage)
- Grade: GEM BU
- Date of Sale: January 19th, 2005
- Price: $12,650
The mint mark was consistently placed on the lower right obverse. However, depending on the specific Washington portrait used, this location could be to the right of Washington’s ponytail, under the date beneath his chin, or below the motto “In God We Trust.” As you explore valuable modern quarters, paying attention to this mint mark positioning can be insightful.
Check 1965 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
7. 1962-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
Image of a 1962-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike, showcasing its brilliant silver luster and well-struck details, appealing to collectors of silver coinage.
Let’s delve a bit deeper into the different series of Washington Quarters. Initially intended as a one-year commemorative, no Washington Quarters were minted in 1933. However, the coin’s immense popularity led to its reintroduction in 1934, and it has been produced continuously ever since. The earliest Washington Quarters featured an eagle on the reverse.
- Year: 1962
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Grade: MS 67
- Date of Sale: April 18th, 2012
- Price: $18,400
Over time, the reverse designs evolved to depict various themes, including a drummer boy and Washington crossing the Delaware River (for the 2021 issues), symbols representing the 50 states (State Quarters, 1999-2008), images representing Washington DC and five US territories (2009), sites of 56 national parks and monuments (America the Beautiful series, 2010-2021), and finally, portraits of notable American Women (starting in 2022).
Check 1962 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
8. 2017-P Effigy Mounds Iowa National Park Quarter
Older Washington Quarters can gain significant value from mint errors like DDOs (Doubled Die Obverse) and RPMs (re-punched mint marks). However, modern coin minting techniques are largely digital, significantly reducing the occurrence of these types of errors. Instead, modern coins are more prone to errors like missing metal layers.
- Year: 2017
- Series: America the Beautiful National Parks + Monuments – Effigy Mounds Iowa
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Grade: MS 70
- Date of Sale: September 14th, 2021
- Price: $1,806
Since 1965, most circulating American coins are made of clad cupronickel, consisting of a copper core coated in nickel. Other coins, like the penny, have a zinc core plated with copper. In clad coins, sometimes the outer layer can detach or slip off during the minting process, resulting in unique two-tone modern coins. These error coins can be surprisingly valuable!
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9. 2022-P Maya Angelou Washington Quarter Regular Strike
But why did the composition of contemporary coins change from precious metals to base metals? Early coins were made of gold or silver. However, as the prices of these precious metals became more volatile, using less expensive base metals became more economically viable. This shift is important to understand because currency serves two primary functions in any economy.
- Year: 2022
- Series: American Women – Maya Angelou
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Grade: MS 67+
- Date of Sale: February 5th, 2023
- Price: $2,735
Firstly, currency provides a reliable and consistent medium for trade. Secondly, it generates revenue for governments through seigniorage. Seigniorage is the difference between the cost of producing a coin or banknote and its face value. This difference essentially acts as a form of tax revenue for the mint. Higher seigniorage is generally more beneficial for the issuing government.
Check More Details About 2022 Quarter Errors List
10. 1964-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
Image of a 1964-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike, highlighting its 90% silver composition and historical significance as one of the last silver quarters in circulation.
As economies grew, the purchasing power of individual coins diminished. However, the US government still recognized the value of seigniorage. To encourage continued coin usage and modern coin collecting, innovative programs were developed. The State Quarters program was the first major initiative in this direction.
- Year: 1964
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Grade: MS 68
- Date of Sale: March 31st, 2021
- Price: $38,400
The State Quarters program successfully encouraged Americans to collect at least 50 new and distinct coins, generating substantial revenue for the government. The National Parks + Monuments series added another 56 coins to collect, and the DC + Territories series contributed six more. Furthermore, for those with a social consciousness, the American Women series added another 20 collectible quarters, expanding the appeal and collectability of modern quarters.
Check 1964 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
11. 1976-S Silver Washington Quarter Business Strike
The American Women Quarters series specifically aimed to celebrate notable women from diverse minority groups. This series featured the first African American, Asian American, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ women to be depicted on US currency. These coins served as an invitation for Americans to learn more about the significant achievements of these women.
- Year: 1976
- Series: Bicentennial Quarter 1776-1976
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: MS 69
- Date of Sale: June 9th, 2019
- Price: $19,200
Launched in 2022 and scheduled to continue until 2025, the American Women Quarters program has already selected and confirmed the first fifteen honorees, with the first ten coins already in circulation. These celebrated women represent a wide range of fields, including writers, astronauts, judges, activists, film stars, and ballerinas, highlighting the diverse contributions of women to American history and culture.
Check 1976 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
12. 1982-P Washington Quarter Regular Strike
Image of a 1982-P Washington Quarter Regular Strike, demonstrating the standard clad composition and design of a typical circulating quarter from the early 1980s.
Why were quarters chosen as the denomination for these milestone programs, while other denominations largely retained their original designs? From the moment of their introduction in 1932, Washington Quarters resonated with the public. Initially, they were widely hoarded, but they eventually achieved better circulation rates than any other US coin denomination.
- Year: 1982
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Grade: MS 68
- Date of Sale: September 9th, 2019
- Price: $10,200
Even today, the quarter remains the most frequently used coin in everyday transactions. This widespread use ensured that milestone quarters would achieve broad and consistent circulation, maintaining healthy seigniorage revenue for the government. It also guaranteed wider public awareness and reach for the causes and individuals celebrated on these special coins.
Check 1982 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
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13. 1943 DDO (Doubled Die Obverse) Washington Quarter Business Strike
Image of a 1943 DDO (Doubled Die Obverse) Washington Quarter Business Strike, clearly showing the doubling effect on the obverse design, a key indicator of this valuable error coin.
You might not have pondered this before, but why is this coin called a “quarter”? In colonial times, the currency system was based on British money. The exchange rates were complex, with 20 shillings equaling a pound, 12 pence making a shilling, and 2 shillings forming a florin!
- Year: 1943
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Error: Doubled Die Obverse
- Grade: MS 67
- Date of Sale: March 22nd, 2020
- Price: $22,250
The American system opted for decimals – fractions of one hundred – a system later adopted in the UK and elsewhere. So, 100 cents make a dollar, meaning 25 cents is a quarter of a dollar, shortened to simply “quarter.” This amount was historically equivalent to the common phrase “Two Bits of Silver.”
Check 1943 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
14. 1942 Proof Washington Quarter
To elaborate on “Two Bits,” during the colonial era, Spanish Dollars were widely used. These silver coins, often eight-sided, could be physically divided into eight pieces called “bits.” Later, “Two Bits” or “Two Pieces of Eight” became a popular price reference, which was then adopted into American vernacular once US Dollars were introduced.
- Year: 1942
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: PR 69
- Date of Sale: December 1st, 2020
- Price: $16,800
As the popular anecdote goes, you could get a haircut for “two bits.” This is allegedly the origin of the common knocking pattern: one tap, followed by four shorter taps, a pause, and then the final two taps. This rhythm supposedly represents the phrase “Shave and a haircut, two bits.” Or so the story goes!
Check 1942 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
15. 1932-D Washington Quarter Regular Strike
Image of a 1932-D Washington Quarter Regular Strike, a key date coin for collectors due to its low mintage and historical significance as the first year of Washington Quarters.
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Following this “bits” logic, a dime, or 10-cent coin, was sometimes called a “Short Bit,” while 15 cents was referred to as a “Long Bit.” For people still using Spanish coins, “One Bit” or “One Piece of Eight” did exist, but it lacked a direct coin equivalent in the American Exchange System. Quarters, at “Two Bits,” became the preferred equivalent.
- Year: 1932
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Grade: MS 66
- Date of Sale: April 1st, 2008
- Price: $143,750
Interestingly, while “bits” faded from everyday coin terminology, they persisted in the Stock Exchange. Until June 1997, the New York Stock Exchange listed prices in fractions of 1/8 of a dollar, which is “One Bit.” From July 1997, this changed to 1/16 of a dollar, or “half a bit.” Finally, in 2001, the NYSE fully transitioned to decimal units, marking the end of “bits” in stock trading as well.
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16. 1971-S Proof Deep Cameo Quarter
Image of a 1971-S Proof Deep Cameo Quarter, showcasing the sharp contrast between the mirrored fields and frosted devices, characteristic of a high-quality proof coin.
With older coins, value often increases simply with age and time. Studying key dates and selling during significant anniversaries can also be strategic for maximizing returns. However, the value of most modern quarters, especially those without precious metal content, often lies in identifying errors and unique characteristics. Online marketplaces like eBay are popular venues for selling these valuable modern quarters because their value is primarily numismatic rather than intrinsic.
- Year: 1971
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 69 DCAM
- Date of Sale: November 29th, 2007
- Price: $7,475
Therefore, developing a keen eye for mint errors is crucial. When new coin releases occur, consider purchasing some coin rolls, carefully examine them for errors or varieties, and list any unique finds quickly before the market becomes saturated with similar examples. Once a particular error becomes widely known and numerous examples are discovered (perhaps hundreds), the price and desirability tend to decrease significantly.
Check About 1971 Quarter History, Variety Price Chart, and Errors List
