Usually, when we think about valuable coins, images of ancient relics and dusty antiques come to mind. But what if we told you that some of the quarters jingling in your pocket right now could be worth more than their face value? As a budding coin collector, you might not have access to those historical treasures, but the world of modern coins offers exciting opportunities. It might not be a fortune, but finding a quarter worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars is a thrill many coin enthusiasts chase.
So, let’s delve into the fascinating realm of modern coinage and explore what quarters are worth money, uncovering the stories and histories behind these surprisingly valuable pieces of pocket change.
1. 2010 Hot Springs National Park Washington Quarter
When we talk about “modern coins,” it’s important to set some boundaries. In the world of collectibles, an antique is generally defined as an item over 100 years old, while vintage items are between 50 and 99 years old. Interestingly, all Washington Quarters technically fall into the “modern” category, as the series only began in 1932. Our focus will be primarily 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
We will be examining coins as recent as 2022 and even venturing into 2023 if we can find noteworthy examples. Our exploration will encompass various quarter series, including the America the Beautiful (National Parks + Monuments), American Women, 50 State Quarters, and DC & Territories Quarters programs.
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2. 1981-S Proof Deep Cameo Washington Quarter
Close-up of a 1981-S Proof Deep Cameo Washington Quarter, highlighting its mirrored fields and frosted devices, showcasing its exceptional strike and visual appeal
Since their inception in 1932, every quarter has featured George Washington on the obverse (heads side). However, the reverse (tails side) has undergone several design changes throughout the years. Even the Washington portrait itself has seen three distinct versions, each with a captivating story to tell. Let’s begin our journey into the details.
- 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, animal, bust, or sculpture on a coin is referred to as its “device,” while the words are known as “mottos” or “legends.” Interestingly, the earliest George Washington device designed for the quarter actually ended up being the most recent to be used. This original design dates back to 1931 but wasn’t incorporated onto the quarter until the launch of the American Women Quarters Program in 2022.
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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. Naturally, there was public desire for a commemorative coin to mark the occasion.
- Year: 1984
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Grade: MS 67
- Date of Sale: February 4th, 2016
- Price: $1,293
However, during that period, the production of commemorative coins was deemed too costly by the government. President Herbert Hoover ultimately vetoed the commemorative coin proposal. As a compromise, parties agreed on creating a circulating coin instead. Initially, a Half Dollar was considered, but they eventually settled on a Quarter, intended for just one year of production.
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4. 1963-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
Detailed view of a 1963-D Silver Washington Quarter, showcasing the luster of its silver composition and the crisp details of Washington's portrait and the eagle reverse design
The Mint and the Bicentennial Committee launched a design competition for the new coin. The winning artist was Laura Gardin Fraser. Interestingly, her husband was 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 a respected sculptor in her own right. She had previously designed the Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar in 1926 and collaborated with her husband on numerous coins and medals. However, despite winning the Washington Quarter design competition, her sculpture was unfortunately not selected for the coin at that time.
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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 strong contrast between the mirrored background and the frosted state design elements, typical of a Deep Cameo proof coin
Instead of Fraser’s design, Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon chose a design by John Flanagan. This Flanagan portrait graced the Washington Quarter until 2021. However, in 2022, with the introduction of the American Women Quarters series, Laura Gardin Fraser’s original 1931 design was finally featured on the 25-cent coin. It was a fitting tribute to her artistic talent and historical significance.
- 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 interim, William Cousins subtly tweaked Flanagan’s design to accommodate additional elements on the coin. Therefore, while most quarters credit Flanagan with “JF” initials on the obverse, coins from 2022 onwards bear “LGF” (Laura Gardin Fraser), and those minted between 1999 and 2021 display both “JF” and “WC” (William Cousins). The reverses of these quarters also vary depending on the series.
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6. 1965 Type 2 Clad Washington Quarter Business Strike
Almost every commemorative coin series has been designed by a different artist. The initials found on the reverse of these coins reflect this diversity, ranging from Elana Hagler to Charles L. Vickers. These design changes sometimes impacted the placement of mint marks on Washington Quarters, which can occasionally be puzzling for collectors.
- 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 located on the lower right obverse. However, its precise positioning varied slightly depending on the Washington bust design. It could be found to the right of Washington’s ponytail, below his chin under the date, or beneath the motto “In God We Trust.” As you explore the most valuable modern quarters, keep an eye on this mint mark positioning as a potential identifying characteristic.
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7. 1962-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
Image of a 1962-D Silver Washington Quarter, highlighting its bright silver surface and the sharply struck details of the design, indicating a high mint state grade
Let’s delve a bit deeper into the Washington Quarter series itself. Originally intended as a one-year commemorative coin, no quarters were minted in 1933. However, the coin’s popularity led to its reintroduction in 1934, and it has been produced annually 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 the years, the quarter’s reverse designs have evolved to depict various themes, including a drummer boy and the iconic crossing of the Delaware River (2021), symbols representing the 50 states (1999-2008), imagery for Washington DC and five US territories (2009), sites of 56 national parks and monuments (2010-2021), and finally, tributes to American Women (starting in 2022). This rich tapestry of designs makes collecting Washington Quarters a journey through American history and culture.
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8. 2017-P Effigy Mounds Iowa National Park Washington Quarter
While older Washington Quarters can gain value from mint errors like DDOs (Doubled Die Obverses) and RPMs (Re-Punched Mint Marks), modern coins, produced with digital minting processes, are less prone to these types of errors. Instead, modern coin errors often involve issues like missing metal layers, creating unique and valuable pieces.
- 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 layered with nickel. Other coins, like the penny, have a zinc core coated with copper. In clad coins, the outer layer can sometimes detach or slip off during the minting process. This results in striking two-toned modern coins, which are highly sought after by collectors and can command significant prices!
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9. 2022-P Maya Angelou Washington Quarter Regular Strike
So, why did the composition of contemporary coins change from precious metals to less expensive alternatives? In the early days of coinage, gold and silver were the standard. However, as the market prices of these precious metals became volatile, using base metals became a more economically sound approach for circulating currency. This shift is crucial because currency serves two fundamental roles 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 must be a dependable and consistent tool for trade. Secondly, it provides revenue for governments through seigniorage. Seigniorage is the difference between the cost of producing a coin or banknote and its face value. This difference acts as a form of revenue or “tax” for the minting authority. Higher seigniorage translates to greater financial benefit for the government.
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10. 1964-D Silver Washington Quarter Regular Strike
Close-up of a 1964-D Silver Washington Quarter, highlighting the transition year from silver to clad coinage, making it a sought-after piece for collectors interested in monetary history
As economies grew, the purchasing power of individual coins diminished. Despite this, the US government still recognized the importance of seigniorage revenue. To encourage continued coin usage and collection, innovative programs were developed to incentivize citizens to use and collect modern coins. The State Quarters program was the pioneering initiative in this effort.
- 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. Following this success, the National Parks & Monuments series added another 56 coins to collect, and the DC & Territories Quarters contributed an additional 6. More recently, the American Women Quarters program, with its socially conscious focus, introduced 20 more collectible designs.
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11. 1976-S Silver Washington Quarter Business Strike
The American Women Quarters program specifically aimed to celebrate notable women from diverse backgrounds and fields. It notably featured the first African American, Asian American, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ women to be represented on US currency. These coins served as an invitation for Americans to learn more about the remarkable achievements of these pioneering 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, the American Women Quarters program is scheduled to continue until 2025. The first fifteen women honorees have been selected and confirmed, with the initial ten coins already in circulation. These celebrated women represent a wide spectrum of accomplishments, including writers, astronauts, judges, activists, film stars, and ballerinas, highlighting the diverse contributions of women to American society.
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12. 1982-P Washington Quarter Regular Strike
Image of a 1982-P Washington Quarter, a common coin year but valuable in high grades, demonstrating that even regular issue coins can be worth money in exceptional condition
Why were quarters chosen as the denomination for these milestone programs, while other coin denominations largely retained their original designs? From the moment of their introduction in 1932, Washington Quarters resonated strongly with the public. Initially, they were heavily hoarded, but they eventually achieved wider circulation 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 commerce in the United States. This widespread use ensured that these milestone quarters would experience broad and consistent circulation, thereby sustaining healthy seigniorage revenue for the government. Furthermore, it guaranteed a wider reach and greater public awareness for the important causes and individuals celebrated on these special coins.
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13. 1943 DDO (Doubled Die Obverse) Washington Quarter Business Strike
Image of a 1943 DDO Washington Quarter, highlighting the doubled die error on "Liberty" and "Washington," a classic error type that significantly increases coin value
You might not have given it much thought, but have you ever wondered why this coin is called a “quarter”? Historically, during the colonial era, the American colonies used British currency. The British monetary system was quite intricate, with units like pounds, shillings, pence, and florins, where 20 shillings made a pound, 12 pence made a shilling, and 2 shillings equaled 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 monetary system adopted a decimal system – based on fractions of one hundred – a concept that was later embraced by the UK and other countries. Thus, 100 cents constitute one dollar, making 25 cents a “quarter” of a dollar. This term “quarter” became a common and convenient way to refer to the 25-cent coin, and it was also linked to the colloquial term “Two Bits of Silver.”
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14. 1942 Proof Washington Quarter
In colonial times, Spanish Dollars were widely used. These silver coins, often eight-sided, could be physically divided into eight segments known as “bits.” Later, “Two Bits” or “Two Pieces of Eight” became a popular price reference, which carried over into the American Dollar system.
- Year: 1942
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: PR 69
- Date of Sale: December 1st, 2020
- Price: $16,800
As the anecdote goes, a common price for a haircut was “two bits.” This is believed to be the origin of the well-known rhythmic knocking pattern: one tap, followed by four quicker taps, a pause, and then two final taps. This rhythm is said to represent the phrase “Shave and a haircut, two bits.” Whether folklore or fact, it’s a charming piece of Americana!
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15. 1932-D Washington Quarter Regular Strike
Image of a 1932-D Washington Quarter, a key date coin in the series, valuable due to its low mintage and historical significance as the first year of Washington Quarters
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Following this “bits” terminology, a dime, or 10-cent coin, was sometimes called a “Short Bit,” while 15 cents was referred to as a “Long Bit.” Although “One Bit” or “One Piece of Eight” existed in the context of Spanish coins, it lacked a direct coin equivalent in the American Exchange System. The quarter, at 25 cents or “Two Bits,” became the preferred and more practical denomination.
- 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 usage, they persisted in the world of the Stock Exchange. Until June 1997, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) quoted stock prices in fractions of a dollar, with 1/8 of a dollar being known as “One Bit.” In July 1997, this changed to 1/16 of a dollar, or “half a bit.” Finally, in 2001, the NYSE transitioned to decimal pricing, fully embracing the decimal system.
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16. 1971-S Proof Deep Cameo Quarter
With older coins, time often increases their value. Studying key dates and strategically selling coins around anniversaries can also be beneficial. However, the value of most modern quarters, particularly those without precious metal content or significant intrinsic value, often hinges on factors like mint errors and exceptional condition. Online marketplaces like eBay have become significant platforms for trading these valuable modern quarters.
- 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 spotting potential mint errors early on is crucial. When new coin releases come out, consider acquiring some coin rolls, carefully examine them for errors, and list any noteworthy finds promptly before the market becomes saturated. Once a particular error becomes widely known and hundreds of examples surface, the price and rarity premium will typically decrease considerably. Happy coin hunting!
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