Ever thought the coins in your pocket might be worth more than their face value? Some quarters are worth a fortune to collectors because of their rarity, unique features, or historical importance.
Let’s dive into ten of the most valuable quarters you might stumble upon and why they’re such a big deal in the world of coin collecting.
2019-W and 2020-W Washington Quarters
These quarters are pretty special because they were minted at the West Point Mint, a rare occurrence for circulating coins. Released in five designs between 2019 and 2020, only 2 million were made for each design.
They carry a distinct “W” mintmark, setting them apart from other quarters.
Since these were directly released into circulation, finding one is like hitting a small jackpot. No new “W” quarters have been made since 2020, which adds to their collectible value.
1932-D Washington Quarter
The Denver Mint created just 436,800 of these quarters, making them one of the rarest in the Washington quarter series. Only about 44,000 of these coins are believed to still exist.
Values depend on the coin’s grade, with lower-graded coins starting at $70, while near-perfect examples can fetch as much as $525. Interestingly, coins graded at 1 are valued at $225, proving that even heavily worn pieces can hold unique value.
1932-S Washington Quarter
With only 408,000 minted, the 1932-S quarter from the San Francisco Mint takes the prize for the lowest mintage in the series.
Around 40,000 of these coins remain today, and only a few hundred are in pristine condition.
Prices range from $85 for coins in poor condition to $285 for well-preserved examples.
1937-S Washington Quarter
Although not as rare as the 1932 quarters, the 1937-S is another valuable find. Coins graded at 3 are worth around $8, while higher-quality examples (like AU58) can reach up to $165.
2004-D Wisconsin Quarter (Extra Leaf, Low)
This quirky quarter from the 50 State Quarters series features a unique mint error—an extra leaf on the corn husk design.
The low-leaf version is worth $38 for coins in grade 30 and can rise to $80 for higher-graded examples.
2004-D Wisconsin Quarter (Extra Leaf, High)
The high-leaf variation is even rarer than its low-leaf counterpart. Values start at $45 for coins in grade 30 and go up to $80 for grade 55.
1934 Washington Quarter (Double Die Obverse)
A mistake at the mint created a double image on the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY” on this coin.
Lower-grade examples are valued at $45, while better-preserved coins can reach $235. This error is a standout among collectors.
1943 Washington Quarter (Double Die Obverse)
Another double die error, the 1943 quarter shows visible doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date.
These are rare and can fetch between $45 and $235, depending on their condition.
1950-S/D Washington Quarter
This coin features an “S” mintmark stamped over a “D,” known as an overpunched error.
Depending on grade, these quarters can range from $26 for lower grades to $325 for higher-quality pieces.
1950-D/S Washington Quarter
Similar to the S/D variation, this coin shows a “D” mintmark over an “S.” It’s rarer in mint condition, with values ranging from $26 for grade 3 to $220 for grade 55.
Imagine finding one of these gems in your loose change. Whether it’s a rare mint error or a low-mintage coin, these quarters could turn out to be valuable pieces of history.
It’s worth taking a closer look at the coins in your pocket—you might just hit the collector’s jackpot!
