Since they were first released, state quarters have become popular collectibles. The different designs that represent the 50 U.S. states are fascinating to millions of people. The market value of most of these quarters is 25 cents, but some very rare ones are worth a lot more.
Since some state quarters have mint mistakes or other unique traits, they have sold for as much as $150,000. You should look closer at your quarters you could be sitting on a small fortune! This is true whether you are an avid coin collector or just keep a jar of change at home.
What State Quarters Are Worth
As part of a 10-year plan by the U.S. Mint to honor all 50 states, state quarters were first released in 1999. These quarters have styles that are unique to each state. They are now one of the world’s most famous groups of coins.
Most state quarters aren’t worth much, but some are, especially if they have mistakes from when they were minted. Many kinds of mistakes can be made, from missing or repeated letters to design flaws like extra leaves or other strange features. Sometimes, these mistakes make the coins very valuable to coin fans.
Here are some of the most expensive state quarters sold at auction for $10,000 or even $150,000.
1999 Half Dollar of Georgia
Collectors are interested in the 1999 Georgia State Quarter because it is one of the first state quarters to be made, and there may have been mistakes when it was made. Coins with flaws like double strikes (where the picture is hit twice, making it blurry) or misalignments are very valuable. These Georgia quarters with problems have been auctioned off for up to $10,000.
If you have a 1999 Georgia quarter, you should look it over carefully to see if any mistakes could make it worth more.
The South Carolina State Quarter of 2000
The 2000 South Carolina State Quarter is another important early quarter. Quarters from the Denver Mint have flaws, like missing or doubled letters, which makes them very collectible.
Because they are so rare and have mistakes in the minting that make them different from the millions of other quarters in circulation, some have sold for more than $15,000.
2004 State Quarter of Wisconsin
Some copies of the 2004 Wisconsin State Quarter have been sold for as much as $150,000, making it one of the most expensive in the whole series. The reason? A rare mistake in the minting process added an extra leaf to the corn stalk on the back of the coin. This small but important mistake, called an “extra leaf,” makes these coins popular among collectors.
If you find a Wisconsin quarter with what looks like an extra leaf on the corn stalk, you may be holding one of the most expensive Wisconsin quarters ever.
1999 State Quarter of Delaware
Another coin that has become very valuable because of mistakes made when minted is the 1999 Delaware State Quarter. Sometimes, these quarters were made on planchets (metal discs used to make coins) that were meant for other types of coins. This is a rare mistake that makes the coins more valuable.
It’s worth looking through your collection for any wrong Delaware quarters because some have sold for over $10,000 with this mistake.
A Quarter from 2008 for Arizona
The 2008 Arizona State Quarter is a choice among fans because it has a unique flaw in how it was made. This mistake, often called an “extra cactus leaf,” happens because of a broken die during minting. It adds another leaf to the cactus on the back of the coin.
Although this mistake doesn’t happen very often, it has made a regular quarter into a valuable collector item that can fetch up to $2,000 for one.
2009 State Quarter of the District of Columbia
The 2009 District of Columbia State Quarter is the last coin you should watch. This quarter shows Duke Ellington sitting at a piano, but small differences in the printing make some versions important to collectors.
Due to these small design changes, some copies of the District of Columbia quarter can still sell for up to $1,000, even though they are less valuable than the Wisconsin or Delaware quarters.
State Quarters That Are Hard to Find or Are Worth a Lot
The following table highlights some of the most valuable state quarters, along with their key features and auction values:
| Coin | Scarcity | Value | Mintage | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Georgia State Quarter | Rare | Up to $10,000 | 451 million | Minting errors (double strikes) |
| 2000 South Carolina State Quarter | Rare | $15,000+ | 416 million | Doubled lettering errors |
| 2004 Wisconsin State Quarter | Extremely Rare | Up to $150,000 | 453 million | Extra leaf on corn stalk |
| 1999 Delaware State Quarter | Rare | $10,000+ | 776 million | Planchet errors |
| 2008 Arizona State Quarter | Rare | Up to $2,000 | 244 million | Extra cactus leaf error |
| 2009 District of Columbia Quarter | Scarce | Up to $1,000 | 88 million | Design variations (Duke Ellington) |
Why It’s Fun to Collect State Quarters
A very satisfying hobby can be collecting state quarters, even if you don’t have one of these very expensive quarters. It covers a different state’s history and customs in each quarter. Many fans like the thrill of the hunt, going through their extra change, or buying sets that have never been used to finish their collection.
Some state quarters are worth more than their face value because of their historical value, differences in style, or mistakes made when minted. As a collector, you should always look at your quarters for anything unusual. You never know what gems could be hiding in your pocket change.
FAQs
What’s so special about a state quarter?
Due to mistakes made during the minting process, low production numbers, or unique design changes, a state quarter can be worth a lot. These coins are very popular with fans and can sell for a lot of money at sale.
How can I tell if my state quarter is valuable?
While looking for mistakes, check for things like letters that are printed twice, extra design elements, or planchets meant for other coins. You might want to have your quarter properly evaluated or graded if you think it might be worth something.
What’s the best place to sell a vintage state quarter?
You can sell valuable state quarters at coin shows, on sale sites like eBay, or to coin sellers specializing in rare coins. To get the best deal, you should look at prices and get more than one estimate.
Which quarter from each state is the most valuable?
Some 2004 Wisconsin State Quarters with an extra leaf sell for as much as $150,000, making them among the most expensive coins.
Must I get a grade on my state quarters?
If you think you might have a rare or expensive state quarter, you should get it graded by a professional to determine how good it is and how much it might be worth. Collectors will pay more for a coin if it has a good grade.