Most people don’t think twice about the quarters rattling around in a pocket, purse, or coin jar. They’re just spare change, or so it seems. Yet a few rare quarters have become prized collectibles, with some selling for thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Many of these valuable coins owe their worth to low mintages, unusual minting mistakes, or historical importance. If you’ve inherited an old coin collection or have a habit of checking your change, one of these quarters could be worth far more than its face value.
1. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Quarter
This quarter is famous for a minting error that created noticeable doubling on the front of the coin. The words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust” appear with a distinct shadow-like effect that collectors can spot without much difficulty.
Roughly 24,000 examples were struck, though far fewer remain today. Depending on its condition, one of these quarters can sell for anywhere from about $2,000 to more than $5,000.
2. 1932-D Washington Quarter
The 1932-D Washington quarter is one of the key dates in the Washington quarter series. Produced at the Denver Mint, its mintage totaled only 436,800 coins, making it one of the hardest regular-issue Washington quarters to find.
Circulated examples often sell for $900 or more, while well-preserved uncirculated pieces have brought well over $7,000 at auction.
3. 1937 Doubled Die Obverse Washington Quarter
Like the 1955 variety, this coin features a doubled design caused during the die-making process. The doubling is easiest to spot on “Liberty” and parts of George Washington’s portrait.
Collectors are always searching for genuine examples. Lower-grade coins can sell for several hundred dollars, while high-grade pieces have reached $35,000 or more.
4. 1872-CC Liberty Seated Quarter
Coins from the Carson City Mint have long been favorites among collectors, and the 1872-CC Liberty Seated quarter is no exception.
Only about 22,850 coins were produced, making this issue genuinely scarce today. Values often range from $4,000 to $25,000, though exceptional examples have sold for even more. One well-preserved coin brought $22,725 at auction, showing just how desirable this Carson City issue remains.
5. 1844 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter
The 1844 Proof Liberty Seated quarter ranks among the rarest quarters ever produced by the U.S. Mint. These proof coins were struck in very small numbers for collectors rather than for everyday use.
Experts believe that only about 20 examples still exist. Because so few have survived, they regularly attract strong bidding whenever one appears at auction. Depending on its grade, this coin can sell for $10,000 to more than $20,000, while an outstanding PR-66 example brought an astonishing $322,000.
6. 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf High Quarter
At first glance, this Wisconsin state quarter looks perfectly ordinary. The difference is a tiny extra leaf that appears on the ear of corn on the reverse side.
This unusual die error created one of the most talked-about modern quarters. Collectors pay close attention to both the “High Leaf” and “Low Leaf” varieties, with the High Leaf version often selling for $500 to $1,500. Top-quality examples have sold for more than $2,500.
7. 2009-D District of Columbia DDR Quarter
Released as part of the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories program, this quarter features Duke Ellington on the reverse. A small number were struck with a doubled die reverse, creating noticeable doubling in parts of the lettering, including “District of Columbia” and “E Pluribus Unum.”
While circulated examples can still bring a premium, uncirculated coins are much more desirable. Well-preserved pieces have sold for $200 or more, with the finest examples reaching over $3,000.
8. 2005-P Minnesota Extra Tree Quarter
The Minnesota state quarter produced several interesting die varieties, though the best known is the version showing what appears to be an extra tree in the forest.
Collectors estimate that only 1,000 to 2,000 examples exist. Depending on the condition, these quarters often sell for $300 to $4,000. Exceptional Mint State coins are especially valuable, and one MS-67 example sold for $7,500 at auction.
9. 1896-S Barber Quarter
The 1896-S Barber quarter is one of the toughest dates in the Barber quarter series. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, its relatively low mintage and decades of heavy circulation have made high-quality examples difficult to find today.
Designed by Charles E. Barber, the coin features Liberty wearing a laurel wreath on the front. Depending on its condition, collectors often pay $1,200 to more than $10,000 for this sought-after issue.
10. 2000-P Maryland Quarter Mule With Sacagawea Dollar
Few mint errors are as unusual as a mule coin, and this is one of the most famous examples.
A small number of coins were mistakenly struck using dies from two different denominations. One side shows the Maryland state quarter, while the other features the Sacagawea dollar design. Experts believe that only 100 to 200 examples exist.
Because of its rarity, this error coin has sold for $1,000 to well over $10,000, with exceptional pieces bringing even higher prices.
11. 1822 Capped Bust Quarter
The 1822 Capped Bust quarter is a prized early American coin with an extremely small surviving population.
Only about 1,055 coins were originally struck, and many disappeared through everyday use over the years. Finding one in excellent condition is exceptionally difficult. Values often begin in the five-figure range, while outstanding examples have sold for more than $184,000 at auction.
12. 1927-S Full Head Standing Liberty Quarter
Standing Liberty quarters are known for wearing down quickly, especially around Liberty’s head. Coins that still show every detail are awarded the coveted Full Head designation by grading services.
The 1927-S issue is one of the series’ toughest coins to locate in high grades. With a mintage of about 396,000, it’s already scarce, and sharply struck examples are even harder to find. Mint State coins have sold for $20,000 or more, while an MS-66 Full Head specimen realized $175,000 at auction.
13. 2020-W Salt River Bay Quarter
This modern collectible proves that valuable quarters aren’t always old.
The U.S. Mint struck a limited number of Salt River Bay quarters at the West Point Mint, identified by the “W” mint mark. These coins were released into circulation, making them exciting finds for anyone checking pocket change.
Most examples sell for $8 to over $100, depending on their condition, while top-grade coins and special varieties can command even stronger prices.
14. 1840-O Seated Liberty No Drapery Quarter
The 1840-O Seated Liberty quarter stands out because it was struck during a brief design transition. Unlike later versions, this coin does not have the extra drapery added to Liberty’s left arm, making it easy for collectors to identify.
Produced at the New Orleans Mint, only about 76,000 were struck. Values vary widely with condition. Worn examples can sell for around $1,500, while well-preserved coins have reached well into six figures. Uncirculated pieces regularly sell for more than $10,000.
15. 1873-CC No Arrows Liberty Seated Quarter
The 1873-CC No Arrows quarter is one of the great rarities in American coin collecting.
Only about 12,000 coins were produced at the Carson City Mint before the design was changed to include arrows beside the date, marking a slight weight adjustment for the denomination. Since this version was made for only a short time, surviving examples are exceptionally scarce.
Collectors often pay $10,000 to $20,000 for examples in respectable condition, while the finest known coins have sold for much more.
16. 1983-P Spitting Eagle Quarter
The “Spitting Eagle” quarter gets its nickname from a die crack that runs from the eagle’s beak, making it look as though the bird is spitting.
This unusual mint error has become a favorite among collectors of modern coins. While ordinary 1983 quarters are common, the Spitting Eagle variety is much harder to find.
Values depend on condition, with many examples selling for hundreds of dollars. The best-preserved pieces can bring several thousand dollars, though auction prices vary based on grade and demand.
17. 1976-D Bicentennial Doubled Die Obverse Quarter
The Bicentennial quarter is one of the most recognizable U.S. coins, but a small number were struck with a doubled die on the front.
The doubling is most noticeable on the word “LIBERTY,” making these coins easy to spot once you know what to look for. While most Bicentennial quarters are worth only face value, this error variety is a different story.
A high-grade MS-66 example sold for $8,400 in 2023, showing that the right mint error can turn an ordinary-looking quarter into a valuable collectible.
