Coin collecting is a fascinating hobby that blends history, artistry, and the thrill of discovering unexpected treasures. While most quarters are worth just 25 cents, a few rare pieces have sold for astonishing amounts at auctions.
Some coins stand out due to minting errors, low mintage, or unique compositions, making them highly sought after by collectors. Here, we explore seven extraordinary quarters that have sold for significant sums—some of which could still be hiding in your collection.
1. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter – Sold for $201,000
The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter was minted to celebrate America’s 200th anniversary. While most were made from a common copper-nickel alloy, a special 40% silver version was produced for collector sets.
🔹 Why It’s Valuable:
- Contains 40% silver, unlike regular copper-nickel quarters.
- Graded in near-perfect condition by professional services.
- Some unique error varieties exist, further increasing value.
💰 Highest Sale Price: $201,000
2. 1932-S Washington Quarter – Sold for Over $25,000
The 1932-S Washington Quarter is a key date in the series due to its low mintage. Only 408,000 were struck at the San Francisco Mint, making it one of the hardest-to-find regular-issue quarters.
🔹 Why It’s Valuable:
- Lowest mintage of any Washington Quarter (only 408,000).
- Highly sought after by collectors, especially in mint condition.
- Increasing value due to scarcity.
💰 Highest Sale Price: Over $25,000
3. 1943 Copper Quarter – Sold for Over $25,000
During World War II, the U.S. Mint changed coin compositions to save metals for the war effort. In 1943, quarters were supposed to be made of silver, but a few were mistakenly struck in copper, making them an extreme rarity.
🔹 Why It’s Valuable:
- A minting mistake—quarters were not supposed to be struck in copper in 1943.
- Extremely rare, with only a handful known to exist.
- A magnet test can confirm authenticity—silver quarters stick to a magnet, but copper ones don’t.
💰 Highest Sale Price: Over $25,000
4. 1950-D/S Overmintmark Quarter – Sold for Over $25,000
Minting errors often increase a coin’s value, and the 1950-D/S Overmintmark Quarter is a great example. In this case, the Denver (“D”) mint mark was stamped over a San Francisco (“S”) mint mark, creating a unique overprint error.
🔹 Why It’s Valuable:
- Overmintmark errors are rare and highly collectible.
- The mistake creates a unique variation, making it valuable to collectors.
- Coins in high-grade condition fetch the highest prices.
💰 Highest Sale Price: Over $25,000
5. 1964-D Doubled Die Reverse Quarter – Sold for Over $25,000
The 1964-D Doubled Die Reverse Quarter features a doubling effect on the reverse side, especially in the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. This happened due to a misaligned die during the minting process.
🔹 Why It’s Valuable:
- The doubling effect creates a unique and striking error.
- Only a limited number of these exist.
- One of the most famous minting errors in modern quarters.
💰 Highest Sale Price: Over $25,000
6. 1970-S Small Date Quarter – Sold for Over $25,000
The 1970-S Small Date Quarter is a rare variety featuring a slightly smaller date compared to other 1970 quarters. While this difference seems minor, it has a major impact on value.
🔹 Why It’s Valuable:
- Rare design variation, making it highly collectible.
- Many collectors overlook small-date errors, increasing scarcity.
- High-grade specimens command premium prices.
💰 Highest Sale Price: Over $25,000
7. 1983-P Washington Quarter – Sold for Over $25,000
The 1983-P Washington Quarter is a modern rarity due to the lack of mint-condition examples. Most of these quarters were heavily circulated, making well-preserved versions exceptionally rare.
🔹 Why It’s Valuable:
- Few were saved in mint condition, making uncirculated versions rare.
- High demand due to low survival rates.
- Proof that even modern quarters can be worth thousands.
💰 Highest Sale Price: Over $25,000
How to Spot a Rare Quarter
If you think you might have a valuable quarter, follow these steps:
| Step | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Check the Date | Look for key dates like 1932, 1943, 1950, 1964, 1970, 1976, and 1983. |
| Examine Mint Marks | Coins with an “S” or “D” mint mark can be rarer. |
| Look for Errors | Overmintmarks, doubled dies, and unusual features can add value. |
| Check Composition | Use a magnet—a 1943 quarter that doesn’t stick could be copper! |
| Condition Matters | Coins in mint condition or uncirculated state fetch the highest prices. |
| Get It Appraised | Have a professional grading service authenticate your coin. |
Final Thoughts
It’s incredible how a simple 25-cent coin can turn into a life-changing fortune. Whether through minting errors, low mintage, or special compositions, these rare quarters highlight the unexpected treasures that might be hiding in your pocket or coin collection.
If you’re lucky enough to come across one of these gems, you could be holding a small fortune in your hands. So, next time you check your loose change, take a closer look—you never know what you might find!
FAQs
Check the date, mint mark, condition, and look for errors.
You can sell them at coin shops, auctions, or online marketplaces like eBay.
The 1932-S Washington Quarter is one of the rarest key dates.
Errors are rare and unique, making them highly collectible.
Store them in protective holders and avoid touching them to prevent damage.