Get Cash Back and $0 Commissions
+ The Power of TradeStation
NewsWire11 25-Sep-2023 10:13 AM
PR/25-09-23
The 50 State Quarters program by the U.S. Mint commemorating each state is hugely popular with coin collectors. While most circulated state quarters have little value, some rare coins and varieties are extremely valuable to collectors and investors.
Below are the top 10 rarest and most expensive state quarters:
Value: Up to $500 in Mint State
When the first Delaware State Quarters were minted in 1999, several thousand featured a dramatic spike protrusion on Caesar Rodney's boot. This spike was created by a hubbing error that caused a doubled die.
On normal Delaware quarters, the right side of Caesar Rodney's boot is smooth. But on the rare Spiked Die variety, a prominent raised spike sticks out from the boot. This doubled die spike is most visible on the horse’s front right leg and hoof.
Only around 10,000 or fewer of these rare Spiked Quarters were produced before the hub was corrected. With so few in existence, collectors covet the Spiked Die Delaware quarters. Uncirculated examples can sell for over $500 each. Even worn specimens trade for a premium.
To identify the 1999 Delaware Spiked Quarter, examine the horse's front right hoof and leg for a raised spike protrusion sticking out. This diagnostic spike makes it easy to spot this dramatic hubbing doubled die error.
Value: Up to $300 in Mint State
The most famous state quarter error is the 2004 Wisconsin Extra Leaf. On the normal Wisconsin quarter, the left side of the ear of corn has a clear gap between the stalk and leaf. But on the scarce Extra Leaf variety, there is an extra leaf projecting upward on the left side of the corn ear.
This obvious doubled die error was caused by hubbing two different coin dies together. It resulted in around 20,000 Wisconsin quarters being struck with the Extra Leaf design before the problem was corrected. This relatively small number makes the 2004 Extra Leaf quarters highly desirable to collectors and state quarter enthusiasts.
Uncirculated examples of the Wisconsin Extra Leaf quarter can sell for over $300 each. Circulated specimens are worth $75-100. With strong demand from many valuable state quarter coin and error coin collectors, values for the 2004 Wisconsin Extra Leaf are likely to continue increasing.
Check the left side of the corn ear on 2004 Wisconsin quarters carefully. Look for an extra leaf poking up on the left side that normally would be blank. This additional leaf makes the valuable Extra Leaf variety easy to diagnose.
Value: Up to $300 in Mint State
In 2005, a doubling error affected some California state quarter dies. This resulted in a rare Extra Water variety where the area next to John Muir's paddle is elevated.
On normal 2005 California quarters, an indented circular area is visible near the paddle in Muir’s boat. But on the scarce Extra Water variety, that area exhibits extra metal making it appear raised. This obvious doubled die error makes it seem as if there is extra water on those coins.
The California Extra Water doubled die quarters were only produced for a short period in 2005. It is estimated that around 20,000 of these rare quarters exist. With such a low mintage, collectors pay big premiums for the Extra Water variety, especially in mint state condition.
To find the 2005 California Extra Water quarter, look for a raised and filled in area next to the paddle on the reverse of the coin. This extra elevated metal is diagnostic for this rare and dramatic doubled die state quarter error.
Value: Up to $1,000 in Mint State
Connecticut state quarters minted in 2000 were struck by misaligned dies that created strong doubling of design elements. The 2000 Connecticut Double Die is one of the most dramatic doubled die errors to affect the 50 State Quarters program.
Doubling is clearly visible on LIBERTY and the date, both mottoes, and on the leaves and branches. There is also significant notching of the portrait and branches from the striking misalignment.
It is estimated that only 10,000-15,000 of the 2000 Connecticut Double Die quarters were produced before the dies were reworked. Many of those known examples exhibit light circulation wear, making uncirculated specimens worth a strong premium to collectors.
While an average circulated 2000 Connecticut Double Die quarter is worth $200-300, mint state examples can sell for up to $1,000 each. As one of the rarest and most dramatic State Quarter varieties, demand remains very strong for these error coins.
To identify the 2000 Connecticut Double Die, look for clear doubling and spreading of the date, mottoes, and tree leaves on the reverse. The notched, elongated portrait and branches are also diagnostic.
Value: Up to $1,000 in Mint State
In 2006, dramatic doubled die hubbing errors affected Minnesota state quarter dies. This resulted in a rare and highly prized Extra Tree variety where a fourth tree can be seen on the shoreline.
On normal Minnesota quarters, only three trees are visible on the shore. But on the Extra Tree variety, a clearly defined extra fourth tree is present below the largest tree.
This makes the rare 2006 Minnesota Extra Tree quarters easily diagnosable for collectors. It is believed only 10,000 or fewer examples were struck with the fourth Extra Tree before the dies were corrected. This scarcity results in strong demand from collectors, with uncirculated specimens worth over $1,000 each.
To find this rare and popular State Quarter error, inspect the shoreline on 2006 Minnesota quarters carefully. Count the trees – a normal coin will have three visible, while the Extra Tree variety has four trees on the shore.
Value: $250,000+ in Mint State
Arguably the most legendary and rarest state quarter is the 1937 Connecticut quarter. A very small number of Connecticut quarters dated 1937 were minted decades before the 1999-2008 State Quarters program as test pieces when new equipment was being installed at the Philadelphia Mint.
Only 3-5 of these enigmatic 1937 Connecticut quarters are known to still exist. One was first discovered in 1947, and another was found in a roll in 2019. These ultra-rare Connecticut quarters are dated decades before the 1999 general release.
With only a tiny handful known in private and institutional collections, the 1937 Connecticut is a numismatic unicorn. The recent 2019 discovery sold at auction in 2021 for an amazing $456,000. Any others that surface would easily be worth $250,000 or more in mint state condition.
To identify the prized 1937 Connecticut quarter, look for a date of 1937 instead of 1999. Examine the Indian Head obverse and old-style reverse carefully to authenticate this legendary rarity.
Value: $2,000+
In 2005, a few Kansas state quarters were struck using the previous year's Montana coin die. This resulted in a rare and dramatic Mule Error where the Kansas obverse is paired with Montana’s reverse design.
Instead of Kansas' normal reverse with a depiction of the state outline and wheat, the Mule Kansas quarters show Montana's Bison and Rocky Mountains landscape design.
Only about 10 examples of the 2005 Kansas Mule Error are known to exist. One was discovered in 2019, selling at auction for over $5,800. Any others that surface would easily be worth $2,000 or more. These dramatic Mule Error coins are highly sought after by state quarter and error coin collectors.
To identify the 2005 Kansas Mule quarter, look for a normal 2005 Kansas obverse paired with Montana’s Bison reverse design instead of Kansas’. This diagnostic design mismatch makes this Mule Error easy to spot.
Value: $4,000+
Without a doubt, the rarest regular issue state quarter is the 2000-P New Hampshire. This coin was only struck for special mint sets, not general circulation. The tiny 1,765 mintage makes the 2000-P New Hampshire quarter a significant condition rarity.
Even well-circulated examples can sell for $4,000 or more due to intense demand from state quarter collectors. In pristine mint state condition, this low mintage New Hampshire issue has traded for over $14,000 at auction.
To identify the valuable 2000-P New Hampshire quarter, look for a date of 2000 with a “P” mintmark. This Philadelphia mint issue had an extremely low mintage under 2,000 coins, making it the key to complete state quarter sets.
Value: $5,000+
If a Washington quarter blank was accidentally struck by State Quarter dies, it will exhibit a design stamped over Washington's portrait. These rare errors are known as overstrikes.
Some of the more famous and dramatic examples include Washington/Delaware and Washington/California overstrikes, where you can clearly see those state's designs struck into Washington’s portrait.
State quarter overstrikes range from partial impressions to full design overlaps. The more of the state's design that shows on the obverse, the more desirable and valuable the error coin.
While a partial overstrike may be worth $2,000 or more, full design overstrikes often trade for $5,000-10,000 each at auction. These dramatic minting errors generate intense interest from collectors of both Washington quarters and State Quarters.
To identify a State Quarter overstrike, examine normal Washington quarters carefully for any elements of state designs impressed over the obverse portrait. Look for state names, outlines, or other design features struck into Washington’s bust.
Value: $15,000+ in Mint State
No list of valuable quarters would be complete without mentioning the most famous error coin of all – the 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Washington quarter.
While not a State Quarter, the 1955 Doubled Die quarter features extremely dramatic doubling of the date, mottoes, and portrait of Washington. This was caused by misaligned hubbing of the coin dies.
Mint state examples of the popular 1955 Doubled Die Washington quarter can sell for $15,000 or more at auction. Even lower grade circulated coins carry large premiums due to intense collector demand.
To identify the king of modern error coins, look for very clear doubling of the date and mottoes on 1955 Washington quarters. IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY show the most obvious doubling.
While the 10 state quarters listed above are the most valuable and coveted by collectors, there are many other scarcer state quarter varieties worth mentioning:
While circulating State Quarters only have face value, rare and desirable varieties are worth money to collectors. By knowing the sometimes subtle diagnostics of each state's key varieties, you can identify valuable finds.
The early 50 State Quarters series from 1999-2008 provides an exciting treasure hunt for collectors and investors. With diligent searching, a lucky collector could still come across some of these elusive rarities in everyday pocket change.