What New Quarters Have Errors and What to Look For?

Coin collecting offers a fascinating journey into history and artistry. Not every coin produced by the mint is flawless; variations from the standard manufacturing process, known as errors, are highly sought after by collectors. This interest extends to modern coinage, where finding a valuable anomaly in pocket change captivates enthusiasts.

The Modern Quarter Series

The term “new quarters” refers to programs launched by the U.S. Mint featuring diverse designs beyond the traditional Washington Quarter. This includes the America the Beautiful Quarters Program (2010-2021), which released five unique designs each year celebrating national parks and sites. Following this, the American Women Quarters Program (2022-2025) honors distinguished American women. Both programs feature the familiar obverse portrait of George Washington, with the American Women Quarters depicting a new right-facing image. Their reverses showcase unique commemorative designs, providing a canvas for unexpected minting variations.

Common Types of Minting Errors

Coin production involves intricate machinery and processes, creating opportunities for imperfections. These anomalies fall into several categories.

Die errors originate from issues with the hardened metal dies used to stamp the coin’s design. Examples include die cracks, which appear as raised lines where the die has fractured, or die chips, resulting from small pieces of the die breaking off, creating a raised blob of metal. Filled dies occur when grease or debris clogs parts of the die, leading to missing or faint design elements.

Planchet errors arise from issues with the blank metal discs, or planchets, before they are struck. A clipped planchet error occurs when a piece of the metal blank is missing from the edge, giving the coin an incomplete, curved appearance. Wrong planchet errors involve a coin being struck on a blank intended for a different denomination or metal composition, leading to incorrect size, weight, or color. Lamination errors manifest as peeled or flaking metal on the coin’s surface, caused by impurities or improper bonding within the planchet.

Strike errors happen during the actual striking process when the dies impact the planchet. An off-center strike occurs when the planchet is not perfectly centered between the dies, resulting in a portion of the design being missing and a blank crescent on one side. Double strikes involve the coin being struck more than once, with subsequent strikes misaligned, leading to a blurred or doubled image. Broadstrikes occur when the collar die, which holds the planchet in place, is absent or fails, causing the coin to spread out beyond its intended diameter and lose its reeded edge.

Noteworthy Errors on Recent Quarters

The 2020 American Samoa quarter, part of the America the Beautiful program, is known for its “Blind Bat” error, a struck-through error obscuring part or all of the bat’s face on the reverse. This error occurs when a foreign object or debris comes between the die and the coin blank during striking. Other 2020 America the Beautiful quarters have shown struck-through errors, sometimes obscuring parts of George Washington’s portrait on the obverse.

The 2019 and 2020 “W” mint mark quarters, minted at the West Point facility, are notable due to their limited mintage and errors. These were the first circulating quarters to carry the “W” mint mark. Some 2019 “W” quarters, such as the Lowell National Historic Park design, have been found with struck-through errors, appearing as an extra line on Washington’s hair or resembling an “angel’s wing” on the reverse. Doubled die errors, where parts of the design appear doubled, have also been identified on some 2019 San Antonio Missions “W” quarters, affecting inscriptions like “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”.

On the 2023-P Bessie Coleman quarter, a die chip error can be found on the airplane’s wing on the reverse, appearing as a blob of metal not part of the original design. The 2023-P Edith Kanaka’ole quarter exhibits a clashed die error, which can imprint parts of the obverse design, such as the name “EDITH,” onto Washington’s portrait on the reverse. The 2023-D Maria Tallchief quarter has been noted for a die chip error that creates an “extra feather” on her headdress, while the 2023-D Jovita Idar quarter can have multiple die cracks, notably across her shirt or hair.

Inspecting Your Quarters for Errors

Identifying errors on quarters requires careful observation and the right tools. Begin by visually examining both sides of the coin under good, consistent lighting. Natural light or a strong, diffused artificial light source can reveal subtle details.

For closer inspection, a jeweler’s loupe or a magnifying glass is highly recommended. Magnification levels between 5x and 10x are sufficient for spotting most errors, allowing you to examine inscriptions, design elements, and the coin’s fields with precision. Pay close attention to areas where design elements meet, edges, and the overall texture of the coin for any unusual raised metal, missing features, or irregular lines.

When inspecting, look for signs of die cracks, die chips, or any doubling of letters or design elements that might indicate a doubled die error. Check the coin’s rim and overall shape for any irregularities that could suggest a clipped planchet or broadstrike.