What Quarters Are Worth Money? How to Check Your Change

Most quarters are worth 25 cents, but rare examples can command higher prices from collectors. Understanding what makes a quarter valuable is the first step in identifying a potential treasure in your change. This guide details factors contributing to their worth and provides specific examples to look for.

Factors That Make Quarters Valuable

A quarter’s value extends beyond its 25-cent denomination. The quantity of coins produced (mintage) significantly impacts rarity; fewer coins mean higher value. Condition also plays a substantial role, with less wear, scratches, or damage being more desirable. Uncirculated or proof coins, specially struck for collectors, often fetch higher prices.

Mint errors, unintentional mistakes during manufacturing, can significantly increase a quarter’s value. Errors include doubled dies (misaligned or duplicated design) or off-center strikes (image not centered on planchet). Re-punched mint marks, where a mint mark is struck more than once in a different position, are also sought by collectors. Coins with historical significance or special commemoratives also hold additional value, especially if part of a limited series.

Identifying Specific Valuable Quarters

Identifying valuable quarters involves examining dates, mint marks, and known error varieties. Washington quarters minted before 1965 contain 90% silver, making them more valuable than their face value. You can identify these silver quarters by their date (1932-1964) and their solid white-silver edge, without a visible copper stripe. A 1964 quarter, for example, weighs 6.25 grams compared to the lighter 5.67 grams of later copper-nickel clad quarters.

Key dates and mint marks are sought after, such as the 1932-D and 1932-S Washington quarters, which had lower mintages. These early issues, in higher grades, are rarer. Beyond specific dates, recognized mint errors exist across different quarter series. The 1970-S Proof Washington Quarter with no mint mark is a notable example, where the ‘S’ mint mark is absent due to a filled die.

Within the State, Territory, and America the Beautiful quarter programs, errors have gained collector interest. The 2004-D Wisconsin “Extra Leaf” quarter features an additional leaf on the cornstalk design (reverse), a die error creating “High Leaf” or “Low Leaf” varieties. Another error is the 2005-P Kansas “In God We Rust” quarter, where a grease-filled die caused the first “T” in “TRUST” to be faint or missing, making the inscription appear as “In God We Rust.” These visual cues are important for identifying potentially valuable quarters in circulation.

Assessing Condition and Authenticity

After discovering a quarter that might be valuable, assessing its condition and authenticity is the next step. Coin grading evaluates a coin’s state of preservation using a standardized scale, ranging from 1 (Poor) to 70 (Perfect Mint State). Higher grades indicate less wear and damage, directly correlating with increased value. Key factors influencing a coin’s grade include its luster (original shine), strike (sharpness of the design), and surface preservation (absence of scratches, nicks, or contact marks).

Proper handling is essential to prevent damage that could diminish a coin’s value. Always hold coins by their edges to avoid transferring oils and fingerprints, which can cause corrosion. Avoid cleaning coins; improper methods can cause permanent damage like scratches or loss of original finish, reducing their worth. Collectors and dealers can easily detect improperly cleaned coins.

Verifying authenticity is important, as counterfeit coins and alterations exist. Common signs of fakes include inaccurate weight or dimensions, poor craftsmanship, and design errors not present on genuine coins. A magnet test can help, as most genuine silver and gold coins are non-magnetic; if a coin sticks to a magnet, it is likely a counterfeit made of base metals. Examining the coin’s edge for irregular reeding or suspicious alterations, such as an added mint mark or altered date, can also reveal a fake.

Next Steps After Identification

After identifying a potentially valuable quarter and conducting an initial assessment, professional verification is recommended. Consulting a reputable coin dealer or numismatist provides an expert opinion on authenticity and potential value. For definitive authentication and grading, submitting your quarter to a professional grading service is advisable.

Leading third-party grading services (PCGS, NGC) encapsulate certified coins in tamper-evident holders, guaranteeing their assessed grade and authenticity. This professional certification can enhance a coin’s market value and liquidity. For long-term preservation, store your valuable quarters in acid-free holders or albums, ideally in a stable environment away from extreme temperature fluctuations, humidity, and airborne pollutants.

Several avenues are available if you decide to sell a valuable quarter. Reputable local coin dealers offer immediate payment, though their offer includes a profit margin. Numismatic auctions, either in person or online, can yield higher prices for rare or high-grade specimens by reaching a wider network of collectors. Online marketplaces specializing in coins also offer a platform for selling, but require careful attention to listing details and buyer interactions.