Here are the top three ultra-rare Quarter Dollars every collector should be tracking, combining both classic rarity and modern, attainable treasure:
1. The Undisputed King: 1932-D Washington Quarter
The Washington Quarter series, struck in 90% silver from 1932 to 1964, began with a bang—and an immediate scarcity. The 1932-D quarter, minted in Denver, is the absolute key date of the entire circulating series.
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Rarity: Only 436,800 coins were minted, the lowest mintage for the Washington Quarter, making it instantly rare.
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Value: Even circulated examples in worn condition typically sell for around $40 to $80.
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Big Money Potential: The value dramatically escalates for uncirculated specimens. An impeccable coin graded MS-66 (Mint State) holds the auction record for the Washington Quarter series at a staggering $143,750. This one coin single-handedly proves the millionaire potential of the series.
Its sibling, the 1932-S quarter from San Francisco, is also highly valuable due to its low mintage of 408,000, with an uncirculated auction record of $45,500.
2. The Classic Overdate Marvel: 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter
For the hunter of classic American coinage, the 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter is an error of such profound historical significance and scarcity that it commands prices well into the six figures.
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Rarity: This coin is an overdate error, meaning the ‘3’ in the date was clearly punched over a previously struck ‘2’. It is rarer than the first quarter ever produced (the 1796 Draped Bust).
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Scarcity: Only about 30 examples of this coin are known to have surfaced, cementing its status as one of the most difficult pieces to locate in the entire quarter series.
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Big Money Potential: Due to its extreme scarcity, a nice specimen can easily sell for more than $250,000. Even a heavily circulated example is worth no less than $37,500, making any condition a major find.
3. The Modern Treasure Hunt: 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarter
Not all ultra-rare quarters are from the 19th or early 20th century; the State Quarter series (1999–2008) provided a few accidental riches. The most famous and still potentially findable error is the 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarter.
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Error: This coin features an accidental design variation caused by a die gouge during production at the Denver Mint. The error presents as an “Extra Leaf” on the reverse, either in a “High Leaf” or “Low Leaf” position, near the corncob.
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Value: These rare versions have turned a simple clad quarter into a small treasure.
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Big Money Potential: Values typically range from $200 to over $1,000, depending on the coin’s specific variety and condition. However, the continued fascination and search for this error make it one of the most exciting modern coins to search for in circulation today.
The key to joining the ranks of elite coin hunters is not just looking for quarters, but looking for the key dates (1932-D/S) and the verified, spectacular errors. If you find a quarter matching these descriptions, your discovery could indeed be worth a life-changing sum.
