While it is rare for a standard State Quarter found in circulation to be worth $100,000, there are a few extremely rare mint error coins and exceptional varieties within the State Quarters program that have achieved or are valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, with one specific error potentially being worth six figures.
The highest-value State Quarters are typically errors rather than simply rare dates or mint marks.
The Most Valuable State Quarter Errors
The coins that command the highest prices are usually those with significant minting mistakes, often referred to as “Mules” (a mismatched pairing of dies) or coins struck on the wrong metal.
- 2000-P South Carolina Quarter / Sacagawea Dollar Mule ($84,000+ Auction Record): This is one of the most famous and valuable modern U.S. mint errors. It is a “Mule” coin, meaning the coin’s obverse (front) is a Sacagawea dollar die, and the reverse (back) is a South Carolina statehood quarter die. A high-grade example (MS64) sold for $84,000. Better condition examples are generally worth tens of thousands, with one being mentioned as reaching six figures.
Other Highly Valuable State Quarters
Other rare error quarters that sell for substantial amounts, though typically below the six-figure mark, include:
| Year | State | Error Type | Notable Feature | Estimated/Auction Value |
| 1999 | Connecticut | Experimental Planchet | Struck on a planchet intended for the Sacagawea dollar (gold sheen, extra weight). | Up to $10,500 (MS69 condition) |
| 2004-D | Wisconsin | “Extra Leaf” High/Low | An extra leaf appears near the corn stalk on the reverse, due to a die gouge or metal shaving. | Up to $6,000 (MS67 for “Extra Leaf Low”) |
| 1999 | Georgia | Missing Clad Layer / Error | Missing the outer clad layer, revealing the copper core, or deep die cap/double struck errors. | Up to $10,000 (Missing Clad Layer) or $4,200 (Deep Die Cap) |
| 2004-P | Texas | Grease Strike-Through | Part of the design is missing or blurred because the die was clogged with grease. | Up to $10,000 |
| 1999-P | Delaware | Experimental Planchet | Struck on a planchet intended for the Sacagawea dollar. | Up to $4,888 (MS66 condition) |
What to Look For in Your Change
To find a quarter worth a significant premium, you should examine coins for the following major errors:
- Extra Leaves/Trees: Check the 2004-D Wisconsin (extra leaf on corn stalk) and the 2005-P Minnesota (extra trees visible in the background).
- Doubled Dies: Look for clear doubling of letters or design details, such as the 2009-D District of Columbia quarter where “Ellington” can appear doubled.
- Off-Metal/Wrong Planchet: A coin that looks gold-colored, coppery, or is noticeably heavier or lighter than a standard quarter should be checked, as it might have been struck on a planchet for another coin (like a Sacagawea dollar).
- “Spitting Horse” Die Break: On the 1999-P Delaware quarter, look for a die break that appears as a line coming from the horse’s mouth.
