It’s impossible to create a definitive “Top 17” list because auction results and market values constantly change. However, here are some of the most famous, valuable, and sought-after U.S. Quarter Dollars from different series, including key dates and notable error coins.
The most valuable quarters are generally pre-1932 issues or rare error coins and their value can range from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending heavily on the coin’s condition (grade).
Early and Classic Quarters (Pre-Washington)
These are the most valuable overall, with sale prices reaching into the six figures for high-grade specimens.
- 1796 Draped Bust Quarter: The very first U.S. quarter, with a very low mintage of 6,146 pieces. It is extremely rare in all grades.
- 1823/2 Capped Bust Overdate: An extremely rare error where the year 1823 was struck over 1822. Less than 40 examples are believed to be known.
- 1870-CC Seated Liberty Quarter: A key rarity from the famed Carson City Mint, with a very low mintage of 8,340 coins.
- 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter: The first year of this design, highly sought after due to its low mintage of just over 52,000 coins.
- 1901-S Barber Quarter: One of the rarest Barber quarters, with a mintage of only 72,664.
Valuable Washington Quarters (1932–Present)
The earliest Washington Quarters (1932–1964) were struck in 90% silver, which gives them a minimum value well above face value.
- 1932-D Washington Quarter: This is the most valuable regular-issue Washington Quarter key date, with a very low mintage of 436,800 coins.
- 1932-S Washington Quarter: The second key date from the first year of the series, with a low mintage of 408,000 coins.
- 1934-D Washington Quarter: Sought after in high grades, especially with the “Strong Motto” variety (clear “In God We Trust”).
- 1964-D Washington Quarter: The last regular strike quarter produced with 90% silver content. A certified MS68 example once sold for $38,400.
Valuable Washington Quarter Errors & Varieties
Modern quarters (1965–Present) are generally only valuable if they are a rare error, variety, or high-grade proof.
- 1965 Washington Quarter (Struck on 90% Silver Planchet): An extremely rare transitional error where a 1965 coin was struck on a silver planchet intended for 1964 quarters. These can be worth thousands.
- 2004-D Wisconsin “Extra Leaf” Quarters: A famous and valuable State Quarter error with two varieties: the Extra High Leaf and Extra Low Leaf, which appear near the corn stalk on the reverse.
- 2005-P Minnesota Doubled Die Quarters: Known for having over 60 documented varieties with visible doubling, often appearing as “extra trees” in the design.
- 1999-P Delaware “Spitting Horse” Quarter: Features a prominent die crack that runs from the horse’s mouth, giving it the appearance of “spitting”.
- 2019-W and 2020-W Quarters (All Designs): These quarters, struck at the West Point Mint and bearing a “W” mint mark, were released into circulation as a special issue with lower mintages.
- 2005-D Kansas “In God We Rust” Quarter: A popular grease-filled die error where the grease fills the space, making the “T” in “Trust” appear as an “R”.
- 1943-P Doubled Die Obverse (DDO): A valuable wartime Washington Quarter error with doubling visible on elements like “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”.
- 1970-S Proof Struck on a Canadian Quarter: A highly prized off-metal error coin mistakenly struck on a 1941 Canadian quarter planchet.
