VARIOUS quarters out there can be worth thousands as the production of a new women’s series continues.
The first new quarter, which was produced in 2022, features poet Maya Angelou, who also championed the civil rights movement.
In addition, Angelou has become the first African American woman to be featured on a quarter.
The US Mint began producing coins featuring Wilma Mankiller, a Native American and woman’s rights activist who was the first woman elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Mankiller led the Cherokee Nation for a decade from 1985 to 1995, with the Cherokee population more than doubling in that period.
The quarters were struck at the Denver and Philadelphia mints.
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Both coins are part of the American Women Quarters Program, which features famous women in American history.
More quarters displaying prominent American women will launch later in the year and through 2025, according to the US Mint.
The 2023 lineup will feature other important women in history including Bessie Coleman, Jovita Idar, Edith Kanakaʻole, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Maria Tallchief, according to the U.S. Mint.
As those quarter continue to roll out, we list some of the most valuable quarters in circulation.
But as always, know that the value of the coins could depend on grade and condition.
1. 1896-S BARBER QUARTER – $3,333
The Barber quarter started to enter production in the 1890s.
One of the rarest ones features the year 1896 with an S mark, which stand for San Fransisco.
Just over 188,000 of have been said to have been minted.
One example with the 1896-S recently sold for a total of $3,300 on eBay after 24 bids.
It was not certified but the seller claims it is in an “XF+” grade.
2. 1860-S SEATED LIBERTY QUARTER – $4,265
An 1860-S quarter in the Liberty seated series sold for $4,265 on eBay.
And this coin could be worth up to $57,085 if in an “uncirculated (MS-60)” grade, according to USA Coin Book.
Its value comes from the aftermath and the effects of the US civil war, which drove circulation, particularly in the western states.
“Like the 1859-S quarter dollar, the 1860-S is a rare date that is virtually impossible to find in mint state,” Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) president Ron Guth wrote in a description of the coin.
“As such, it is one of the most important condition-rarities in this series, on par with some of the 1870-1873 Carson City issues and the 1859-S.”
In total, 56,000 1860 seated Liberty S coins are said to have been minted.
3. 1916 STANDING LIBERTY QUARTER – $5,101
The 1916 coin was the first year of the standing Liberty coin – but not without some controversy.
For one, the 1916 coin left Liberty’s left breast exposed. That led to Liberty’s breast getting covered by a chain mail shirt later on in the series.
And there were also legal issues – as the coin wasn’t supposed to enter circulation until 1917.
“The Mint began producing coins with Hermon MacNeil’s new design in December of 1916, Mr Guth wrote in a description of the coin.
“Production was limited to 52,000 coins, mostly because of time.”
The 1916 standing Liberty quarter is said to have the lowest mintage in the series.
One 1916 Liberty coin recently sold for $5,101 on eBay.
The coin was certified by PCGS in a “VG 8” grade.
4. 1872-CC LIBERTY SEATED QUARTER – $5,600
The 1872 CC Liberty quarter exists in even scarcer numbers.
Just 22,850 examples have been minted.
If you happen to have an 1872 quarter – you’ll want to look out for a “CC” on the reverse of the coin because this version contains the lowest mintage in the Liberty seated quarter year.
The CC stands for the mint location, Carson City.
One example certified by PCGS in an “F 15” grade sold for $5,600.
5. 1901 BARBER QUARTER – $6,401
Another Barber quarter could potentially be worth thousands.
The date you’ll want to look out for is a 1901 date with an S mintmark, which can both be found at the bottom center of the obverse and reverse respectively.
This mintage only sits at 72,664.
In average condition, the piece is worth $11,086 and can run up to $53,392 in uncirculated grades.
In an August eBay listing, a circulated example sold for a total of $6,401.
The seller described the piece as a “Circulated condition that has black patina-like coloration on portions of the front and back.”
And the auctioneer speculated: “This coin may have been cleaned long ago but very hard to tell, and other raw coins listed have probably been cleaned.”
6. 1796 DRAPED BUST QUARTER – $9,477
The scarcest quarter on this list goes to a piece that minted more than 200 years ago.
Unlike many other designs, the 1796 draped bust quarter was not minted in consecutive years after the series was initially introduced.
“In fact it would take eight years before the second date quarter dollar was issued,” numismatics expert Scott Rubin wrote.
“This unique occurrence seems to have an effect on the survival rate for the 1796 quarter, it appears many were saved and more then would be expected were saved in pristine condition.”
The mintage was just reported to be more than 6,000 for the 1796 draped bust quarter.
One example recently sold for a total of $9,477 online.
It was certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company in “VG details.”
7. 1916 Liberty quarter – 9,500
A more recent example of a 1916 Liberty quarter sold for $9,500 online.
Also, this one has been certified in a higher grade of XF 45, the seller in the listing claimed.
