The quarter dollar has been a key US coin since the late 1700s. The largest widely circulated US coin today (excluding the 50-cent and dollar coins due to their relative rarity), the famous coin bears the profile of the nation’s first president, George Washington on the front (obverse). Until 1999, the back (reverse) featured a patriotic eagle holding arrows and olive branches in its talons. This design was suspended a quarter century ago, in favor of unique designs, rolled out in series. The first of these, running until 2008, was the State series. It featured fifty-six unique designs, each representing one of the states or territories with a beautifully wrought landscape. In 2024, in many US cities, the quarter is still the only way to pay a parking meter or a laundry machine.
In addition to their metaphysical, patriotic, and aesthetic value, quarters are sometimes worth quite a lot of money. Numismatists (coin collectors) know these coins to sometimes be a treasure hiding in plain sight.
For example, recently a 1970 coin from an extremely rare series that was accidentally printed over Canadian coins from 1941 sold on eBay for $35 000.
It’s a good idea to understand the monetary worth of these coins beyond their face value even if you’ve never thought of collecting as an investment. You might be a layman with a valuable collection already in your pocket or on your nightstand. Find out–what real money are your quarters worth?
Whatever the reason you are interested in these coins, after reading this article you will be much richer in knowledge about them.
King of historical coins, the first quarter ever minted by the US Mint, making it a cornerstone for collectors. This quarter is extremely rare due to its low mintage of only 6 146. Collectors prize it for both historical significance and scarcity. Well-preserved examples are especially valuable.
$1 500 000
2. 1823/2 Capped Bust
A rare overdate variety where the year 1823 was struck over 1822. The overdate error was due to reusing old dies, making these coins distinct and highly collectible. Only a handful exist in higher grades, pushing prices into six figures for pristine examples.
$500 000+
3. 1870-CC Seated Liberty
This Carson City-minted quarter is highly coveted due to its extremely low mintage of 8 340 coins. Carson City coins are generally rare, and this quarter is no exception, with few surviving in collectible condition. Rarity and connection to the Old West boost its appeal.
$475 000+
4. 1804 Draped Bust
Known for its very limited production, the 1804 Draped Bust quarter has fewer surviving examples than most other quarters. Its rarity, combined with being an early US minting, makes it highly sought after by advanced collectors. Prices soar for well-preserved coins.
$345 000+
5. 1916 Standing Liberty
The first year of the Standing Liberty series, this coin had a very low mintage of only 52 000. The original design was quickly altered, making 1916 exemplars rare and highly desirable among numismatists. Demand for high-grade examples has driven up their value.
$250 000+
6. 1807 Draped Bust
As the final year of the Draped Bust design, the 1807 quarter carries historical significance. Low production numbers and limited surviving examples make it rare. Collectors value it for its historical context and rarity, especially in high-grade conditions.
$200 000+
7. 1827 Capped Bust
One of the rarest quarters from the Capped Bust series due to its minuscule mintage. Only a few hundred coins were struck, and even fewer have survived in good condition, making this quarter a key piece in US coin collecting history.
$180 000+
8. 1927-S Standing Liberty
A key date coin in the Standing Liberty series, the 1927-S had a low mintage of only 396 000 coins. Few were saved in uncirculated condition, and examples with full details are extremely rare. The scarcity of high-grade coins makes this quarter highly valuable to collectors.
$175 000+
9. 1871-CC Seated Liberty
Another Carson City quarter, the 1871-CC had a mintage of only 10 890, making it a rare find, especially in higher grades. Carson City quarters are among the most coveted by collectors, and this one is especially highly prized due to its historical and geographical significance.
$150 000+
10. 1901-S Barber
With a mintage of only 72 664, the 1901-S is one of the rarest Barber quarters. Collectors covet it as a key date, especially in higher grades, where its scarcity drives demand. The difficulty of finding this coin in good condition makes it a highly prized possession.
$140 000+
11. 1873-CC No Arrows
This Carson City quarter is notable for the lack of arrows beside the date, which signifies a change in weight standards. Only a few examples exist today, making it one of the rarest varieties in US coinage. Its connection to the Carson City Mint adds to its desirability.
$135 000+
12. 1932-D Washington
One of the key dates in the Washington Quarter series, the 1932-D had a mintage of only 436 800 coins. The Great Depression meant fewer coins were saved in high grades, and well-preserved examples are extremely rare. Its scarcity makes it a centerpiece for collectors.
$110 000+
13. 1842 Small Date Seated Liberty
The small date variety of the 1842 Seated Liberty quarter had a lower mintage than its large date counterpart. Collectors seek this variety for its rarity and distinct design, especially in higher grades where very few have survived.
$90 000+
14. 1896-S Barber
With a mintage of 188 039, this is one of the lower-mintage Barber quarters. Few high-grade examples have survived, making it rare and valuable, especially for those looking to complete a Barber series collection. Pristine specimens fetch particularly high prices.
$80 000+
15. 1839 Proof Capped Bust
Proof coins from the early 19th century are extremely rare, as only a limited number were struck. This particular quarter is especially valuable due to its proof status, and most examples are held in private collections, further increasing its scarcity and demand.
$75 000+
16. 1918/7-S Standing Liberty
This overdate error coin is one of the most famous in US coinage. The 1918 date was struck over 1917, creating a visible error. Few coins were made, and the error was quickly corrected, making surviving examples extremely rare and highly collectible.
$70 000+
17. 1825/4/2 Capped Bust
Another overdate error, this coin features the year 1825 struck over both 1824 and 1822. The unique nature of this minting mistake adds to its rarity, and collectors highly value it for its historical and numismatic significance.
$60 000+
18. 1860-S Seated Liberty
Only 56 000 of these coins were minted at the San Francisco Mint, and very few survived in higher grades. The rarity of Seated Liberty quarters from the West Coast makes this coin especially desirable to collectors, driving up its value in excellent condition.
$55 000+
19. 1897-S Barber
With a mintage of 542 229, the 1897-S is a key date for Barber quarter collectors. While not as rare as other key dates, its scarcity in mint condition makes it valuable, particularly for those seeking to complete a high-grade Barber quarter set.
$50 000+
20. 1805 Draped Bust
Early US quarters like the 1805 Draped Bust are in demand for their age and historical significance. Low mintage numbers and the difficulty of finding examples in good condition make this a prized piece for collectors, especially in high-grade preservation.
$45 000+
21. 1853 Arrows and Rays Seated Liberty
The 1853 Arrows and Rays quarter is notable for its unique design elements added to indicate a reduction in weight. This design was only used for one year, making it rare and highly collectible. Its brief production run ensures high demand among numismatists.
$40 000+
22. 1866-S No Motto Seated Liberty
The absence of the “In God We Trust” motto makes this quarter distinct and more rare. Minted in San Francisco, it has a lower mintage than other Seated Liberty quarters, and collectors seek it for both its rarity and its unique design without the motto.
$35 000+
23. 1806 Draped Bust
Another early Draped Bust quarter, its value lies in its age and the fact that few have survived in collectible condition. Well-preserved examples are rare, and their scarcity combined with historical interest makes them valuable to collectors of early US coinage.
$30 000+
24. 1932-S Washington
Similar to the 1932-D, this quarter had a low mintage of only 408 000 coins, making it a key date in the Washington Quarter series. High-grade examples are extremely rare, driving its value, especially among collectors looking to complete Washington quarter sets.
$25 000+
25. 1849-O Seated Liberty
The first Seated Liberty quarter minted at the New Orleans Mint, it had a mintage of only 16 000. Few of these coins have survived in good condition, making it highly sought after by collectors who focus on New Orleans-minted coins. Its low mintage makes it very rare.
$22 000+
Obverse and reverse of an early quarter, 1798.
History of the US quarter
The legendary coin was first minted in Philadelphia twenty years after the United States declared independence from Great Britain (1776), and four years after the country’s first mint was established (1792), the quarter has been in constant production since 1831. Its nominal value is 25 cents, or one-fourth (one quarter) of a dollar.
A lot of people used to refer to the quarter as “two bits.” This colorful phrase is now most often heard in movies about cowboys or gangsters — something like, “get out of here, you two-bit hustler!” The “bit” was what many called a piece of eight — now a word most commonly heard in films about pirates on the high seas. A piece of eight was one-eighth of a Spanish dollar — a currency in common international use at the time. A coin minted in Latin America, the Spanish dollar was designed to be divided into eight pieces called bits. Two bits were equivalent to two eighths, or one quarter, of a Spanish dollar.
How the quarter lost its silver
The quarter is currently made from over 90% copper, and most of the rest is nickel. Until 1965, however, the quarter was 90% silver.
Since the Silver Purchase Act of 1946, the United States had consistently bought more silver than any other country. The same act also compelled the US Treasury to sell that silver at a fixed price. In the early 60s, the US government transitioned to selling the silver. This selloff and utilization was going to drain supply, thereby increasing the value of the metal, which meant the silver in coins would be worth more money than the coins’ face value.
It became clear to silver investors that the US was going to stop producing silver coins. These projections led to a bullish market sentiment that lasted throughout the early 60s and swelled the price of silver. 1964 was the last year silver was used. In 1965 the Mint removed the metal from all its newly minted coins. The silver tradition would not live to see the country’s bicentennial in 1976. As a result, some silver quarters are now worth much more than their weight in gold.
The coin’s changing look over time
Before settling on the current obverse image of the first president of the US, George Washington, the quarter depicted different variants of Lady Liberty. In that time, the legendary metal disk would be re-envisioned five times.
A neo-classical allegory that was very common in the late 18th century, the image of Liberty graced the iconography of both revolutions that were then rapidly and violently changing the world order—the American, and the French.
The George Washington look introduced for the bicentennial of the president’s birth in 1932 was designed by sculptor John Flanagan. He based Washington’s likeness on a bust sculpted in 1786 (when Washington was alive, and not yet president) by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.
The Statue of Liberty, a legendary copper colossus that towers more than 100 meters above New York, was a gift given to the United States by France in 1876 in honor of the centennial of America’s Declaration of Independence.
The Statue of Liberty in the process of assembly, 1886.
What determines how much money quarters are worth
Basically, to find out whether your quarter is worth 25 cents or much more money, find out how rare it is. Its condition and popularity with collectors also play an important role.
Collectors are always networking, staying in contact, and exchanging information with other collectors and dealers. Communicating with experienced experts can provide invaluable insights.
Likewise, it is crucial to consult current price guides and recent auction records, as well as be familiar with the markets in general.
Rarity. Rare specimens tend to have a higher value on the numismatic market. What makes a coin rare can include specific editions, low production numbers in a given mintage, and historical errors in production. Coins pressed at certain mints, especially if they were produced in low numbers, can be more desirable, increasing their value. Watch out for mint marks, doubled dies, die clashes, and misaligned strikes—these factors make quarters worth more money because they are unique. A 1967 anomaly quarter with no mint mark can be worth almost $2 000, even though it’s not silver.
Condition. As a general rule of thumb, the less wear and damage a coin shows, the more coin value it has. A coin’s condition is called its grade, and is determined by six factors: strike, preservation, luster, color, attractiveness, and place of minting.
Demand. Coins that are more popular among collectors are worth more money. Market trends tend to be based on rarity: rare coin dates, historical significance, unique design elements, mint errors, and specific themes.
Coins can be most reliably graded by a professional third-party numismatic company that works in accordance with the official 1977 standards published by the American Numismatic Association (ANA). The table below shows the basic coin grades and what they mean:
GRADE
DESCRIPTION
PROOF – (PF/PR)
A coin not minted for circulation, with sharp detail and usually with a mirror-like surface. Proof is not a condition, but the method of manufacture: special planchets and polished dies are used to strike proof coins. Intended mainly for collectors, proof coins are not circulated.
MINT STATE(MS, UNC)
Coins without any wear. As described below, blemishes, toning differences, and slight imperfections can cause such coins to vary a little bit.
PERFECT UNCIRCULATED (MS-70)
No wear at all. No scratches, evidence of handling, or contact with other coins. Regular-issue non-proof coins in this condition are almost never found.
GEM UNCIRCULATED (MS-65 to MS69)
An Uncirculated coin with high eye appeal. Light toning and a small amount of evidence of contact on the surface or rim are acceptable.
CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (MS-63 to MS64)
An above average Uncirculated coin. It may be shiny, or very slightly toned. A small handful of contact marks on the coin’s surface or rim is acceptable.
UNCIRCULATED (MS-60 to MS62)
No trace of wear. Contact marks are possible. Some shine may be lost.
CHOICE ABOUT UNCIRCULATED (AU-55 TO AU58)
Only the highest points of the design may show the lightest of wear. Still pretty shiny.
ABOUT UNCIRCULATED (AU-50 TO AU53)
Light wear on many high points. At least half shiny.
CHOICE EXTREMELY FINE (XF-45 or EF-45)
Light overall wear shows on highest points. All design details are still clear. Minor mint luster is evident.
EXTREMELY FINE (XF-40 or EF-40)
Light wear on the design, but all the coin’s features must be clear and well-defined. Traces of luster may show.
CHOICE VERY FINE (VF-30 to VF-35)
The surface and highest parts of the coin’s design may be lightly and evenly worn. All features and text are not sharp, but visible.
VERY FINE (VF-20 top VF-25)
High points of the coin’s design are moderately worn. All major details are visible, sharpness is compromised.
FINE (F-12 to F-15)
Moderate to considerable even wear. The design is quite worn, but still visible in whole.
VERY GOOD (VG-8 to VG-10)
Well worn with main features clear.
Where to sell your quarters
Thinking about cashing in on that coin collection? Here’s how.
Coin dealers
Coin dealers will buy in bulk at 20-40% below the actual worth. If you need cash fast, this may be what you’re looking for. However, it is very important to know your coins’ worth beforehand to ensure you don’t get ripped off.
Auctions
Coin auctions are a platform where you can reach a wide audience of collectors and enthusiasts. They are an excellent option for the seller who can take their time selling their coins one by one. Interested parties can bid on your wares. A truly valuable coin will have buyers fighting over it, which can drive up the price, so this can be a pretty profitable option. The auction charges a flat fee or a percentage of each transaction.
Numismatic exhibitions
At coin fairs, you can demonstrate your quarters to a targeted audience and network with other numismatists. If you attend as a seller, you can have your own display and sell your coins directly to collectors. This face-to-face interaction can also help you gauge how much money your quarters are worth based on immediate buyer interest and feedback.
Online platforms
A reputable online platform for buying and selling coins may be what you’re looking for. It’s extremely important to do due diligence in researching the platforms. Don’t just pick a platform because it’s popular — most importantly, find one that will keep your transaction safe and secure.
You can join online coin forums and communities to connect with collectors who may be interested in your quarters. These digital meeting places are great places to network, share information, find buyers, and give you insights into current market trends and the potential worth of your collection.
Summary
You don’t have to be serious about collecting coins, or even investing, to get more from your quarters than their face value. In addition to their amusing history and pleasing heft, they can sometimes have serious monetary value. Who knows, maybe there’s a fortune in your pocket right now. The next time you’re about to put one in a washing machine, examine the contents of your pockets carefully. You don’t want to end up inadvertently laundering away real money.
The value of rare and collectible quarters varies hugely. It depends on such factors as rarity, condition, mint marks, and popularity. The value of coins fluctuates like any commodity, so if you want to optimize the value of your collection, it’s crucial that you monitor the markets with an eye to these specific price-affecting aspects. It is likewise of essential importance to use the right place to sell your coins. You must weigh your expectations and requirements, combine that information with exhaustive research, and choose the right way for you.
Like any coin, the value of quarters is determined by their rarity, condition, and desirability on the numismatic market. The value of coins fluctuates like that of any commodity, so if you’re looking to maximize the profit from cashing in your coins, you should follow the market and consult with experts.
What are the most valuable quarters?
The most valuable quarters are 1796 Draped Bust Small Eagle quarters in mint condition. Only 600 of them exist. Even in poor condition, these coins are worth at least $1 000. In 2023, a mint condition 1796 Draped Bust Small Eagle quarter sold for $1 740 000.
What metal are quarters made from?
Since 1965, quarters are made from a combination of copper and nickel, specifically a copper core with a nickel outer layer, giving the coins their distinctive look and durability. From 1796 to 1964, silver was mainly used.
How much money are silver quarters worth?
From 1796 until 1837, quarters were 84.24% silver, and from 1838 to 1964 they were 90% silver. Even humdrum coins from this period are worth however much the silver in them is worth. Even in poor condition, a quarter from before 1964 is worth at least $3 — twelve times its face value. Even a single coin can make a collection much more valuable.
How do I sell my quarters?
You can sell your coins wholesale at a 20-40% loss to a coin dealer, auction them off one by one, sell them to a targeted audience at trade fairs and numismatic exhibitions, put them up for sale on an online platform, or through an online forum or community. Make an effort to find the best way to sell your quarters and make your choice carefully, based on your specific requirements and expectations. Don’t rely on brand recognition.
