Unique designs that are representative of each state have been the United States Mint creations since the onset of the 50 State Quarters program beginning in 1999. Initially designed to be a part of circulating currency, a few of these extremely rare numismatic coins have become extremely valuable and have fetched prices as high as near one million dollars. Those rare coins still remain there, for instance, waiting for someone to discover them in collections that have been abandoned or some change that people have lost. In this article, we discuss the five state quarters that are valued and potentially make a small fortune.
The 5 State Quarters Worth a Fortune
Although most state quarters are worth only face value, certain defects, oddities in minting, or unique features can result in a very dramatic increase of state quarters’ worth. The following diagram shows the top five state quarters collectors are willing to pay a premium price for.
| State Quarter | Year of Issue | Mint Mark | Error Type | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Delaware | 1999 | Denver (D) | Spitting Horse Error | Up to $7,000 |
| 2000 South Carolina | 2000 | Philadelphia (P) | Double Die Obverse | $2,000-$5,000 |
| 2004 Wisconsin | 2004 | Denver (D) | Extra Leaf High/Low Error | $300,000-$500,000 |
| 2005 Minnesota | 2005 | Philadelphia (P) | Extra Tree Error | $1,000-$10,000 |
| 1999 Georgia | 1999 | Philadelphia (P) | Double Struck Error | Nearly $1 Million |
1. 1999 Delaware “Spitting Horse” Error
On the first State Quarter, that is the Delaware quarter, there is a picture of Caesar Rodney on horseback. Some of the Denver-minted coins show a raised die crack on the coin, which creates the appearance of the horse spitting. An extremely rare mistake, collectors are willing to pay up to seven thousand dollars for this particular error, especially if the coin is in mint condition.
2. 2000 South Carolina Double Die Obverse
A double die obverse, also referred to as a DDO, is formed when the die that is used in striking the coin is somewhat displaced, making the words appear doubled. The value of the South Carolina quarters containing this error can range anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the condition of the coin. South Carolina quarters are high in demand.
3. 2004 Wisconsin “Extra Leaf” Error
The so-called “high leaf” and “low leaf” are two variants of the 2004 Wisconsin quarter, both of which feature an extra leaf on the corn stalk; this is probably the most well-known and valuable error within the State Quarters series. By this time, it is believed that these errors are the result of intentional alterations that were made in the minting process. Indeed, there have been instances wherein these coins are sold for as much as $300,000 to $500,000 when they are in ideal condition.
4. 2005 Minnesota “Extra Tree” Error
The quarter of Minnesota shows a realistic image of trees that stand near a lake. Others come with an extra tree as a result of die collision, which is a situation when some portion of the design was duplicated without the knowledge of the designer. The value range for these quarters depends on the clarity of the extra tree ranges from one thousand to ten thousand dollars.
5. 1999 Georgia Double Struck Error
This basically happened because of a stunning double mistake, and for which the Georgia quarter is a pretty sought-after piece among collectors. There is a chance that this might happen when a coin is stamped twice by the press. The overlap of pictures is what forms these coins. In the case of their presence in mint condition, they can sell almost as high as one million dollars, thus making them the most valuable pieces of state quarters circulating currently.
How to Identify Valuable State Quarters
f you suspect you may have one of these rare quarters, here’s what you’re looking for:
- Let’s take a close-up look at the coin’s details by using a magnifying glass to study the lettering, rims, and enamel for signs of doubling or re-strike.
- The only way you will be able to determine if the coin you have is an error coin is through mint marks, as it was minted either in Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco.
- Have Your Coin Graded by a Professional Service: If you do not know what any particular coin is worth, you can have it graded by a professional service such as PCGS or NGC and confirm its value.
Conclusion
Fewer people realize that some of these coins have a value of hundreds and even thousands of dollars over their face value due to minting faults and weird anomalies. The State Quarters series was really successful, but few know this. If you have the eye to be careful for these rare quarters, you can end up with one worth hundreds of dollars, or nearly million. So, it’s equally important that you begin to go through your collections and loose change because you might be sitting on the goldmine.
FAQs
1. Which state quarters are worth nearly $1 million?
State quarters with minting faults, like the 2004 Michigan quarter with an extra leaf or the 1999 Delaware quarter with a duplicated die, are the most expensive. When discovered in perfect condition, these coins can be worth around $1 million.
2. How can I spot a valuable state quarter?
Seek out uncommon minting mistakes such as misstrikes, doubled dies, or misplaced planchets. Additionally, valuable quarters may have odd wear patterns or flaws. Examine the coin carefully under a microscope to look for indications of a minting error.
3. What specific errors make state quarters worth so much?
The value of state quarters can be greatly increased by minting faults including off-center strikes, extra design components, or double dies. Due of their rarity, collectors are willing to pay top money for coins that have these abnormalities.