Money in Disguise: Could Your Pockets Hold $35,000?
Have you seen the Netflix treasure hunt show Pirate Gold of Adak Island? It features elite hunters searching for vintage 19th-century rare coins worth millions. Although modern quarters are not worth that much, they can fetch a pretty penny.
Quarters are a popular choice among coin collectors, and because of this demand, the value of modern quarters is worth more than you would expect. Depending on the coin and its condition, you can exchange them for thousands of dollars.
If you’re a numismatist who wants to add to your collection, a coin dealer who sells coins, or just curious about what makes these modern quarters worth money, keep reading to learn more.
Valuable and Sought-after Quarters Worth Money
1. 1971-S Washington Modern Quarter
One of the most sought-after quarters from the modern era is the 1971-S Washington quarter. This US coin was struck in the San Francisco mint and featured a design inspired by George Washington. Each coin is struck six times with a fine die, applying minimal pressure and at the lowest possible speed.
This coin is rated PR69 by the professional coin grading service (PCGS), meaning it’s a proof coin. Proof sets are made using a unique and high-quality minting process resulting in a highly detailed design. Also, proof coins are specially made for collectors, not circulation. That’s why they are worth significantly more than regular quarters.
The 1971 coin is also graded “deep cameo,” which means that it boasts an exceptionally deep frosted finish on the relief (the raised part of the design), contrasting with a smooth, mirror-like field (background). In other words, the depth and brightness of the coin’s design are unparalleled, making it a highly sought-after collector’s item.
The last known sale of this coin was in 2007, and it sold for $7,475.
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2. 1942 Washington Quarter
Another valuable modern quarter worth money is the 1942 Washington quarter. Like every coin minted before 1965, this coin is made of 90% silver. The obverse features a profile portrait of George Washington, and the reverse shows a bald silver eagle perched on a branch.
Although the original value of the coin is 25 cents, it is now worth more depending on the condition of the coin and market conditions. Many 1942 quarters have sold for over $100 and $1000, but the most expensive to date is a PR69-proof coin that sold for $16,800 in 2020.
At the very least, an uncirculated 1942 quarter is worth anywhere from $8 to $50, depending on its condition. Proof coins can fetch thousands of dollars.
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3. 1968-S Washington Modern Quarter
This coin is known for its incredible detail and high-quality minting, making it one of the most valuable quarters produced in the modern era. Like other quarters, this one features the profile of George Washington, the inscription “LIBERTY” at the top, and the date at the bottom of the obverse.
The reverse features an eagle perched on a branch, with the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” “E PLURIBUS UNUM” along the top and “QUARTER DOLLAR” along the bottom. This particular coin has an S mint mark, indicating it was struck in San Francisco.
Due to its high quality and fine craftsmanship, this coin is highly sought-after by coin collectors and has been graded PR69 DCAM (deep cameo) by PCGS. The last auction for this rare coin was in 2007, when it sold for a numismatic value of $2,875.
Mintage figures for this quarter are slightly above 3 million, but the proof deep cameo coins are limited to only 23.
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4. 1932-D Washington Quarter
The 1932-D Washington quarter is every collector’s delight. Why? It is the first-year issue of the Washington quarters series, making it highly collectible. But that’s not all; this silver coin is also scarce and highly valuable due to its mintage figures.
This coin was struck in Denver and reportedly has a low mintage of 436,800 pieces. That number is incredibly low compared to quarters minted in other years and is why 1932-D quarters are so valuable now. The only other quarter with less than a million quarters is the 1932-S, which has a mintage of 408,000.
Due to its low mintage numbers and almost a hundred years of age, you are less likely to find one of these quarters in your pocket change. However, you could get a lot of money if you find one.
The 1932-D quarters are worth at least $200- $13,000, significantly more than their face value. Collectors are known to pay more than that amount for top-grade coins. A typical example is the MS65 1932 D that sold for $32,000 at auction in November 2003.
5. 1932-S Washington Quarter
Alongside the D mint-marked 1932 quarters, the S mint 1932 quarter is also considered one of today’s most valuable quarters. This coin is more sought after and valuable than the D mint-marked quarters due to its lower mintage numbers (408,000).
The 1932-S antique coin can fetch a pretty penny in any condition, but collectors highly prize the ones in perfect or near-perfect grading. Auction prices for great condition quarters have climbed to $35,250 for an MS66 coin.
While it’s unlikely that you’ll easily find one of these quarters, it’s worth searching for if you’re collecting coins that fetch high prices.
6. 1982 Washington Modern Quarter
Any coin collector will give anything to add this quarter to their collection. Okay, maybe not anything – but they’ll pay a high price for one. Why is this particular coin so valuable? This 1982 quarter is a modern rarity.
In the early 80s, America went through an economic recession, and coin minting slowed. They made fewer quarters in 1982 than in other years in the 20th century. Also, due to the economic climate at the time, only a few people kept coins from that year. People used most of it to pay bills and buy necessities like food.
As a result, it is incredibly difficult to find a 1982 coin in uncirculated condition. If you find one, you may be worth a small fortune. An example of this coin graded MS68 by the PCGS sold for $4,240, including the buyer’s premium, at an Illinois coin auction. It is the best quality coin known to exist, and a great example of collectibles collectors desire.
7. 1943 Washington Quarter: Double Die
A doubled die is an error that can occur on a coin during the minting process. The most common type is when the image on one side of the coin is doubled. This usually happens when the hub imprints an additional misaligned image on a die.
The 1943 Washington quarters are especially popular among collectors because of their double-die errors. The error is noticeable in the “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” engravings on the coin, where the letters are doubled. The year is also slightly doubled, but you must look closely to notice it.
As you might expect, the double die error coins are very rare and highly collectible. The highest-graded 1943 quarters sell for thousands of dollars at auction. So if you come across one, you may exchange it for five figures. And if you’re a coin dealer, you just struck gold with this quarter.
According to USA Coin Book (a coin price guide), the 1943 Washington quarter with a doubled die obverse is worth $142 in average condition and up to $6,690 for mints. The record sale for this coin is $17,400 at a 2018 auction.
8. 1964-D Washington Modern Quarter
The 1964-D Washington Modern Quarter is the most expensive on this list, going by its $38,400 coin price tag in an auction. What makes it so valuable?
This quarter has an MS68 rating by PCGS, meaning it is in mint state and excellent condition. Uncirculated coins like this always command a higher price than circulated quarters, as there is no wear and tear.
Another thing that sets this quarter apart is its mintage year. The 1964 quarters were the last ones minted in Denver before the United States Mint switched to making quarters from copper and nickel for the following year.
As a result, all coins before 1965 had a higher melt value than copper coins made from cheaper materials.
Over 700 million of the 1964-D quarters were minted in 1964, significantly higher than all the quarters on this list. And it means there’s a higher chance of finding one, whether in uncirculated condition or worn. But if you find a mint-state 1964-D quarter, it’s worth a ton of money.
Last Words on Modern Quarters Worth Money
Are you a collector or someone who wants to make extra money? Modern quarters are worth searching for. Fortunately, they are easier to find than century-old coins.
From the rare 1943-D Washington Quarter with a doubled die to the last silver metal 1964-D quarters minted in Denver, there are plenty of quarters you can find and exchange for a hefty profit. Take the challenge, and you may strike gold.
This article was produced and syndicated by Parent Portfolio.
