This year could probably be one of the most thrilling and potentially lucrative years for a beginning collector or a rare coin enthusiast. You might come across some very rare quarters and perhaps some extremely valuable ones in your change. Very few people give serious thoughts to quarters and possible rare ones worth thousands upon thousands of dollars literally. In this article, we will highlight six rare quarters worth watching out for in 2025, and one might be worth something like 8,500 dollars.
As a beginner or numismatist, this guide will help you hunt quarters based on their potential worth and how to evaluate that worth. With a little knowledge, you might be sitting on a piece of history worth far more than its face value.
6 Rare Quarters to Keep In 2025
| Coin Name | Year | Estimated Value | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Washington Quarter | 1943 | Up to $8,500 | Double Die Obverse Error |
| 1932-D Washington Quarter | 1932 | Up to $525 | Low Mintage, Highly Sought After |
| 1932-S Washington Quarter | 1932 | Up to $360 | Extremely Low Mintage |
| 1950-D/S Washington Quarter | 1950 | Up to $220 | Mintmark Error (Denver/San Francisco) |
| 1950-S/D Washington Quarter | 1950 | Up to $325 | Mintmark Error (San Francisco/Denver) |
| 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter | 2004 | Up to $105 | Extra Leaf Variety |
Fast forward to 2025, where several rare quarters could be worth not just a few pennies but a few thousand dollars. Learning how to spot valuable quarters could turn your change into a small fortune. Errors ranging from mintmark errors to double die obverses make these six quarters among the most coveted by collectors. Check your quarters carefully, and remember to seek professional grading for maximum value.
If you think you’ve found one of the more notable coins in the quarter denomination, go ahead and try to sell or just study it for a while; you’re probably holding a valuable piece of history!
1. 1943 Washington Quarter—Double Die Obverse
If you happen to own one of these quarters from 1943, a great sum of money could be involved, especially if it’s the 1943 double die obverse. The rare coin has some considerable errors whereby the details on the front, the obverse, of the coin are doubled. In particular, the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the date “1943” show a distinct doubling, making it more valuable among the crowd of coins available.
- Why It Is Valuable:
Collectors are interested in the 1943 Double Die Obverse Washington quarter because of the unique error it displays. The doubling on the coin is easily identifiable if you know what to look for. Coins in the lesser grades should be in the price range of about $135, but examples that are higher grades (AU58 or higher) could sell for around $8,500.
- How to Identify It:
Carefully view the coin’s inscription for the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Look conventionally for signs of doubling that are apparent on a letter or the date of 1943; if you see some, you could be looking at a valuable quarter.
2. 1932-D Washington Quarter
Following the 1932-D Washington quarter, which sells for among the highest prices of any coin, with mintage being only 436,800. This coin sells for exorbitantly high prices due to extreme rarity, even though it is not a major error coin among various quarters.
- Why It’s Valuable:
The 1932-D Washington quarter has become highly desirable to collectors due to its low mintage and its historical importance. If the coin is in good shape (AU55 or better), it will sell for around $525.
- How to Identify It:
The “D” mintmark will indicate that the coin is from Denver. The front has the standard design of George Washington, with an eagle on the reverse below the “D” mintmark.
3. 1932-S Washington Quarter
1932-S quarters minted in San Francisco are yet another type of Washington quarter to keep an eye out for; they are the more uncommon specimen for collectors again. Among others, the 1932-S quarter shares a design with the 1932-D, having a mintage that makes it much more difficult to find in circulation.
- Why It’s Valuable:
Like the 1932-D, the 1932-S is valuable because of its low mintage. High-grade specimens of the 1932-S can be worth as much as $360.
- How to Identify It:
Look for the “S” mintmark on the back of the coin. It also has the classic Washington design coupled with an eagle, which will catch your eye due to its age and relative scarcity.
4. 1950-D/S Washington Quarter
The 1950-D/S Washington quarter is one example of a minting error and is a must-have coin for collectors. This quarter has an overpunched mintmark; a San Francisco mintmark (S) was struck over a Denver mintmark (D), thereby creating a rare and collectible error.
- Why It Is Valuable:
This mintmark error occurred when the San Francisco mintmark was overstruck by the Denver mintmark, making it highly sought after. An excellent specimen could get as much as $220.
- How to Identify It:
Check the mintmark on the back of the coin. If you can see a D over an S, then you have the rare 1950-D/S variety. The error is usually easy to spot with a little practice.
5. 1950-S/D Washington Quarter
The mintmark overstrike is another feature common to the 1950-S/D Washington quarter, although, in this case, it’s the Democratic mintmark that was overstruck with the San Francisco mintmark. This is, however, one difficult one to spot, with another being the 1950-D/S, yet it shares an equally great deal of value nevertheless.
- Why It Is Valuable:
Similar to the 1950-D/S, this coin has value due to the mintmark error. Well-preserved examples can bring as much as $325.
- How to Identify It:
Look carefully for the mintmark. If you see S over D, you have the rare 1950-S/D quarter. It’s best to be cautious while checking coins of this period, as mint errors can sometimes be quite subtle.
6. 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter—Extra Leaf, High
The 2004-D Wisconsin State quarter is recognized for an error typically referred to as “Extra Leaf.” This quarter has an ear of corn with a leaf, but the error puts another leaf in the vicinity of the corn husk.
- What makes it valuable:
The Extra Leaf, High variety is very rare, being such a one-of-a-kind mistake, and collectors are willing to pay a premium for it. In fact, these coins can fetch as high as $105 in pristine condition.
- How to Recognize It:
Take a dual look at the corn husk behind the coin. If you see a high leaf protruding from the husk, it seems to be the valuable Extra Leaf quarter.
How to Determine the Value of Your Quarters
You might be holding one of these rare quarters in your hands, but assessing its worth is quite an important thing to do. Here are some key factors that can affect the value of your quarters:
- Mintmarks
- The mintmark indicates where a coin is produced. Some quarters have rare mintmarks such as the D (Denver) and S (San Francisco). Rare coin types from certain mints yield smaller numbers, making them more valuable.
- Condition (Grade)
- Coins are valued by grade, which is a measurement of the physical condition. The higher the grade, the more valuable the coin. Traditionally, professional grading services like PCGS and NGC assign grades such as AU (About Uncirculated) and MS (Mint State) that help in determining market price.
- Errors
- Minting mistake coins are usually worth more to collectors than errorless items. Among those errors are most likely the double die obverse or mintmark overstrikes. It would take place at production, making them distinct and coveted among collectors.
- Rarity
- The less they make a coin in a year, the more it increases its worth. Take, for example, the 1932-D Washington Quarter. Not many were made.
How can I tell if a quarter is rare?
Mintmarks, year, and noticeable errors on the coin differentiate a rare quarter from the rest. Rare quarters normally have low mintage numbers combined with other features like doubled die obverses or mintmark overstrikes.
Where can I sell my rare quarters?
You can sell those rare coins at numismatic dealers, online auction sites, and through certified auctions for rare coins. Have your coins graded by professional services such as PCGS or NGC for better selling.
How does one preserve rare coins?
Keep your rare coins in a safe, dry place. Use coin holders or slabs to eliminate damage and avoid handling the coins much to help keep their condition.
What if I don’t have access to professional grading?
While professional grading services provide the sharpest assessment of a coin’s worth, you could come pretty close to giving a rough estimate by researching online what it is worth or finding comparisons from similar coins. But remember, professional grading could improve a coin’s worth even more.
