10 Rare Quarter Dollar Coins
Welcome back, treasure hunters. Somewhere in the United States right now, a single quarter is sitting unnoticed—worth more than most people earn in years.
These are not normal quarters.
They are the top 10 rarest and most valuable quarter dollar coins ever discovered, and some have sold for six figures… seven figures… and even over $1 million.
What makes this unbelievable is that many of these coins once circulated as everyday change.
In this guide, you will learn:
Which quarters are worth serious money
Why they are rare
How to identify them step by step
How to protect and sell them properly
Let’s begin.
Step 1: Check the Date and Mint Mark First
Before anything else:
- Look at the year on your quarter
- Check for a mint mark:
- P = Philadelphia
- D = Denver
- S = San Francisco
- No mark = Philadelphia (older coins)
Many valuable quarters are rare because of missing mint marks, wrong metal, or striking errors.
Top 10 Rare and Valuable Quarter Dollar Coins
1929 Standing Liberty Quarter – Up to $17,000+
Why it’s valuable:
- Struck during the Great Depression
- Low survival in high grade
- Stunning design of Lady Liberty and the American Eagle
Value:
- Good condition: $20–$30
- XF40: Hundreds of dollars
- MS60–MS65: $2,000–$5,000
- MS67 (PCGS): Sold for $17,000+
Tip: Look for strong details in Liberty’s gown and shield.
1776–1976 Bicentennial Quarter (Silver & Errors) – Up to $100,000+
Special features:
- Colonial drummer design
- Silver proof versions
- Rare mint errors
Value:
- MS67 copper-nickel: $1,500–$4,000
- MS68 silver proof: $15,000–$20,000
- Major errors: $25,000–$50,000+
- Perfect MS70 (if found): possibly $100,000+
1965 Silver Quarter (Transitional Error) – Up to $150,000+
Why it’s special:
Some 1965 quarters were mistakenly struck on 1964 silver planchets.
How to check:
- Weight: 6.25g = silver, 5.67g = clad
- Edge: solid silver vs copper stripe
Value:
- Certified silver error: $150,000+
- Clad MS68: $12,000–$15,000
1968 No Mint Mark + Date Touching Edge Error – Up to $93,000
What to look for:
- No mint mark (Philadelphia)
- Date pushed into the rim
Value:
- Normal XF: $150–$500
- Error version: $7,500 – $93,000
1980-D Quarter (Uncirculated) – Up to $50,000
Mint: Denver
Why valuable:
- Extremely rare in perfect condition
Value:
- MS65+: Thousands
- Top grade: $50,000
1965 No Mint Mark Silver Planchet Error – Up to $8,000+
Different from #3 version but still rare.
Same weight & edge test applies.
Value:
- Certified example: $8,000+
1986-D Quarter (Very Good Condition) – Up to $100,000
Why unusual:
Coins in “Very Good” condition from this year are oddly scarce.
Value:
- $50,000 – $100,000 depending on preservation
1989-P Quarter (Excellent Condition) – Up to $50,000+
Mint: Philadelphia
Value:
- Excellent condition: $20,000
- Uncirculated: $50,000+
- Errors = even more
1973-D Quarter – Up to $398,000
One of the most shocking entries.
Value:
- Circulated: $280,000
- Fine/XF: $300,000+
- Mint State: $398,000
1970 Silver Quarter (Transitional Error) – Up to $180,000+
The crown jewel for many collectors.
Identification:
- Weight: 6.25g
- Solid silver edge
- No mint mark
Value:
- MS68 clad: $18,000–$22,000
- Silver error: $180,000+
Step-by-Step: How to Protect a Valuable Quarter
If you believe you found one:
Do NOT clean it
Handle with gloves
Place in protective holder
Send to PCGS or NGC for grading
Get professional appraisal before selling
Final Thoughts
A simple 25-cent coin can become:
$10,000
$100,000
Or even $1,000,000+
Most people never check.
Now you will.
Before spending your change… inspect it. Your next quarter could rewrite your future.
