Welcome back to Getting Rich on U.S. Mint Mistakes — Episode 3, where we uncover real error coins that turned spare change into serious money. And this one is a stunner!
A 2022 Dr. Sally Ride Quarter was recently discovered with a shocking minting mistake. Instead of being struck on a quarter blank, it was struck on a nickel planchet — and it sold at auction for over $10,000! 
What Makes This 2022 Quarter Error So Valuable?
This coin is a textbook example of a wrong planchet error. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Smaller Size → Slightly smaller than a normal quarter
- Obverse (Front) → Part of LIBERTY at the top is cut off
- Reverse (Back) → The words QUARTER DOLLAR at the bottom are incomplete
Weight Test (Key to Spotting the Error)
One of the easiest ways to confirm this type of error is to weigh the coin:
Normal 2022 Quarter → ~5.7 grams
Nickel Planchet Error → ~5.0 grams
If your coin weighs closer to 5.0g and shows the cut-off lettering, you might be holding a jackpot find.
Auction Record
Recently, one of these error coins sold at auction for $10,000+ after 17 competitive bids.
It was certified and verified before the sale.
Collectors rushed to bid because wrong planchet errors are extremely rare — especially on modern coins.
Why It’s Worth Thousands
When the U.S. Mint accidentally feeds the wrong blank into the press, the result is a coin with mismatched size, weight, and design.
Since the Mint usually catches mistakes quickly, very few slip into circulation. That extreme rarity is exactly what drives these values sky-high. 
Quick Finder’s Checklist
If you think you’ve got one, here’s what to check:
Year: 2022 (Dr. Sally Ride Quarter)
Size: Smaller than a normal quarter
Details: Missing part of LIBERTY and QUARTER DOLLAR
Weight: Around 5.0 grams
