Some of the rare quarters that exist today are from the first batch of US coins minted in 1796 after the Mint Act of 1792 became law. The new minting law empowered the US to produce silver dollars, half dollars, dimes, and half dimes.
However, there was a traction in the demand for quarters as it took a while before Americans warmed up to them. The most valuable quarters and coins out there are valued based on their design or staying out of circulation. The following is the list of the five rarest and most valuable quarters.
1827/3/2 Capped Bust Quarter
Reports show that only nine copies of the 1827 quarter still exist, despite official records claiming 4,000 were minted. One of the surviving 1827 quarters currently sits in the Smithsonian.
The 1827 coins qualify as a rare quarter because each of them is overrated, and a close examination revealed a ‘3’ beneath the ‘7.’ The last 1827 quarter, which went up on auction, earned its owner $411 250.
ALSO READ: 1975 Dimes Could Be Worth Half a Million Dollars, but There Are Things To Look Out For
1807 B-2 Draped Bust Quarter
Usually, when it comes to rare coins, the older they are, the more likely they are to turn out as the most valuable quarters. The 1807 quarter is very peculiar because the die used in stamping its design was never reused in the later quarter series.
Testament to this die defect is a noticeable chink in the top edge of the coins. Like the 1827, an 1807 quarter sold at auction for $411,250.
1850 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter
Despite being stamped after the 1807 and 1827 quarters, the 1850 quarter fetched more at auction — $460,000. This quarter dollar went into circulation in 1850, and three or four samples of it are now known today.
The finest sample of the 1850 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter is widely reported to be in the possession of coin collectors Phil Kaufman and John Jay Pittman.
1839 Proof Seated Liberty Quarter
Before 1858, stamping of proof coins was seldom done, if at all, in large numbers. So, while coins were minted and circulated in the years preceding 1858, proof coins were rare, even in the 19th century.
It is commonly rumored that only one proof coin was stamped in 1839 and is worth $517,500 today.
1796 B-2 Draped Bust Quarter
Official records suggest that 6,146 quarters were stamped by the Philadelphia Mint in 1796. It is also believed that those were the first set of quarters ever stamped in the Mint.
700 copies still exist, but most are in poor shape from exposure to the elements and the wear of time. However, 70 pieces of 1796 quarters are estimated to still be in pristine condition. A 1796 quarter, in mint condition, can fetch as much as $1,527,500 at auction.
Some History About US Quarters
Quarters have about seven designs, differentiated by engraving stamped onto the coin’s obverse side. So, these coins are named after these designs, except for the Barber, which sports the name of its designer, Charles Barber.
Despite the quarter’s unpopularity in the 18th century, a commemorative design won people’s hearts. This commemorative quarter was designed in 1932 to celebrate the 200th birthday of George Washington.
ALSO READ: Should You Sell Your Coins at a Coin Shop or on eBay?
What Are the Peculiarities of Rare Quarters?
Most valuable quarters are largely appraised based on their rarity, making the commemorative quarters one of the first collectibles among American coins. So, before coin collectors venture out in the hunt for valuable quarters, a question that often plagues their hobby is: “Which quarter is worth a lot of money?”
While it may be true that some rare quarter collectors go through much hassle for the monetary proceeds. Nonetheless, some hunt for valuable quarters because of their rarity, and the rarest ones often pass as the most valuable ones.
Which Quarter Is Worth a Lot of Money?
Rare quarters are worth a fortune for an apparent reason: they are scarce. However, someone may hit the jackpot if they stumble upon two variants of quarters minted in the 20th century.
The 1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters are valuable quarters. One can fetch its possessors up to $100, and if they are lucky enough to have an uncirculated sample, they can get as much as $10,000.
Which Quarter Is Worth $35000 Today?
In June 2023, Meredith Bodgas of Woman’s World reported that a 1970 quarter sold for $35,000 on eBay. That price is worth several multiples of the 25 cents stamped on the coin.
Despite not being as old as the 18th-century rare coins, the 1970 quarter has been widely acclaimed as rare because of a minting error. The San Fransisco Mint stamped the 1970 die on 1941 Canadian quarters instead of blank coins.
What Is the Rarest State Quarter?
Like the 1970 quarter, rare state quarters are valued largely due to some peculiar error or their circulation scarcity. For example, the 2005-P Kansas has “In God We Rust” stamped on all its coins.
Some other rare state quarters are the 1999-P Delaware Spitting Horse error and the 2004-D Winsconsin Extra Leaf Low and Extra Leaf High quarters.
ALSO READ: Should You Sell Your Coins at a Coin Shop or on eBay?
Valuable Quarters After 2000
That a quarter was minted recently does not disqualify it from being valuable. Since these quarters are modern, it is very likely for coin enthusiasts to find one in their collection. However, these modern but valuable quarters are often rare state quarters.
For example, the 2002-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf Low and High Quarters can fetch a couple of Benjamins or even over a thousand dollars at auction.
You Might Also Like:
Top Wall Street Analysts Predict Top 3 Stocks for Long-Term Prospects
Wisconsin Can Now Earn Up to $14,000 in Federal Energy Rebate
New Report Shows US Jobs Data Triggered Global Stock Market Rout