Coin collecting is a rewarding and interesting hobby that many people have enjoyed for years. While some collectors gravitate toward nickels, dimes, or other smaller denominations, quarters have a special attraction—both commercially and historically. Quarters have been around for centuries, and because of their size and design, they are usually the center of interest for everyday collectors and serious numismatists. Over the years, certain quarters, particularly error coins, have become extremely valuable, sometimes bringing prices in the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If you’re new to coin collecting, you might have heard of rare coins like pennies or dimes selling for record prices, and this can spark curiosity. But did you know that quarters—especially those with errors—can also be worth a small fortune? Let’s explore some of the most valuable quarter error coins and find what makes them so valuable. We’ll dive into their unique qualities, their rarity, and what makes each of these error coins highly demanded by collectors.
List of 10 Most Valuable Quarter Error Coins Worth Money
- 2004-D Wisconsin Quarter Extra Leaf Low Business Strike
- 1822 Capped Bust Quarter 25/50c Regular Strike
- 2004-D Wisconsin Quarter Extra Leaf High Regular Strike
- 2000-P Maryland Quarter Muled with Sacagawea Dollar
- 1828 Capped Bust Quarter 25/50c Regular Strike
- 1918/7-S Overdate Full Head Standing Liberty Quarter
- 2009-D District of Columbia DDR Quarter Business Strike
- 1891 Seated Liberty Quarter MPD Regular Strike
- 1999-P Susan B. Anthony $1 Struck on a 1999 Georgia Quarter
- 1983-P Spitting Eagle Type 2 Clad Quarter Business Strike
1. 2004-D Wisconsin Quarter Extra Leaf Low Business Strike
- Year: 2004
- Series: State Quarters
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Error: Extra Leaf Low
- Grade: MS 67
- Date of Sale: January 12, 2020
- Price: $6,000
The 2004 Wisconsin State Quarter is one of the most famous error coins from the 50 State Quarters series. This error is known as the Extra Leaf Low, where a small extra leaf seems on the corn stalk in the design. The error happened at the mint, likely because of a small die anomaly, and it resulted in a rare variation that has made this coin highly coveted. In fact, collectors have paid upwards of $6,000 for high-grade versions like the MS 67 example. It’s an excellent example of how an error can transform an otherwise ordinary coin into something extremely valuable.
2. 1822 Capped Bust Quarter 25/50c Regular Strike
- Year: 1822
- Series: Capped Bust
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Error: Denomination Struck Twice – 25c over 50c
- Grade: MS 66
- Price: $184,000 (April 1, 2009)
The 1822 Capped Bust Quarter with the 25c over 50c error is an extremely rare and historically significant coin. This error occurs when a coin’s die is used twice, first striking the 50-cent denomination and then striking over it with a 25-cent die. The result is a quarter that bears both denominations. This error, one of the earliest in American coinage, is highly prized by collectors because of its rarity and the unique nature of the error. When this coin sold in 2009 for a whopping $184,000, it set a precedent for just how much some minting errors can bring.
3. 2004-D Wisconsin Quarter Extra Leaf High Regular Strike
- Year: 2004
- Series: State Quarters
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Error: Extra Leaf High
- Grade: MS 66
- Price: $2,530 (July 7, 2006)
Another variation of the 2004 Wisconsin Quarter, the Extra Leaf High, is a different but equally valuable error. In this case, a second leaf was struck higher on the corn stalk design, making a subtle but distinct difference from the standard coin. Although this error isn’t as rare as the Extra Leaf Low, it’s still a highly demanded coin by collectors. With an MS 66 grade, this particular coin was able to command a price of over $2,500 at auction, showing just how even subtle variations can make a coin very valuable.
4. 2000-P Maryland Quarter Muled with Sacagawea Dollar
- Year: 2000
- Series: State Quarters
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Error: Mule – Maryland Quarter Obverse with Sacagawea Dollar Reverse
- Grade: MS 67
- Price: $192,000 (March 21, 2018)
One of the most dramatic errors, this mule coin features a Maryland State Quarter obverse (heads side) paired with the reverse (tails side) of a Sacagawea Dollar. This occurred when the wrong die was used during the minting process, resulting in a coin that combined two different designs. Such mistakes are extremely rare, and this particular error was valued at an incredible $192,000 when it sold in 2018. Mule errors are prized for their rarity and the intriguing mix of designs that make them so unique.
5. 1828 Capped Bust Quarter 25/50c Regular Strike
- Year: 1828
- Series: Capped Bust
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Error: Denomination Stamped Twice – 25c over 50c
- Grade: MS 67+
- Price: $352,500 (November 15, 2013)
Another Capped Bust Quarter from the 19th century, the 1828 25c over 50c is one of the most famous and valuable errors. The coin has a double-stamped denomination, where a 50-cent coin was struck over by a 25-cent die. With the error visible on the coin, this rare piece brought an amazing $352,500 at auction in 2013. This type of error is highly collectible because of its historical value and the high quality of its minting, making it a showstopper in any coin collection.
6. 1918/7-S Overdate Full Head Standing Liberty Quarter
- Year: 1918 (over 1917)
- Series: Standing Liberty
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Error: Overdate – 1918/7
- Grade: MS 64+ FH
- Price: $336,000 (September 17, 2020)
The 1918/7-S Overdate error occurs when the year “1917” is still partially visible under the final “1918” on the coin’s date. This error, commonly referred to as an overdate, happens when older dies are used for minting, resulting in the overlapping of two years. The Full Head designation on this coin refers to a specific strike where the details of the standing liberty figure, especially the head, are well-defined. These particular pieces are extremely valuable, and one of them brought over $336,000 in 2020.
7. 2009-D District of Columbia DDR Quarter Business Strike
- Year: 2009
- Series: DC and Territories
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Error: Doubled Die Reverse (DDR)
- Grade: MS 66
- Price: $3,055 (July 10, 2014)
Doubled Die Errors (DDEs) are some of the most generally seen errors in U.S. coinage, and the 2009-D District of Columbia DDR is a prime example. In this case, the reverse side of the coin was struck twice, resulting in a noticeable doubling of the inscription “E Pluribus Unum” and other design details. Although less dramatic than some of the other errors on this list, this coin still brought over $3,000 at auction because of the importance of the DDR and the coin’s rarity in high grade.
8. 1891 Seated Liberty Quarter MPD Regular Strike
- Year: 1891
- Series: Seated Liberty
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Error: Misplaced Date
- Grade: MS 64
- Price: $1,058 (August 2, 2017)
The Misplaced Date error on this 1891 Seated Liberty Quarter is relatively quiet but still highly prized by collectors. The error occurs when the die strikes a second date or design feature, creating a misplaced or misaligned date on the coin. This particular example sold for over $1,000, offering that even relatively minor errors can always be valuable, particularly when they are found on older, historical coins.
9. 1999-P Susan B. Anthony $1 Struck on a 1999 Georgia Quarter
- Year: 1999
- Series: State Quarters
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Error: Wrong Planchet – SBA $1 Struck on a Quarter
- Grade: MS 63
- Price: $10,925 (January 2009)
One of the more unusual errors, this coin is a Susan B. Anthony Dollar that was struck on a Georgia Quarter planchet. This type of error occurs when the wrong type of metal is used to mint a coin. The result is a Susan B. Anthony dollar made out of the thinner, lighter material of a quarter, which makes it both unusual and valuable. This particular coin, graded MS 63, sold for approximately $11,000.
10. 1983-P Spitting Eagle Type 2 Clad Quarter Business Strike
- Year: 1983
- Series: Washington Quarter
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Error: Die Clash – Spitting Eagle
- Grade: MS 66+
- Date of Sale: March 13, 2018
- Price: $504
The Spitting Eagle error from the 1983 Washington Quarter series is an interesting example of a die-cash. This error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies of a coin collide without a planchet in between, leaving an imprint of one side’s design onto the other. In this case, it looks as though the eagle on the reverse is “spitting,” creating a unique and noticeable flaw. Though not as valuable as some of the other errors on this list, it still sold for $504 in a 2018 auction, showing that even more modest errors can find enthusiastic buyers.
Also Read – 10 Most Valuable Nickel Error Coins Worth Money
Conclusion
Quarter error coins are some of the most exciting and valuable pieces in the world of numismatics. The mistakes that occur during minting—from die clashes to double strikes—add an element of rarity and intrigue to these coins. Collectors are drawn to these errors not just for their inherent scarcity, but also for the stories they tell about the coin-making process. Whether it’s a subtle Doubled Die Reverse or a dramatic Mule Error, each of these coins carries with it a piece of history—and the potential for a hefty price tag at auction.
If you happen to come across one of these rare quarters, you may be holding onto a small fortune. But remember, each coin’s value depends on its rarity, condition, and the severity of the error.