Coin collecting is a captivating hobby that combines history, artistry, and rarity, often resulting in astonishing monetary values. Among these numismatic treasures, certain quarters stand out, not just for their design or historical significance but for their extraordinary worth.
Topping this exclusive list is the rare Bicentennial Quarter, valued at nearly $11 million. Let’s look into this coin and seven other quarters, each valued over $10 million, to know what makes them so special.
Table of Contents
1976 Bicentennial Quarter
The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, issued to commemorate America’s 200th year of independence, is a collector’s dream. Its value stems from a unique minting error: it was struck on a 90% silver planchet, the same used for pre-1965 quarters. This anomaly, coupled with its historical significance, elevates its worth to nearly $11 million.
1932-D Washington Quarter
The 1932-D Washington Quarter marks the inception of the Washington quarter series. Its limited mintage of only 436,800 coins makes it one of the rarest quarters. Collectors highly prize this coin for its historical value and scarcity, driving its value to an impressive $10.5 million.
1932-S Washington Quarter
Like its Denver counterpart, the 1932-S Washington Quarter is highly sought after due to its low mintage. Only 408,000 of these coins were minted in San Francisco, making them incredibly rare. This scarcity, along with its pristine condition, can fetch a value of around $10.3 million.
1796 Draped Bust Quarter
The 1796 Draped Bust Quarter is a piece of early American history. With a mintage of just 6,146, it is one of the rarest and most coveted quarters. Its design, featuring a small eagle, adds to its allure, making it worth a staggering $10.2 million.
1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter
The 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter is a numismatic marvel due to its overdate error, where an 1823 date was struck over an 1822 quarter. This error, combined with its limited mintage, makes it a rarity worth about $10.1 million.
1838 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter
The 1838 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter is exceptionally rare due to its proof status, indicating it was struck with special care for collectors. Only a handful of these were made, making them extremely rare and valued at approximately $10.05 million.
1870-S Liberty Seated Quarter
The 1870-S Liberty Seated Quarter is shrouded in mystery. It’s believed that only a few were minted, and even fewer have survived. This extreme rarity, combined with its historical significance, makes it worth around $10.04 million.
1916 Standing Liberty Quarter
The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter is renowned for its beautiful design and limited mintage. Only 52,000 were produced, making it one of the rarest 20th-century quarters. Its artistic appeal and scarcity value it at about $10.01 million.
These quarters are not just pieces of metal; they are historical artifacts, each with a unique story and rarity that make them worth millions. Collectors and enthusiasts cherish these coins not just for their monetary value but for the rich history and artistry they represent. As we continue to uncover more about these treasures, their stories and values only grow, making them timeless pieces of American heritage.
| Coin | Value | Mintage | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 Bicentennial Quarter | Nearly $11M | Unknown | Minting error on silver planchet |
| 1932-D Washington Quarter | $10.5M | 436,800 | First Washington quarter, low mintage |
| 1932-S Washington Quarter | $10.3M | 408,000 | Low mintage |
| 1796 Draped Bust Quarter | $10.2M | 6,146 | Early American coin, small eagle design |
| 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter | $10.1M | Unknown | Overdate error |
| 1838 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter | $10.05M | Few | Proof status, special care for collectors |
| 1870-S Liberty Seated Quarter | $10.04M | Few | Extremely rare, historical significance |
| 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter | $10.01M | 52,000 | Beautiful design, limited mintage |
FAQs
Why is the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter so valuable?
The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter is valuable due to a minting error where it was struck on a 90% silver planchet, making it extraordinarily rare.
What makes the 1932-D Washington Quarter rare?
The 1932-D Washington Quarter is rare because it was the first in the Washington quarter series and had a limited mintage of only 436,800.
How many 1932-S Washington Quarters were minted?
Only 408,000 1932-S Washington Quarters were minted, contributing to their rarity and high value.
Why is the 1796 Draped Bust Quarter significant?
The 1796 Draped Bust Quarter is significant due to its early American origin, low mintage of just 6,146, and its unique small eagle design.
What is special about the 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter?
The 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter is special because of its overdate error, where the 1823 date was struck over an 1822 quarter, making it a rare collectible.