Ever stop to think about whether that quarter in your pocket could be worth way more than 25 cents? It turns out some of those common-looking coins can be surprisingly valuable. Some quarters are rare because of their history, mistakes made when they were produced, or just because they didn’t make many of them. Coin collectors get pretty excited about these.
A lot of folks don’t even notice these special coins because they seem just like all the others. But if you know what to look for and get into the habit of checking your change closely, you might just find a quarter that could bring in some serious cash.
List of Rare and Valuable Quarters
Quarter | Year | Defining Feature | Potential Value |
---|---|---|---|
1932-D Washington Quarter | 1932 | Only 436,800 coins minted | $100–$10,000+ |
2004 Wisconsin Quarter (Error Coin) | 2004 | Extra leaf on the corn stalk | $300–$1,500 |
1970-S Washington Proof Quarter | 1970 | Struck on a foreign coin planchet | Up to $35,000 |
1932-D Washington Quarter – One of the Rarest and Most Valuable Coins

The 1932-D Washington quarter is usually a top pick for collectors. It was the first year they made the Washington series, and they only made 436,800 of them at the Denver Mint. That’s not a lot compared to other years.
The coin’s historical significance and scarcity make it extremely valuable. If you find this quarter somewhere, it can be worth $100 to $1,000 in normal condition. But if it is in uncirculated condition, it can be worth more than $10,000.
How to Identify if You Have a 1932-D Washington Quarter?
- Look for the “D” mintmark below the eagle on the back of the coin.
- If the “D” is present and the coin is in good condition, it can be worth thousands of dollars.
- Consult a professional numismatist to ensure the coin’s authenticity.
2004 Wisconsin Quarter (Error Coin) – A Simple Error That Makes It Rare

Mint errors always make coins unique and valuable. A special edition of the Wisconsin quarter released in 2004 featured an extra leaf, making it rare and priceless.
There are two types of this error:
- “Extra High Leaf”
- “Extra Low Leaf”
This error is believed to have been caused by a scratch on the die during minting, creating an extra leaf on the coin. If you have a 2004 Wisconsin quarter, look carefully at the corn stalk on the reverse.
Potential value of this coin:
- If it is in fair condition, it could be worth $300 to $800.
- If it is in excellent condition (uncirculated), it could be worth $1,500 or more.
1970-S Proof Quarter – Coin minted on the wrong plate, could be worth up to $35,000.

Some coins are mistakenly minted on the wrong plate, making them rare. The 1970-S Washington Proof Quarter is one such coin, which was mistakenly minted on a Canadian coin plate. This mistake caused the quarter to be lighter and thinner, making it indistinguishable from normal coins.
How to identify if you have a 1970-S Proof Quarter?
- If the coin is lighter and thinner than normal quarters, this could be a sign.
- The coin will have an “S” mintmark, indicating that it was minted at the San Francisco Mint.
- Consult a numismatist to check its authenticity.
Potential value of this coin:
- Due to its rarity, it can fetch up to $35,000 at auction.
How to identify if you have a valuable quarter?
- Look at the mintmark: The D (Denver), S (San Francisco), or P (Philadelphia) mark on the coin can indicate the coin’s rarity.
- Year matters: Some years are rarer than others, like 1932, 1970, and 2004. Keep an eye out for those dates.
- Spot the mistakes: Does the coin look odd? Maybe it has an extra leaf, is unusually thick, or the design is blurry. These errors can make a coin valuable.
- Check the shape it’s in: Coins that haven’t been used much (uncirculated) are worth more to collectors.
- Get a pro’s opinion: Think you might have something rare? Have a coin expert (a numismatist) take a look.
Basically, you might have a hidden treasure just jingling around in your pocket.
Conclusion
Even quarters that look totally ordinary can be something special. Coins like the 1932-D Washington quarter, the 2004 Wisconsin error quarter, and the 1970-S proof quarter could be worth a lot.
So, next time you come across an old quarter, give it a good once-over and maybe talk to a coin expert to be sure. You never know – you could be sitting on a coin worth thousands, or maybe even millions! Worth a shot, right?
FAQs
Q. How can I tell if I have a valuable quarter?
A. Check the year, mintmark, and any unusual features like minting errors or low mintage numbers.
Q. What is the rarest quarter in circulation?
A. The 1932-D Washington Quarter is one of the rarest due to its low mintage of only 436,800 coins.
Q. How much is the 2004 Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarter worth?
A. Depending on its condition, it can be worth between $300 and $1,500.
Q. Why is the 1970-S Proof Quarter so valuable?
A. It was accidentally struck on a foreign coin planchet, making it extremely rare and worth up to $35,000.
Q. Where can I sell a rare quarter?
A. You can sell rare quarters at coin dealers, auctions, or online marketplaces like eBay and Heritage Auctions.