Are State Quarters Worth Anything? Errors and Varieties to Look For
Most 50 State quarters are worth 25 cents, but a few errors and varieties are worth more, including the 2004-D Wisconsin extra leaf and W quarters.
A lot of people collected the 50 State quarters when they came out, filling in a map on the fridge or a folder from the drugstore. Now those folders are turning up in closets, and people want to know if they’re worth anything.
The honest answer is that most state quarters are worth 25 cents. But there are a few errors and varieties worth looking for, and one of them has a Kansas connection.
The State Quarter Program
The 50 State Quarters program ran from 1999 to 2008. The Mint released five new designs a year, in the order the states joined the Union. Each design was made at Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D), with proof versions made at San Francisco (S).
The program was followed by:
- 2009: quarters for the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories
- 2010 to 2021: the America the Beautiful quarters, honoring national parks and sites
Because billions of state quarters were made and saved, circulated ones are worth face value.
The Ones Worth Looking For
2004-D Wisconsin “Extra Leaf”
The Wisconsin quarter shows a cow, a wheel of cheese, and an ear of corn. On some 2004-D Wisconsin quarters, there’s an extra leaf on the left side of the corn stalk. There are two versions, called the “High Leaf” and the “Low Leaf,” depending on where the extra leaf sits. These are genuine varieties and are worth well over face value.
2005-P Kansas “In God We Rust”
Here’s the local one. Some 2005-P Kansas quarters were struck with grease or debris filling part of the die, so the T in TRUST on the front is missing or very weak. The motto reads “IN GOD WE RUST.” It’s a fun piece to own and carries a small premium, though it isn’t rare like the Wisconsin extra leaf.
W Mint Mark Quarters (2019 and 2020)
In 2019 and 2020, the West Point Mint struck America the Beautiful quarters with a W mint mark, about 2 million of each design, and released them into circulation. They’re scarce compared to regular quarters, so check your change for that W.
Silver Proof Quarters
State quarters in silver proof sets are 90% silver. They’re mirror-like and came in Mint packaging, so you won’t usually find them in change. If you have silver proof sets, they’re worth more than regular proof sets.
Other Errors
Like any coin, state quarters can have genuine mint errors, such as off-center strikes, clipped planchets, or coins struck on the wrong blank. Those are worth a closer look. Scratches, dents, and corrosion are just damage.
What About Uncirculated Rolls and Sets?
Bank-wrapped rolls and Mint sets with state quarters usually bring a small premium, mostly for collectors who want perfect coins. Folders and maps of circulated quarters are generally worth face value.
The Bottom Line
Most state quarters are worth 25 cents, but it’s worth checking for the 2004-D Wisconsin extra leaf, the 2005-P Kansas “In God We Rust,” and W mint mark quarters. If you have silver proof sets with state quarters, those are worth more too.
Found an unusual quarter? JoCo Coin Shop offers honest, no-obligation appraisals across the Kansas City area. Contact me by phone, text, or email to get started.
