The U.S. Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program, which ran from 1999 to 2008, was a massive success, with millions of Americans collecting these unique quarters.
However, some of these state quarters are significantly rarer than others and can fetch a premium in the numismatic market. Whether due to errors, low mintage numbers, or unique designs, these coins are highly sought after by collectors.
In this article, we’ll explore the 10 rarest state quarters still in circulation today, their unique characteristics, and their estimated values.
Rarest State Quarters Coins in Circulation
1. 2008-D Oklahoma State Quarter
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Mintage: 194,600,000
- Value: $1.25 in mint condition
- Reason for Rarity: Struck during the Great Recession, which reduced coin production across the U.S., making this one of the rarest state quarters in circulation today.
2. 2004-P Iowa State Quarter
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Mintage: 213,800,000
- Value: $1.10 in uncirculated condition
- Reason for Rarity: Lower mintage compared to other state quarters makes this coin hard to find, especially in higher grades.
3. 1999-P Delaware “Spitting Horse” Quarter
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Mintage: 774,828,000 (with a portion affected by the error)
- Value: $30 in mint condition
- Reason for Rarity: A die break error led to what looks like a “spitting horse” from the mouth of Caesar Rodney’s horse, making these quarters rare and valuable.
4. 2004-D Wisconsin “Extra Leaf” Quarter
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Mintage: 453,200,000 (with a portion affected by the error)
- Value: $50 for circulated, $100 for uncirculated
- Reason for Rarity: An error caused an extra leaf to appear on the corn stalk. There are two versions—”Extra High Leaf” and “Extra Low Leaf.”
5. 2005 Minnesota “Double Die” Quarter
- Mint Mark: Various
- Mintage: 488,000,000
- Value: $50 or more for dramatic varieties
- Reason for Rarity: A double die error created additional trees on the reverse side, making this quarter highly collectible.
6. 2005-P Kansas “In God We Rust” Quarter
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Mintage: 563,400,000
- Value: $50 in uncirculated condition
- Reason for Rarity: Due to a grease-filled die, some coins were minted missing the “T” in “Trust,” making the phrase read “In God We Rust.”
7. 1999-P Pennsylvania Quarter (MS67)
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Mintage: 349,000,000
- Value: Over $10,000 in mint condition
- Reason for Rarity: Extremely high grades (MS67 and above) of this coin are rare and can fetch thousands of dollars at auction.
8. 2000-P New Hampshire Quarter
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Mintage: 495,976,000
- Value: Hundreds of dollars due to error
- Reason for Rarity: Struck on a Jefferson nickel planchet, leading to a double-denomination error that makes this quarter valuable.
9. 2008 Alaska State Quarter
- Mint Mark: Various
- Mintage: 254,000,000
- Value: Up to $81
- Reason for Rarity: This quarter often comes with a unique error where extra details are engraved on the bear’s paw.
10. 2003-P Alabama State Quarter
- Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- Mintage: 225,000,000
- Value: $1 or more in mint condition
- Reason for Rarity: Lower mintage than most other state quarters and its design featuring Helen Keller makes it a sought-after coin for collectors.
| State Quarter | Mint Mark | Mintage | Value (Mint Condition) | Rarity Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-D Oklahoma | Denver | 194,600,000 | $1.25 | Low production during the recession |
| 2004-P Iowa | Philadelphia | 213,800,000 | $1.10 | Low mintage compared to others |
| 1999-P Delaware “Spitting Horse” | Philadelphia | 774,828,000 | $30 | Die break error |
| 2004-D Wisconsin “Extra Leaf” | Denver | 453,200,000 | $100 | Extra leaf on the corn stalk |
| 2005 Minnesota “Double Die” | Various | 488,000,000 | $50 | Double die error with extra trees |
| 2005-P Kansas “In God We Rust” | Philadelphia | 563,400,000 | $50 | Grease-filled die causing missing “T” |
| 1999-P Pennsylvania (MS67) | Philadelphia | 349,000,000 | $10,000+ | High-grade rarity |
| 2000-P New Hampshire | Philadelphia | 495,976,000 | Hundreds | Struck on a Jefferson nickel planchet |
| 2008 Alaska | Various | 254,000,000 | $81 | Unique bear paw error |
| 2003-P Alabama | Philadelphia | 225,000,000 | $1+ | Low mintage and unique design featuring Helen Keller |
Conclusion
The U.S. State Quarters Program has left a lasting impact on both collectors and casual coin enthusiasts. While many state quarters are still worth face value, some rare pieces—especially those with errors or low mintages—can be worth significantly more. Collectors should keep an eye out for these rare coins, as they can add both financial and historical value to any collection.
FAQs
1. What makes state quarters valuable?
State quarters become valuable due to low mintage, unique designs, and minting errors that make certain variations rare.
2. Are all state quarters collectible?
Not all state quarters are collectible. Most are worth their face value, but rare ones with errors or in mint condition can fetch much higher prices.
3. How can I find rare state quarters?
You can find rare state quarters by checking your change, looking through bank rolls, or buying them from coin dealers and auctions.
4. What is the most valuable state quarter?
The most valuable state quarter is often considered to be the 1999-P Pennsylvania MS67, which can sell for over $10,000 in mint condition.
5. Are state quarters still in circulation?
Yes, many state quarters are still in circulation, though finding rare ones can be challenging due to collectors pulling them out of circulation.
References
- Bullion Shark – Top 10 Rare State Quarters
- U.S. Coins Guide – Rare State Quarters in Circulation
- Great American Coin Company – 10 Rarest State Quarters
