When you think of rare and valuable coins, you may envision golden treasures or ancient relics. However, many of the rarest and most valuable coins are right in front of us — even in our pocket change. Take the quarter, for instance.
This humble 25-cent piece, usually associated with vending machines and laundry rooms, has some highly coveted varieties that can fetch over $540,000 at auction. In fact, some of the most sought-after quarters in U.S. coinage history have set new records, commanding mind-blowing prices.
Whether it’s due to minting errors, limited releases, or simply being from an era of low mintage, these quarters have become gems of the numismatic world.
In this blog, we’ll explore 4 rare quarters that have sold for over $540,000 and how you can spot these valuable coins in your collection.
1. 1932-D Washington Quarter
Estimated Value: $700,000+
The 1932-D Washington Quarter is widely regarded as one of the most valuable and sought-after coins in U.S. history. It was minted during the early years of the Washington Quarter series, which began in 1932 to commemorate George Washington’s 200th birthday.
While the design of the quarter remained largely unchanged until 1999, the 1932-D is considered a key date for collectors due to its low mintage. Only about 436,800 of these coins were minted, making it one of the rarest quarters in circulation.
Why is it worth so much? The 1932-D is difficult to find in good condition. Most of the surviving coins have significant wear and tear, which reduces their value. But when a 1932-D Washington Quarter is found in mint or near-mint condition, it can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars.
One example of this coin sold for a staggering $700,000 in a recent auction, setting a record for Washington Quarters. Collectors prize these coins for both their historical significance and their rarity.
2. 1942/1 Washington Quarter (Overdate Error)
Estimated Value: $800,000+
The 1942/1 Washington Quarter is an example of a fascinating overdate error, one of the most prized types of minting mistakes. An overdate occurs when a coin is struck with a die that was incorrectly modified from a previous year’s design.
In this case, the 1942/1 quarter was struck with a die that originally showed the number “1” from the 1941 date, which was then overstruck with the correct “2” to form the 1942 year.
The 1942/1 Washington Quarter is especially coveted because it is extremely rare — with only a few examples known to exist. This coin’s unique error makes it highly collectible and, when found in excellent condition, it can sell for prices well over $800,000.
One example was sold at auction for more than $800,000, which is a testament to the importance of error coins in the numismatic world.
Collectors flock to these overdate coins because of their historical and technical interest. The 1942/1 Washington Quarter offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of minting errors, making it an ultimate treasure for collectors.
3. 1796 Draped Bust Quarter
Estimated Value: $1.4 million+
The 1796 Draped Bust Quarter is one of the earliest and rarest quarters ever produced by the U.S. Mint. Only about 6,000 of these coins were minted, and even fewer have survived in good condition.
The 1796 Draped Bust Quarter is part of the first year that quarters were officially issued, and it features a portrait of Lady Liberty on the obverse and a bald eagle on the reverse.
This quarter is considered a foundational piece in U.S. coinage history, making it extremely valuable to collectors.
The 1796 Draped Bust Quarter is highly coveted because it represents the infancy of U.S. coinage and features a striking design by Robert Scot, the first Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint.
One of these quarters was sold for $1.4 million in a private sale, making it one of the most expensive quarters ever sold. While it’s unlikely to find one of these coins in your pocket change, if you do, you’re looking at a fortune in your hand.
4. 1937-S Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel (Incorrectly Minted Quarter)
Estimated Value: $540,000+
While technically a Buffalo Nickel, the 1937-S Three-Legged Buffalo is one of those rare U.S. coins that has been mistakenly associated with the quarter series due to the way it was misstruck.
Originally, this coin was intended to be a Buffalo Nickel — which is a 5-cent coin. However, a die error resulted in the design of the buffalo having only three legs, making it an error coin of significant rarity.
In some instances, the mistaken die was used to strike coins that were initially intended for other denominations, including quarters. This confusion over minting led to the 1937-S Three-Legged Buffalo having a rarity that goes well beyond the 5-cent coin market.
As a result, one of these coins was sold for over $540,000. Though it is not a true quarter, its place in U.S. coin history makes it worthy of consideration for any serious numismatic collector.
| Coin | Minted | Estimated Value | Key Identifying Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1932-D Washington Quarter | 1932 | $700,000+ | Low mintage, rare in high condition |
| 1942/1 Washington Quarter (Overdate) | 1942 | $800,000+ | Overdate error, with the “1” from 1941 visible |
| 1796 Draped Bust Quarter | 1796 | $1.4 million+ | First year of U.S. quarters, extremely low mintage |
| 1937-S Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel | 1937 | $540,000+ | Minting error on a Buffalo Nickel, sometimes struck as a quarter |
What makes the 1932-D Washington Quarter so valuable?
The 1932-D Washington Quarter is valuable due to its low mintage (only about 436,800 coins were made) and its relative scarcity in good condition. Collectors are eager to find this rare coin, especially in uncirculated or near-mint condition.
How much is a 1942/1 Washington Quarter worth?
A 1942/1 Washington Quarter, which is an overdate error coin, can fetch prices over $800,000 depending on its condition. The rarity of this minting mistake makes it highly sought after by collectors.
What is the history behind the 1796 Draped Bust Quarter?
The 1796 Draped Bust Quarter is one of the earliest quarters ever minted by the U.S. Mint, with only about 6,000 coins produced. Its historical significance and rarity make it one of the most valuable coins in U.S. coinage history, with some examples fetching $1.4 million or more.