3 Rare State Quarters That Could Be Worth a Fortune

Coins with Mistakes in the US State Quarters Program (1999–2008) and Their Value

Their design, coupled with a powerful promotion campaign that featured supportive videos and literature, makes the state quarters popular in flavor and fragrance minting. Most, unlike others that render many of their face worth, sell at less than 25 cents. There are some rare exceptions, though, and accidental minting flaws which make such quarters more valuable than a mid-range car. Some of the more notable features are listed below:

Delaware “Spitting Horse” Quarter (1999)

The Delaware quarter, released in 1999, was the first coin in the state quarters series, and depicts Caesar Rodney on horseback. But it is known as the “Spitting Horse” because of a printing mistake. A die crack caused a line to come out of the horse’s mouth, which looks like saliva.

Feature	Details
Error	Die crack near the horse’s mouth
Value	Estimated up to $150 million (high grade)
Collector Appeal	Unique and recognizable error

This bizarre mistake attracts the attention of collectors, and is considered one of the most iconic state quarter mistakes.

Wisconsin “Extra Leaf” Quarter (2004)

The 2004 Wisconsin quarter, which symbolizes the state’s agricultural heritage, depicts a cow, a wheel of cheese, and a corn plant. A printing mistake added an extra leaf to the corn plant, and two versions of this mistake have been found:

Feature	Details
Error Variants	High extra leaf and low extra leaf
Value	Significant premiums over face value
Collector Appeal	Highly desirable due to unique design error

Both of these versions are highly sought after by collectors, and their value increases significantly depending on the coin’s condition and rarity.

Kansas “In God We Rust” Quarter (2005)

The 2005 Kansas quarter, which depicts a bison and the state motto, became famous for its “In God We Rust” mistake. This mistake saw the word “RUST” appear instead of “TRUST”, making this coin a fun and unique subject.

Feature	Details
Error	Missing “T” in “TRUST” due to a grease-filled die
Value	Significant premiums for uncirculated examples
Collector Appeal	Popular for its humorous and ironic error

This mistake not only became a topic of discussion among collectors, but it also became a popular and valuable coin.

Other Important State Quarter Mistakes

Apart from this, there have been printing mistakes in other state quarters, which proved to be extremely valuable for collectors. These coins are commonly found in our everyday money, and the mistakes hidden in them are an exciting discovery for collecting.

State	Error	Estimated Value
Connecticut (1999)	Broad strike (expanded coin size)	Over $1,000
New Hampshire (2000)	Die crack through the design	Over $500
Minnesota (2005)	Extra tree in the design	Over $1,000
Georgia (1999)	Missing mint mark	Over $700

What affects the price of a coin?

The price of quarters with errors depends on several important elements:

Rarity: The fewer coins with that mistake, the higher the price of the coin.
Condition: The better the condition of the coin, the higher its price.
Error Type: If the error is unique or spectacular, such as extra design elements or missing words, the coin is even more attractive.
Collector Demand: Depending on the type of coin and the error it contains, its demand in the market also has an impact.

How to Identify a Quarter With a Valuable Mistake?

If you’re looking for valuable state quarters in your coin collection or in your changing money, follow these easy steps:

Check the Design: Look for unusual features, extra elements, or missing details on the coin.
Pay Attention to Key States: Keep an eye out for coins like Delaware (1999), Wisconsin (2004), and Kansas (2005).
Use Proper Lighting: Viewing a coin in good light can make subtle errors easier to spot.
Compare Coins: Compare coins with images of coins with valuable errors.

What to do to sell a valuable quarter?

If you think you’ve found a coin with a valuable mistake, keep these things in mind:

Handle with care: Do not clean the coin, as this can decrease its value.
Store properly: Keep the coin in a protective cover to prevent damage.
Authenticate: Have the coin graded by an authentication service like PCGS or NGC to authenticate it.
Consult dealers: Contact trusted coin dealers or auction houses for coin pricing and sale.

Why collect state quarter mistakes?

The state quarter program provides a wonderful illustration of American history and regional pride. Collecting becomes even more exciting if it includes coins with a mistake. These rare mistakes are not only valuable, but they also symbolize unique aspects of the minting process, reflecting the humanity of the creation of U.S. coins.

Whether you are an experienced numismatist or a casual enthusiast, finding a quarter with a mistake adds a whole new dimension to coin collecting. If you ever find the $150 million “Spitting Horse” quarter, it will be extremely rare, but the experience of the find itself will be spectacular, and you may even find a hidden gem among your old coins!