What Quarters Are Worth Money?

Published October 17, 2026 · Last reviewed October 17, 2026 · 7 min read

A quarter is one of the easiest coins to ignore. We toss them into cup holders, vending machines, and jars without thinking twice about the small date stamped beneath George Washington. But sometimes, that date—or one tiny detail you would never notice at first glance—is the difference between 25 cents and a coin worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

The good news is that you do not need to be an experienced collector to know which quarters deserve a second look. Start with three simple things: the year, the mintmark, and what the coin is made of. Those clues can quickly tell you whether the quarter in your hand is ordinary change, real silver, or something much harder to find.

A Short History of the Quarter

The United States made its first quarter in 1796, long before George Washington appeared on the coin. Early quarters featured different images of Liberty, followed later by designs such as the Barber quarter and Standing Liberty quarter. The Washington quarter first appeared in 1932 and became the design most Americans recognize today. Two of the most important early Washington quarters are the 1932-D and 1932-S. Only 436,800 were made in Denver and 408,000 in San Francisco, making them the key dates of the series. Even heavily circulated examples can be worth well over their twenty-five-cent face value.

Which Quarters Are Silver?

For someone looking through an old jar of quarters, however, 1964 is probably the most important year to remember. Barber quarters made from 1892–1916, Standing Liberty quarters from 1916–1930, and Washington quarters from 1932–1964 were made of 90% silver. Beginning in 1965, ordinary circulating quarters changed to the copper-nickel "clad" composition still familiar today. That means even a common, worn 1964 quarter can be worth much more than 25 cents simply because of the silver inside it.

Barber Quarters (1892–1916)

A Barber quarter is a good example. Named after its designer, U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber, the coin was produced from 1892 through 1916. Each one weighs 6.25 grams when new and contains about 0.1808 troy ounce of pure silver. At current silver prices, that metal alone gives even many common Barber quarters significant value before collector rarity is considered. The important word there is before: certain Barber dates can be worth far more than their silver content because collectors are willing to pay premiums for scarcer examples or dates.

How Can You Tell If a Quarter Is Silver?

One easy way to check an older Washington quarter is to look at the edge. A traditional 90% silver quarter normally appears silver-colored all the way through, while a modern clad quarter usually shows a visible copper-colored stripe along its edge. The date is still the easiest starting point, but the rim can give a beginner another quick clue.

Are State Quarters Worth Money?

Newer quarters can be valuable too, although usually for a completely different reason. From 1999 through 2008, the U.S. Mint released five different State Quarters each year, eventually producing more than 34 billion coins for the program. That huge production means an ordinary State Quarter pulled from circulation is usually still worth 25 cents. Having an unusual state design does not automatically make it rare.

The 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarter

But there are exceptions, and one of the most famous can still look like ordinary pocket change. Certain 2004-D Wisconsin quarters were struck with an extra shape resembling another leaf beside the ear of corn on the reverse. Collectors recognize two versions, known as the Extra Leaf High and Extra Leaf Low varieties. PCGS considers these the major varieties of the entire State Quarters program, with the Extra Leaf High being the scarcer of the two. High-grade examples have sold for thousands of dollars, although the value of an individual coin depends heavily on its condition.

Are "Rare State Quarter" Headlines Real?

This is also why online headlines claiming that an ordinary State Quarter is worth thousands should be treated carefully. Usually, the valuable coin is not valuable simply because it says "Wisconsin" or "Delaware." There is normally something specific about it—a recognized error, unusual variety, exceptionally high grade, or special collector issue. Most normal State Quarters are still common.

How to Sort Old Quarters

If you are sorting through quarters, do not clean anything that looks old, unusual, or especially well preserved. Cleaning can permanently change a coin's surface and reduce its collector value. Instead, set aside quarters dated 1964 or earlier, look closely at unusual mintmarks or designs, and research anything that appears different from the rest.

Before You Sell Old Quarters

For anyone in Connecticut or the surrounding area, Haven Coin & Jewelry at 2285 Whitney Ave in Hamden evaluates older quarters, silver coins, and inherited collections for free with no obligation to sell. You can call (203) 717-4921. Walk-ins are welcome Tuesday through Friday from 10am–5pm and Saturday from 10am–2pm. Appointments are also available for larger collections. Haven is a licensed Connecticut precious metals dealer and pays by check the same day, as Connecticut law requires. That can be particularly useful when you have a large group of coins and do not know whether you are looking at ordinary silver, a better date, or a collectible variety. The goal is not simply to find out what a quarter is worth—it is to understand why it may be worth more before you decide what to do with it.

The Value Was There the Whole Time

A quarter can spend decades being treated as nothing more than twenty-five cents. Then one person notices the year, a small letter, or a tiny extra detail and realizes it was never ordinary at all. That is what makes searching old change so interesting: sometimes the value was there the entire time—you just had to know where to look.

FAQ: Quarters

Are any quarters worth money?

Yes. Silver quarters, scarce dates, recognized errors and varieties, and exceptionally high-grade quarters can all be worth more than face value.

How much silver is in a quarter?

A traditional 90% silver U.S. quarter contains about 0.1808 troy ounce of pure silver.

What is the rarest quarter?

There is no single simple answer across every type, but the 1827 Capped Bust quarter is one of the great U.S. quarter rarities. For Washington quarters, the 1932-D and 1932-S are the major key dates.

How much is a state quarter worth?

Most circulated State Quarters are worth 25 cents, but recognized varieties such as the 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf quarters and unusually high-grade examples can be worth much more.