Quarter Error Coins: Complete Value Guide
From rare State Quarter mistakes to doubled die Washington quarters — discover which 25-cent errors are worth serious money and how to find them.
The quarter is arguably the most searched denomination for error coins in the United States — and for good reason. Between the 50 State Quarters program (1999–2008), the D.C. and U.S. Territories series, and the America the Beautiful quarters, the Mint struck billions of 25-cent pieces over two decades with constantly changing designs. More designs mean more opportunities for errors, and more people actively looking at their quarters for variations.
Washington quarters have also produced some of the most dramatic and valuable errors in modern U.S. coinage — from the famous 1970-S small date proof to State Quarter errors worth thousands. This guide covers every major quarter error type, current values, and exactly what to look for.
📌 Quarter errors span from common broadstrikes worth $20 to rare wrong-planchet errors worth $10,000+. The State Quarter series alone produced dozens of collectible errors — many still found in circulation today.
Most Valuable Quarter Error Types
Doubled Die Obverse or Reverse
Die hubbing errors that create doubled lettering, dates, or design elements. The most dramatic examples show clear separation between doubled elements visible without magnification.
$50 – $5,000+Off-Center Strike
The planchet was misaligned during striking, leaving part of the design missing. The sweet spot for collectors is 40–60% off-center with the date still fully visible.
$25 – $600+Wrong Planchet / Off-Metal
A quarter struck on a dime, cent, or foreign coin planchet. These are genuinely rare and immediately obvious — the coin is the wrong size, weight, or color.
$500 – $15,000+Broadstrike
Struck without the retaining collar, allowing the metal to spread outward. Broadstruck quarters are wider than normal with a flattened, spread rim all the way around.
$30 – $200Clad Layer Missing
Washington quarters are clad coins — a copper core bonded between outer nickel layers. When a clad layer is missing, the coin shows exposed copper on one side and is noticeably lighter than normal.
$75 – $400Die Cap / Brockage
A coin that sticks to the die and strikes subsequent coins, creating incuse mirror images. Full brockage errors are among the rarest and most visually dramatic error types.
$200 – $2,000+Most Valuable Quarter Errors by Date
| Coin | Error Type | Circulated | MS/PR-63+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970-S Washington Quarter | Small Date (Proof) | — | $800 – $3,500 |
| 2004-D Wisconsin Quarter | Extra Leaf High or Low | $100 – $300 | $500 – $1,500 |
| 2005-P Minnesota Quarter | Extra Tree | $50 – $150 | $200 – $600 |
| 1999-P Delaware Quarter | Spitting Horse (die crack) | $15 – $40 | $75 – $250 |
| Any State Quarter | Reverse on Nickel Planchet | $500 | $2,000+ |
| Any Date | Missing Clad Layer | $75 | $400 |
| Any Date | 50%+ Off-Center w/ Date | $75 | $300+ |
| 1965 Washington Quarter | Struck on Silver Planchet | $7,000+ | $15,000+ |
💡 For current Washington quarter values across all dates, see the FindRareCoins coin values guide. For error coins across all denominations, visit the complete error coins guide.
State Quarter Errors: The Collector's Gold Mine
The 50 State Quarters program (1999–2008) produced more widely collected error coins than any other modern U.S. series. With 50 different reverse designs struck at two mints (Philadelphia and Denver) over a decade, variations and errors were inevitable — and many circulated before anyone noticed.
2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf
The most famous State Quarter error. On some Wisconsin quarters, an additional corn leaf appears either high or low on the left side of the corn stalk — a die gouge that was apparently not caught before striking. Two varieties exist: the "extra leaf high" and "extra leaf low." Both were found in roll searching in Arizona shortly after release and quickly attracted national attention. Circulated examples regularly bring $100–$300, with certified MS-65 examples reaching $1,500+.
2005-P Minnesota Extra Tree
Several Minnesota quarters show extra tree lines in the forest design on the reverse — die gouges similar to the Wisconsin error. Less dramatic than Wisconsin but still collectible, with circulated examples worth $50–$150.
1999-P Delaware Spitting Horse
A die crack running from Caesar Rodney's horse's mouth creates the appearance of the horse spitting. An entry-level State Quarter error that's still found in circulation, worth $15–$75 depending on the size and clarity of the crack.
🔎 Pro tip: The best State Quarter errors are still being found in circulation and bank rolls. Focus your searching on Wisconsin (2004-D), Minnesota (2005-P), and Kansas (2005-P, which has a "In God We Rust" die fill error) — these are the most valuable and worth specifically hunting.
How to Check Your Quarters for Errors
The Weight Test
A normal clad Washington quarter weighs 5.67 grams. A quarter with a missing clad layer weighs approximately 4.5 grams. A quarter struck on a dime planchet weighs 2.27 grams. A precise digital scale (0.01g accuracy) is your best first tool for identifying wrong-planchet and missing-clad-layer errors.
The Visual Check
Under good lighting and a 5x loupe, examine the rim first — broadstrikes and missing collar errors are immediately visible. Then check the design elements for doubling, particularly "IN GOD WE TRUST," "LIBERTY," and the date. On State Quarters, scan the reverse design carefully for any extra elements, lines, or die cracks.
The Edge Check
Normal quarters have a reeded (grooved) edge. A quarter with a missing clad layer may show exposed copper on the edge. A broadstruck quarter has a smooth, spread edge with no reeding. Run your thumb around the edge before examining the faces — it's the fastest initial screen.
Where to Buy & Sell Quarter Errors
For State Quarter errors and common error types, eBay is the most active marketplace with the most price transparency. Always verify values against sold listings rather than asking prices — the gap can be significant for popular errors like the Wisconsin quarter.
For high-value errors (anything over $500), PCGS or NGC certification is strongly recommended before buying or selling. A certified Wisconsin extra leaf brings substantially more than a raw example because authentication is guaranteed.
Browse Quarter Error Coins on eBay
Search active listings and recently sold examples to track current market values.
Browse Quarter Errors Wisconsin Extra LeafFrequently Asked Questions
What State Quarter errors are worth the most money?
The 2004-D Wisconsin extra leaf (high and low varieties) are the most valuable State Quarter errors in circulated grades. The 2005-P Minnesota extra tree and 2005-P Kansas "In God We Rust" die fill are also notable. For raw dollar value, any State Quarter struck on the wrong planchet (nickel, dime, or cent blank) tops the list — these can bring $2,000–$10,000 depending on the planchet and grade.
How do I know if my Wisconsin quarter has an extra leaf?
Look at the corn stalk on the left side of the reverse design. On normal Wisconsin quarters, there is no additional leaf protruding from the left side of the stalk near the bottom. On the error coins, a clear extra leaf extends either upward (high variety) or downward (low variety). The extra leaf is distinct and raised — not a scratch or damage mark. A 5x loupe makes identification easy.
Is a quarter with no mint mark an error?
Not necessarily. Philadelphia quarters from 1965–1967 and some other years were intentionally struck without mint marks. A missing mint mark is only an error if it was supposed to be there — which requires knowing the specific date and mint. The 1982 and 1983 Roosevelt dimes are the most famous missing-mint-mark errors, but Washington quarters have had a few as well. Research the specific date before concluding it's an error.
What is the rarest Washington quarter error?
The 1965 Washington quarter struck on a 90% silver planchet is among the rarest. These coins were struck during the transition from silver to clad coinage, when silver planchets were still present in the Mint. Only a handful are known, and examples have sold for $7,000–$15,000+. The 1970-S small date proof quarter is another major rarity, with values regularly exceeding $1,000 in proof grades.
Where can I find more coin values?
FindRareCoins maintains an updated coin values guide covering major U.S. series. For denomination-specific error guides, see our penny error coins page and the full error coins guide.
Explore More Error Coins
Quarters are just one part of the story. Discover error coins across pennies, nickels, dimes, and dollars.
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