MintPricedState quarter errors and varieties: what to look for
The 50 State Quarters program (1999–2008) put a new design on the reverse of the quarter five times a year, followed by quarters for the District of Columbia and US territories in 2009. Billions were struck, so a few mint errors and die varieties are found in circulation. Most quarters that look odd, though, are simply damaged.
Varieties collectors mention
- 2004-D Wisconsin “extra leaf” — an extra leaf-like shape on the corn husk, in “high” and “low” versions.
- 2005 Minnesota doubled die reverse — doubling on some of the trees, sometimes described as “extra trees”.
- 2005 Kansas “In God We Rust” — the T in TRUST is weak or missing because the die was filled with grease. This is a minor, struck-through error.
- 1999 Delaware “spitting horse” — a die crack near the horse’s mouth that looks like the horse is spitting.
General errors on any quarter
- Off-center strikes — part of the design is missing and part of the blank is plain.
- Clipped planchets — a curved bite out of the edge, with the rim fading near the clip.
- Broadstrikes — the coin is wider and flatter than normal because it was struck without the collar.
- Wrong planchet — struck on a blank meant for another coin. Very rare.
Error or damage?
Damage that happened after the coin left the mint (post-mint damage) is not an error and has no collector premium. Typical damage: scratches, dents, squeezed or hammered coins, acid or heat discoloration, and “doubling” that is really flat machine doubling. A real error usually shows metal flow that matches the strike, a clean rim and consistent details. The error coins guide explains the main types.
Before you sell or buy
Compare with photos in error references, check the mint mark (on the obverse to the right of Washington, see mint mark positions), and ask an expert or grading service before paying or asking a premium. Online listings with very high asking prices are not proof of value.
MintPriced can identify a state quarter from a photo, but it does not certify errors. For a suspected error, ask a grading service.
Sources and further reading
- U.S. Mint: Circulating coins
- U.S. Mint: Coin glossary
- NGC: Coin grading scale
- NGC Coin Explorer
- NGC: Counterfeit detection
More answers in the coin FAQ.
General information, not financial or appraisal advice. Values depend on condition and the buyer; ask a qualified dealer or grading service before buying or selling.