Once known as the “Hobby of the Kings,” coin collecting is a global pastime open to anyone with an appetite for accumulation. Coins can be appreciated due to their artwork, their rarity or their historical significance.
Some coin enthusiasts, formally referred to as numismatists, aim to complete sets of a specific design or denominations. Others chase minting oddities and short-run issues. Minting errors, like doubled images or off-center strikes, can transform an everyday coin into a desirable rarity.
The 50 State Quarters series, issued by the United States Mint from 1999 through 2008, has been credited with reinvigorating the hobby of coin collecting. Issued at the rate of five per year, 56 Quarters were designed to honor all fifty states’ heritage and history. (The series also honored U.S. territories and the District of Columbia)
The program encouraged millions of Americans to collect coins and ushered in a new generation of collectors. Website CoinWeek noted that a 2005 Mint survey found that “approximately half of all Americans, or 147 million people, were collecting state quarters to one degree or another.”
Most of these quarters remain worth their face value of 25 cents, but a handful have become collectible due to mint errors, limited production runs, or exceptional grading condition.
Grading is important. A grade of MS-70 is the perfect coin. According to the American Numismatic Association, “it has a very attractive sharp strike and original luster of the highest quality for the date and mint. No contact marks are visible under magnification.”
Meanwhile, an MS-69 rating is near-perfect but has up to “two small identifiable marks or flaws.” An MS-68 has up to four flaws, etc. etc. The rating number goes down as the flaws go up.
Earlier this week, FinanceBuzz released a report showcasing the 8 most valuable state quarters from the collection.
It’s recommended to consult a professional grading service if you happen upon one of these to ascertain the true value. As with all collectibles, condition, scarcity and demand are all key in determining what cash value a coin might fetch among collectors.
2008-D Alaska state quarter
A 2008-D Alaska state quarter in MS69 condition was auctioned for over $2,000 in 2017. The “D” means they were minted in Denver. Typical uncirculated 2008-D quarters are worth a few dollars. This particular coin drew collector demand because of its rarity in pristine form.
Estimated worth: $2,350
1999-P Connecticut Broadstruck quarter
This quarter features a rare mint error with a broadstrike. The “P” means they were printed in Philadelphia. According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), coins with this truly rare experimental planchet error are worth over $4,000.
Estimated worth: $4,362
1999-S Delaware quarter
They can go for over $1,000 each at auction if in perfect condition. They feature an “S,” which represents a mint mark from San Francisco, Calif. 1999 in the coin’s description refers to the year it was minted which was the first year of the U.S. State Quarter Program.
Estimated worth: $500-$1000
2005 Doubled Die Minnesota quarter
Many versions of the 2005 Minnesota quarter were printed incorrectly with an extra or partial tree to the right of the state outline. They may be worth between $500 and $700 if found in pristine condition with the production flaw.
Estimated worth: $500-$700
2000 New Hampshire quarter
The Mint produced over 673 million of these coins. Most are not valuable. However, a pristine version could be worth over $500. One with a MS64 conditon grade sold for a record $2,128 in 2025.
Estimated worth: $500
1999-S New Jersey quarter
Scarce proof varieties have reached auction prices well above face value according to the PCGS.
Estimated worth: $500
2000 South Carolina quarter
The 2000 South Carolina quarter was one of the first State quarters to be released. It may have extra value if it has extra strikes during the minting process instead of one strike.
A 2000-P 25C South Carolina (Regular Strike) had an auction record of over $3,000, according to the PCGS, valued due to its MS69 grade. Very few coins in this condition exist.
Estimated worth: $500-$2,500
2004-D Wisconsin “Extra Leaf” quarter
If the coin is in excellent condition and has an extra ear of corn, which looks like a leaf, that may mean about $1,000 in sale value. Some variations of this coin have the extra leaf printed low or high, indicating which way the extra leaf points on the coin.
Estimated worth: $1,000
Find one of these in your change jar? A quick google search shows ten coin shops in the Portland Metro Area. Any of them can guide you to professional grading services that can authenticate and help preserve your coins by encapsulating them in protective holders that reflect their condition.
