Coin collecting isn’t just about keeping old money—it’s about discovering rare pieces of history. Some coins are so special that they are worth millions of dollars today. One such coin is the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, which has been valued at nearly $11 million! But that’s not the only one. There are several other quarters in the U.S. that are each worth over $10 million. In this article, we’ll look at eight of the most valuable quarters ever found. If you’re lucky, you might just have one in your collection!
1. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter – Worth Nearly $11 Million
This quarter was made to celebrate 200 years of American independence. Most people got the regular version, but one rare version was accidentally made using silver that was no longer used after 1964.
Why it’s valuable:
- It was struck on a 90% silver planchet (metal disc).
- It has a minting error.
- It represents an important event in U.S. history.
Estimated Value: Nearly $11 million
2. 1932-D Washington Quarter – Worth $10.5 Million
This was the first Washington quarter ever made and it came from the Denver Mint. Only a small number were made, and finding one in perfect condition is extremely rare.
Why it’s valuable:
- First of its kind.
- Low mintage of only 436,800 coins.
Estimated Value: $10.5 million
3. 1932-S Washington Quarter – Worth $10.3 Million
This quarter is from the same year as the Denver version but was minted in San Francisco. Even fewer were made, which makes it even rarer.
Why it’s valuable:
- Mintage of just 408,000 coins.
- Popular among collectors for its rarity and design.
Estimated Value: $10.3 million
4. 1796 Draped Bust Quarter – Worth $10.2 Million
This is the first quarter ever produced in the U.S. It has a “Draped Bust” design and features a small eagle on the back.
Why it’s valuable:
- First U.S. quarter in history.
- Only 6,146 were ever minted.
Estimated Value: $10.2 million
5. 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter – Worth $10.1 Million
This quarter has a mistake—what collectors call an “overdate.” The number 3 was stamped over a 2 by accident.
Why it’s valuable:
- Unique minting error.
- Very few were made and survived.
Estimated Value: $10.1 million
6. 1838 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter – Worth $10.05 Million
This coin wasn’t made for regular use. It’s a proof coin, which means it was made with extra care and detail. Only a few of these were ever made.
Why it’s valuable:
- Beautiful proof finish.
- Extremely limited quantity.
Estimated Value: $10.05 million
7. 1870-S Liberty Seated Quarter – Worth $10.04 Million
This coin is a mystery! It was supposedly made at the San Francisco Mint, but there are no official records of it. A few have been found, though.
Why it’s valuable:
- No mint records make it mysterious.
- Only a few are known to exist.
Estimated Value: $10.04 million
8. 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter – Worth $10.01 Million
This coin has one of the most beautiful designs ever seen on U.S. money. Only 52,000 were made, which makes it extremely rare.
Why it’s valuable:
- Eye-catching design.
- Very low mintage.
Estimated Value: $10.01 million
Quick Comparison Table
| Coin | Estimated Value | Mintage / Quantity | Why It’s Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 Bicentennial Quarter | Nearly $11M | Unknown | Made by mistake on silver planchet |
| 1932-D Washington Quarter | $10.5M | 436,800 | First of Washington series |
| 1932-S Washington Quarter | $10.3M | 408,000 | Very low mintage |
| 1796 Draped Bust Quarter | $10.2M | 6,146 | First quarter ever |
| 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter | $10.1M | Unknown | Overdate error |
| 1838 Proof Liberty Seated | $10.05M | Very few | Rare proof coin |
| 1870-S Liberty Seated | $10.04M | Unknown | No official records |
| 1916 Standing Liberty | $10.01M | 52,000 | Beautiful design and rare |
Final Thoughts
These rare quarters show that sometimes, small things can hold huge value. Whether because of their age, a minting mistake, or their low numbers, each of these coins tells a story. They’re more than just pieces of metal—they are pieces of American history.
If you enjoy collecting coins or even just find an old one in your pocket, take a closer look. Who knows? You might be holding a million-dollar treasure without even knowing it. Coin collecting can be fun, exciting, and even life-changing when you discover something truly rare.
FAQs
- What makes the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter so valuable? The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter is worth nearly $11 million because it was mistakenly struck on a 90% silver planchet, making it a rare collector’s item.
- Why is the 1932-D Washington Quarter so expensive? With only 436,800 coins minted, the 1932-D Washington Quarter is rare, and its early historical significance adds to its high value.
- What is the 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter’s unique feature? The 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter is valuable because of its overdate error, where a “3” was struck over a “2,” making it highly sought after by collectors.
- Why is the 1796 Draped Bust Quarter worth millions? The 1796 Draped Bust Quarter is the first-ever U.S. quarter, with only 6,146 minted, making it a rare and highly valuable piece of American history.
- How many 1916 Standing Liberty Quarters were made? Only 52,000 1916 Standing Liberty Quarters were minted, making it the rarest and most valuable coin in its series.
