The 50 State Quarters program was one of the most popular coin series in American history, celebrating each state’s unique heritage. However, some of these quarters came with rare mint errors that have made them highly sought after by collectors.
These rare errors can significantly increase the value of the quarters, with some worth over $1,000 today. Let’s dive into some of the most valuable error coins from this iconic series.
Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarter
One of the most famous errors in the 50 State Quarters series is the Wisconsin quarter with the “Extra Leaf” variation. In 2004, some quarters featured an extra leaf on the corn stalk, either positioned higher or lower than normal.
This mint error has turned this quarter into a collector’s item, with the “High Leaf” and “Low Leaf” variations commanding prices well above their face value.
Minnesota Double Die Quarter
The Minnesota state quarter, released in 2005, has an intriguing double die error. This error manifests as multiple impressions of the trees on the right side of the coin, giving the appearance of “extra trees.”
Depending on the severity of the doubling, these quarters can fetch prices ranging from hundreds to over $1,000.
Kansas In God We Rust Quarter
One of the quirkiest errors is found on the Kansas state quarter. In some 2005 quarters, the “T” in the motto “In God We Trust” is faint or missing, making it appear as “In God We Rust.”
This error is caused by grease build-up in the die, affecting the letter’s visibility. This humorous yet rare error has made these quarters highly collectible.
Delaware Spitting Horse Quarter
The Delaware quarter, released in 1999, features Caesar Rodney on horseback. Some of these quarters exhibit an error where it looks like the horse is “spitting” due to a die crack extending from the horse’s mouth. This error has caught the attention of collectors, driving the coin’s value up significantly.
Arizona Extra Cactus Quarter
The 2008 Arizona quarter features the Grand Canyon and a saguaro cactus. However, some quarters display an error where an extra piece of cactus seems to cover the initials of the designer. This minor but significant design flaw has made these error quarters particularly valuable.
| Coin | Error Type | Year | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | Extra Leaf | 2004 | $300 – $1,000+ |
| Minnesota | Double Die | 2005 | $200 – $1,500+ |
| Kansas | Grease Error (“In God We Rust”) | 2005 | $50 – $1,000+ |
| Delaware | Die Crack (“Spitting Horse”) | 1999 | $150 – $500+ |
| Arizona | Extra Cactus | 2008 | $100 – $800+ |
Collectors are always on the lookout for these error coins. If you find one of these rare quarters, it could be worth much more than its face value. The value largely depends on the condition and rarity of the error, so it’s essential to have your coins professionally graded to determine their worth.