While digging through old change or inherited coin jars, you might unknowingly be sitting on a hidden gem worth thousands-possibly even more.
Washington quarters, featuring the familiar image of America’s first president, are usually overlooked as common pocket change. But certain dates, mint marks, and rare errors have turned some of these coins into numismatic treasures, commanding astonishing prices in today’s market.
If you’re lucky, you might just find one of these exceptional quarters that could transform your financial future.
1932-D and 1932-S: The Quarters That Started It All
The Washington quarter made its debut in 1932 to honor George Washington’s 200th birthday. That year, Philadelphia struck over 5 million coins, but the Denver and San Francisco mints produced far fewer—just 436,800 and 408,000, respectively. Because of this limited mintage, the 1932-D and 1932-S quarters are considered the foundation of Washington quarter collecting.
Jimmy Brewer, a construction worker from Tulsa, discovered a 1932-D quarter tucked away in his grandfather’s workshop. “There was this old tobacco tin full of coins,” he said. “I almost threw it out with the junk, but decided to look inside.” That coin ended up selling for $13,750-enough to cover his daughter’s first year of college.
Today, uncirculated 1932-D quarters can sell for between $5,000 and $75,000, while the 1932-S ranges from $4,000 to $65,000. Even well-worn examples often fetch $300 to $3,000, an incredible return on just twenty-five cents.
1936 Doubled Die Obverse: A Rare Collector’s Prize
Doubled die errors occur when a coin die receives two misaligned impressions during production. The 1936 Doubled Die Obverse Washington quarter shows clear doubling on “LIBERTY” and the date. Fewer than 50 confirmed examples are known, making this one of the rarest and most desirable errors in the series.
Margaret Foster, a retired teacher in Vermont, kept her childhood coin book for sentimental reasons. “My dad gave it to me when I was ten,” she explained. When she finally had it appraised, she was stunned to learn that a 1936 quarter with obvious doubling was worth over $9,000.
Numismatists believe a few more examples could still be out there-possibly sitting unnoticed in old albums or forgotten jars.
1937 Doubled Die Obverse: Another Lightning Strike
A year later, another doubled die emerged-this time in the 1937 Washington quarter. This version shows distinct doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date.
Even scarcer than the 1936 version, this coin can command prices between $4,500 and $15,000, depending on grade and condition.
Thomas McKinley, a bank teller from Chicago, spent lunch breaks combing through rolls of quarters. “Everyone thought I was nuts with my magnifying glass,” he joked. His persistence paid off when he spotted a 1937 quarter with dramatic doubling. After getting it authenticated, he sold it for $7,200-enough to buy his dream motorcycle and still have cash left over.
During the Depression, mints prioritized speed over perfection, leading to overlooked production flaws that now excite collectors.
1942-D Doubled Die Obverse: A Wartime Rarity
As the U.S. ramped up production during World War II, the Denver Mint released a 1942 quarter with significant doubling on the obverse. Known as the 1942-D Doubled Die, the coin shows doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date.
Harold Johnson discovered one while helping his grandson start a coin folder. “Something just looked off about the lettering,” he said. That coin, once authenticated, sold for $6,800-and sparked a shared love of numismatics between generations.
Because many silver quarters were melted for their bullion value, well-preserved examples of the 1942-D Doubled Die are rare and can sell for $3,000 to $15,000.
1932–1964 Silver Quarters: Hidden Value in Plain Sight
Washington quarters minted before 1965 contain 90% silver, giving them intrinsic value far above their 25-cent face. With silver prices fluctuating, these quarters typically hold melt values of $3.50 to $5.00-sometimes more.
Sandra Abernathy learned this firsthand while helping clean her late mother’s house. “There was a five-gallon jug half-full of quarters,” she recalled. “I almost took it to the bank, but a friend told me to check the dates.” Her careful sorting revealed 3,500 silver quarters, which she sold for over $15,000.
Millions of these coins are still tucked away in jars, drawers, and inherited collections-waiting to be discovered.
Standing Liberty Quarters Misidentified as Washingtons
Before Washington quarters, the Standing Liberty series (1916–1930) featured Lady Liberty on the obverse. Some older Standing Liberty quarters-especially worn ones-can be mistaken for Washingtons in change or collections.
Coins like the 1923-S and 1927-S Standing Liberty quarters had mintages under 2 million and can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on condition.
Frank Winters, who runs a laundromat in Baltimore, found a worn 1923-S mixed in with quarters from his machines. Though the coin showed its age, it still brought in $175-an impressive return on a coin most people wouldn’t look at twice.
These surprises make searching through change all the more rewarding.
Modern Washington Quarters: Errors Worth a Second Look
Not all valuable quarters are decades old. The State Quarters (1999–2008) and America the Beautiful series have also produced modern mint errors that carry real value.
Some notable finds include:
- 1999-P New Jersey with a reverse die break (“extra tree”): $50–$250
- 2004-D Wisconsin with an extra corn leaf: $150–$300
- 2005-P Minnesota with an “extra tree” design: $50–$150
- Major off-center strikes or wrong planchet errors: $500 to several thousand
Rebecca Chen found a 30% off-center quarter in her coffee shop change. “It looked warped,” she said. That coin later sold for $325-enough to fund her caffeine habit for a few months and kickstart her interest in coin errors.
These modern issues show that valuable quarters still slip into circulation today.
How to Start Your Own Treasure Hunt
If this article has you reaching for the coin jar, here are some practical tips to help you get started:
- Check inherited collections first: Older family coin stashes often hold overlooked gems.
- Don’t ignore “normal-looking” coins: Doubled dies and other errors may only be visible with magnification.
- Use the right tools: A 7x–10x magnifying glass and good lighting are essential for spotting details.
- Never clean coins: Cleaning can destroy a coin’s value-always research or consult an expert first.
- Get professional grading: Authentication can dramatically increase a coin’s resale value and protect your investment.
While not every quarter you find will be a jackpot, the thrill of discovery and the possibility of uncovering a rare treasure make this hobby both exciting and potentially profitable.
So the next time you get change at the store or stumble upon an old jar of coins, take a closer look-your financial fortune might just be hiding in plain sight.
