9 Rare Washington Quarters Worth $26,000 Each – Are You Holding One?

Every now and then, we come across coins in our pockets that look a little older or shinier than the rest. Most of the time, we just spend them without a second thought. But what if one of those coins is worth $26,000? Sounds unbelievable, right? Well, it turns out that there are 9 rare Washington quarters that can fetch that kind of money.

The Washington quarter has been around since 1932, and over the decades, the U.S. Mint has made many versions. Some of them have mistakes, rare features, or were made in small numbers. Collectors are always hunting for these gems, and if you’re lucky, you might already have one in your collection—or even in your change jar.

Let’s take a closer look at these 9 valuable quarters, what makes them special, and how to check if you might be holding one.

Why Washington Quarters Can Be Valuable

The Washington quarter is one of the most collected coins in the United States. Designed to honor the 200th birthday of George Washington, the first quarter was minted in 1932. Most quarters are made for everyday use and are only worth 25 cents. But some have rarities, minting errors, or limited production that make them worth thousands.

Collectors look for specific details, such as:

• The year of the coin

• The mint mark (where the coin was made)

• Errors like double strikes, missing letters, or wrong metals

  

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• The coin’s condition (the less wear, the better)

Overview Table: 9 Rare Washington Quarters Worth Up to $26,000

Details of the Top Rare Quarters

Let’s talk a bit more about each of these coins and why collectors go crazy for them.

1. 1932-D Washington Quarter

This is one of the first quarters ever made in the Washington series. It had a very low mintage—only around 436,000 were made. If you find one in good condition, you could easily get up to $26,000.

2. 1932-S Washington Quarter

Another low-mintage coin from the same year, this one came from the San Francisco Mint. A clean, well-preserved version is nearly as valuable as the Denver one.

3. 1942-D Double Die Obverse

In this version, some of the letters and numbers on the front (obverse) look doubled. These were minting errors that slipped through. They’re hard to find and highly prized.

4. 1943-S Wrong Planchet

This quarter was mistakenly struck on the wrong type of blank (planchet). Instead of the standard metal, it was printed on a silver base meant for another coin. Rare and valuable.

5. 1950-D/S Overmint Mark

This coin was first stamped with an “S” mint mark and then restamped with a “D”. You can see traces of both. These “overmint” coins are strange and collectible.

6. 1955 No Mint Mark Double Die

This error caused many of the words and numbers on the front of the coin to appear doubled, especially “IN GOD WE TRUST.” A great find for any collector.

7. 1964-D Proof Quarter

This was the last year silver quarters were made for general use. Some proof versions made for collectors are extremely rare, especially from the Denver Mint.

8. 1965 Silver Planchet Error

In 1965, the U.S. switched from silver to a copper-nickel blend. But a few quarters were accidentally struck on leftover silver blanks from 1964. These mistakes are now worth up to $26,000.

9. 1970-S Quarter on 1C Planchet

Here, a quarter was mistakenly struck on a penny blank. It’s smaller, thinner, and reddish in color. These error coins are one-of-a-kind and incredibly valuable.

How to Spot a Rare Quarter

Here are some quick tips if you want to check your quarters:

• Look at the Date: Start with any quarter from before 1965. These have the highest chance of being silver or rare.

• Check the Mint Mark: You’ll find this letter on the front, near Washington’s ponytail. Look for D (Denver), S (San Francisco), or no letter (Philadelphia).

• Use a Magnifying Glass: Some errors like double letters or mint mark overlaps are very small.

• Weigh the Coin: Silver quarters weigh about 6.25 grams, while the newer ones weigh 5.67 grams.

  

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• Sound Test: Silver coins have a high-pitched ring when dropped gently on a table. Modern ones have a duller sound.

What to Do If You Think You Found One

If your quarter looks like it could be rare or valuable:

1. Don’t Clean It – Cleaning a coin can damage it and reduce its value.

2. Handle It Carefully – Hold it by the edges, not the face.

3. Store It Safely – Put it in a plastic coin holder or a soft cloth.

4. Get It Appraised – Take it to a local coin shop or send it to a professional coin grading service.

5. Research Recent Sales – See what similar coins are selling for online or at auctions.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to believe that a simple quarter could be worth $26,000, but it’s true. These rare Washington quarters are out there—and they don’t always look special at first glance. The next time you get change at the store or go through an old coin jar, take a moment to look closely.

You might just be holding a small piece of history that’s worth a fortune.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are all old quarters valuable?
No, most quarters—even old ones—are only worth face value unless they have rare features or errors.

2. What is a mint mark?
A mint mark is a small letter on a coin that shows where it was made. D = Denver, S = San Francisco, and no mark = Philadelphia.

3. What’s the easiest way to tell if a quarter is silver?
Check the edge. Silver quarters have a solid silver edge, while newer ones show a copper line.

4. Should I clean my coins before selling them?
No. Cleaning can scratch the coin and lower its value. Collectors prefer coins in original condition.

5. Where can I sell a rare quarter?
You can take it to a coin shop, sell it at auction, or list it through trusted online marketplaces for collectors.