Most people don’t think twice about the coins in their pockets, assuming they’re just small change. But what if one of those quarters is actually worth hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars? Believe it or not, some rare U.S. quarters still show up in everyday circulation, sit unnoticed in old jars, or rest inside forgotten coin rolls.
These valuable coins aren’t just old—they’re special because of how few were made, unusual minting mistakes, or standout details. Whether you’re a collector or just curious, here are six rare quarters you could come across—and why they’re worth a closer look.
1. 1932-D Washington Quarter
This coin is one of the most wanted quarters by collectors. It came out the first year the Washington quarter was introduced and was made at the Denver Mint. Only around 436,000 were ever produced, which makes it one of the rarest from the 1900s.
Even if it looks worn, a 1932-D can sell for $100 to $300. If you happen to find one in great shape, with clear details and little damage, it might be worth over $1,000. Since it looks very similar to regular quarters, many people don’t notice it in their change. But with a sharp eye, you might spot this historic treasure.
2. 1950-D Washington Quarter
While not as rare as the 1932-D, the 1950-D quarter is still a valuable find—especially if it’s in excellent condition. About 21 million of these were minted in Denver, but most have been heavily used over the years.
A shiny, well-preserved 1950-D quarter can bring $50 to $300 or more, depending on its quality. Coins rated MS65 or better are especially popular with collectors. Because so many are worn out, finding one that still looks brand new is a real treat for coin lovers.
3. 1965 Silver Error Quarter
In 1965, the U.S. stopped making quarters out of 90% silver and switched to a copper-nickel blend. But during that change, a few 1965 quarters were accidentally made from leftover silver blanks from earlier years.
These mistake coins are very rare and can sell for $5,000 to $10,000 or more. To check if you might have one, weigh the coin—silver quarters weigh about 6.25 grams, while the newer ones weigh around 5.67 grams. Also, silver doesn’t stick to magnets. Since people assume all 1965 quarters are common, many don’t check. But one of these hidden gems could be hiding in plain sight.
4. 1970-S Proof Quarter (Struck on a 1941 Canadian Coin)
This coin is one of the strangest and most valuable minting mistakes ever found. A small number of 1970-S proof quarters were accidentally stamped over 1941 Canadian quarters—a rare kind of error known as a double-denomination strike.
Only one or two of these are known to exist. One sold for over $35,000! You can recognize it if you see parts of the Canadian coin design showing through the U.S. quarter image. Though this was originally part of a collector proof set, mistakes like this sometimes make their way into circulation. If a coin looks strange or has overlapping designs, definitely get it checked by an expert.
5. 2004 Wisconsin Quarter with Extra Leaf
The 2004 Wisconsin state quarter became famous because of a minting mistake. On the back, there’s an image of a cow, cheese wheel, and corn stalk. But on some coins, an extra leaf appears on the corn—either in a high or low position. These are called the “Extra Leaf High” and “Extra Leaf Low” varieties.
These versions are worth $100 to $500 or more depending on condition. People still find them in change, especially around Wisconsin. So, if you get one of these quarters, take a moment to look at the corn stalk closely—it might have an extra leaf that makes it far more valuable than 25 cents.
6. 1983 Washington Quarter with Doubling and No Mint Mark
Lastly, look out for the 1983 Washington quarter—especially if it has signs of doubling on the front. These coins were mostly made in Philadelphia, and at the time, quarters from that mint didn’t carry a mint mark. Some of these coins show clear doubling, especially on the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
While not every doubled coin is valuable, the strong and obvious ones can sell for $200 to $1,000 or even more depending on condition. To spot one, check if the letters look thicker than normal or seem to have a shadow effect. That could mean you’re holding a rare doubled-die coin.
Final Thoughts
You never know what you might find in your change. While most coins are only worth face value, some quarters could be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars without you even knowing it. Keep an eye out for odd details, old dates, or anything that looks unusual. Whether you’re new to coin collecting or just hoping to find a hidden treasure, a little attention to detail could lead to a big reward.
So the next time you empty your pockets or sort through a jar of coins, remember—there could be a rare and valuable quarter just waiting to be discovered.