Hobbies Coin Collecting U.S. Coin Values Guide

The Top 15 Most Valuable Quarters

quarter
While the quarter pictured in the above photo is not valuable, the ones listed below are worth a whole lot more.

@RLTheis / Twenty20

Today, the quarter dollar coin is the workhorse of the United States economy when it comes to making change but there are collectible quarters you can buy, as well. If you want to own one of these more valuable quarter dollars, you will need a lot more than small change to purchase one. Here are 15 of the most collectible quarters, including proof coins, what they sold for, and what their lower-grade counterparts may be worth now (prices fluctuate).

What Is a Proof Coin?

A proof coin is the finest quality coin produced by the United States Mint, as they are carefully and uniquely treated, polished, finished, and packaged.

  • 01 of 15

    1834 Proof Capped Bust Quarter

    1834 Proof Capped Bust Quarter
    Stack's Bowers Galleries

    Value: $329,000
    Grade: PCGS PR-67 Cameo
    Sold: May 2015; Stack's/Bowers, The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part I, Sotheby's, New York, NY

    Every modern proof coin has extremely frosted devices, deep mirrored fields and is made by the millions for any coin collector that wants one. However, 200 years ago proof coins were made-to-order for coin collectors that wanted to acquire one for their collection. In 1834, only 10 proof quarters were made. To find one with a cameo contrast makes the coin even more attractive to rare coin collectors.

    A Capped Bust Quarter (not proof) from 1834 in circulated condition can also be worth between $35 and $1,550. A pristine uncirculated coin could fetch as much as $105,000.

  • 02 of 15

    1841 Proof Seated Liberty Quarter

    1841 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $345,000
    Grade: NGC PR-66
    Sold: January 2008; Heritage Auctions, FUN Signature Coin Auction, Orlando, FL

    Christian Gobrecht designed the Seated Liberty Quarter, and the United States Mint first produced them in 1838. During this time the United States Mint produced proof coins only when coin collectors requested them. Coin collecting did not become popular in the United States until the mid-1800s. 

    All proof coins receive special handling and attention to ensure a coin of the highest quality is produced. Over the years this particular proof coin has obtained a beautiful metallic blue color over the entire obverse. The fact that the mint produced only four of these coins in proof finish makes this beautiful coin extremely rare and desirable by collectors of classic United States coins.

    A Seated Liberty Quarter from 1841 in circulated condition could be worth between $75 and $1,350 and a pristine, uncirculated coin could go for $47,500.

  • 03 of 15

    1804 Draped Bust Quarter

    1804 Draped Bust Quarter
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $345,000
    Grade: NGC MS-65
    Sold: January 2011; Heritage Auctions, FUN Signature & Platinum Night, Tampa, FL

    The United States Mint first minted quarters in 1796. Quarters were not minted again until 1804 with an extremely small mintage of only 6,738 coins produced. Experts estimate that less than 200 coins of the original mintage exist today and less than five coins remain in original mint state condition. And out of that handful of uncirculated mint state coins, this is the finest example of an 1804 Draped Bust Quarter in existence today.

    An 1804 Draped Bust Quarter is worth $7,879 in average condition and potentially worth between $110,969 to $207,211 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition.

  • 04 of 15

    1871-CC Seated Liberty Quarter

    1871-CC Liberty Seated Quarter
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $352,500
    Grade: PCGS MS-65
    Sold: June 2014; Heritage Auctions, The Eugene H. Gardner Collection of US Coins, New York, NY

    The Carson City branch of the United States Mint opened in 1870 to turn the glut of silver on the West Coast into United States coins. During this time, the West was wild and coins from the Carson City mint produced during this period have a certain allure to coin collectors. From an extremely small mintage of only 8,340 coins, experts estimate that only three survive in mint state condition. Since this coin is one of the finest, it commands such a high price.

    An 1871 Seated Liberty Quarter in circulated condition can go for $11,500 and $150,000. but one that's pristine in uncirculated condition can hail as much as $525,000.

    Continue to 5 of 15 below
  • 05 of 15

    1828 Capped Bust Quarter—Repunched Denomination 25/5/50C

    1828 Capped Bust Quarter - Repunched Denomination 25/5/50C
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $352,500
    Grade: NGC MS-67★
    Sold: November 2013; Heritage Auctions, Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection Part II, New York, NY

    The United States Mint in the early 1800s was a very labor-intensive operation. Skilled artisans produced the coin dies by hand. To increase efficiency and provide a level of design consistency, the artisans punched the letters and numbers into the coin die by hand.

    The engraver making this die originally punched "50 C." into the coin die thinking it was a half-dollar coin. When he realized his mistake, he tried to cover it up and punched the proper denomination of "25 C." into the coin die. You can see the remnants of his mistake underneath the denomination on the reverse of the coin.

    A less rare 1828 Capped Bust Quarter in circulated condition is worth between $140 and $3,750 and a pristine, uncirculated coin can fetch $65,000.

  • 06 of 15

    1838 Proof Seated Liberty Quarter—No Drapery

    1838 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter - No Drapery
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $381,875
    Grade: PCGS PR-63
    Sold: January 2013; Heritage Auctions, U.S. Coin FUN Signature Auction, Orlando, FL

    When Christian Gobrecht first designed his Liberty Seated Quarter in 1838, there was no ornamental drapery extending from Lady Liberty's left arm. Approximately halfway through 1840, drapery was added to extend below her arm. Therefore, there are two varieties of the Liberty Seated Quarter. Since proof coins were made to order at the request of coin collectors, the number of proof coins minted from year-to-year varied. In 1838 there is only one known proof Liberty Seated Quarter. This unique specimen commands an extremely high price.

    However, an average condition 1838 Seated Liberty Quarter (no drape) fetches $77 while an uncirculated coin in mint condition can be worth $4,616 or more.

  • 07 of 15

    1823/2 Proof Capped Bust Quarter—Overdate

    1823/2 Proof Capped Bust Quarter - Overdate
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $396,562.50
    Grade: PCGS PR-65
    Sold: June 2014; Heritage Auctions, The Eugene H. Gardner Collection of US Coins, New York, NY

    Here is another unique coin from the early 1800s. This 1823 Proof Capped Bust Quarter has a re-punched date or overdate. During this time, dates were punched into the coin die manually. If the die sinker did not strike the date punch with enough force, he would strike it again. If the punch was not lined up perfectly, an overdate mint variety would result. 

    It is not clear if an engraver at the United States Mint was trying to correct an error or reuse a coin die from the previous year. Regardless, there was only one proof quarter made in 1823 and to own this coin will require a large expenditure when it comes to the auction block again.

    It's estimated that this coin (with a 3 over 2 variety) of an average condition may be worth $72,808 and an uncirculated mint coin could be valued at $409,047 or more.

  • 08 of 15

    1805 Draped Bust Quarter

    1805 Draped Bust Quarter
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $402,500
    Grade: NGC MS-66
    Sold: January 2008; Heritage Auctions, FUN Signature Coin Auction, Orlando, FL

    1805 was only the third year that the United States Mint made quarters. 1796 and 1804 had mintages of approximately 6,000 pieces each. In 1805, the mint made over 120,000 pieces. An intermediate collector can afford one of these coins in a lower grade. However, this specimen has an original mint luster that is deep and rich. Luster this beautiful is rarely seen on early coins from the United States Mint. Coupled with its pristine condition, it drives its value close to $500,000.

    An 1805 Draped Bust Quarter of average condition may be worth $739 and a coin of mint condition (MS+) and uncirculated can go for $13,895 to more than $25,000.

    Continue to 9 of 15 below
  • 09 of 15

    1850 Proof Seated Liberty Quarter

    1850 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $460,000
    Grade: NGC PR-68
    Sold: January 2008; Heritage Auctions, FUN Signature Coin Auction, Orlando, FL

    The United States Mint continued to make proof coins for collectors upon request into the 1850s. This 1850 Proof Seated Liberty Quarter is one of only three proof quarters made that year. In addition to being extremely rare and desirable, this coin is almost flawless as indicated by its PR-68 grade. The Seated Liberty Quarter series is very popular among collectors, and any specialist would love to add this coin to their collection.

    A coin of average condition goes for $111 and an uncirculated mint condition coin may be worth $1,755 to $3,394 or more.

  • 10 of 15

    1873-CC Seated Liberty Quarter—No Arrows

    1873-CC Liberty Seated Quarter - No Arrows
    Stack's Bowers Galleries

    Value: $470,000
    Grade: PCGS MS-64
    Sold: August 2012; Stack's/Bowers, The ANA World's Fair of Money Auction, Philadelphia, PA

    In 1873, The United States Mint coined well over a million quarters at its Carson City, Nevada, facility. All of these quarters had an arrowhead on each side of the date except five of them. The arrows were added to the design to denote a change in the weight of the coin from 6.22 to 6.25 grams. The romance and allure of owning a coin from Carson City, combined with its extreme rarity, drives the value of this coin to new heights.

    The 1873-CC Seated Liberty Quarter of average condition is worth $207,287 and an uncirculated mint (MS+) condition coin can be worth $409,154 to $525,941.

  • 11 of 15

    1839 Proof Seated Liberty Quarter—No Drapery

    1839 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter - No Drapery
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $517,500
    Grade: NGC PR-65
    Sold: April 2008; Heritage Auctions, CSNS Signature Coin Auction, Rosemont, IL

    Here is another example of an extremely rare proof Seated Liberty Quarter. This 1839 example is lacking the ornamental drapery underneath Lady Liberty's left arm. The mirror-like fields and steel blue toning gives this proof coin an exceedingly stunning eye appeal. Advanced quarter collectors will need to pay well over $500,000 the next time this coin comes to auction if they want to add it to their collection. However, a flawless uncirculated version of another grade could sell for as much as $125,000.

  • 12 of 15

    1901-S Barber Quarter

    1901-S Barber Quarter
    Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)

    Value: $550,000
    Grade: NGC MS-68 (Estimated grade)
    Sold: May 1990; Superior Galleries, Father Flanagan's Boys Home Sale

    The 1901-S Barber Quarter is rare and expensive in any grade. When Superior Galleries sold this coin in May 1990, certified coins were not as popular as they are today. Therefore, we can only estimate the grade that it would receive today if it were certified. Regardless, this beautiful and almost flawless coin sold for a record-setting $550,000, but other grades can be worth much less, according to NGC Coin Explorer.

    Continue to 13 of 15 below
  • 13 of 15

    1807 Draped Bust Quarter

    1807 Draped Bust Quarter
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $630,000
    Grade: PCGS MS-67
    Sold: 2020 November 19-22, Heritage Auctions, US Coins Signature Auction #1321 

    By 1807, the mint was approaching production mintages close to 250,000 quarters. In and of itself, this coin is not rare. But NGC has certified it as a high-end MS-66. This lofty grade makes it the finest known 1807 Draped Bust Quarter. Additionally, this coin is pedigreed to the Eric P. Newman coin collection. Newman was a top numismatic researcher and collector until he passed away at 106 years old in 2017.

    The 1807 Draped Bust Quarter may be worth $804 for an average condition coin but can be valued at $13,869 to over $25,000 if it is uncirculated and in mint condition.

  • 14 of 15

    1827/3/2 Proof Capped Bust Quarter—Overdate—Original

    1827/3/2 Proof Capped Bust Quarter - Overdate - Original
    Stack's Bowers Galleries

    Value: $705,000
    Grade: PCGS PR-66+ CAM
    Sold: May 2015; Stack's/Bowers, The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part I, Sotheby's, New York, NY

    Here is another example of a coin with an overdate, and rare it is. The mint in Philadelphia used the original die to produce the entire run of 1823 quarters. This die was an overdate, and the die itself is a leftover coin die from 1822. Mint workers modified the die by punching a numeral 7 over the last digit which was previously re-punched with a numeral 3. The mirrored field and frosted cameo devices give this coin an outstanding eye appeal which pushes its value to close to $750,000.

    There have been bids on other grades of 1827 Draped Bust Quarters ranging from $315,000 to $444,000.

  • 15 of 15

    1796 Draped Bust Quarter

    1796 Draped Bust Quarter
    Heritage Auction Galleries

    Value: $1,740,000
    Grade: PCGS MS-66
    Sold:
    2022 January 12-16 FUN US Coins Signature® Auction— Orlando FUN #1341

    The Mint Act of April 2, 1792, specified five silver denominations: half dimes, dimes, quarters, half-dollars, and silver dollars. However, it wasn't until 1796 that the United States Mint first produced quarters. Experts estimate that less than 700 examples of the first U.S. quarter exist today. Minting technology used in the late 1700s lacked quality and consistency. Workers at the mint operated the coin presses by hand and striking pressure varied from coin to coin.

    This specimen of a 1796 Draped Bust Quarter is highly unusual in that it exhibits fine details that could only be produced by a pair of fresh coin dies and extremely high striking pressure. Additionally, it has been well-preserved and protected for over 200 years. This coin's high quality striking and pristine condition makes it the most valuable United States quarter. You could find an uncirculated piece that will typically cost over $100,000.

The Spruce Crafts uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Frequently Asked Questions: What's the difference between bullion, proof, uncirculated, and circulating coins? United States Mint.

  2. Early Quarters 1834 25C MS. NGC.

  3. Seated Liberty Quarters 1841 25C MS. NGC.

  4. 1804 Draped Bust Quarters. USA Coin Book.

  5. Seated Liberty Quarters 1871 CC 25C MS. NGC.

  6. Early Quarters 1828 25C MS. NGC.

  7. 1838 Seated Liberty Quarters. USA Coin Book.

  8. 1823 Capped Bust Quarters: 3 Over 2. USA Coin Book.

  9. 1805 Draped Bust Quarters. USA Coin Book.

  10. 1850 Seated Liberty Quarters. USA Coin Book.

  11. 1873 CC Seated Liberty Quarters. USA Coin Book.

  12. Seated Liberty Quarters. NGC.

  13. $285,500 price for 1901-S Barber quarter during Gardner auction. Coin World.

  14. Barber Quarters. NGC.

  15. 1807 Draped Bust Quarters Heraldic Eagle Reverse. USA Coin Book.

  16. 1827/3 Capped Bust Quarter, One of the Hobby’s Major Rarities, Offered by Great Collections. Coin Week.

  17. Draped Busted Quarter. Professional Coin Grading Service, Collectors Universe, Inc.