50 state quarter value

The state on the coin does not decide its value, and neither does the year alone. A regular Delaware 1999-P with no error is worth face value like the rest. The money is in the errors, so you need the right state, the right mint mark and the error itself.

How to tell

1. Find the state. Each quarter shows a state design on the back. Check whether it is Delaware, Wisconsin, Kansas or Minnesota. Any other state is worth face value.
2. Read the year. You need Delaware 1999, Wisconsin 2004, or Kansas or Minnesota 2005.
3. Check the mint mark. It is the small letter that shows which mint made the coin. The errors are on the 1999-P Delaware, the 2004-D Wisconsin, the 2005-P Kansas and the 2005-P Minnesota. Another mint mark means an ordinary quarter.
4. Look at the error spot. Use a magnifying glass and good light. Each error is described below.

The errors to check

Delaware 1999-P: the "spitting horse"

The Delaware quarter shows Caesar Rodney on horseback. On this error, a crack in the stamp (die) shows as a line from the horse's mouth, so the horse seems to spit. A worn one is worth $5 to $10. Read the full 1999 Delaware state quarter guide.

Wisconsin 2004-D: the extra leaf

The Wisconsin quarter shows the head of a cow, a round of cheese and an ear of corn. Two errors add an extra leaf on the left of the corn stalk. On the high leaf it curves up to touch the ear, and on the low leaf it bends down. A worn low leaf is worth $50 to $110, and the high leaf more. Read the 2004 Wisconsin state quarter guide.

Kansas 2005-P: "In God We Rust"

The Kansas quarter shows an American bison and sunflowers. On this error, the T in TRUST is missing or faint because something filled that part of the stamp (die), so the motto reads IN GOD WE RUST. A worn one is worth $0.25 to $5. The low end is face value, so a faint T alone may not add much. Read the 2005 Kansas state quarter guide.

Minnesota 2005-P: the "extra tree"

The Minnesota quarter shows a common loon, fishing and the state outline. On this variety, the stamp (die) for the back had a doubled image, and an extra tree appears among the pines. A worn one is worth $25 to $45.

Condition and cleaning

Wear lowers value. A quarter that has passed through many hands loses detail, and the error is harder to see. A coin in better shape is worth more than a worn one with the same error.

Do not clean your coin. Rubbing, polishing or using chemicals leaves marks and lowers its value. If you think you have one of the errors above, handle the coin by its edges and keep it dry. A professional grading service such as PCGS or NGC can authenticate and grade a coin if you want a firm answer.