State Quarters: Complete Collection Guide and Values

The 50 State Quarters Program

The 50 State Quarters Program, running from 1999 to 2008, was the most successful coin program in U.S. Mint history. Five new quarter designs were released each year, honoring each of the 50 states in the order they ratified the Constitution or joined the Union. An estimated 147 million Americans collected state quarters during the program — making it the largest collecting event in history.

While most state quarters are worth only face value (25 cents) in circulated condition, certain dates, mint marks, and errors command significant premiums. Some error quarters have sold for hundreds of dollars, and complete proof sets in pristine condition are valued by collectors worldwide.

The Coin Identifier app can identify any state quarter instantly, including error varieties that might be hiding in your collection. Scan your quarters to check for valuable errors you might have overlooked.

Complete Release Schedule

Quarters were released in the order each state joined the Union, five per year:

• 1999: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut
• 2000: Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia
• 2001: New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Kentucky
• 2002: Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi
• 2003: Illinois, Alabama, Maine, Missouri, Arkansas
• 2004: Michigan, Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin
• 2005: California, Minnesota, Oregon, Kansas, West Virginia
• 2006: Nevada, Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota
• 2007: Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah
• 2008: Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii

After the 50 states, the program was extended with the DC and U.S. Territories quarters in 2009, featuring the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands.

State Quarters Worth Money

While most circulated state quarters are worth 25 cents, several varieties and errors are worth significantly more:

2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarter

The most famous state quarter error. Some Wisconsin quarters show an extra leaf on the corn ear — either a “high leaf” or “low leaf” variety. These are genuine die errors, not post-mint damage. Value: $200-$500 in circulated condition, $800+ in uncirculated. Read more in our rare quarters guide.

2005-P Minnesota Doubled Die Quarter

Some Minnesota quarters show extra trees and doubling on the design elements. Value: $20-$200 depending on the severity and grade.

2005-P Kansas “In God We Rust” Quarter

A filled die error caused the “T” in “TRUST” to appear missing, making it read “IN GOD WE RUST.” Value: $50-$100.

1999-P Delaware Spitting Horse Quarter

A die crack near the horse's mouth creates the appearance of the horse “spitting.” Value: $5-$20. While not highly valuable, it's a fun variety to look for.

Off-Center State Quarters

Any state quarter struck significantly off-center (10%+ with date visible) is worth $25-$200+. Dramatic off-center errors (50%+) are worth more.

Silver Proof State Quarters

The Mint issued 90% silver proof versions of each state quarter. Individual silver proofs are worth $3-$8 each. Complete 50-state silver proof sets sell for $200-$400+. These are distinctly different from the clad proof quarters.

How to Build a Complete Collection

• Get a folder or map: Whitman, Littleton, and others make affordable state quarter folders ($5-$10) with slots for each state. Some include both P (Philadelphia) and D (Denver) mint marks.
• Check your change: Most state quarters are still readily available in circulation, though early dates (1999-2001) are becoming less common.
• Ask at banks: Banks will exchange rolled quarters. Go through a few rolls and you'll find many different states.
• Trade with friends: Duplicate trading is half the fun, especially for kids. See our coin collecting for kids guide.
• Buy the tough ones: If you're missing a few states after searching change, individual state quarters are available from dealers for $0.50-$2 each.

Beyond State Quarters: Related Programs

The success of the State Quarters program led to several follow-up series:

• America the Beautiful Quarters (2010-2021): 56 quarters featuring national parks and sites. Many collectors continued their state quarter collections with this series.
• American Women Quarters (2022-2025): Honoring notable American women including Maya Angelou, Sally Ride, and others.
• Presidential Dollar Series (2007-2016): Dollar coins honoring each president. While not quarters, many state quarter collectors expanded into this series.

Grading State Quarters

For collection purposes, most people collect state quarters in circulated condition (which is fine — they're quarter-dollar coins designed to circulate). However, if you're interested in the premium market:

• MS-63 to MS-65: Uncirculated examples are worth $1-$5 for common dates. Easy to find in mint rolls.
• MS-66 and above: Getting into premium territory. MS-67 state quarters can be worth $20-$100+ as high-grade examples are surprisingly scarce.
• MS-68: Extremely rare for state quarters. Some sell for $500-$2,000+ at auction.

Understanding coin grading helps you identify which of your state quarters might be worth submitting for professional grading. The Coin Identifier app can help estimate grades before you invest in professional services.

State Quarter Facts & Trivia

• The program generated an estimated $6.3 billion in profit for the U.S. government as millions of people pulled quarters from circulation and saved them.
• All state quarters share the same obverse (front) design: George Washington's portrait.
• Each state's design was approved by the governor of that state and the U.S. Mint.
• The first state quarter (Delaware, 1999) features Caesar Rodney's horseback ride to cast the deciding vote for independence.
• The Hawaii quarter (2008) was the last in the series and features King Kamehameha I.
• Over 34 billion state quarters were minted during the 10-year program.

Investment Potential

State quarters are generally not significant investments in circulated condition. However, certain niches offer potential:

• Error varieties: The Wisconsin Extra Leaf and other errors have consistently appreciated. Check our coin values guide.
• High-grade (MS-67+) examples: Condition-rare state quarters in top grades are scarce and increasingly collected.
• Complete silver proof sets: These have held value well and the silver content provides a floor price.
• First-year issues (1999): Early dates in high grades are becoming harder to find as the coins age.