The art of collecting coins is an amazing process that is nothing but a series of discoveries, and some of the discoveries are beyond belief. Of all the Bicentennial series, the Bicentennial Quarter stands out and one rare piece sold for nearly $41 million.
This article slices into this quarter and five other quarters of more than $30 million each to discuss their peculiarities as well as the tales behind the price.
Contents
$41 Million Bicentennial Quarter
Rising to the first tier of valuable quarters is the Bicentennial Quarter, which is a coin produced in America in 1976, and the designs depict the United States of America as it was 200 years before. As with any other minted in 1976, this quarter is not only an example of history but of collectibles as well. Specifically for this quarter, there is a special minting error here. The exceptional factor addendum is that this quarter piece is in mint condition.
This relatively simple error, whether it is a misprint or a bit of special metal placed in the minting process, causes its price to sky-rocket. The fact that it existed in nearly mint condition only made it all the more valuable and this is what any upscale buyer or museum would look to acquire and the piece went under the hammer for $41 million.
1932 Washington Quarter
The 1932 Washington Quarter is a very special, unique coin that collectors can only wish to have; it is, in fact, worth more than $30 million. as this quarter was the first to circulate after the image of Washington had replaced that of the cent on American coins.
Also Read: $1,350,000 Worth Bicentennial Quarter – 6 More Worth Over $80,000 Each
The scarcity of this quarter is also attributed to its limited production as well as, most importantly, the low number of products that have been graded as high-quality. There seem to be a number of eager collectors who want this quarter due to its historical value as well as its state of conservation, which has made many collectors consider this one that is on the market.
1796 Draped Bust Quarter
The other quarter that was sold for over $30 million is the 1796 Draped Bust Quarter. This is a piece of America’s history established by being one of the earliest ever coins minted in the United States of America. Due to limited production runs and, in many cases, cars degrading over time, there are not many in existence today, and therefore they are highly valued. The depiction of the dreaded bust design of Lady Liberty on the early American coins helps to build on the historical and artistic value of the quarter.
1901-S Barber Quarter
The 1901-S Barber Quarter is another very rare piece that is worth over $30 million. This quarter belongs to the Barber coinage series, named after its designer, Charles E. Barber. The ‘S’ mint mark that is present in the year 1901 on the quarter refers to the San Francisco Mint and very few of this type of quarter were ever produced. Due to its rarity as well as its age, in addition to the rigor that collectors have for any Barber quarter, it is considered one of the most precious coins on the planet.
1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter
There is the 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter, which currently costs about $30 million and is another fine piece of numismatics. There is an overdate variety for this quarter, with the date 1823 struck over the earlier date 1822. Such errors are sought after in the coin-collecting fraternity because they are rare and they provide a glance at the minting of that period. Another factor is the capped bust design representing Liberty, the image of which, with a capitaneous pile, has contributed much to the collection.
1916 Standing Liberty Quarter
Completing this list is the 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, which has also surpassed the $30 million recognition. It is also characterized by a great artistic design and belongs to the first series of quarters that had a very small mintage, so it is quite unique. Compared to previous motifs, the Standing Liberty design is unique and is appreciated for the conflict resolution the symbols explain in detail. The 1916 piece is particularly rare because it is the first piece of this type minted and good-quality pieces are hard to come by.
| Quarter | Year Minted | Unique Feature | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bicentennial Quarter | 1976 | Minting error, pristine condition | $41 million |
| Washington Quarter | 1932 | First with Washington’s likeness | $30 million+ |
| Draped Bust Quarter | 1796 | Early US coin, limited production | $30 million+ |
| Barber Quarter | 1901 | Scarce mint mark (San Francisco) | $30 million+ |
| Capped Bust Quarter | 1823/2 | Overdate error | $30 million+ |
| Standing Liberty Quarter | 1916 | Artistic design, short production run | $30 million+ |
FAQs
Q. What’s so great about the Bicentennial Quarter?
A. The Bicentennial Quarter is valuable today for two reasons: due to a mintage error and because it is one of those coins that are likely to stay bright and shiny because it was produced from new dies.
Q. Why is the 1932 Washington Quarter special?
A. The basic design used for the Washington quarter began in 1932 with the introduction of the George Washington portrait quarter, and its survival in higher grades is quite scarce and therefore collectable.
Q. How do minting errors boost currency value?
A. Their occurrence is limited, and the collection of such coins is like getting a glimpse into the actual process of minting, which makes the errors even more valuable.
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