Coin collecting gained wider popularity among the masses through State heritage theme designs under the U.S. Mint State Quarter Program (1999–2008). Some U.S. State quarters error coins have become popular as collectibles while a few very rare specimens have reached the astronomical figure of $150 million. Following is an overview of stunning minting errors with reasons for their singular popularity.
Delaware “Spitting Horse” Quarter (1999)
The 1999 Delaware Quarter, the first of the State Quarters series, features Caesar Rodney horseback riding. During production, there was an error which led to the production of what collectors have named “Spitting Horse” as a result of a crack in the die causing a line running from the horse’s mouth in such a manner that it looked like spit.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Error | Die crack near the horse’s mouth |
| Value | Estimated up to $150 million (high grade) |
| Collector Appeal | Unique and recognizable error |
The interesting mistake with the State Quarter has made it one of the highly coveted mistakes that are being actively pursued by collectors.
Wisconsin’s “Extra Leaf” Quarter (2004)
The 2004 Wisconsin Quarter combines three major state symbols of agriculture: cows with cheese wheels and corn stalks. The corn stalk received unplanned modification with a mint error which produced two leaf variation variations.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Error Variants | High extra leaf and low extra leaf |
| Value | Significant premiums over face value |
| Collector Appeal | Highly desirable due to unique design error |
The two types of the extra leaf error are coveted by collectors who assign the coins progressively more and more cash depending upon their condition and availability.
Kansas “In God We Rust” Quarter (2005)
The 2005 Kansas Quarter was renowned because of the “In God We Rust” typo which was found on its design featuring a bison and state motto.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Error | Missing “T” in “TRUST” due to a grease-filled die |
| Value | Significant premiums for uncirculated examples |
| Collector Appeal | Popular for its humorous and ironic error |
People all over the numismatic world have widely accepted this error because of its distinctive flaw that makes it an ideal discussion topic among coin collector groups.
Other Notable State Quarter Errors
Other errors discovered in State Quarters are also highly attractive to collectors.
| State | Error | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut (1999) | Broad strike (expanded coin size) | Over $1,000 |
| New Hampshire (2000) | Die crack through the design | Over $500 |
| Minnesota (2005) | Extra tree in the design | Over $1,000 |
| Georgia (1999) | Missing mint mark | Over $700 |
The discovery of these mistakes proves that important findings exist throughout regular currency circulation.
Factors Determining Value
The value of error quarters depends on several significant criteria.
- Rarity: The more rare the coins with the error, the more valuable.
- Condition: The currency that is in mint condition receives the highest market price.
- Error Type: Those errors with uncommon unusual features such as additional parts or omitted letters are worth more.
- Collector Demand: General demand for both a coin series and type of error directly affects the market value.
Conclusion
1999-P Delaware, 2004 Wisconsin, and 2005 Minnesota quarters are among the rarest of U.S. coins as they command nearly $150 million in total. Fortune will be smiling on your face if you get any of these coins as you might have acquired fantastic value in your possession.
FAQ’s
What is the Delaware Spitting Horse Quarter?
It is a 1999 Delaware quarter with a mint error that gives the horse the appearance of spitting.
Why is the Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarter worth something?
It possesses an additional leaf on the corn stalk from a minting error and is hence unique.