State quarters are a special series of U.S. 25-cent coins issued from 1999 to 2008 under the 50 State Quarters Program, created by the United States Mint.
The program was designed to honor each of the 50 U.S. states with a unique reverse (back) design that reflects the state’s history, traditions, landmarks, or symbols. It was also meant to encourage coin collecting among the public, and it became one of the most popular numismatic programs in U.S. history.
Obverse (front): Features the standard portrait of George Washington (slightly modified for the program), with “United States of America,” “Liberty,” and “Quarter Dollar” inscriptions.
Reverse (back): Unique to each state, showing designs chosen through a collaborative process between the state governor’s office, artists, and the U.S. Mint.
Release Order: Quarters were released in the order states joined the Union, at a rate of five per year.
Composition: Most were copper-nickel clad, but special collector editions were struck in 90% silver..
Mint Marks: Produced mainly at the Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) mints, with proof sets from San Francisco (S).
Complete List of All 50 State Quarters
1999
Delaware – Caesar Rodney on horseback (1776 historic ride)
Pennsylvania – Commonwealth statue outline with keystone and motto
New Jersey – Washington crossing the Delaware River
Georgia – Peach, live oak sprigs, state outline
Connecticut – Charter Oak tree
2000
Massachusetts – Minuteman statue, state outline
Maryland – Statehouse dome, white oak clusters
South Carolina – Palmetto tree, state outline, star, and state symbols
New Hampshire – Old Man of the Mountain rock formation
Virginia – Susan Constant, Godspeed, Discovery (Jamestown ships)
2001
New York – Statue of Liberty, state outline, 11 stars
North Carolina – Wright Brothers’ first flight
Rhode Island – Sailboat on Narragansett Bay
Vermont – Maple trees and sap buckets
Kentucky – Federal-style mansion, thoroughbred horse
2002
Tennessee – Musical instruments (guitar, trumpet, fiddle)
Ohio – Astronaut, Wright Flyer, state outline
Louisiana – Brown pelican, trumpet, state outline
Indiana – Race car, state outline
Mississippi – Magnolia flowers
2003
Illinois – Young Abraham Lincoln, state outline, farm and city skyline
Alabama – Helen Keller with Braille inscription
Maine – Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, schooner
Missouri – Lewis and Clark with keelboat
Arkansas – Rice stalks, diamond, mallard duck
2004
Michigan – State outline, Great Lakes
Florida – Spanish galleon, space shuttle, palm trees
Texas – Lone star, rope border, state outline
Iowa – Schoolhouse with teacher and students
Wisconsin – Cow, round of cheese, ear of corn
2005
California – John Muir, California condor, Yosemite Valley
Minnesota – Land of 10,000 Lakes (loon, fishing scene)
Oregon – Crater Lake National Park
Kansas – American bison and sunflower
West Virginia – New River Gorge Bridge
2006
Nevada – Wild mustangs, mountains, sagebrush
Nebraska – Chimney Rock, covered wagon
Colorado – Rocky Mountains and columbine flowers
North Dakota – American bison grazing
South Dakota – Mount Rushmore with ring-necked pheasant
2007
Montana – Bison skull, mountains, Missouri River
Washington – King salmon leaping before Mount Rainier
Idaho – Peregrine falcon, state outline
Wyoming – Bucking horse and rider silhouette
Utah – Golden Spike ceremony (Transcontinental Railroad)
2008
Oklahoma – Scissor-tailed flycatcher, state wildflowers
New Mexico – State outline with Zia sun symbol
Arizona – Grand Canyon, saguaro cactus
Alaska – Grizzly bear with salmon
Hawaii – King Kamehameha I, state outline, motto
What’s the Price?
State quarter values vary depending on mint mark, condition, rarity of errors, and whether the coin is a standard circulation strike or a collector edition.
1. Circulation Strikes (Philadelphia “P” and Denver “D”)
Most state quarters you find in change are worth 25¢ if circulated.
Uncirculated rolls or pristine coins from these mints can bring $1–$3 each, especially for early issues (1999–2001) which were saved in large numbers.
High-grade certified coins (MS-67 and above) can reach $50–$300 if they’re from a lower-production state or have exceptional luster and strike.
2. Proof Coins (San Francisco “S”)
Clad Proofs: Made for collectors in sets; worth $1–$5 each if pristine.
Silver Proofs (90% silver): Worth more due to silver content — about $5–$10 in melt value alone, often $10–$20+ for individual coins, and more for perfect-graded examples (PR-69/70).
3. Error and Variety Coins
Some state quarters have notable mint errors or varieties that raise their value:
Off-center strikes
Double die obverse/reverse (doubled letters or numbers)
Missing clad layer (shows copper core)
Wrong planchet strikes (e.g., struck on nickel or foreign coin blanks)
Major die cracks or cuds
Values for these can range from $50 to several thousand dollars, depending on rarity and demand.
4. Complete Sets
A full set of 50 circulation strikes in uncirculated condition often sells for $35–$50.
Silver proof sets from all years can fetch several hundred dollars, especially if graded or still in original Mint packaging.
5. High-Grade Registry Coins
The rarest high-grade coins (MS-68 or PR-70) certified by PCGS or NGC can reach $500–$1,000+ because competitive collectors bid heavily for top spots in registry sets.
How to Store Your Sets
To store a complete set of state quarters so they stay in top condition and keep their value, you’ll want to focus on protection from wear, moisture, and environmental damage, as well as a good display format if you plan to show them.
1. Choose the Right Holder Type
Collector Albums – Specially made 50 State Quarters albums have labeled slots for each coin in order of release. They keep coins organized and allow easy viewing. Choose acid-free, PVC-free materials to avoid damage over time.
2×2 Mylar Holders – Individual cardboard holders with a clear mylar window are affordable, safe, and easy to label. They can be stored in binder pages.
Hard Plastic Capsules – Best for uncirculated or high-grade coins; they completely seal the coin from the air and prevent scratches.
Mint Packaging – If you bought Mint or Proof sets, leave them in the original government packaging for maximum collector value.
2. Control the Environment
Temperature: Store between 65–70°F (18–21°C) to avoid metal expansion/contraction.
Humidity: Keep at or below 50%. Excess moisture can cause spotting or corrosion, even on clad coins.
Air Quality: Avoid areas with high sulfur content (basements, garages) since it can cause toning or tarnish.
3. Handling Tips
Always hold coins by the edges to avoid fingerprints.
Use cotton gloves for high-grade or proof coins.
Never clean coins — even gentle cleaning can permanently reduce value.
4. Long-Term Safety
Store in a secure location such as a fireproof safe or a bank safety deposit box.
For display at home, ensure the case has UV-protective acrylic to reduce fading or spotting.
FAQs
Were state quarters made in limited quantities?
While billions were produced overall, each state’s quarter was only minted for about 10 weeks before production switched to the next design. This short production window means some states, especially from later years, have lower mintage numbers and can be harder to find in high grades.
Can I still get state quarters from banks?
It’s possible, but increasingly unlikely to find them in new condition. Most banks no longer have fresh rolls, and the coins in circulation are often worn. Collectors typically buy uncirculated rolls or mint sets from dealers.
Do any state quarters have silver content?
Yes, but only the special 90% silver proof versions minted in San Francisco for collectors. These were never released into general circulation and came in proof sets sold by the U.S. Mint.
Are there “missing states” in the series?
No — all 50 states were honored. However, the program was later expanded with the D.C. and U.S. Territories Quarters in 2009, which added six more designs for Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
What’s the rarest state quarter in circulation?
In terms of mintage for circulation strikes, the 2008 Oklahoma quarter from Denver has one of the lowest outputs. However, “rarest” in value terms often refers to specific high-grade coins or dramatic mint errors.