3 Rare Quarters You Might Already Own Worth Thousands

Hidden Riches in Your Change Jar

Imagine reaching into your pocket and discovering a quarter that could fetch thousands of dollars. That’s exactly what happened on June 1, 2025, when a woman in New Jersey found a rare 1969-S quarter in her coin collection—valued at an incredible $12,000.

This discovery has reignited interest among coin collectors, especially since some quarters with unusual minting errors or limited production numbers are worth serious money. Here’s a look at three exceptionally valuable quarters that might be sitting unnoticed in your change jar.

Why Some Quarters Are Worth Big Money

While quarters are common, only a select few carry hidden value due to rare minting mistakes or limited quantities. Coins with doubling errors, off-metal strikes, or other production anomalies can command a high price.

Quarters from low-mintage years are especially desirable, and those in pristine condition without any wear are even more valuable. The recent New Jersey find has sparked renewed curiosity, encouraging people to search their spare change for these unexpected treasures.

Three Rare Quarters to Look For

Here are three valuable quarters that collectors prize and could still be found in everyday circulation:

Quarter Type	Estimated Value	Why It’s Valuable
1969-S Doubled Die Obverse	$10,000–$25,000	Features doubled text on the front; San Francisco mint
1932-D Washington	$5,000–$15,000	First year of the Washington quarter; low Denver mintage
1970-S Proof Overstrike	$8,000–$20,000	Proof coin struck over another quarter; rare error

Even though these coins are scarce, some have been discovered in regular pocket change—making the hunt both exciting and potentially rewarding.

How to Spot a Valuable Quarter

To identify one of these valuable quarters, you’ll need to examine your coins carefully. For the 1969-S Doubled Die, use a magnifier to look for doubling on the word “LIBERTY” or the date. The 1932-D Washington quarter should have a small “D” mint mark on the reverse, and sharp details due to its early issue.

The 1970-S proof overstrike is shiny like a mirror and may show signs of an underlying design. Look out for mint marks—“S” for San Francisco and “D” for Denver—and avoid cleaning coins, as this reduces their value. When in doubt, a certified coin grading service can provide verification and appraisal.

Stories of Surprise Finds

The woman in New Jersey stumbled upon her valuable 1969-S quarter while sorting through her late father’s old coins. At first, it just seemed like a clean, shiny quarter. However, once a coin expert confirmed the doubled die feature, the coin was appraised at $12,000, with auction potential up to $25,000.

Other exciting discoveries include a 1932-D Washington quarter found in a retail store drawer in 2023, which sold for $10,000. These stories prove that valuable quarters can still turn up in the most unexpected places—jars, drawers, or even spare change from a vending machine.

Join the Treasure Hunt

Rare quarters are catching the attention of both coin collectors and casual hobbyists. As more people begin to search, auction houses are seeing an uptick in these coins—especially the 1969-S and 1932-D—being submitted for grading or sale.

If you come across one, it’s essential to have it professionally appraised by trusted graders such as NGC or PCGS before selling. Even if you don’t find a hidden gem, the search itself is thrilling—and you never know what surprise might be hiding in your loose change.

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