6 Washington Quarters That Could Buy You a House: In the world of spare change and everyday transactions, a few Washington quarters are quietly making headlines—not because of how many gumballs they buy, but for how much collectors are willing to pay for them. Some of these seemingly ordinary coins have auctioned for tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Yes, you read that right—there are quarters still in circulation today that could be worth as much as a house.
For decades, the Washington quarter has been a staple of American currency. First minted in 1932 to commemorate the 200th birthday of George Washington, it has become one of the most recognized coins in the U.S. But what many people don’t realize is that certain variations, minting errors, and rare production runs have turned some of these 25-cent pieces into small fortunes.
Here are six Washington quarters you might want to check your pockets for:
1. 1932-D Washington Quarter
The Denver-minted 1932 Washington quarter is the holy grail for many collectors. Only about 436,000 were minted, making it one of the lowest production runs in the series. A well-preserved version can easily fetch over $20,000, while mint-condition examples have sold for upwards of $80,000. Most people who find one aren’t even aware of its rarity.
2. 1932-S Washington Quarter
The San Francisco version of the 1932 quarter is another early rarity. Slightly more common than its Denver cousin, but still incredibly valuable. Depending on its condition, it can sell for $5,000 to $50,000. These coins were released during the Great Depression, making their survival in pristine condition even more unlikely—and valuable.
3. 1943-S Doubled Die Obverse
This rare error quarter features noticeable doubling of the date and lettering on the front side of the coin. Minted in San Francisco, it’s a textbook case of how a mistake can turn into a collector’s jackpot. Some versions of this error have brought in over $20,000 at auction.
4. 1950-D/S Overmintmark
This coin shows signs of a Denver mint mark stamped over a San Francisco mint mark. These overmintmark errors are especially prized by collectors because they clearly document mistakes made at the mint. Depending on grade and clarity of the error, this quarter can go for $3,000 to $25,000.
5. 1964-D Transitional Error (Clad Planchet)
1964 was supposed to be the last year quarters were made from 90% silver. However, a few coins from the Denver Mint were struck on newer clad (nickel and copper) planchets meant for 1965. These transitional errors are incredibly rare, and prices range from $7,000 to over $35,000, depending on the condition.
6. 2004 Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarters (High & Low Leaf)
These modern-day error quarters are proof that even newer coins can be worth a fortune. Some 2004 Wisconsin quarters were struck with an extra leaf on the corn stalk—either high or low. These were discovered in pocket change and can still be found in circulation. High-grade examples have fetched $6,000 to $15,000.
Why These Quarters Still Slip Through the Cracks
Unlike high-value dollar bills or obvious gold coins, these rare quarters often go unnoticed. Many people unknowingly spend them, unaware of their hidden value. Others get lost in piggy banks or coin rolls, quietly holding onto their six-figure secrets.
This ongoing oversight is what keeps hope alive for hobbyists and treasure hunters across the U.S. With each coin toss or trip to the vending machine, there’s a chance—however slim—that someone is handing you a piece of history.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever dismissed quarters as pocket change, now might be the time to look closer. These six Washington quarters prove that everyday money can sometimes carry extraordinary value. So before you dump your change jar into a coin machine, take a moment to check the dates and mint marks—you just might be holding the down payment on a house.
