Complete Guide to America the Beautiful Quarters & Rare Modern U.S. Quarter Values
Modern quarters — particularly those from the America the Beautiful series (2010–2021) — have quietly become some of the most collectible coins in circulation today. While most 25-cent pieces are worth exactly that, certain dates, mint marks, and grades have transformed ordinary pocket change into coins worth thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars. Knowing which modern quarters are worth money is the edge every collector and treasure hunter needs. From the legendary 2019-W San Antonio Missions at $75,000 to first-strike D-mint specimens commanding four-figure premiums, this comprehensive 2026 guide ranks every modern quarter worth keeping — and tells you exactly what to look for.
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The America the Beautiful Quarters Program replaced the State Quarters series, honoring 56 national parks, national forests, and historic sites across all states, territories, and the District of Columbia. Running from 2010 to 2021, this series released five new designs annually in the order sites were established. These quarters maintained the standard copper-nickel clad composition but introduced special W mint mark varieties in 2019-2020 that became extraordinarily valuable. Understanding this series is crucial to knowing what quarters are worth money today.
The introduction of W mint mark quarters in 2019 revolutionized modern quarter collecting. The U.S. Mint released approximately 2 million quarters with the W mint mark for each of five 2019 designs and five 2020 designs directly into circulation—an unprecedented move. These coins, struck at West Point Mint traditionally reserved for commemoratives and bullion, became instant rarities. Collectors nationwide searched rolls frantically, and high-grade W quarters now command five-figure prices, definitively answering what quarters are worth money in the modern era.
Before the W mint mark excitement, America the Beautiful quarters from Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) mints followed traditional patterns. While most circulated specimens remain at face value, certain dates and mint marks in exceptional grades (MS67+) or with special designations like First Strike command significant premiums. The 2017-D Frederick Douglass and 2014-D Everglades exemplify how even standard production can yield valuable coins, teaching collectors what quarters are worth money beyond obvious rarities.
Throughout the America the Beautiful series, San Francisco Mint produced proof versions for collectors, while Philadelphia occasionally struck silver proof editions. First Strike and Early Release designations, certified when coins are graded within 30 days of release, add value premiums. The 2012-S El Yunque First Strike ($4,888) demonstrates how timing and certification impact value. These special production methods create another dimension for understanding what quarters are worth money in the collector market.
The America the Beautiful Quarters Program concluded in 2021 with designs honoring Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site and other final selections. The series' completion solidified its collectability, and prices for key dates continue appreciating. In 2022, the American Women Quarters Program began, followed by other commemorative series, but the America the Beautiful quarters remain the definitive answer to what quarters are worth money for modern collectors, with values continuing to rise for top specimens.
The most valuable modern quarters worth money in 2026 are dominated by the America the Beautiful series (2010–2021), where special production decisions by the U.S. Mint created genuine rarities hiding in everyday change. At the top sit the 2019-W San Antonio Missions ($75,000) and 2019-P American Memorial ($50,000) — modern coins that have already achieved legendary status among collectors. The introduction of West Point (W) mint marks directly into circulation in 2019–2020 was a watershed moment, and high-grade survivors of that era continue to appreciate. Whether you're searching coin rolls, inheriting a collection, or buying at auction, knowing the key dates, mint marks, and grade thresholds for modern quarters is your greatest asset. Use professional grading services and tools like the CoinKnow Coin Identifier app to authenticate and value any promising finds — because the next $75,000 quarter could be sitting in your pocket right now.