Are you looking for rare and valuable doubled die quarters worth money?
These rare quarters can be found in pocket change if you’re persistent…
…And lucky!
You may also stand a chance of cherry picking doubled die quarters from bargain bins at coin shops and, in the case of pre-1965 doubled die quarters, pieces from bags of 90% junk silver.
A doubled die is a type of die variety — an error on a die that strikes many coins. As a result, there will be several examples of the same variety in existence. A doubled die variety takes place when the design on the die is doubled due to a mishap in the hubbing process.
So, what doubled die quarter errors should you be looking for?
These are some of the most valuable doubled die quarters you might want to start hunting for…
1934 Doubled Die Quarter Error
While not the rarest of the doubled die quarters, this is perhaps one of the most popular of the pre-1965 silver Washington quarter doubled die errors.
This doubled die involves doubling of the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” — which is coincidental given that this variety was born during the same year that other notable varieties involving the magnitude of the “IN GOD WE TRUST” motto were also released. So, Washington quarter enthusiasts certainly have a lot to get excited about with this date!
The doubling of “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the 1934 doubled die quarter is seen with significant spread among the letters to the upper left of the primary lettering in the inscription. The doubling is easily evident with the naked eye, making this one of the easier doubled dies to spot without use of a coin magnifier.
A 1934 doubled die quarter is worth anywhere from $50 in well-circulated grades to more than $1,000 in uncirculated (unworn) condition.
1936 Doubled Die Quarter Error
Here’s another mid-1930s quarter with heavy doubling in the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
Doubling can also be seen in the legend “LIBERTY” above Washington’s head.
Values for the 1936 doubled die quarter range from about $150 in mid-circulated grades up to over $500 in uncirculated condition.
1937 Doubled Die Quarter Error
Strong doubling can be seen in the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” as well as the date, “1937.”
This is the type of valuable doubled die quarter where the doubling is evident even without the use of magnification!
Values for this rare silver quarters range from $175 for an example in mid-circulated grades to more than $2,000 in uncirculated grades.
1942-D Doubled Die Quarter Error
There are actually two significant doubled dies for 1942-D quarters.
One is seen on the obverse (“heads side”) and the other the reverse (“tails side”):
- The 1942-D Doubled Die Obverse — This variety error shows doubling in the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” and legend “LIBERTY,” as well as evidence of a doubled date. This doubled die presents itself as distinct doubling in the word “LIBERTY” and thickening of the letters in “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Values start at around $300 in circulated grades and exceed $5,000 for some uncirculated specimens.
- The 1942-D Doubled Die Reverse — For this doubled die quarter, you must look to the beak on the eagle, the arrows, and the branches above the “D” mintmark on the reverse. Doubling is prominent but probably best confirmed by use of a coin magnifier.. The value of this doubled die quarter begins at $200 in middle circulated grades and goes beyond $1,000 in uncirculated condition.
1943 Doubled Die Quarter Error
This is a very strong doubled die — one that many people wouldn’t need a magnifier to see.
The doubling on this quarter is extremely prominent in the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date.
This is a very rare quarter in any grade, with values kicking in at around $500 in mid-circulated grades and exceeding $5,000 in uncirculated.
1943-S Doubled Die Quarter Error
First things first, as with many of the dates listed here, there are several kinds of doubled dies for the 1943-S quarter.
Here, we will focus on the one that is the most prominent, most valuable, and most widely collected.
That’s the one that reveals strong doubling of the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date “1943.” In this instance, the doubling occurs below the primary letters of the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and slightly to the right of the date, “1943.”
The value of this 1943-S doubled die quarter is approximately $175 in mid-circulated grades to more than $750 in uncirculated grades.
1964-D Doubled Die Quarter Error
There are several kinds of doubled dies known to exist among the 1964 quarters.
One of the more valuable of these is a 1964-D quarter with doubling strongly exhibited on the reverse in the words “OF AMERICA” and “DOLLAR” — so much so that magnification isn’t necessary for many to see evidence of the doubling.
The value of this 1964-D doubled die quarter is around $100 for a specimen in the mid-circulated grades up tom more than $250 for better-quality uncirculated pieces.
1965 Doubled Die Quarter Error
This very rare 1965 quarter error shows some tremendous doubling in the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.” The spread is generally up — away from the lettering — and is distinct.
The 1965 doubled die quarter is worth anywhere from $400 in middle-circulated condition up to over $600 in uncirculated grades.
1976-D Doubled Die Quarter Error
Want to find an extremely rare and valuable 1976-D Bicentennial quarter?
I’ve got just the one for you!
This cool 1976 quarter error is worth big money because of a doubled die error that shows up in strong doubling of the word “LIBERTY” on the obverse.
Values for this 1976-D doubled die Bicentennial quarter start at around $800.
2005 Minnesota Doubled Die Quarter Error
There are several dozen different kinds of 2005-P and 2005-D Minnesota quarters with doubled dies. Most of them are very minor and carry little additional premium.
Specimens of the 2005 Minnesota quarter that show particularly strong doubling go for big bucks — as much as $50 to $100.
2009 District of Columbia Quarter Error
There are a few kinds of errors on 2009-P and 2009-D District of Columbia quarters that involve doubling most evident near the center of the reverse.
Details that are clearly doubled include lettering, the piano keys, and Duke Ellington’s fingers.
These doubled dies vary in value, but the one that is the rarest and most valuable is a 2009-D District of Columbia quarter with the letters “ELL” in “ELLINGTON,” part of the piano keyboard, and panel under the keys both dramatically doubled and at a severe angle down and to the right of the primary image.
This particular 2009-D doubled die quarter has sold for more than $100.
I’m the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century.
I’m a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I’m also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I’ve contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek.
I’ve authored nearly 1,000 articles here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins (many of them with over 50K shares), and I welcome your coin questions in the comments below!
