A standard 2009 Duke Ellington quarter is worth 25 cents in circulated condition, but uncirculated examples can sell for $1 to $2. Special proof versions start around $1.25 for copper-nickel proofs and $4 or more for 90% silver proofs.
What's a 2009 District of Columbia quarter worth?
A circulated 2009-D or 2009-P District of Columbia quarter is worth its face value of 25 cents.
Now, in uncirculated condition, its value jumps depending on grade: about $1 for an MS-63 coin and roughly $2 for an MS-65. These coins were struck in the hundreds of millions, so only the top-tier examples really command serious collector interest.
Is the DC quarter actually rare?
Nope, the standard 2009 District of Columbia quarter isn't rare at all.
The U.S. Mint pumped out over 172 million of them for circulation, making them pretty common. True scarcity only shows up in specific error coins—like the 2009-D Doubled Die variety—or in coins that are both exceptionally high-grade and professionally certified.
Why does Duke Ellington appear on the quarter?
Duke Ellington landed on the quarter because Washington D.C. chose him to represent the District in the U.S. Mint's 50 State Quarters program.
As a federal district, D.C. got included right alongside the states. Born and raised in the city, Ellington was a global jazz icon—pianist, composer, and all-around cultural giant. The design captures him seated at a grand piano, which honestly feels like the perfect tribute.
Which quarter equals $1000?
No single modern quarter is worth $1,000 face value—that's a math thing, not a coin thing.
Here's the reality: 1,000 quarters at 25 cents each add up to $250 in total face value. Now, if you're talking about collector value, certain 19th-century quarters (like rare halves or dollars) can absolutely hit $1,000 or more, but they aren't worth that as quarters.
What's a 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar actually worth?
A circulated 1776-1976 Bicentennial quarter is worth 25 cents, plain and simple.
Uncirculated examples start around $1-2, while proof versions (marked with an 'S' mintmark) climb to about $5 or higher. The real money comes from coins in top-tier grades (MS/PF-67 or better) or those struck in 40% silver, which were sold in special Mint sets.
What's the most valuable state quarter out there?
The priciest regular-issue state quarters are the 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf and the 1999-P Delaware Spitting Horse due to their famous errors.
In perfect, gem uncirculated condition (MS-67 or higher), even low-mintage issues like the 2008-P Oklahoma quarter can pull in serious cash. According to the Professional Coin Grading Service, these error coins in top grades have sold for hundreds of dollars.
What's a District of Columbia quarter worth?
Most District of Columbia quarters are worth exactly 25 cents.
You can use them just like any other change. But here's the catch: value jumps for coins that are uncirculated, high-grade, or have a minting error. An average uncirculated example might fetch $1, while a pristine MS-67 could reach $20-$30.
Which state quarters are the rarest?
The rarest state quarters are mostly error varieties and a few low-mintage issues.
Check these out:
- 1999-P Delaware "Spitting Horse": A die crack makes it look like the horse is spitting.
- 2004-D Wisconsin "Extra Leaf": Shows an extra high or low leaf on the cornstalk.
- 2005-P Minnesota "Doubled Dies": Displays doubling on inscriptions like "LAND OF 10,000 LAKES."
- 2009-D District of Columbia "Doubled Die": Has doubling on Duke Ellington's portrait.
Does Washington DC actually have a state quarter?
Yes, Washington D.C. got its own quarter as part of the 50 State Quarters program, which included the District and five U.S. territories.
Released in 2009, it keeps the standard George Washington obverse but flips to a unique reverse honoring Duke Ellington at the piano. People still call it a "state quarter" even though D.C. isn't a state—old habits die hard.
Are 1967 quarters worth anything special?
Most 1967 quarters are only worth 25 cents if they're worn and circulated.
That's because over 1.5 billion were minted. The real action happens in uncirculated examples, which can run from $1 to $5 for typical grades. According to price guides like the PCGS CoinFacts, superb gem condition (MS-67 or higher) can push values to $25 to $50.
How much is a 2019 quarter worth?
A regular 2019 circulating quarter is worth 25 cents, but the 2019-W quarters are a different story.
The "W" mintmark quarters (from West Point) were released into circulation in limited numbers to get collectors excited. A worn 2019-W quarter goes for $3 to $5, while an uncirculated one can fetch $10 to $20 or more, depending on condition and design (American Memorial Park, River of No Return, etc.).
What does the US Virgin Islands quarter look like?
The 2009 U.S. Virgin Islands quarter shows an outline of the three main islands (St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas) plus native symbols.
The design includes the Bananaquit (official bird), the Yellow Elder (official flower), and a Tyre Palm tree. The inscriptions read "United States Virgin Islands" and "St. Croix-St. John-St. Thomas."
What's the rarest quarter in existence?
One of the rarest U.S. quarters is the 1901-S Barber quarter, with only 72,664 minted.
In high grades, it's a true legend. While lower-grade examples start around $4,000, an auction record was set in 1990 at $550,000 for an exceptional specimen. Other extreme rarities include the 1870-CC Seated Liberty quarter and the 1913-S Barber quarter.
Why is the 1965 quarter considered rare?
The standard 1965 quarter isn't rare—over 1.8 billion were made. The rarity comes from a handful of 1965 quarters accidentally struck on 90% silver planchets left over from 1964.
These "transitional errors" happened when the Mint switched from silver to copper-nickel clad. A genuine 1965 silver quarter is incredibly scarce—maybe 20 known examples exist—and can fetch over $7,000 even in worn condition. Authentication from a service like NGC or PCGS is non-negotiable.
