When discussing valuable coins, our minds often drift to antiquity. In this article, however, our focus is on the quarter coins minted in 2023.
Despite being released only a year ago, these coins have already gained attention due to the discovery of a few errors.
The 2023 quarters are part of the American Women Quarters Program, an initiative celebrating women's diverse contributions to the United States.
This program, which replaced the America the Beautiful Quarters, pays tribute to women from different ethnic backgrounds who have made significant impacts in areas such as suffrage, civil rights, slavery abolition, government, humanities, science, space exploration, and the arts. Starting in 2022, this program is set to run until 2025, honoring these remarkable women and their legacies.
Keep reading to discover the freshly discovered 2023 quarter errors.
Key Takeaways
- The American Women Quarters Program is a US Mint initiative to celebrate important women in American history;
- The program will run from 2022 to 2025;
- The 2023 mintage celebrates 5 different women with 5 different designs, including Edith Kanakaʻole, an Indigenous Hawaiian musician, and Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady and influential figure;
- 2023 Quarter Errors are expected to appreciate in value over time as they draw more attention from collectors;
- Some of the known mint errors of the 2023 strike are being priced from $3.99 up to $112!
Value and Rarity of the 2023 Quarter Error
Similar to other numismatic treasures, the value of 2023 quarter errors is likely to appreciate over time, particularly as official grading authorities recognize and authenticate these varieties and errors.
In numismatics, a coin's worth is predominantly driven by collectors' demand, which is, in turn, influenced by factors such as the coin's composition, historical importance, and scarcity. Because the 2023 Quarter errors have not become that famous yet, their prices are relatively low, and they are very accessible compared to more popular errors.
Did you know Quarters were made of silver? Read about it in our article.
2023 American Women Quarters Designs
Each year, from 2022 to 2025, five different designs depicting an important woman will be released. In 2023, the designs chosen to feature the quarter reverse were:
- Bessie Coleman – pioneering African American and first Native American female licensed pilot;
- Edith Kanakaʻole – Indigenous Hawaiian musician, guardian of Indigenous culture and customs;
- Eleanor Roosevelt – influential figure, advocate, former first lady, and writer;
- Jovita Idar – Mexican-American reporter, advocate, educator, and suffragette;
- Maria Tallchief – the United States' inaugural prima ballerina.
The obverse of the series American Women Quarters coin was idealized and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser. It features a portrait of right-looking bust of George Washington, who is on the quarter since 1932.
Fraser’s design was first proposed for the debuting 1932 Washington Quarter, but the US Mint originally chose John Flanagan’s design instead. However, to honor Fraser’s contribution to American numismatics, her design temporarily replaced Flanagan’s during the American Women Quarters program.
2023 Quarters Errors and Values
2023-P Bessie Coleman - Die Chip On Wing
Bessie Coleman was the first African American and first Native American woman pilot. She was also the first African American to earn an international pilot’s license. In the reverse, we see her glazing the horizon while an airplane flies in the sky in the background. Arching over the design is the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and on the outer rim, the inscriptions: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA QUARTER DOLLAR.” Her name is on the lower portion of the design, with the date 6. 15. 1921, when Coleman received her international pilot’s license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
When holding this coin, look at the plane. If it is an error coin, the chip will most likely appear on this part of the design.
A die chip is a small defect in a coin caused by damage or wear on the die used to strike it. The die is a hardened metal stamp used to imprint the coin's design. Over time or through repeated use, parts of the die can crack or chip off.
When this happens, the affected area of the die no longer produces a clean, accurate impression on the coin. Instead, it leaves a raised, blob-like feature on the coin's surface where the metal has flowed into the chipped area of the die, as indicated in the image below.
In June of 2024, the exemplar was on sale for $112.
2023-P Quarter Maria Tallchief - Extra Feather
The reverse of the Tallchief coin depicts Maria Tallchief spotlit in a balletic pose. Her Osage name, which translates to “Two Standards,” is written in Osage orthography below MARIA TALLCHIEF.
As part of the ballerina costume, there is a headdress in her hair composed of feathers, but the chip in the middle makes it look like part of a nonexistent feather, a detail that is not included in the original design.
See the difference between the first picture showing the chip and the second, which is the official design.
At the time of this writing, this coin is for sale in the open market for $3.99.
2023-P Edith Kanaka'ole - Clashed Die Variety
Clashed dies errors result after the obverse and reverse dies are hammered together without a coin blank in place. The softer die receives a partial impression of the stronger, which is transferred to coins struck from that die after the damage.
An interesting Major Clashed Die variety, like none seen in recent years, has been discovered on a 2023-P Edith Kanaka'ole quarter.
The reverse side showcases a portrayal of Edith Kanakaʻole, with her hair and lei poʻo (head lei, traditional Hawaiian garland or wreath worn around the head) seamlessly transforming into elements of a Hawaiian landscape.
This imagery symbolizes Kanakaʻole's dedication to preserving the natural environment and traditional Hawaiian culture. The inscription "E hō mai ka ʻike," meaning "granting the wisdom," highlights the integral role of hula and chants in this preservation effort.
On the obverse, in the middle of the Washington design, you can see a bit of the EDITH, and on the reverse, part of Washington's face is also visible.
This major error can be worth up to $100 dollars in the open market.
2023-D Jovita Idar Quarter - Die Crack
Another error that is gaining popularity is the 2023 D Jovita Idar Quarter Die Crack.
A die crack error results from a die that cracks after being subjected to immense pressure during the minting process, causing a small gap in the die. During subsequent strikes, the metal of the planchet can fill in the crack, looking like a raised line in the finished coin.
The reverse side features a depiction of Jovita Idar with her hands clasped. Inscriptions within her figure highlight some of her greatest accomplishments and the newspapers she contributed to.
Her ideas and practices were ahead of her time. She dedicated herself to pursuing civil rights for Mexican Americans, believing that education was the cornerstone of a better future. Idar authored numerous articles in various publications addressing racism and supporting the Mexican Revolution.
The coin shown in the picture is not graded but is for sale for $49.99.
Final Thoughts on Collecting and Investing in the 2023 Quarter Error
Although the 2023 quarters are still being released, some error coins are already gaining significant attention among collectors. These error coins, resulting from imperfections in the minting process, are especially intriguing to collectors.
Due to their limited availability and unique characteristics, they are likely to become rarer and more valuable over time. Owning such pieces can feel like witnessing history in the making.
We hope this discussion has illuminated the fascinating world of 2023 quarter error coins and inspired you to start or expand your coin collection. Whether you are an experienced collector or new to the hobby, the pursuit of these coins offers both a potential investment option and a connection to the rich history of coinage.
FAQs
Are there any errors in the 2023 quarter?
Yes, there are the 2023-P Bessie Coleman 25 cents Die Chip On Wing, which can be worth up to $112,00 in the open market; the Clashed Die Variety, in the Edith Kanaka'ole quarter, which goes up to $100; and the 2023-P Quarter Maria Tallchief die chip, also knowns as the Extra Feather error.
What is the weird quarter of 2023?
The American Women's Quarters program was developed to celebrate women's contributions in various fields, such as politics, the arts, and science. One of the 2023 designs features Jovita Idar Vivero, a champion of women's rights and a pioneer in the modern Mexican-American civil rights movement. Unusually for American coinage, the design places all the reverse lettering within Jovita's bust, which can give the coin a strange look at first. The auction record for this coin is $276.00 for a PCGS MS70, set on 04/08/2024.
What errors to look for in quarters?
Some of the most notable error quarters include the 1918/7-S 25C Overdate, valued at up to $350,000 in uncirculated conditions. Another remarkable example is the 1828 25C 25/50C variety, which fetched $352,500 at a Heritage auction in 2013. Additionally, the (2000)-P SAC$1 Mule with State 25C Obverse (Regular Strike) can reach $250,000 in Superb Gem Uncirculated condition.
What 2000-2023 quarters are worth the money?
The most expensive business quarters from 2000- 2024 are the 2000-P 25C Massachusetts (Regular Strike) in Nearly Perfect Condition (MS69), worth around 7,000; 2000-D 25C Massachusetts (Regular Strike), worth 9,000; and 2000-P 25C South Carolina (Regular Strike), worth 8,000, both also in MS69 condition. 2004-P 25C Texas (Regular Strike), worth 10,000 in MS69.
