A High Grade State Quarter From South Carolina Is Worth A Ton Of Money

From 1999-2008, the United States Mint released quarter designs that uniquely highlighted aspects of each of the 50 states. Annually, the Mint would release five new quarters, going in order of when the states became part of the union, or ratified the U.S. Constitution. Of the 50, a select few of these still-circulating state quarters have significantly increased in potential value over the years. This includes the South Carolina state quarter — the design of which contains the state tree (palmetto), state bird (Carolina wren), and state flower (the yellow jessamine). For anyone sitting on one of these South Carolina state quarters in mint condition, the coin has an approximate value of $8,000, according to American Oil Company. The key reason for this quarter's particularly high value is due to the scarcity of examples still in mint condition. The better a coin's condition, the more value it typically contains. 

In January 2017, Heritage Auctions sold a high-grade mint South Carolina state quarter for $3,525.  As of May 2025, eBay sellers list this coin (in unspecified conditions) for anywhere from $299 to $1,125. While less than the top $3,525 value, these prices are still much higher than the coin's face value of 25 cents.

Using the Sheldon Grading Scale, experts rate coins from 1 through 70 with high scores equating to higher graded mint coins — and more value. As high quality coins become fewer in number, like what happened with the South Carolina quarter, scarcity serves to further boosts a coin's value. Although uncirculated or lightly circulated coins typically possess the most demand, more common 'junk' coins can have value, too, based on the mintage scarcity. 

Maine's state quarter, for instance, experienced the second lowest mintage amount out of the state quarters — at 448.8 million. Heritage Auctions sold a Maine state quarter, with a Sheldon Grading Scale of MS68, for $1,997.50 in January 2017. As of May 2025, the Professional Coin Grading Service (PGCS) estimates that Maine state quarters have different values based on condition with an MS66 graded coin worth $12, a MS67 graded coin worth $37, and a MS68 graded coin worth $2,300. Even ordinary circulated Maine state quarters can sell for several times their face value. One eBay seller, in May 2025, priced one in an unknown condition at $1.50. Or you can buy two at $1.28 apiece or three at $1.20 each. As for South Carolina coins, an eBay seller lists an ungraded one in May 2025 for $1.40.

A state quarter with variations in design or hue, even slight ones, can come with more value. After identifying state quarters that could be worth money beyond their face value, a professional coin grader can confirm the specifics. According to Coin Value Checker, an MS65 graded Oklahoma state quarter with a double die error sold for $520 in 2020. This particular coin contained a duplication of a design element on both the front and back sides. 

Similarly, the 2004 Wisconsin state coin features an error related to its corn which increases its value. Some have an extra leaf on the cob of corn at the top while others have an extra one at the bottom. In July 2006, one of these Wisconsin quarters sold for a record-breaking $2,530 through Heritage Auctions. The 2005 Minnesota state quarter can also be worth more than face value when it contains faint impressions of an additional tree due to a double strike error. Those with an MS65 rating can go for $40. However, if the condition is ranked at MS67, sellers could rake in as much as $275.