Most collectors overlook 1996 quarters as common pocket change, but certain specimens from this year can command prices ranging from $10 to over $50 depending on condition and mint mark. While 1996 didn’t produce the famous errors of other years, understanding the nuances of Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco issues—plus knowing which errors to hunt for—can help you identify valuable pieces hiding in plain sight.

Understanding the 1996 Washington Quarter Series

The 1996 quarter continues the Washington design introduced in 1932, featuring George Washington’s profile on the obverse and an eagle with spread wings on the reverse. All three United States Mint facilities struck quarters this year: Philadelphia (P mint mark or no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S, proof only).

The Philadelphia Mint produced approximately 825,600,000 quarters in 1996, making it the highest mintage of the three facilities. Denver followed with roughly 906,868,000 pieces, while San Francisco struck around 2,500,000 proof specimens exclusively for collectors. These high production numbers mean circulated examples remain extremely common, but pristine uncirculated specimens tell a different story.

For collectors, the key differentiator isn’t the mint mark alone but rather the coin’s preservation state. A circulated 1996-P quarter pulled from pocket change holds only its 25-cent face value, regardless of mint mark. However, that same coin in mint state condition with full luster, sharp strike, and zero contact marks enters an entirely different value category.

Breaking Down Values by Mint Mark and Grade

1996-P Philadelphia Quarter Values

Philadelphia quarters from 1996 either display a small “P” mint mark on the obverse (right of Washington’s ponytail) or occasionally lack a mint mark due to transitional minting practices in the mid-1990s.

In circulated grades from Good-4 through About Uncirculated-58, these quarters trade at face value. The value jump occurs in mint state grades:

According to PCGS population reports, fewer than 500 1996-P quarters have been graded MS-67 or higher, making top-tier specimens genuinely scarce despite the massive mintage.

1996-D Denver Quarter Values

Denver quarters feature a “D” mint mark in the same location as Philadelphia pieces. Despite Denver’s slightly higher mintage than Philadelphia in 1996, certified populations show similar scarcity patterns in premium grades.

Circulated 1996-D quarters remain at face value, while uncirculated examples follow this pricing structure:

The slightly higher values for 1996-D quarters in MS-65 and above grades reflect collector demand rather than actual rarity. Some specialists prefer Denver strikes for their typically sharper details, particularly on Washington’s hair and the eagle’s feathers.

1996-S San Francisco Proof Quarter Values

San Francisco exclusively produced proof quarters in 1996, struck with specially polished dies on polished planchets for collectors. These coins never entered circulation and came sealed in protective packaging.

Proof quarters use a different grading scale, with Proof-65 through Proof-70 being the standard range:

Heritage Auctions recorded a 1996-S Proof-70 Deep Cameo quarter selling for $138 in 2022, demonstrating the premium collectors pay for perfect specimens with deep mirror fields and frosted devices.

Identifying Valuable 1996 Quarter Errors

While 1996 didn’t produce headline-grabbing errors like the 1999 Delaware “Spitting Horse” or 1970-D overdates, several error types do appear and carry premiums above standard issues.

Off-Center Strikes

Off-center errors occur when the planchet isn’t properly aligned with the dies during striking. Minor off-center strikes (5-10% off-center) add $15 to $40 to a coin’s value. Dramatic examples showing 50% or more of the design off-center, while still displaying a complete date and mint mark, can fetch $75 to $200.

A 1996-D quarter struck 40% off-center sold through GreatCollections for $127 in 2023, showing strong collector interest in dramatic mechanical errors from this otherwise common year.

Broadstrikes

Broadstrike errors happen when the retaining collar fails to contain the planchet during striking, allowing the metal to spread beyond normal diameter. These errors create quarters larger than standard 24.3mm diameter, with weak or absent reeded edges.

Typical 1996 broadstrike quarters trade for $25 to $60 depending on the expansion degree and overall eye appeal. A particularly dramatic 1996-P broadstrike measuring 27mm sold for $88 at a 2023 online auction.

Die Cracks and Cuds

Die cracks appear as raised lines on the coin’s surface, caused by fractures in the die metal. Minor die cracks add minimal value ($2 to $8), but major cracks that create distinctive patterns generate more interest.

Cuds represent the most dramatic die crack errors, where a piece of the die breaks away entirely, leaving an unstruck raised blob on the coin. A 1996-D quarter with a significant cud covering approximately 20% of the reverse eagle sold for $73 through a specialist error dealer in 2023.

Clipped Planchets

Clipped planchet errors result from improperly punched blanks, creating crescents or straight clips on the coin’s edge. Small clips (5-10% of the planchet) add $10 to $30 in value, while larger clips removing 25% or more can bring $40 to $85.

The rarest clips are “ragged clips,” where a planchet tears irregularly rather than cutting cleanly. A 1996-P quarter with a dramatic ragged clip sold for $95 at a regional coin show in 2022.

Double Dies

True double die errors, where the die received multiple impressions during hubbing creating noticeably doubled design elements, remain extremely rare on 1996 quarters. Minor doubling visible only under magnification adds $5 to $15. Significant doubling visible to the naked eye, particularly on “LIBERTY” or the date, could command $50 to $150 or more.

As of 2024, no major double die varieties have been catalogued for 1996 quarters comparable to famous examples from other years, but collectors continue searching.

Grading Matters: Why Condition Determines Value

The difference between a $0.25 quarter and a $50 coin often comes down to preservation. Professional grading services like PCGS and NGC use the 70-point Sheldon scale, where 1 represents a barely identifiable coin and 70 denotes absolute perfection.

For 1996 quarters, the critical threshold is Mint State-65 (MS-65). At this grade, coins display full mint luster with only minor contact marks visible under magnification. No marks appear in prime focal areas like Washington’s cheek or the field surrounding the eagle.

MS-66 specimens show even fewer marks and stronger eye appeal with excellent strike sharpness. The jump from MS-65 to MS-66 often doubles or triples value because the population of MS-66 coins represents only about 20% of MS-65 populations for 1996 issues.

MS-67 and higher grades become exponentially scarcer. According to PCGS CoinFacts data through 2024, only 347 1996-P quarters have been certified MS-67 or better from the 825 million minted—a survival rate of approximately 0.00004% in top grades.

This scarcity exists because quarters entered circulation immediately, suffering contact marks from other coins, counting machines, and handling. Even rolls of “uncirculated” quarters from banks typically grade MS-60 to MS-63 due to marks acquired during transportation and storage.

Where to Find and Sell 1996 Quarters

Finding valuable 1996 quarters requires searching uncirculated sources rather than pocket change. Bank rolls occasionally yield MS-64 or MS-65 specimens, though this requires purchasing multiple rolls and carefully examining each coin.

Estate sales and coin collections assembled in the late 1990s sometimes contain preserved 1996 quarters in original mint set packaging. The 1996 United States Mint Set originally retailed for $8 and included uncirculated examples of all denominations from both Philadelphia and Denver.

For selling valuable 1996 quarters, certification through PCGS or NGC becomes essential for coins potentially grading MS-65 or higher. Certification costs $20 to $40 depending on service level, but it provides third-party authentication and grade guarantee that significantly improves marketability.

Certified 1996 quarters in premium grades sell best through established auction houses like Heritage, Stack’s Bowers, or GreatCollections, which attract serious collectors willing to pay premium prices. Error coins often find buyers through specialized error coin dealers or forums like the Error Coin Price Guide community.

Raw (uncertified) examples in lower uncirculated grades typically sell locally through coin shops or online marketplaces like eBay, though prices realized may be 20-40% below certified equivalents due to grading uncertainty.

Building a 1996 Quarter Collection Strategy

Collecting 1996 quarters offers an accessible entry point to numismatics without the steep prices of rare dates. A complete basic set includes three pieces: 1996-P, 1996-D, and 1996-S Proof, obtainable in mid-grade uncirculated condition for under $40 total.

Serious collectors pursuing registry sets through PCGS or NGC focus on acquiring the highest grades within budget. MS-66 examples of all three varieties cost approximately $100-$120 total as of 2024 pricing, while MS-67 sets require significantly more investment at $150-$400 depending on availability.

Error collectors should prioritize dramatic, visually striking errors rather than minor varieties requiring magnification. A well-centered off-center strike or significant broadstrike generates more display appeal and stronger long-term value than subtle doubled dies or minor die cracks.

For investors rather than collectors, 1996 quarters present limited opportunities compared to key date quarters or precious metal issues. The massive mintages prevent significant future appreciation unless pursuing the tiny population of MS-68 or higher specimens, which require substantial capital and patience.

Maximizing Your 1996 Quarter Discoveries

Start your search by examining any 1996 quarters currently in your possession, focusing on mint mark identification and obvious errors before assessing condition. Use a 10x magnifying loupe or jeweler’s glass to check for doubling, die cracks, or clip errors that naked eyes might miss.

Compare your finds against certified auction results on platforms like PCGS CoinFacts or NGC Coin Explorer, which provide free population reports and auction archives. These resources show exactly how many coins have been certified at each grade level and what prices they’ve achieved at major auctions.

For potentially valuable discoveries, photograph the coin against a neutral background under good lighting, capturing both obverse and reverse plus any errors or notable features. These images help when consulting with dealers or grading services about submission worthiness.

Remember that condition is paramount—a 1996-P quarter with full mint luster and minimal marks in MS-66 grade significantly outvalues a 1996-S proof in Proof-65 despite the lower mintage of proof issues. Focus your search efforts on finding pristine examples rather than simply hunting for specific mint marks.