Dig through your pocket change, and you might find a piece of American history worth more than face value. The 1999 state quarters launched the 50 State Quarters Program, featuring Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. While most are worth just 25 cents, certain varieties and error coins have sold for hundreds—even thousands—of dollars at auction. Here’s what makes your 1999 quarters valuable and how to identify the ones worth keeping.

Understanding the 1999 State Quarter Program

The United States Mint released the first five state quarters in 1999, marking the beginning of a ten-year commemorative series. Each state’s design appeared on the reverse, while the obverse maintained the familiar George Washington portrait. Delaware kicked off the series on January 4, 1999, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut throughout the year.

The Philadelphia Mint (no mint mark) and Denver Mint (D mint mark) produced billions of these quarters for circulation. San Francisco (S mint mark) struck special silver proof versions exclusively for collectors. Total mintages varied by state: Delaware led with 774,824,000 coins combined from both mints, while Connecticut produced 688,744,000 pieces across Philadelphia and Denver.

Each design celebrated state heritage: Delaware showed Caesar Rodney’s horseback ride, Pennsylvania featured the Commonwealth statue, New Jersey displayed Washington crossing the Delaware River, Georgia honored the peach and live oak, and Connecticut showcased the Charter Oak. These distinct designs created immediate collector interest, driving some Americans to search circulation for all five varieties.

Delaware Quarter Values and Key Errors

Standard Delaware quarters from circulation remain at face value unless in pristine condition. Philadelphia-minted coins (no mint mark) reached 373,400,000 pieces, while Denver produced 401,424,000. Uncirculated examples graded MS-63 typically sell for $1 to $2, with MS-65 specimens reaching $3 to $5 at coin dealers.

The real value emerges in higher grades and error coins. A Delaware quarter graded MS-67 by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) sold for $126 at Heritage Auctions in 2022. Error varieties command premium prices: spitting horse errors, where die cracks create the appearance of the horse spitting, have sold for $50 to $150 depending on severity. Double die obverse errors, showing doubled lettering in “LIBERTY” or the date, fetch $25 to $100 in circulated grades.

Delaware Quarter Value Guide:

Silver proof Delaware quarters from San Francisco contain 90% silver and typically grade PR-69 or PR-70. These sell for $8 to $12 in PR-69 condition, with perfect PR-70 examples reaching $25 to $40.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey Quarter Market Values

Pennsylvania quarters followed Delaware with 707,332,000 total mintage: 349,000,000 from Philadelphia and 358,332,000 from Denver. The Commonwealth statue design rarely appears with significant errors, keeping most values modest. MS-65 specimens trade for $3 to $4, while MS-67 examples sold for $90 at PCGS-certified auctions in 2023.

New Jersey quarters featuring Washington crossing the Delaware produced 662,228,000 pieces combined. Philadelphia struck 363,200,000, and Denver minted 299,028,000. This design occasionally shows off-center strikes, where the image shifts noticeably from center. A 10% off-center error sells for $15 to $30, while a 50% off-center strike reached $425 at Stack’s Bowers auction in 2021.

Doubled die varieties exist for both Pennsylvania and New Jersey quarters. Look for doubling in “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on the reverse or “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the obverse. Verified doubled die examples in MS-63 condition sell for $40 to $85, depending on the doubling’s prominence and buyer demand.

Silver proofs for both states mirror Delaware’s pricing structure. Pennsylvania silver proofs in PR-69 typically sell for $7 to $11, while New Jersey versions trade between $8 and $13. Population reports from PCGS show fewer than 200 coins of each state graded PR-70, making perfect proofs worth $30 to $50.

Georgia Quarter: The $10,000 Exception

Georgia quarters stand apart from their 1999 counterparts due to a remarkable error variety. The Philadelphia Mint produced 451,188,000 Georgia quarters, while Denver struck 488,744,000. Standard uncirculated coins follow typical patterns: MS-65 grades sell for $3 to $5, and MS-67 examples reach $100 to $125.

The exceptional value comes from a specific error called the “Speared Leaf” variety. A die chip creates what appears to be a spear or stick piercing the lower oak leaf on the reverse. This dramatic error gained collector attention when a PCGS-graded MS-68 example sold for $10,100 at Heritage Auctions in 2006. More recently, MS-67 Speared Leaf quarters have sold between $2,500 and $4,200, according to 2023 Heritage Auctions data.

Not all Georgia error quarters reach five figures. The Speared Leaf variety in MS-65 condition sells for $250 to $450, making it accessible to intermediate collectors. Even lower grades (MS-63) command $150 to $200—still substantial compared to face value. The key is authentication: counterfeit “speared” varieties exist where damage mimics the error. Always purchase certified examples from PCGS or Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) for investment-grade pieces.

Georgia quarters also appear with rotated die errors, where the reverse design sits at an angle to the obverse. A 45-degree rotation error sold for $380 in AU-58 condition at Great Collections in 2022. Full 180-degree rotations are rarer, with one MS-64 example reaching $825 at auction.

Connecticut Quarter Values and Collecting Strategies

Connecticut closed 1999’s state quarter releases with 688,744,000 coins: 298,840,000 from Philadelphia and 389,904,000 from Denver. The Charter Oak design appears clean on most strikes, with fewer reported errors than other 1999 states. MS-65 Connecticut quarters sell for $2.50 to $4, positioning them as the most affordable uncirculated 1999 state quarter.

High-grade examples still attract competitive bidding. A Connecticut quarter graded MS-68 sold for $1,410 at Heritage Auctions in 2020, demonstrating demand for pristine specimens. MS-67 examples more commonly trade between $85 and $120, making them comparable to other 1999 states at this grade level.

Error varieties include off-center strikes and clipped planchets (where part of the coin blank is missing before striking). A Connecticut quarter with a 15% curved clip sold for $45 in MS-64 condition. Broadstrike errors, where the collar fails and the coin spreads beyond normal diameter, have reached $95 for well-preserved examples.

For collectors building 1999 state quarter sets, focus on consistency across grades. A complete set of five states in MS-65 costs approximately $15 to $20, while MS-67 sets require $450 to $600. Silver proof sets containing all five 1999 states in PR-69 trade for $40 to $55, offering an affordable entry into precious metal collecting.

Professional Grading: When It Makes Financial Sense

Submitting quarters for professional grading costs $20 to $40 per coin through services like PCGS or NGC. This investment only makes sense when potential value exceeds grading fees by a comfortable margin. For standard 1999 state quarters, grading is worthwhile only for coins that appear flawless under magnification and likely grade MS-67 or higher.

Error coins present different calculations. A suspected Speared Leaf Georgia quarter justifies grading costs even in lower mint state grades, since MS-63 examples still sell for $150+. Similarly, dramatic errors like 50% off-center strikes or major doubled dies warrant authentication regardless of grade, as their error premium exceeds certification costs.

Before paying for grading, examine your quarters under 5x to 10x magnification in good lighting. Look for these value indicators: complete luster with no contact marks on high points, sharp strike details in Washington’s hair and state design elements, and original mint bloom without discoloration. Coins with bag marks, scratches, or environmental damage rarely grade above MS-64, making certification a financial loss.

Compare your coin to certified examples on PCGS CoinFacts or NGC’s website. These databases show actual auction prices for graded coins, helping you estimate potential value. If your quarter appears similar to MS-67 examples selling for $100+, grading becomes a calculated investment. For coins likely to grade MS-65 or below, selling raw (ungraded) to local dealers or keeping for personal collections makes more financial sense.

Maximizing Your 1999 Quarter Collection’s Worth

Start by sorting quarters by state and mint mark, creating six categories: Delaware P/D, Pennsylvania P/D, New Jersey P/D, Georgia P/D, and Connecticut P/D, plus silver proofs. Use a jeweler’s loupe to inspect Georgia quarters for the Speared Leaf error—this single discovery could transform pocket change into a valuable asset.

Store promising candidates in individual coin flips or protective holders to prevent additional wear. Never clean quarters with any substance; cleaning destroys numismatic value and makes grading impossible. Original, uncleaned surfaces always command premiums over cleaned coins, even when cleaning isn’t immediately obvious.

For selling, auction houses like Heritage or Stack’s Bowers handle high-value pieces (generally $500+), taking 10-20% commission but reaching serious collectors. Mid-range coins ($50-$500) sell effectively through eBay or Great Collections, which specializes in certified coins. Local coin shops offer immediate payment but typically buy at 60-80% of retail value, making them suitable for quick sales of common uncirculated pieces.

Track the market through PCGS Price Guide and NGC’s auction archives. Prices fluctuate based on collector demand, precious metal values for silver proofs, and new error discoveries. What sells for $100 today might reach $150 next year—or drop to $75. Patience often rewards collectors, especially for error varieties where each auction creates new price precedents.

Your 1999 state quarters represent more than spare change—they’re tangible pieces of American commemorative history with genuine investment potential. Whether you find a $10,000 Speared Leaf Georgia quarter or simply assemble a complete uncirculated set, these coins connect everyday transactions with the excitement of numismatic discovery.