That 2016 quarter sitting in your change jar might be worth more than 25 cents. While most 2016 quarters from circulation hold only face value, specific mint errors and pristine uncirculated specimens can fetch anywhere from $0.40 to $100. The America the Beautiful Quarters Program released five different designs in 2016, and understanding which mint marks and errors to look for could turn your pocket change into profit.

Understanding the 2016 America the Beautiful Quarter Series

The United States Mint produced five distinct quarter designs in 2016 as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. Each design honors a different national park or historic site: Shawnee National Forest (Illinois), Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (Kentucky), Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (West Virginia), Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota), and Fort Moultrie at Fort Sumter National Monument (South Carolina).

Each design was struck at three facilities: Philadelphia (P mint mark), Denver (D mint mark), and San Francisco (S mint mark, proof coins only). The Philadelphia and Denver mints produced billions of quarters for general circulation, while San Francisco created limited proof sets for collectors. Standard circulation strikes from Philadelphia and Denver typically show no significant premium unless they display exceptional preservation or errors.

Production numbers varied by design. The Shawnee quarter saw the highest mintage with approximately 155.8 million coins from Denver and 172.2 million from Philadelphia. The Fort Moultrie quarter, released last in the series, had lower production figures at 142.6 million from Denver and 154.0 million from Philadelphia.

Base Values for Circulated and Uncirculated 2016 Quarters

Standard 2016 quarters in typical circulated condition remain worth their face value of 25 cents. These coins show normal wear from handling, including softened details on high points like Roosevelt’s bison or the Fort Moultrie palmetto tree.

Uncirculated specimens tell a different story. A 2016-D or 2016-P quarter preserved in mint state condition with full original luster can command $0.30 to $0.50 from dealers who supply collectors. Coins graded MS-65 by professional services like NGC or PCGS typically sell for $1.50 to $3.00, depending on the specific design.

Higher grades bring substantial premiums. An MS-67 example might reach $15 to $25, while the rare MS-68 specimens can approach $50 to $75. These prices reflect the challenge of finding circulation-strike quarters without bag marks, contact scratches, or other imperfections from the minting and distribution process.

2016 Quarter Base Value Guide:

Valuable Mint Errors on 2016 Quarters

Mint errors transform ordinary quarters into collectible prizes. The 2016 series produced several documented error types that command significant premiums.

Die Cracks and Cuds: Die cracks appear as raised lines across the coin’s surface, created when the metal die itself fractures during striking. A notable die crack runs through some Fort Moultrie quarters, creating a line across the palmetto tree. Minor die cracks add $5 to $15 in value, while major cracks or cuds (areas where the die completely broke away, leaving a raised blob of metal) can reach $25 to $75 depending on severity and location.

Off-Center Strikes: These errors occur when the blank planchet doesn’t align properly with the dies during striking. A 2016 quarter struck 5% off-center might bring $20 to $40, while a 10% to 15% off-center error showing significant missing design elements can command $50 to $150. The key factor is that the date and mint mark remain visible—errors without identifiable dates hold less collector interest.

Double Die Errors: Doubling occurs when the die receives a double impression during the hubbing process. The 2016 Cumberland Gap quarter has reported minor doubling on the inscription “CUMBERLAND GAP” for some specimens. Confirmed doubled die varieties graded and authenticated by PCGS or NGC sell for $75 to $200, though examples with subtle doubling might only bring $20 to $50.

Wrong Planchet Errors: Extremely rare but documented, some 2016 quarters were struck on dime planchets or foreign coin blanks. A 2016 quarter on a dime planchet weighs approximately 2.27 grams instead of the standard 5.67 grams and measures 17.9mm versus 24.3mm in diameter. These dramatic errors can exceed $500 to $1,000 at auction.

Clipped Planchets: These errors show a curved or straight edge missing from the coin where the blank was incorrectly cut from the metal strip. A 2016 quarter with a 10% to 15% clip typically sells for $15 to $40, while larger clips affecting 25% or more of the planchet can reach $60 to $100.

Identifying Mint Marks and Their Impact on Value

The small letter on the obverse (front) of your 2016 quarter, located to the right of George Washington’s ponytail, identifies where the coin was struck. This mint mark significantly affects both rarity and value.

2016-D (Denver): Denver produced the majority of 2016 circulation quarters. These coins are abundant in pocket change and rolls from banks. Standard Denver quarters hold minimal premium unless they grade MS-66 or higher, or display significant errors.

2016-P (Philadelphia): Philadelphia quarters lack a mint mark on circulation strikes from 2016. The absence of any letter identifies Philadelphia production. These quarters are equally common to Denver issues, with similar base values and error potential.

2016-S (San Francisco – Proof): San Francisco struck only proof quarters in 2016, sold exclusively in proof sets to collectors. These coins feature mirrored backgrounds and frosted design elements. A 2016-S proof quarter in PR-69 condition typically values at $3 to $6, while perfect PR-70 examples can reach $25 to $45 depending on the specific design. Finding a 2016-S quarter in circulation would be extraordinary, as they weren’t released for general use.

Some 2016 quarters exist without any mint mark and show different characteristics than standard Philadelphia strikes. These represent an error type called “missing mint mark” and can command $50 to $150 when authenticated, though such errors are exceptionally rare in modern coinage due to improved quality control.

How to Evaluate Your 2016 Quarter

Start with a bright light and magnifying glass. Examine the surfaces for the error types described above—look for doubled letters, off-center designs, die cracks, or unusual edge characteristics.

Check the coin’s overall preservation. Does it display full mint luster with a bright, unmarred surface? Or does it show contact marks, scratches, and dulled surfaces from circulation? Uncirculated coins maintain their original shine and sharp strike details on high points like Roosevelt’s facial features or the bison’s fur texture on the Theodore Roosevelt design.

For the 2016 Fort Moultrie quarter specifically, inspect the palmetto tree’s trunk and fronds for the documented die crack error. This appears as a raised line running vertically through the tree and can add $15 to $60 to the coin’s value depending on prominence.

Weigh the quarter if possible. A standard copper-nickel clad quarter weighs 5.67 grams. Significant deviation suggests a wrong planchet error worth professional authentication. Similarly, measure the diameter—it should be exactly 24.3mm. Smaller dimensions indicate potential striking on a dime or foreign planchet.

If your quarter shows promising error characteristics or grades above MS-65 in your assessment, consider professional grading. PCGS and NGC charge $20 to $40 for standard grading services, worthwhile for coins potentially valued above $75. Their authentication and encapsulation provides buyer confidence and typically results in higher resale prices.

Maximizing Value When Selling Error Quarters

Authentication matters tremendously for error coins. A raw (ungraded) quarter with a claimed doubled die might sell for $25 to $50 on online marketplaces, while the same coin authenticated and graded by PCGS or NGC could command $150 to $250. The grading fee represents a worthwhile investment for significant errors.

Research completed sales rather than active listings when pricing your coin. eBay’s “Sold Listings” feature shows what buyers actually paid, not sellers’ wishful asking prices. Heritage Auctions maintains a free archive of past auction results providing excellent market data for rare varieties and high-grade specimens.

For standard uncirculated quarters without errors, selling to local coin shops provides convenience but expect to receive 50% to 70% of retail value. Shops need profit margin and face slower turnover on common modern quarters. Online marketplaces like eBay reach broader audiences but charge fees of 12% to 15% between listing fees and payment processing.

Error coins attract specialized collectors willing to pay premiums. Consider consigning valuable errors to Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, or Great Collections for their specialized auctions. These services charge 10% to 20% commission but connect your coin with serious collectors bidding competitively.

Building a 2016 Quarter Collection Strategy

Rather than hoping to discover errors in circulation, consider purchasing certified examples to complete a collection. A complete set of all five 2016 designs in MS-65 condition costs approximately $15 to $25 through online dealers—a modest investment for an attractive modern series.

Focus on a specific error type across the series. Collecting die crack varieties from all five 2016 designs creates a focused theme. Or pursue the highest grade you can afford for each design, gradually upgrading as better specimens appear in the market.

Bank rolls offer the best opportunity for finding uncirculated 2016 quarters at face value. Request customer-wrapped rolls rather than machine-rolled coins when possible—these have better chances of containing uncirculated pieces from people who saved them. A $10 roll (40 quarters) costs only the face value plus your time searching. Even if you find just one or two MS-65 candidates worth $2 to $3 each, you’ve profited from the hunt.

Document your finds with quality photographs and maintain spreadsheets tracking varieties, grades, and acquisition prices. This organization proves invaluable as your collection grows and helps identify gaps worth pursuing. Even common 2016 quarters, when assembled as a complete set in premium grades, demonstrate the beauty and complexity of modern United States coinage.