Meet Modern Rarities: 2023 Quarters And Their Specifics
In 2023, the U.S. Mint added a fresh chapter to American coinage with a new set of commemorative quarters honoring influential women who shaped the nation’s culture, aviation, arts, and social reform. These coins, part of the American Women Quarters Program, combine artistry with historical storytelling — and for collectors, they represent an exciting mix of beauty, symbolism, and rarity.
But beyond the designs themselves, 2023 quarters are attracting strong attention for their technical and minting specifics, especially as rare error varieties begin surfacing in circulation. In a year that saw one of the lowest quarter mintages in over a decade, even small anomalies can become modern treasures for sharp-eyed numismatists.
The 2023 U.S. Quarter Lineup
Honoree | Legacy Theme | Mints | Key Details |
Bessie Coleman | First African American and Native American female pilot | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco | Features Coleman mid-flight with her plane |
Edith Kanakaʻole | Hawaiian cultural icon and educator | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco | Showcases her portrait and native text “E hō mai ka ‘ike” |
Eleanor Roosevelt | Human rights advocate and First Lady | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco | Depicts her with the scales of justice |
Jovita Idár | Journalist and activist for Mexican-American civil rights | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco | Portrays her holding a “La Crónica” newspaper |
Maria Tallchief | America’s first major prima ballerina | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco | Highlights her ballet grace and Osage heritage |
Why These Coins Stand Out
The U.S. Mint produced about 1.66 billion quarters in 2023, marking the lowest output since 2012. This reduction in volume — combined with high production pressure at Philadelphia and Denver — led to small but significant minting anomalies that now fascinate collectors.
Did you know?
Low mintage years often create long-term collector demand, even for modern coins. When combined with verifiable minting errors, the appeal multiplies dramatically.
A Bridge Between Art and Numismatics
Each coin in this series represents a different cultural milestone, but together, they also showcase the evolution of U.S. minting technology. The detailed engraving, laser-finished dies, and polished planchets reflect contemporary craftsmanship. Yet, paradoxically, these same production innovations make errors far rarer and more valuable when they do occur.
For example, early reports of die chips, doubled dies, and misprints on Bessie Coleman and Edith Kanakaʻole quarters have sparked intense online discussions. What used to be common in mid-20th-century coinage is now a rarity worth preserving — proving that even modern coins can become instant collectibles when minting quirks arise.
The Market’s Early Reaction
Dealers and private sellers have already listed verified 2023 errors on platforms like eBay and Heritage Auctions, with prices ranging from a few dollars for minor die chips to over $100 for well-defined misprints. As grading authorities begin certifying more of these coins, values could climb further — especially for those preserved in Mint State (MS65+)condition.
Hint for beginners:
Always keep newly released quarters aside for a few weeks before spending them. Early errors often surface from fresh mint rolls, giving you a better chance to find uncirculated examples.
Key Error Types to Watch in 2023 Quarters
While 2023 quarters already stand out for their artistic and cultural value, what truly excites collectors are the unexpected minting errors making their way into circulation. With lower mintage numbers and heavy production schedules at the Philadelphia and Denver mints, small imperfections have turned these coins into fascinating case studies — and sometimes, profitable finds.
Below are the most talked-about 2023 quarter errors and how to identify them.
1. Die Chips & Cuds
These appear as small raised blobs or metal breaks caused by a deteriorating die. One of the most noticeable is the “Pimple Nose” error on the 2023 Bessie Coleman quarter, forming a tiny bump on Washington’s nose.
Cause: Cracks or breaks in the die surface
Typical Value: $3–$20
Where Found: Mostly 2023-D (Denver) quarters
Collector Tip: Large, distinct chips or cuds that obscure part of the design are rarer and fetch higher bids.
Did you know?
Minor die chips may seem insignificant now, but patterns of repeated flaws across multiple mint runs can make certain varieties collectible long-term.
2. “In Cod We Trust” Error
Perhaps the most amusing 2023 quarter variety, this error results from a filled or damaged die that obscures the “G” in “IN GOD WE TRUST,” leaving it as “IN COD WE TRUST.”
Cause: Die grease filling the G area
Appears On: Both Philadelphia and Denver issues
Estimated Value: $5–$20+ depending on clarity
Rarity Level: Moderate — frequently discussed but still collectible
Hint: Authentic pieces show consistent wear and sharp lettering elsewhere. Over-polished or manually altered fakes lose definition around the motto and rim.
3. Clashed Dies & Doubled Dies
When obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet in between, clashed die marks appear — faint outlines of reversed designs. In other cases, doubled dies occur when the die receives two slightly misaligned impressions, causing doubled letters or outlines.
Known Example: Edith Kanakaʻole 2023-P with visible die clash around facial contours
Average Value: $20–$75 for clear doubling
Collector Appeal: Moderate to high; these errors are among the most sought-after due to their visual clarity.
Pro Insight: True doubled dies show doubled details directly on the coin’s design — not in the strike itself. Tilt the coin under light to verify consistent doubling across the same level.
4. Misaligned Strikes and Broadstrikes
Sometimes, a coin blank is struck slightly off-center or without proper collar support, creating a “stretched” appearance. Such quarters have visibly uneven rims or incomplete design elements.
Value Range: $30–$250 depending on how far off the strike is
Mint of Origin: Typically Denver
Rarity: Low frequency but high demand among modern error collectors
Collector’s Hint: If the design shift exceeds 10% of the rim area but the date remains intact, the error often commands higher prices.
2023 Quarter Error Summary
Error Type | Visual Indicator | Typical Value (USD) | Relative Rarity |
Die chip / cud | Raised metal blobs | $3–$20 | Common-minor |
“In Cod We Trust” misprint | Missing or distorted “G” | $5–$20+ | Moderate |
Clashed / doubled dies | Ghost outlines or doubled text | $20–$75 | Rare |
Misaligned / broadstrikes | Off-center or wide rims | $30–$250 | Rare |
Why These Modern Errors Matter
Minting mistakes like these are rare in modern coinage, where computer precision and quality checks dominate. Their existence provides insight into the real-world conditions of coin production — machines under high demand, human oversight, and the occasional mechanical glitch that slips through inspection.
Each verified example adds both numismatic and historical value to an otherwise ordinary 2023 quarter. And since these errors are only now being documented, early collectors who identify and preserve them could benefit as grading authorities begin to catalog them officially.
Why Collecting 2023 Quarters Is a Smart Move
The 2023 quarters offer collectors a chance to engage with history in real time. Unlike older coins whose values are well established, these modern issues are still revealing their secrets — from subtle die chips to unique minting anomalies. Collectors who pay attention today could be holding tomorrow’s rarities.
1. Modern Coins, Emerging Value
Most 2023 quarters still circulate at face value, yet their collectible potential lies in rarity and condition. As grading services like PCGS and NGC begin authenticating and cataloging error varieties, the market will mature — and early examples will likely gain value.
Factors driving future worth include:
Low mintage: Only about 1.66 billion quarters, the lowest since 2012.
Uncataloged errors: Many 2023 varieties are still being discovered.
Public visibility: Increased collector discussion boosts demand.
Did you know?
Once an error type is listed in official grading databases, verified coins can increase in price by up to 200–400% compared to ungraded pieces.
2. How to Build and Manage Your 2023 Quarter Collection
To stay ahead, focus on accuracy and organization. Every collector, beginner or expert, should adopt a consistent process:
Step-by-step guide:
Inspect coins under magnification for chips, cracks, or doubled text.
Record mint marks — Philadelphia and Denver quarters yield most errors.
Separate coins by condition: circulated, uncirculated, or proof.
Photograph your finds for digital tracking.
Preserve properly: Use acid-free holders or capsules; never clean the surface.
Hint: Keep an error log — noting mint, flaw type, and date found helps establish provenance if your coin later gains recognition.
3. Leveraging Technology in Modern Collecting
Accurate identification of subtle errors requires precision tools, and technology now bridges that gap. The Coin ID Scanner app is an indispensable companion for collectors managing large or mixed collections. Available on both Android and iOS, it operates under a freemium model, making it accessible yet powerful.
What it offers:
Photo-based identification: Instantly recognize coins using your camera or uploaded images.
Comprehensive data: See mint year, country, composition, diameter, edge, and estimated value.
Smart filters & AI Coin Helper (premium): Detect small variations like mint marks or weight differences.
Collection management: Organize digital portfolios and track market price changes.
With an expanding database of over 187,000 coins worldwide, this app allows users to validate, catalog, and value their coins quickly — ensuring you never overlook a potential rarity.
4. Why Now Is the Perfect Time
Collectors who engage early in identifying and preserving 2023 errors stand to benefit most. Once grading services define these error categories and the broader market recognizes them, opportunities for affordable discovery will shrink.
Modern minting errors are today’s hidden gems — affordable, traceable, and rich in historical context. A simple quarter from your change could become a recognized piece of numismatic history within a few years.
Every coin tells a story, and the 2023 quarters tell one still being written. By combining detailed observation with modern tools like Coin ID Scanner, collectors can capture a moment in U.S. minting history — one that may, quite literally, pay off in the future.