Rare 2004 Quarter Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Why are 2004 quarters special? How much are 2004 quarters worth today? Are 2004 quarters worth collecting? You are probably asking yourself all these questions if you are considering collecting high-value quarters. Whether you are a new hobbyist or a veteran, you will certainly find our 2004 quarter errors list helpful.

The 2004 quarters were part of the 50 State Quarters program that saw the United States Mint produce five quarters each year from 1999 to 2009 commemorating the states in the Union. In 2004, the program commemorated the states of Michigan, Florida, Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Although Washington quarters are generally popular among collectors, these coins are typically only worth their face value in circulated condition. Even uncirculated examples are plentiful and are generally not worth much either. But, gem-quality quarters graded MS68 and above are rare and can be worth a premium.

If you want to add high-value quarters to your collection, error coins can be quite profitable. Errors are rare and unique, and collectors are willing to pay top dollar for such coins.

Our 2004 quarter errors list reveals the most valuable quarters to add to your collection. As you will discover, these coins are worth hundreds and sometimes thousands, if you know what to look for.

So, without further ado, let’s jump in and discover 2004 quarter errors worth money.

1. 2004-D MS 64 High Leaf Wisconsin State Quarter U.S. Coin High leaf Variety Rare Kind

 The most popular and perhaps most expensive 2004 quarter error is the so-called high-leaf Wisconsin quarter. On a normal 2004 Wisconsin quarter there’s an image of a sliced cheese wheel, cow, and corn husk. The year the state joined the Union (1848) and the motto, ‘’Forward’’ also appear on the reverse.

However, some of these coins have a small peculiarity in that they show an extra leaf in the corn husk. Whether the extra leaf appeared on the coin by accident as a result of a minting error or whether a mint worker intentionally placed it there is still a topic of debate among collectors.

Some 2004 Wisconsin quarters show the extra leaf facing down, also known as Low Leaf while others show the leaf pointing upward, also known as High Leaf. These errors were most likely caused by small metal pieces filling in the small breaks on the die surface.

In 2006, a collector paid $2,530 for a 2004-D Wisconsin quarter with a high leaf error while another paid $6,000 in 2020 for a 2004-D Wisconsin quarter with a low leaf error.

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2. 2004-P MS64 Texas State Quarter Die Clash Error

Another error that comes up in the 2004 quarter series is the die clash. This is an error in which the obverse and reverse dies hit against each other without a planchet between them. This results in the dies transferring their respective designs onto each other due to the sheer pressure of the clash.

When a planchet is finally placed between the dies, the images on both or either die are transferred to the planchet. Eventually, the planchet will have an amalgamation of the obverse and reverse designs on one side.

For example, on the obverse you might notice a strong impression of the primary design and a subtle impression of the reverse design as well. This is as a result of the dies clashing and transferring their designs onto each other.

In 2007, a collector paid a record $935 for a 2004-P Texas state quarter graded MS64 with a die clash error, making this a nice addition to your quarters collection.

 

3. 2004-D MS65 Iowa Washington Quarter Double Strike Error

The next error we will look at is the double struck or double strike. As the name suggests, this is an error in which the dies strike the planchet more than once, resulting in the appearance of two images on the same side of the coin.

A double strike error occurs when the planchet fails to eject from the striking hub and is therefore struck a second time. Such a coin will have two portraits or other design elements on the same side of the coin.

There are different types of double struck errors but the classic one, which involves the planchet being struck twice on the same side of the coin is the most common.

So how much can you expect from a double struck quarter error? Depending on the coin’s condition, such an error can fetch a premium. For example, a collector at a Heritage Auctions sale paid $1010 for a 2004-D Iowa quarter graded MS65 with an obverse double strike error.

Also read: Top 13 Most Valuable State Quarters Worth Money

 

4. 2004-D MS65 Florida State Quarter Missing Partial Clad Layer Obverse & Reverse Error

The next one on our 2004 quarter errors list is the missing clad layer. This is an error in which the upper clad layer of the coin is peeled off, exposing the inner copper core.

During the planchet-making process, impurities can enter the alloy thereby weakening the bond between the lamination layers. Weak bonding can cause the missing clad layer to lift, bubble, and peel, exposing the inner copper core.

The upper clad layer may peel off on one or both sides of the coin, resulting in a partial or full missing clad layer error respectively. All in all, this error can be worth good money. For example, the Great Collections auctioned a 2004-D Florida quarter graded MS65 with an obverse and reverse partial missing clad error for an impressive $1035.

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5. 2004-P MS65 Texas State Quarter With Die Break Errors

One of the most common errors in the 2004 quarter series is the die break. As the name implies, a die break is an error that occurs when small breaks appear on the die’s surface resulting from normal wear and tear.

Metal shavings then fill the small breaks as the die continues working. Eventually, the metal-filled breaks leave their impression on the planchet’s surface, resulting in die breaks.

Die breaks appear like small, raised bumps on the coin’s surface. It is not uncommon for coins to have more than one die break and these errors can also appear on the obverse and reverse of the coin.

So, how much can you expect from a die break error? The value of such an error depends mostly on the coin’s condition but peculiar-looking die break errors will generally be worth more.

In 2010, a collector at a Heritage Auctions sale paid a whopping $910 for a 2004-P MS65 Texas state quarter graded MS63 with die break errors on the obverse, making this a worthwhile addition to your collection.

 

6. 2004-P MS65 Iowa Quarter Struck Through Obverse Error

Another error that may come up when collecting 2004 quarters is the struck-through. This is an error in which a foreign object is struck between the die and planchet, leaving its impression on the coin.

Sometimes, objects such as pieces of cloth, hair strands, strings, metal or wood flakes can land on the die or planchet and get struck. Usually, the object falls off the planchet but sometimes it may become stuck on the planchet, resulting in a retained struck-through error.

Struck through errors can be quite dramatic, making them popular among collectors. For example, in a 2020 sale, Heritage Auctions sold a 2004-P Iowa quarter graded MS65 with a reverse struck-through grease error for an impressive $1230.

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7. 2004-P MS65 Florida State Quarter Improperly Annealed Error

 Another interesting sample in our 2004 quarter errors list is the improperly annealed coin. This error occurs when the planchet is exposed to excessive heating or cooling causing a drastic color change.

Annealing is the process of cooling and heating the planchet to soften and harden the alloy ready for striking. The heat and cold must be carefully regulated to avoid damage to the alloy.

Improper annealing may sometimes occur when the alloy is exposed to too much heat or cold, resulting in a significant color change. For example, in the case of a Washington quarter, which typically has a nickel-colored appearance, an improperly annealed one might turn black, grey, red, yellow, orange or even purple.

An improperly annealed coin is an attention-catcher and collectors usually pay good money for such an error. For example, in 2009, a collector at a Great Collection sale bought a 2004-P quarter graded MS65 with an improperly annealed error for a record $1045, making this one of the best errors to add to your collection.

Also read: Top 16 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money

 

8. 2004-D MS65 Michigan Quarter Die Cap Error

A die cap is an interesting error that occurs in the 2004 quarters series. This error occurs when the planchet is struck and remains stuck to the die, becoming the new die face.

As the stuck planchet continues striking incoming planchet, it gradually curves and takes the die’s shape. Eventually, the planchet appears like a cap with raised rims and a hollow center—one of the most dramatic errors you will come across in the series.

In 2010, a collector on eBay paid a whopping $1220 for a 2004-D Michigan quarter graded MS65 with a die cap error, another excellent addition to your collection.

 

Summary

The 2004 quarters are part of the 50 State Quarters program, making them a popular collector’s item. But, since these coins are only worth their face value, collecting errors has emerged as one of the most profitable ways to build your state quarters collection. As our 2004 quarter errors list shows, if you know what to look for, it is possible to build a high value collection with errors worth hundreds and even thousands!