1996 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth)

What makes 1996 quarters worth a second look? As one of the last years before the State Quarter program began in 1999, these coins mark the end of an era in American coinage.

Philadelphia and Denver mints produced over 1.8 billion pieces, yet high-grade examples remain scarce. Most worn coins trade at face value, but mint state specimens can reach $6.00, while proof examples range from $5.78 to $7.56 depending on composition. The difference lies in condition, mint marks, and composition—three factors that separate common pocket change from valuable collectibles.

 

1996 Quarter Value By Variety

The following chart breaks down 1996 quarter values by mint mark and condition, showing how grading significantly impacts what collectors are willing to pay for these coins. If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Quarter Worth Money (1932 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1996 Quarter Worth Money

This ranking of top-selling 1996 quarters reveals some surprising market realities that challenge conventional wisdom about modern coin values. The chart spans over two decades of auction records, showing actual prices realized rather than theoretical estimates.

The standout performer is a 1996-D MS63 that achieved an extraordinary $504 sale price—likely due to exceptional eye appeal. This demonstrates how factors beyond numerical grades can dramatically influence collector demand and pricing.

Business strike coins dominate the top positions, with 1996-P MS68 and 1996-D MS68 specimens commanding $411 and $300 respectively. These high-grade business strikes consistently outperform even perfect PR70 proof examples, highlighting the challenge of locating gem-quality circulation strikes from this era.

The proof coins, while achieving respectable prices in the $28-86 range for top grades, cannot compete with the premium commanded by exceptional business strikes. This pattern reflects the relative scarcity of high-grade mint state examples compared to inherently superior proof strikes.

 

History of The 1996 Quarter

Precious coins were especially valuable because of their intrinsic value. But even more recent coins can be profitable. In the late 1990s, the US Mint introduced circulating quarters that were targeted at hobbyists. Some of these coins still make a good investment.

They include America the Beautiful Quarters aka the National Parks and Monuments series. Others are American Women Quarters, 50 States Quarters, and DC + Territories Quarters.

These coin series were launched at the turn of the century because collectibles and commemoratives were effective fundraising tools for the federal government.

Interestingly, while quarters had shed their silver content back in 1965, the 1996 had some pieces with silver in them. These were mainly aimed at collectors. The Silver Proof Quarter was reintroduced in 1992, paving the path for 1999 State Quarters and all the series that followed them.

Back in 1996, both the heads side (obverse) and the tails side were designed by John Flanagan. In terms of practicality, it was a popular coin because the portrait was fairly even and didn’t have many high points. That meant the coin needed fewer strikes to produce and wore out evenly, making quarter dies last much longer than other denominations.

Today, quarters and dimes are still profitable to the mint, while nickels and pennies cause losses because their production cost exceeds their face value. Today’s quarters have a cupronickel coat over a copper core, costing roughly 11c and granting the US Mint about 14c in profit.

This difference is called seignorage, a sort of tax that brings in mint revenue. Combined with collector coins, it explains why the Treasury supports numismatics.

Also Read: Top 30 Most Valuable State Quarter Worth Money (1999 – 2008)

 

Is Your 1996 Quarter Rare?

You can use our CoinValueChecker App to instantly assess the rarity and value of any quarter in your collection.

 

Key Features of The 1996 Quarter

We’ve talked about the obverse and reverse of a coin, so as we describe the features of the 1996 Quarter, let’s start with a few more numismatic terms. The thin side of a coin is its edge, the raised border is its rim or collar, the words are mottos or legends, the images are devices, and the background is the field. Blank discs that make coins are called planchets.

The Obverse Of The 1996 Quarter

It shows George Washington facing left, with Liberty above his head and In God We Trust under his chin. On the right, next to his ponytail, is the mint mark. The lower rim of the coin has the mint date and on the neckline cut-off, towards the right, it has JF for John Flanagan.

The Reverse Of The 1996 Quarter

It has an eagle with an olive wreath running from one wing tip to the other. Above its head, it says E Pluribus Unum while the top of the coin says United States of America. The eagle has a bundle of arrows. The bottom of the coin has its face value/denomination, Quarter Dollar.

Other Features Of The 1996 Quarter

Circulating Quarters from 1996 are 91.67% copper with 8.33% nickel and weigh 5.67g. Some proofs have this metal mix as well, but others are 90% Silver and 10% Copper. These weigh 6.25g. Both types are 24.3mm in diameter, 1.75mm thick, and have 119 reeds on their edges.

Also Read: Top 20 Most Valuable 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter

 

1996 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

The mintage and survival data for 1996 quarters reveals the stark contrast between business strikes and proof coins that defines modern numismatics.

Both the Philadelphia and Denver mints struck massive quantities—over 925 million and 906 million respectively—making these among the highest mintage quarters in Washington Quarter history.

Their identical 50% survival rates reflect typical circulation patterns, where approximately half of all business strike coins remain in collectible condition today.

The proof versions tell a completely different story.

The 1996-S DCAM had a modest mintage of just 1.75 million coins, with a lower survival rate of 42.07%, suggesting that even proof coins face condition challenges over time. The silver DCAM proof presents interesting data gaps, with unknown mintage figures but identical survival numbers to the standard proof.

This survival distribution heavily favors business strikes simply due to their overwhelming original quantities, despite lower individual survival rates. The pie chart clearly shows how the massive P and D mintages dominate the surviving population.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Washington Quarter Worth Money (1932 – 1998)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1996 Quarter Value

The key distinction for 1996 quarters lies in identifying special San Francisco silver proofs versus standard clad versions. Silver proofs contain 90% silver with a melt value around $6.63, while regular circulation quarters are copper-nickel clad worth face value when worn.

Look for the S mint mark combined with mirror-like proof finish and Deep Cameo contrast—silver versions can reach $98-$334 in perfect grades. Our CoinValueChecker App identifies silver content, proof designations, and errors instantly, ensuring you never overlook valuable 1996 varieties.

 

1996 Quarter Value Guides

The United States Mint produced four distinct types of 1996 quarters, each serving different purposes in the numismatic market. The business strike coins from Philadelphia and Denver were intended for everyday circulation, while the San Francisco facility focused exclusively on collector-quality proof coins.

The most significant distinction lies between the standard clad composition proof and the special 90% silver proof, both featuring Deep Cameo finishes.

These proof coins were sold directly to collectors through the U.S. Mint’s annual proof sets, never entering general circulation. The silver version was particularly popular among precious metal investors and serious collectors seeking premium compositions.

Understanding these four categories is essential for proper identification and valuation, as each type follows different market dynamics and collector demand patterns.

1996 Quarter Types:

• 1996-P (Philadelphia Mint)
• 1996-D (Denver Mint)
• 1996-S DCAM (San Francisco Deep Cameo)
• 1996-S Silver DCAM (San Francisco Silver Deep Cameo)

 

1996-P Quarter Value

The 1996-P quarter represents a fascinating paradox in modern numismatics—despite its massive mintage of over 925 million coins, finding high-grade examples has proven surprisingly challenging for collectors.

While most 1996-P quarters remain at face value in typical circulated grades, the coin’s value trajectory changes dramatically in mint state conditions. The price curve shows modest premiums through MS64, but specimens grading MS67 and above command exponentially higher prices, with MS70 examples reaching over $225 at auction.

This steep grade premium reflects the difficulty of locating 1996-P quarters that survived nearly three decades without the typical handling marks and surface imperfections common to business strike coins.

The following auction record chart illustrates how these exceptional high-grade examples have performed in the marketplace over recent years.

Current market activity reveals interesting patterns in collector demand fluctuations for this deceptively challenging modern quarter.

 

1996-D Quarter Value

The 1996-D quarter mirrors its Philadelphia counterpart in many ways but presents even more dramatic pricing behavior in superb gem grades.

With a slightly lower mintage of 906 million coins, the Denver issue faces similar challenges in locating pristine examples that avoided circulation wear.

The price progression follows an interesting pattern—remaining virtually flat through MS66, then showing a sharp uptick that culminates in MS70 specimens commanding over $325 at recent auctions.

This represents an even steeper premium curve than the 1996-P, suggesting that Denver mint examples may be slightly more condition-sensitive or that fewer high-grade examples have survived the certification process.

Recent auction records demonstrate the strong collector appetite for these top-tier examples and their consistent performance across different sale venues.

Current market activity shows sustained collector engagement, with spikes during key periods throughout 2025.

 

1996-S DCAM Quarter Value

The 1996-S Deep Cameo proof quarter operates in a completely different market segment than its business strike counterparts.

With a modest mintage of 1.75 million coins, this collector-focused issue demonstrates the typical proof coin pricing structure—steady values through most grades with a sharp premium spike reserved for perfect specimens.

Unlike the business strikes that show dramatic jumps starting at MS67, the 1996-S DCAM maintains relatively stable pricing from PR60 through PR67, hovering around the $4-5 range. The real excitement begins at PR69, where values climb to approximately $14, before reaching the PR70 level at $34.

This more compressed pricing structure reflects the controlled minting environment of proof coins, where quality standards are inherently higher, making the distinction between perfect and near-perfect examples the primary value driver.

Historical auction records reveal considerable price volatility for top-grade examples, with PR70 specimens trading anywhere from $7 to $61 depending on market conditions and buyer competition.

The market activity chart shows interesting seasonal patterns, with March 2025 representing a notable peak.

 

1996-S Silver DCAM Quarter Value

The 1996-S Silver Deep Cameo proof quarter represents the premium tier of 1996 quarter collecting, combining 90% silver composition with superior Deep Cameo contrast.

This collector-exclusive issue commands higher prices than its clad counterpart across all grade levels, reflecting both precious metal content and enhanced visual appeal.

The pricing structure shows a more gradual ascent than business strikes, with values climbing steadily from PR60 through PR68 before accelerating significantly at PR69.

Perfect PR70 examples reach approximately $44, representing a meaningful premium over the standard clad proof version. This smoother price progression reflects the inherently superior quality control of silver proof strikes.

The silver composition adds intrinsic value beyond numismatic premiums, making these coins attractive to both collectors and precious metal investors. The Deep Cameo designation ensures maximum visual impact through stark contrast between frosted devices and mirror fields.

Auction records reveal substantial price volatility, with PR70 specimens trading from $39 to $86 depending on market conditions and specific coin characteristics.

Market activity shows pronounced seasonal patterns, with notable peaks in March and July 2025, suggesting collector interest remains strong for this premium modern proof issue.

Also Read: What Quarters Are Worth Money

 

Rare 1996 Quarter Error List

As we hinted earlier, mint mistakes can raise the value of a coin. The earliest mistakes get an FS number. It means First Strike and refers to errors discovered within 30 days of the coin’s original release date. While other mistakes can be valuable, FS errors are the most expensive. In 1996, no first-strike mistakes popped up. Still, let’s review some popular Quarter Errors.

1. 1996-P Quarter Struck On A Nickel Planchet

To make coins, a coiled sheet of metal comes into the mint. It gets flattened in a blanking machine and punched into different sizes according to the denomination. Sometimes, a coin is struck on a planchet intended for another denomination. Here, a quarter was struck on a smaller 5c blank weighing 4.9g instead of 5.67g. It’s a common error. In MS 62, it was $204.

2. 1996-D Quarter Clad Reverse Layer Missing

Since 1965, most US coins have been made with the Johnson Sandwich, which is a copper core topped with cupronickel cladding that’s 75% copper and 25% nickel. And sometimes, the upper layer peels off during the minting process. The result is a two-toned coin that has a shiny grey coat on one side and a coppery one on the other. Graded MS 63, it’s worth $79.

3. 1996-P Quarter Struck Thru Late Cap Die

Sometimes, a blank gets stuck on the die, blocking the next one that comes into the press. The obstructed coin might have part or all of its design marred by the planchet above it. This is because the blank below doesn’t come into direct contact with the die itself. This is called a capped die error and can cause blurry images. Here, a capped coin in MS 61 sold for $59.

4. 1996-P Quarter Struck 65% Off-Center

Blanks enter the press using a sort of conveyor belt system with feeder fingers. But with so many planchets per second, they don’t always land in the right spot. In such cases, the dies only hit part of the coin, leaving the rest of it unmarked. This misalignment is called an off-centre error and it’s measured in percentages. Graded MS 64, this 65% off-center was $156.

5. 1996-P Quarter Double Struck Errors

If the blank is mispositioned before striking (as we’ve seen above), you get an off-center error. But since each coin is struck multiple times to ensure clarity, it might move between strikes. It can even get hit on its way out of the press. This creates overlapping images and is called a double strike. This can deform the circular shape. Ungraded, this one sold for $800.

Also Read: 20 Rare Washington Quarter Errors Worth Money (Full List with Pictures)

 

Where To Sell Your 1996 Quarter?

Whether you’re looking to sell a high-grade mint state business strike or a perfect proof specimen, choosing the right marketplace can significantly impact your final sale price and overall selling experience.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1996 Quarter Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1996 Quarter

How Many 1996 Quarters Were Made?

The total mintage for 1996 Quarters was 1,834,433,265. These comprised the clad circulating coins from Philadelphia and Denver, the clad proof coins from San Francisco, and the silver proof coins from San Francisco. The silver proofs had the lowest volumes at around 775K.