2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter Coin Value: Errors List, “D” & “P” Mint Mark Worth

The 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter stands as one of the most historically significant modern quarters ever struck. It bridges two major programs, restores a beloved 90-year-old obverse design, and marks the final year of the original copper-nickel clad composition — three firsts in a single coin.

Most circulated examples are worth face value, but the 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter value climbs steeply at the top grades. A PCGS MS68 example sold for $439.95 on eBay in February 2025, and a combined “Lip Mole and Snake Eye” die chip error commands up to $1,500 from specialists.

 

History of the 2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter Value and Why This Coin Exists

This coin exists because of a missed deadline. Public Law 110-456 authorized the 56-coin America the Beautiful Quarters Program and included an option for a second 14-year round of national park designs. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin never authorized that extension by the legally required 2018 cutoff.

That triggered the law’s backup plan automatically. Starting in 2021, the quarter had to carry a reverse showing General Washington’s famous December 25, 1776 crossing of the Delaware River — no choice in the matter.

So you got a one-year transitional design bridging the America the Beautiful series (2010–2021) and the American Women Quarters Program (2022–2025). The Mint revealed the final design on December 25, 2020 — exactly 244 years after the crossing itself.

On that Christmas night in 1776, Washington led roughly 2,400 Continental Army soldiers across the ice-choked Delaware River in a brutal nor’easter. The surprise dawn attack on Hessian forces at Trenton helped turn a war that seemed nearly lost. Quick follow-up wins at Assunpink Creek and Princeton captured nearly 900 prisoners with minimal American losses.

Benjamin Sowards, an Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) designer, created the reverse. Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso sculpted it. The design was deliberately different from the 1999 New Jersey State Quarter, which also depicted Washington’s crossing based on Emanuel Leutze’s famous 1851 oil painting.

Here’s a detail most collectors overlook on the obverse. John Flanagan’s iconic 1932 Washington portrait — altered in 1999 for the State Quarters Program — was fully restored for 2021. Last time this classic effigy would ever appear. The American Women Quarters swapped in a Laura Gardin Fraser-based portrait starting in 2022.

Released into circulation on April 5, 2021, this was also the last Washington quarter struck in the 56-year-old copper-nickel clad composition. The Mint switched to a new 99% copper alloy for the 2022 American Women issues. That makes this a genuine composition type-set landmark.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money List (1965-Present)

Key Features of the 2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter Value Guide

The 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter pairs a restored classic obverse with an all-new commemorative reverse. Knowing both sides — plus the coin’s physical specs — helps you grade accurately and spot valuable varieties.

No other quarter shares this exact combination of design elements.

The Obverse Of The 2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter

The obverse shows John Flanagan’s original 1932 Washington portrait facing left — fully restored to its pre-1999 dimensions after being resized for the State Quarters Program. This is the first time since 1998 you could pull a circulation-strike quarter from a roll and see the classic Flanagan portrait at its original proportions.

“LIBERTY” arcs along the top rim. “IN GOD WE TRUST” sits to the left of Washington’s profile in two lines. “2021” appears at the bottom. The mint mark (“P” for Philadelphia or “D” for Denver) is right at the end of Washington’s ponytail queue. Flanagan’s initials “JF” show up on the right side of the neck base.

PCGS CoinFacts researchers have noted that the “Spaghetti Hair” look from mid-1990s production runs appears slightly refined on the 2021 issue — a die quality improvement you can spot under magnification.

The Reverse Of The 2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter

Flip it over and you see General Washington commanding his troops during the Delaware River crossing. Washington stands in the left foreground, facing right with his saber extended forward. A boat packed with Continental Army soldiers pushes through ice-choked waters behind him.

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs along the upper rim. “CROSSING THE DELAWARE” runs vertically along the right side. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” occupies the upper field, with “QUARTER DOLLAR” along the bottom rim.

Look for the designer’s initials “BS” (Benjamin Sowards) and sculptor’s initials “MG” (Michael Gaudioso) on the reverse. The design was intentionally different from the 1999 New Jersey quarter — giving this coin a visual identity entirely its own.

Other Features Of The 2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter

The coin measures 24.26 millimeters in diameter and weighs 5.67 grams. Circulation strikes use an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core, creating an overall metal mix of approximately 92.7% copper and 8.3% nickel.

The edge has 119 reeded grooves — the same anti-counterfeiting feature used on U.S. quarters since the silver era. San Francisco proof versions struck in 99.9% fine silver weigh a heavier 12.69 grams while keeping the same 24.26mm diameter and reeded edge.

Also Read: Top 30 Most Valuable State Quarters Worth Money List

The Easy Way to Know Your 2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter Value

Start by finding the mint mark — it sits just behind Washington’s ponytail on the obverse. A “P” means Philadelphia; a “D” means Denver; an “S” means San Francisco (proof only). Next, check wear on the highest points: Washington’s hair curls and cheek on the obverse, and the soldiers’ figures and river ice on the reverse.

Look at Washington’s crown area on the reverse for small raised bumps (die chips). Examine the boatmen’s oars for any doubling or “ghost” images under a 10x loupe. Check the edge too — rare smooth-edge examples exist, along with specimens missing a clad layer.

For instant analysis, Coin Identifier and Value App scans your coin and provides grade estimates with current market comparisons.

2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter Value Guides: All Four Varieties Explained

Four versions of this quarter exist, each with different mintage, population data, and pricing.

Philadelphia and Denver made circulation strikes. San Francisco made both clad and silver proofs exclusively for collectors. Combined P and D mintages top 1.86 billion pieces, so circulated examples are everywhere. The San Francisco proofs are a different story — only 347,825 silver proofs and roughly 490,000–511,000 clad proofs were struck.

For circulation strikes, condition is everything. The real price separation kicks in at MS67 and above, where clean surfaces get genuinely scarce. Proof collectors should target the Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation — frosted devices against mirror-like fields — since those pull the strongest premiums.

The four main varieties are:

• 2021-P Crossing the Delaware Quarter — Philadelphia Mint circulation strike (998,800,000 minted)
• 2021-D Crossing the Delaware Quarter — Denver Mint circulation strike (over 1 billion minted)
• 2021-S Clad Proof Quarter — San Francisco Mint clad proof (approximately 490,000–511,000 minted)
• 2021-S Silver Proof Quarter — San Francisco Mint 99.9% silver proof (347,825 minted)

Also Read: Top 20 Most Valuable Bicentennial Quarter Worth Money List

2021-P Crossing the Delaware Quarter Value

Here’s a number that sounds like it should kill any collector interest: 998,800,000 struck. Nearly one billion coins. But bag marks from high-speed production keep most of them well below MS67, and that’s where the real money starts.

MS64 examples go for around $10. MS66 trades near $14. At MS67, you’re looking at $16 to $55 depending on timing and eye appeal. Then comes the big jump.

As of December 2025, PCGS hasn’t certified a single 2021-P above MS68 — that’s the top-pop grade. Only a handful of MS68 examples exist, and one sold for $2,777 on eBay in early 2023. You can also find special collector labels like First Day of Issue, First Strike, and Cockade Hat designations. These add modest premiums, especially for registry set builders chasing documented provenance.

2021-D Crossing the Delaware Quarter Value

Think the Philadelphia mintage was big? Denver beat it by about 170 million coins — over one billion 2021-D quarters total. Gems are easy to find. Top-pop coins are not.

MS66 specimens trade near $18. MS67 examples sell for approximately $24–$44 depending on market timing. A PCGS MS67+ (the “plus” means above-average for the grade) brought $79.95 in January 2025. A PCGS MS68 piece — one of 207 certified at that grade — sold for $439.95 on eBay in February 2025.

The very top of the condition census is razor-thin. As of October 2025, only 2 examples hold the PCGS MS69 designation, while NGC has certified 17 at MS69. An NGC MS69 example sold for $400 on eBay in August 2024. One CAC MS66 (Certified Acceptance Corporation-approved) coin has also been recognized — CAC approval signals above-average quality within the assigned grade. Registry set competition drives most of the premium at MS68 and MS69. I think this coin’s permanent slot in Washington quarter type sets will keep collector demand steady for decades.

Also Read: 22 Rare Quarter Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

2021-S Crossing the Delaware Quarter Value: Clad and Silver Proofs

If you want the best-looking version of this design, San Francisco is where to look. Two collector-only proof versions were struck. Proof coins (abbreviated PR or PF) use specially polished planchets and slower, higher-pressure strikes for sharp details and mirror-like surfaces. The designation you want is DCAM (Deep Cameo) — strong contrast between frosted devices and deeply mirrored fields.

The clad proof uses the same copper-nickel composition as circulation coins. Roughly 490,000–511,000 were made, so they’re more common than the silver version. Raw examples in excellent condition sell for $3 to $5. PR70DCAM examples have sold for $56–$115 on eBay through 2025, depending on the certification label.

The silver proof is the real prize. Only 347,825 struck in 99.9% fine silver. As of October 2025, PCGS has certified 1,161 examples in the top PR70DCAM grade, and NGC has certified 5,272 in PF70UCAM (Ultra Cameo, NGC’s equivalent of Deep Cameo). Silver proof PR70DCAM examples have sold for $49.99 to $127.99 on eBay through 2025, with First Day Issue and special label coins at the higher end.

Raw silver proofs in excellent condition typically go for $15 to $30. We think that’s excellent value if you want silver content alongside a historically significant design without breaking the bank.

Rare 2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter Error List

High-volume production means occasional mistakes. Several distinct error and variety types have been documented on the 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter, and some of them bring serious money.

The Crossing the Delaware reverse is the better side for error hunting between the two 2021 quarter types. All those boats, soldiers, ice flows, and oars make subtle die anomalies easier to spot — and more visually dramatic when you find them.

1. WDDR-003 “Ghost Oar” Doubled Die Reverse Error

This is the top cherrypicker variety for the entire 2021 quarter series. The WDDR-003 is a Class VIII (Tilted Hub) doubled die found only on the 2021-P Crossing the Delaware Quarter. During die-making, the master hub was slightly tilted when pressing the design into the working die steel. That created a secondary off-angle impression locked into every coin struck from that die.

Here’s how to spot it: look at the oars held by the boatmen on the reverse under a 10x loupe. Normal coins show a single, sharp shaft per oar. On the WDDR-003, a distinct secondary “ghost oar” shaft floats below the primary oar — raised and rounded, not flat or shelf-like. Raw examples with clear doubling sell for $5 to $15. Gem certified examples can reach $45 to $75.

2. “Crown” Die Chip Error

This is the most eye-catching die chip error on the series, and it shows up on both P and D mint versions. When a small piece of the working die breaks away during extended production, material fills the void and creates a raised bump on struck coins. The most prized chip appears on Washington’s crown area on the reverse — a distinct raised blob collectors call the “Crown” error.

Size matters here. Smaller Stage 1 bud chips are worth face value. Mid-size chips have sold around $119. A spectacular large retained cud example — where a chunk of the die fully breaks away, leaving a heavy raised blob — brought $499. The 2021-P “Snake Eye and Lip Mole” combination, featuring two die chips on the obverse at the same time, has reached $1,500 for a certified mint state specimen.

3. 2021-D Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) Error

Denver has its own doubled die reverse variety, separate from the Philadelphia ghost oar. On this one, doubling shows up on the letters of “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the upper rim. It affects the inscriptions rather than the design elements.

How strong is the doubling? That determines your price. Minor Class I examples with subtle separation have sold for around $30. Dramatic Class IV examples with clear, distinct letter doubling have reached $175. A 2021-D example with clear tripling across all three major text elements on the obverse achieved $300 at documented auctions — the strongest result for a text-based doubling variety on this issue.

4. Feeder Finger Scratch Errors

Feeder fingers are mechanical parts that guide blank planchets into the striking collar during high-speed production. When they scrape across blank surfaces, they leave parallel scratch lines that get permanently pressed into the coin during striking. Since the scratches happen before striking, they appear slightly raised — that’s how you tell them apart from post-mint scratches.

The 2021-P shows this error on the obverse, positioned to the right behind Washington’s pigtail. The 2021-D reverse has also turned up with feeder finger marks. Value depends on visibility and location. Prominent lines across major design areas attract more attention than minor peripheral scratches.

5. Off-Center Strike Errors

These happen when the planchet doesn’t line up properly with the dies at the moment of striking. You get the design shifted toward one edge with a crescent-shaped blank area on the opposite side. How far off-center and whether the date stays visible — those two factors set the price.

Minor 5–10% off-center strikes bring small premiums. Bigger misalignments are a different story. A 2021-P 25% off-center example sold for $200 at auction. The sweet spot is 30–50% blank area with the date and mint mark still showing — a tough combination that commands real money.

6. Smooth Edge (Missing Reeds) Errors

Standard 2021 quarters have 119 reeded grooves around the edge, created when the collar forces metal into the reeding during striking. Once in a while, a coin comes out with a completely smooth edge — probably struck in a smooth collar or with a collar that failed to engage.

These are genuinely scarce. A 2021-D example with a fully smooth edge has been reported to fetch up to $150 in circulated condition. Mint state examples would bring more, given the combination of striking anomaly and preserved surfaces. Run your thumb along the edge of your 2021 quarters — you might get lucky.

7. Missing Clad Layer Error

This one’s hard to miss. When one of the two outer nickel-copper layers fails to bond to the copper core during planchet manufacturing, you get a coin with a distinctive copper-colored surface on one side. The coin itself is correctly struck — just on a defective blank.

Missing clad layer examples for the 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter are among the more dramatic errors available for this series. If you find one, it’s worth submitting to PCGS or NGC for authentication and grading.

Where To Sell Your 2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter?

With accurate identification and valuation complete, selecting the right sales channel becomes essential. Multiple venues exist for selling quarters, from traditional dealers to specialized online platforms, each suited to different seller needs.

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

FAQ About 2021 Crossing The Delaware Quarter Value

1. Is the 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter rare?

Not in circulated condition. Philadelphia struck 998,800,000 and Denver struck over one billion — that’s more than 1.86 billion combined.

Rarity only shows up at the highest certified grades. As of October 2025, only 2 PCGS MS69 and 17 NGC MS69 examples of the Denver strike have been certified. Most coins grade MS66 or lower because of contact marks from high-speed production and handling.

2. How much is a 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter worth in 2026?

Circulated examples? Face value — 25 cents. Raw uncirculated coins in the MS63–MS65 range sell for $1 to $12. PCGS or NGC-certified MS67 examples sell for $16 to $55, and MS68 pieces have sold for $160 to $440 on eBay through 2025.

San Francisco silver proofs in PR70DCAM/PF70UCAM condition typically sell for $50 to $130, with special labels pushing the higher end.

3. What makes a 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter valuable?

Three things: condition, errors, and provenance. Coins graded MS67 and above are genuinely scarce despite the huge mintage. Error varieties — especially the WDDR-003 ghost oar, Crown die chip, and combination errors — can be worth $100 to $1,500. Special certification labels like First Day of Issue and Cockade Hat add modest premiums.

Historical significance matters too. It’s the last Washington quarter with the original Flanagan obverse, the last in the original clad composition, and a one-year transitional issue. Three “lasts” in one coin.

4. Should I get my 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter graded?

Only if you have something exceptional. Certification typically costs $30 to $50 per coin at the economy tier.

Submit if your coin looks MS67 or higher, has a confirmed error variety (especially the WDDR-003 or Crown die chip), is a silver proof in near-flawless condition, or shows a dramatic error like missing clad layer or large off-center strike. Below MS67 on a standard strike, you’ll spend more on grading than the coin is worth.

5. What is the 2021-P “Ghost Oar” doubled die, and how do I find it?

The WDDR-003 is a Class VIII Tilted Hub doubled die found only on the 2021-P Philadelphia issue. It creates a visible secondary oar shaft floating below the primary oar held by the boatmen on the reverse. The “ghost oar” is raised and rounded — not a flat shelf — and visible under a 10x loupe.

This is the top cherrypicker variety for the 2021 series. Raw examples sell for $5 to $15, and certified gem examples reach $45 to $75. Check your 2021-P coins with a loupe before spending them — this variety can still be found in circulation.

6. What are the 2021-S proof quarter mintage figures?

San Francisco produced two proof versions. The clad proof had a mintage of approximately 490,000 to 511,000 pieces, sold in standard and deluxe proof sets. The silver proof — struck in 99.9% pure silver — had a much lower mintage of only 347,825 pieces, sold exclusively in the 2021 Silver Proof Set and Limited Edition Silver Proof Set.

Neither version entered general circulation. The silver proof is the scarcer and more valuable of the two.

7. How does the 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter differ from the 1999 New Jersey Quarter?

Both show Washington’s famous Delaware River crossing, but the designs are intentionally different. The 1999 New Jersey quarter, designed by Alfred Maletsky, was based directly on Emanuel Leutze’s 1851 painting and was part of the 50 State Quarters Program.

The 2021 version, designed by Benjamin Sowards, shows Washington standing in the bow holding a saber and telescope — a completely different composition mandated to avoid copying the 1999 design. If you collect both, you’ve got an interesting pair: the same event from two distinct artistic angles within the Washington quarter series.

8. Is the 2021 quarter the last of the old Flanagan Washington design?

Yes, on circulation strikes. John Flanagan designed the George Washington portrait in 1932, and it was modified in 1999 for the State Quarters Program. For the 2021 issue, the original proportions were fully restored — then the design was retired. Starting in 2022, the American Women Quarters introduced a new Washington portrait based on Laura Gardin Fraser’s 1931 design.

That makes the 2021 coin the final circulation-strike quarter with the classic Flanagan effigy. A real bookend for one of the longest-running obverse designs in U.S. coinage.

9. What does DCAM mean on a proof coin, and why does it matter for value?

DCAM stands for Deep Cameo. PCGS uses it for proof coins with strong contrast between frosted devices and deeply mirrored fields. NGC calls the same thing UCAM (Ultra Cameo). That contrast gives the coin a dramatic, three-dimensional look collectors love.

For the 2021-S Silver Proof, coins without the Deep Cameo designation are worth significantly less. A PR69 without DCAM may sell for a few dollars, while a PR70DCAM from PCGS has sold for $56 to $115. Always check for the DCAM or UCAM designation when evaluating proof quarter values.

10. How do I tell the difference between a genuine error and post-mint damage on a 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter?

This is the question that trips up most beginners. Genuine mint errors happen during production and show specific traits: die chips appear as raised metal (not recessed), feeder finger scratches run in parallel lines and feel slightly raised, and doubled die images are sharp and precise rather than blurry. Post-mint damage — scratches, nicks, cleaning — typically creates recessed or uneven marks with no consistent pattern.

Here’s the simplest test: if a mark raises metal above the coin’s surface, it likely happened before or during striking. If it removes or displaces metal, creating a recess or flat spot, it almost certainly happened after the coin left the Mint. When in doubt, have a professional numismatist or a PCGS/NGC submitter look at it before you pay a premium.