2021 Quarter Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth

2021 Quarter value ranges from $0.25 face value to $3,295. That record was set by a Grade 69 example of the 2021-P Tuskegee Airmen Quarter sold through EA in June 2021. If you’re curious what yours might be worth, upload a photo of your coin below for a quick value range. Scroll down to see recent eBay sales and get a better picture of today’s market.

 

2021 Quarter Value By Variety

Here’s where face-value pocket change ends and real collector money begins. If you already know your coin’s grade, jump to the Value Guides section for exact pricing.

Also Read: America The Beautiful Quarters Value (2010-2021)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 2021 Quarter Worth Money

The 2021-P Tuskegee Airmen graded MS69 hammered for $3,295 at auction. Drop one grade point to MS68 and you’re looking at $800. First Strike MS69 pieces brought $600. Silver proof PR70s traded between $143 and $238 depending on the label.

According to PCGS population data from December 2025, only 2 coins have achieved the MS69 grade for the Denver mint Crossing the Delaware variety. An NGC MS69 Early Release example of that coin realized $995 in March 2022. For the 2021-D Crossing the Delaware, a PCGS MS68 sold on eBay in February 2025 for $439.95.

That’s the registry set effect in action. The jump from MS67 to MS68 might be one or two fewer bag marks—but the price difference is enormous because so few coins survive that clean.

 

History of The 2021 Quarter

The 2021 Tuskegee Airmen quarter wrapped up a twelve-year run of America the Beautiful quarters that started in 2010. As Paul Gilkes, senior editor at *Coin World*, reported, it was the 56th and final coin in the program, honoring the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama.

Timing made this release unusual. Originally scheduled for February 1, the Mint pushed it forward to January 4, 2021, right in the middle of a national coin shortage. COVID had wrecked normal circulation patterns—businesses closed, consumers hoarded change, and contactless payments took over.

When stores reopened in 2021, everyone needed coins at once. Banks couldn’t get enough. The Fed started rationing supplies to financial institutions, and the Mint ran flat out trying to keep up.

No public launch ceremony happened, either. The last one had been in February 2020 for the American Samoa quarter. COVID killed that tradition too.

After the Tuskegee Airmen release, the quarter got a mandated redesign. The Crossing the Delaware quarter was unveiled on Christmas Day 2020—exactly 244 years after Washington’s famous river crossing on December 25, 1776. It served as a one-year bridge between the ATB series and the American Women Quarters program launching in January 2022.

Here’s a fun number: according to CoinNews, combined Philadelphia and Denver circulation mintages for the two 2021 designs exceeded 2.1 billion pieces. That’s among the most-produced modern quarters in recent memory.

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

 

Is Your 2021 Quarter Rare?

Coin Identifier and Value App evaluates your coin’s rarity by analyzing images instantly—comparing condition, mint marks, and population data against certified examples in real time.

 

Key Features of The 2021 Quarter

Two different quarter designs came out in 2021, and they don’t look alike on either side. Knowing the details helps you spot fakes and grade accurately.

The Obverse Of The 2021 Quarter

The two 2021 quarters carry different obverse designs because they belong to different programs.

The Tuskegee Airmen quarter uses the modified Washington portrait by William Cousins, in service from 1999 through early 2021. This version shrank John Flanagan’s original 1932 design by 15% to make room for inscriptions that moved from the reverse during the State Quarters program.

“LIBERTY” appears left of Washington’s neck, “IN GOD WE TRUST” sits to the right behind his neck. “Quarter Dollar” is at the bottom. Look for the mint mark (P, D, or S) behind the ribbon below the motto.

The Crossing the Delaware quarter, released in April 2021, brought back Flanagan’s original 1932 design at full scale. Washington’s portrait is noticeably larger with higher relief—you can see subtle details that were lost in the smaller version.

The left-facing profile shows Washington with his hair in a ponytail. “LIBERTY” arcs along the top, “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears in two lines to the lower left, and “2021” sits at the bottom. The mint mark is behind the ponytail, and Flanagan’s initials “JF” appear on the right side of Washington’s neck base.

The Reverse Of The 2021 Quarter

Flip your coin over. The two 2021 designs look completely different on the reverse.

Tuskegee Airmen Quarter: Designed by Chris Costello and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. A Tuskegee Airman pilot dominates the foreground, suiting up in his flight gear. Moton Field’s control tower rises in the middle distance with two P-51 Mustang fighters passing overhead in formation.

“THEY FOUGHT TWO WARS” arcs across the top—a reference to the Airmen’s dual battle against fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home. You’ll also find “TUSKEGEE AIRMEN” and “ALABAMA” around the design, with “2021” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” completing the required text.

Crossing the Delaware Quarter: Designed by Benjamin Sowards of the Mint Artistic Infusion Program and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso. General Washington stands at left foreground facing right, drawn saber extended to direct troops forward. A boat full of Continental Army soldiers follows in the background, navigating the icy Delaware River on the night of December 25–26, 1776.

“CROSSING THE DELAWARE” runs along the right side. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs along the upper rim, with “QUARTER DOLLAR” at the bottom. Notice the text placement differs from the Tuskegee design.

Other Features Of The 2021 Quarter

Both 2021 quarter designs share identical physical specs for circulation strikes.

Standard examples use cupronickel clad construction. Two outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bond to a pure copper core, giving an overall composition of 8.33% nickel and 91.67% copper.

The Crossing the Delaware quarter keeps the clad structure but with a slightly different overall composition of 92.7% copper and 8.3% nickel.

Diameter measures 24.26 millimeters. Weight is 5.67 grams. Same as every Washington quarter before it—vending machines don’t care which design you feed them.

The reeded edge has 119 distinct grooves. That anti-counterfeiting feature goes back to when quarters actually contained silver.

San Francisco proof editions were struck in both standard clad and 99.9% fine silver. Silver proofs weigh 12.69 grams while keeping the same 24.26-millimeter diameter and reeded edge.

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

 

2021 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

Denver struck 304 million Tuskegee Airmen quarters. Philadelphia added 160.4 million. That’s 464.4 million circulation strikes total—middle of the pack among the 56 ATB coins.

The Crossing the Delaware quarter is a completely different story. Philadelphia struck 838.4 million, Denver struck 865.4 million, for a combined 1,703,800,000 pieces. That’s roughly 9.2% of the entire America the Beautiful program’s eleven-year output, all made in one year. Think about that—nearly 1 in 10 ATB quarters ever produced carries this single design.

San Francisco proof editions matched across formats. Both the standard DCAM proof and Silver DCAM proof of the Tuskegee Airmen numbered 490,829 pieces each. The Crossing the Delaware DCAM proof hit the same 490,829 mark.

Survival data remains unrecorded across all varieties. These coins went straight into cash registers and pockets, not collector albums, so nobody’s tracked how many survived in any particular grade.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2021 Quarter Value

Check the mint mark (P, D, or S) behind Washington’s ponytail, examine surface wear on high-contact areas like Washington’s hair details, and inspect for striking errors such as doubled dies or off-center strikes. These three elements directly affect collector value.

Coin Identifier and Value App evaluates these characteristics instantly through photo scanning, delivering grade estimates and current market comparisons.

 

2021 Quarter Value Guides

Both 2021 quarters are easy on the wallet. Circulated pieces trade at face value, and uncirculated examples carry modest premiums based on grade.

San Francisco proofs are worth more than business strikes. Silver proofs consistently beat standard clad versions across both designs.

• 2021 Tuskegee Airmen Quarter – Final America the Beautiful series release; designed by Chris Costello, sculpted by Phebe Hemphill
• 2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter – One-year transitional design with restored Flanagan obverse; designed by Benjamin Sowards, sculpted by Michael Gaudioso

High-grade examples at MS67 and above pull serious premiums in the certified market. Grading is done on the Sheldon Scale from 1–70, where MS (Mint State) means no wear whatsoever. The price jump between common uncirculated grades and gem specimens reflects how few coins survive that clean at the top of the scale.

 

2021 Tuskegee Airmen Quarter Value

Most people don’t realize the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site—established in 1998—was the youngest landmark featured in the entire ATB series. This quarter closed out a twelve-year program as the 56th and final release, honoring pilots whose courage helped push President Truman to desegregate the armed forces in 1948. Nearly 1,000 pilots and more than 15,000 support personnel trained at Moton Field during World War II.

Business strikes in top condition can bring real money. The auction record stands at $421 for a Philadelphia MS68 example (July 2022) and $800 for a Denver MS68 (May 2022). At the very top, MS69 has reached $3,295.

San Francisco standard proofs trade between $18 and $26. The 99.9% silver proof variants carry melt value on top of collector demand and typically sell for $32 to $62 depending on preservation. A Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation—mirror-like fields with frosted design elements—adds a further bump over non-designated proofs.

I think this coin has strong long-term appeal. It closes one era and launches the next, and the civil rights story gives it thematic weight that most modern quarters lack. High-grade pieces may climb as circulated examples get beat up and disappear.

Here’s how the market has been moving over the past year.

 

2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter Value

Can a coin with 1.7 billion siblings be worth anything? At the top of the grading scale, absolutely. An NGC MS69 Early Release example realized $995 in March 2022. A 2021-D PCGS MS68 sold for $439.95 on eBay in February 2025. The challenge is finding one that clean out of a billion-plus coins that banged around in bags and rolls.

The Mint unveiled this design on Christmas 2020—244 years after Washington’s historic crossing. It restored John Flanagan’s original 1932 Washington profile on the obverse while Benjamin Sowards’ dramatic reverse showed the general leading troops across the icy Delaware. Circulation strikes hit Federal Reserve distribution on April 5, 2021.

San Francisco issued this design only as a Deep Cameo (DCAM) proof. MS66 specimens trade around $18. MS68 examples hold near $160.

Collectors chase First Strike and Early Release labels, which confirm the grading service received the coin within 30 days of release. Those designations typically add $20 to $50 depending on grade.

We think the one-year-only production and transitional role between two major programs make the proof version worth picking up now, before more collectors realize how limited the S-mint run was.

Here’s the past year’s market activity for this issue.

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

 

Rare 2021 Quarter Error List

Two different quarter designs in one year means twice the error variety potential. The Tuskegee Airmen quarter wrapped up the ATB series while the Crossing the Delaware served as a transitional piece.

Combined production topped 2.1 billion from Philadelphia and Denver, so standard examples are everywhere. But manufacturing defects can turn pocket change into $10 to $3,000+ collectibles. Here’s what to look for.

1. Crown Die Chip Errors

A die chip happens when a tiny fragment breaks off the steel die, leaving a small hole that fills with metal during striking. The result is a raised blob on every coin struck from that damaged die.

On the 2021 Crossing the Delaware quarter, look at Washington’s military cap on the reverse. That’s where these chips tend to show up. You’ll see a shapeless raised lump that doesn’t match the surrounding design. Since the defect is on the die itself, every coin from that die carries the identical chip in the exact same spot—check CoinTalk forums to cross-reference your find.

Mint state examples sell for $70–$200. Circulated pieces bring less. It’s a solid entry point if you’re just getting into error collecting.

2. Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Errors

A DDO happens during die manufacturing, not during striking. When the hub impresses the working die with a slight shift between strikes, you get overlapping design elements baked right into the die.

Genuine doubled dies show rounded, well-defined separation between the duplicated elements. Grab a 5x–10x loupe and check three spots on the obverse: “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the “2021” date. Both quarter designs can show this error.

Lightly doubled circulated examples sell for $25–$100. Strong DDO specimens graded MS65 or higher have brought $300–$800 at auction. A 2021-D Crossing the Delaware with clear obverse tripling across all three text areas achieved $300 at documented auction.

3. Aircraft Die Chip Errors (Tuskegee Airmen)

The aviation-themed reverse on the Tuskegee quarter creates error opportunities you won’t find on any other ATB coin. The most talked-about variety shows raised metal where the upper plane’s wing meets the fuselage—collectors call it the “burning plane” look.

Less commonly, chips appear on the pilot’s goggles and equipment. Flip your coin over and examine those areas under magnification.

Graded examples have sold within $50–$420 ranges depending on chip size and overall grade. An MS66 specimen with a reverse die chip documented by NGC shows the upper end of what’s possible. Circulated examples with visible chips typically fetch $10–$30.

4. Lip Mole and Snake Eye Die Chip (Crossing the Delaware)

This is the fun one. Two die chips hit Washington’s obverse portrait at the same time. One lands on the corner of his upper lip—looks like a mole. The other hits his eye area, creating what collectors call “snake eyes.”

Finding both chips on a single coin is what makes this variety so collectible. Mint-condition examples with the combo have reached $1,500. A circulated, ungraded example with two die chips on the letter “A” in “DELAWARE” sold for $1,990 at auction. Location and character of the chip make a huge difference in value.

5. Missing Clad Layer Errors

You’ll spot this one instantly. A 2021 quarter uses cupronickel clad construction—a copper core sandwiched between two nickel-alloy outer layers. When one layer fails to bond during planchet production, one side looks normal silver-gray while the other shows warm reddish-orange copper.

Weigh the coin. A standard quarter hits 5.67 grams. Missing one clad layer drops it to roughly 4.5–5.0 grams. That’s your best authentication tool.

Single missing layer examples typically sell for $75–$200. Coins missing both layers (extremely rare) have brought $500 or more. Don’t confuse this with a chemically stripped coin—genuine missing clad layer errors show sharp, complete design details on both sides with no signs of acid damage.

6. Off-Center Strike Errors

When the planchet isn’t centered between the dies at the moment of striking, part of the design goes missing and a blank crescent appears on one side.

Value scales with how far off-center the strike landed. A 5–10% off-center coin might bring $30–$75. Hit 50% off-center with the date still visible and you’re looking at $150–$500 or more. That’s the key rule: the “2021” date must remain visible to confirm the coin’s identity and maximize value.

A specific 2021-P Crossing the Delaware with obverse/reverse misalignment and a broad struck error has been documented and valued at $16 in raw condition—even modest off-center errors carry collectible premiums.

 

Where To Sell Your 2021 Quarter?

Understanding your 2021 quarters’ potential value is just the beginning—connecting with reputable buyers who offer fair prices requires knowing which platforms best serve collectors’ needs and provide transparent transaction processes.

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

 

2021 Quarter Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About the 2021 Quarter

1. What makes the 2021 Tuskegee Airmen quarter historically significant?

It’s the 56th and final coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program (2010–2021), honoring the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama. Nearly 1,000 African American pilots and over 15,000 support personnel trained at Moton Field during World War II.

The reverse, created by Chris Costello and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, shows a pilot suiting up with two P-51 Mustangs overhead. The inscription “THEY FOUGHT TWO WARS” references both the fight against fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home.

2. How much is a 2021 Tuskegee Airmen quarter worth in 2026?

Circulated examples are worth face value ($0.25). Uncirculated MS65 coins typically sell for $12–$24. MS67 specimens reach $30–$50 depending on mint mark.

The auction record stands at $421 for an MS68 Philadelphia example (July 2022) and $800 for a Denver MS68 (May 2022). Silver proof versions (2021-S Silver DCAM) are worth $32–$62 based on silver content and grade, with PR70 examples carrying a further premium.

3. Are 2021 Tuskegee Airmen quarters rare?

In circulated grades, no. Combined mintages hit 464.4 million coins (304 million Denver, 160.4 million Philadelphia).

Rarity kicks in with error varieties (die chips, doubled dies) and high-grade certified specimens at MS68+. According to PCGS population data, those top grades are genuinely scarce. Silver proof versions from San Francisco with 490,829 struck carry modest collector premiums.

4. What is the 2021 Crossing the Delaware quarter worth?

With 1,703,800,000 combined from Philadelphia and Denver, circulated examples are worth face value. MS66 specimens trade around $18, MS67 around $32–$35, and MS68 examples near $160.

Top-pop pieces are a different world: an NGC MS69 Early Release sold for $995 in March 2022, and a PCGS MS68 sold for $439.95 in February 2025. The S-mint DCAM proof version, with only 490,829 struck, is the most collectible variant.

5. How can I tell the difference between the two 2021 quarter designs?

Flip it over. If you see a WWII pilot suiting up with P-51 planes overhead and “TUSKEGEE AIRMEN ALABAMA,” that’s the ATB release. If you see Washington standing in a rowboat crossing an icy river with “CROSSING THE DELAWARE,” that’s the transitional design.

On the obverse, the Tuskegee coin uses William Cousins’ slightly smaller Washington portrait. The Crossing the Delaware coin restores John Flanagan’s original larger 1932 profile with higher relief.

6. What does DCAM mean on a 2021 quarter proof, and why does it add value?

DCAM stands for Deep Cameo. It’s a designation from PCGS or NGC for proof coins with especially strong contrast—mirror-like fields against heavily frosted design elements. Picture a brilliant reflective background with a frosty white portrait on top.

Not every proof achieves that level of contrast, which is why DCAM-designated 2021-S proofs can sell for 30–60% more than non-designated counterparts of the same grade.

7. What is the most valuable 2021 quarter error, and how do I find one?

The “Lip Mole and Snake Eye” die chip combination on the Crossing the Delaware obverse. Mint-condition examples with both chips have reached $1,500, while a circulated double die chip on the letter “A” in “DELAWARE” sold for $1,990 at auction.

Grab a 5x–10x loupe and check Washington’s portrait and lettering on the reverse. Die chips are always raised and smooth on top—never recessed. If you find something, cross-reference it on CoinTalk or PCGS forums to confirm others have reported the same variety.

8. Why does the 2021-D Crossing the Delaware quarter have such a massive mintage?

The COVID coin shortage. The 865.4 million Denver mintage (838.4 million Philadelphia, 1.7 billion combined) came because the Fed had imposed allocation limits on banks due to severe inventory shortages. When demand recovered in late 2021, the Mint ramped production hard to catch up.

High mintage means circulated examples are everywhere at face value. But finding a pristine MS68+ specimen is genuinely tough—all those coins banging around in bags and rolls create contact marks that knock down grades.

9. Should I have my 2021 quarter professionally graded by PCGS or NGC?

For most 2021 quarters in MS63–MS65 condition, grading fees (typically $30+ per coin) will cost more than the coin is worth. MS66 is roughly the break-even point.

If you think your coin grades MS67 or higher—minimal bag marks, full luster, strong eye appeal under magnification—then slabbing it makes financial sense. Certified coins in holders almost always outsell raw coins of the same grade, especially for registry set competition at MS68 and above.

10. How do I safely store my 2021 quarter to preserve its value?

Never clean your coins. Even a gentle wipe leaves microscopic hairlines that graders catch immediately. PCGS and NGC label cleaned coins as “details” grades, and those sell for far less.

Use non-PVC holders, capsules, or inert Mylar flips. Skip cardboard 2x2s that contain sulfur compounds. Keep coins away from humidity, direct light, and temperature swings. Handle by the edge only—skin oils cause toning and spotting over time.