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

2021 brought an unusual scenario for quarter collectors: two completely different designs circulating simultaneously. The Tuskegee Airmen quarter wrapped up the America the Beautiful program, while Washington Crossing the Delaware introduced a fresh direction.

This dual release creates distinct opportunities when assessing 2021 Quarter value. The 2021-P Tuskegee Airmen reaches $11.97 in MS condition, while the S mint version climbs to $16.66. Silver proof editions peak at $29.00.

Mint marks, striking quality, and composition each influence pricing—we’ll break down which combinations collectors actively pursue.

 

2021 Quarter Value By Variety

This breakdown reveals where everyday circulation pieces end and serious collector territory begins for each 2021 release. If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 2021 Quarter Worth Money

Top-tier specimens command substantial premiums in today’s market. The price gap between standard grades and exceptional examples can reach thousands of dollars.

The 2021-P Tuskegee Airmen graded MS69 reached $3,295 at auction. MS68 examples of the same coin sold for $800, while First Strike MS69 pieces brought $600. Silver proof editions graded PR70 traded between $143 and $238 depending on designation.

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, demonstrating the premium collectors place on top-population specimens. For the 2021-D Crossing the Delaware, a PCGS MS68 sold on eBay in February 2025 for $439.95.

Collectors targeting registry sets drive demand for premium examples. The difference between MS67 and MS68 often represents just one or two fewer surface marks, yet pricing reflects the genuine rarity these subtle improvements create in the marketplace.

 

History of The 2021 Quarter

The 2021 America the Beautiful Quarter marked the conclusion of a twelve-year commemorative coin program that began in 2010. This final release honored the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama, and was reported by Paul Gilkes, senior editor at Coin World, as the 56th and final coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.

The coin’s release occurred during a national coin shortage crisis. Originally scheduled for February 1, the U.S. Mint moved the release forward to January 4, 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted normal coin circulation patterns. Business closures reduced pathways for coins to return to banks, while consumers shifted to contactless payments and kept coins at home.

When businesses reopened in 2021, demand for coins surged, but banks faced severe inventory shortages. The Mint’s production capacity could not keep pace with this unprecedented demand, forcing the Federal Reserve to impose allocation limits on financial institutions to distribute available coins fairly.

Traditional launch events that had characterized the program since 2010 could not be held. The last public ceremony had been in February 2020 for the American Samoa quarter.

Following the 2021 Tuskegee Airmen release, the quarter underwent mandated design changes. The Crossing the Delaware quarter was unveiled on Christmas Day 2020—exactly 244 years after Washington’s famous river crossing on December 25, 1776.

The 2021 Crossing the Delaware quarter served as a one-year transitional bridge between two major programs: the America the Beautiful series and the American Women Quarters program that launched in January 2022. According to CoinNews, combined Philadelphia and Denver circulation mintages for the two 2021 designs exceeded 2.1 billion pieces, making them 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 Value Checker 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

Recognizing authentic design elements helps collectors identify legitimate specimens and assess condition accurately. The 2021 releases introduced distinct visual changes from previous years, making familiarity with these features essential for proper evaluation.

The Obverse Of The 2021 Quarter

The two 2021 quarters feature different obverse designs reflecting their release timing.

The Tuskegee Airmen quarter displays the modified Washington portrait by William Cousins, used continuously from 1999 through early 2021. This version reduced John Flanagan’s original 1932 design by 15% proportionally to accommodate inscriptions shifted from the reverse during the State Quarters program.

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

The Crossing the Delaware quarter, released in April 2021, restored Flanagan’s original 1932 design to its full scale. Washington’s portrait appears noticeably larger with higher relief, bringing back subtle details lost in the reduced version.

The left-facing profile again 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 occupies the same position behind the ponytail, while Flanagan’s initials “JF” appear on the right side of Washington’s neck base.

The Reverse Of The 2021 Quarter

The two 2021 releases present entirely different reverse imagery while sharing standard inscriptions.

Tuskegee Airmen Quarter: The reverse was designed by Chris Costello and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. A Tuskegee Airman pilot dominates the foreground, suiting up for World War II service with his flight gear. Moton Field’s control tower rises in the middle distance as two P-51 Mustang fighters pass overhead in formation.

The inscription “THEY FOUGHT TWO WARS” arcs across the upper portion—referencing the Airmen’s dual battle against fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home. Additional inscriptions include “TUSKEGEE AIRMEN” and “ALABAMA” positioned around the design, with “2021” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” completing the required text.

Crossing the Delaware Quarter: The reverse was 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, his drawn saber extended to direct troops forward. A boat filled with Continental Army soldiers follows in the background, navigating the icy Delaware River on the night of December 25–26, 1776.

“CROSSING THE DELAWARE” appears along the right side. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs along the upper rim, with “QUARTER DOLLAR” positioned at the bottom. This arrangement differs from the Tuskegee design’s text placement.

Other Features Of The 2021 Quarter

Both 2021 quarter designs share identical physical specifications for their circulation strikes.

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

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

The diameter measures 24.26 millimeters and weight is 5.67 grams. These specifications remained unchanged from previous Washington quarters, ensuring compatibility with vending machines and automated systems.

The reeded edge contains 119 distinct grooves encircling the coin’s circumference. This anti-counterfeiting feature has appeared on U.S. quarters since their silver-content era.

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

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

 

2021 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

Denver struck 304 million Tuskegee Airmen quarters while Philadelphia contributed 160.4 million for the final America the Beautiful release. Combined, the Tuskegee Airmen design accounts for 464.4 million circulation strikes—placing it mid-range among the 56 coins in the ATB program.

By contrast, the Crossing the Delaware quarter became the most abundantly produced Washington quarter design in decades. Philadelphia struck 838.4 million and Denver struck 865.4 million, for a combined circulation mintage of 1,703,800,000 pieces—approximately 9.2% of the entire America the Beautiful program’s total combined output across eleven years, all produced in a single year.

San Francisco proof editions of the Tuskegee Airmen quarter maintained identical mintages across formats. Both the standard DCAM proof and Silver DCAM proof versions numbered 490,829 pieces each. The Crossing the Delaware quarter appears only as an S mint DCAM proof with 490,829 struck—matching the Tuskegee proof quantities precisely.

Survival data remains unrecorded across all varieties listed. The absence of population figures reflects the practical challenges of tracking modern circulation releases that immediately entered commercial use rather than controlled collector channels.

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

 

2021 Quarter Value Guides

Both 2021 quarters remain affordable for collectors despite their historical significance. Circulated examples trade at face value while uncirculated specimens command modest premiums based on grade.

Proof editions from San Francisco carry higher values than business strikes. Silver proofs consistently outperform 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 graded MS67 and above attract substantial premiums in the certified coin market. Grading is done on the Sheldon Scale from 1–70, where MS (Mint State) means no wear whatsoever. The gap between common uncirculated grades and gem specimens reflects genuine scarcity at the upper end of the condition scale.

 

2021 Tuskegee Airmen Quarter Value

This quarter closes a twelve-year journey that began in 2010, honoring the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site—established in 1998 as the youngest landmark featured throughout the entire America the Beautiful series.

This coin represents not merely the program’s 56th release, but a deliberate capstone celebrating individuals whose courage helped inspire President Truman to desegregate the armed forces in 1948. The Airmen trained nearly 1,000 pilots and more than 15,000 support personnel at Moton Field during World War II.

Collectors pursuing complete sets face interesting choices across three mint facilities. Business strikes in exceptional high-grade condition can reach $800 to $3,295 at auction. The auction record stands at $421 for a Philadelphia MS68 example (July 2022) and $800 for a Denver MS68 (May 2022).

San Francisco’s standard proof editions trade between $18 and $26, though the 99.9% silver proof variants hold intrinsic metal value and frequently sell for $32 to $62 depending on preservation quality. A Deep Cameo (DCAM) proof designation—meaning mirror-like fields contrast sharply with frosted design elements—adds a further premium over non-designated proof examples.

As the transitional piece closing one era and launching new quarter programs, this issue carries added significance. Its dual role—honoring civil rights pioneers and completing the national park series—gives it strong thematic and type-set appeal, and high-grade pieces may rise as circulated examples disappear.

The past year’s market patterns reveal steady collector engagement with this historically meaningful piece.

 

2021 Crossing the Delaware Quarter Value

Following authorizing legislation mandating a successor design once the America the Beautiful series concluded, the Mint unveiled this transitional quarter on Christmas 2020—244 years after Washington’s historic river crossing. The design depicted General Washington standing boldly at the bow of a rowboat, leading 2,400 Continental Army soldiers across the ice-choked Delaware River in a surprise dawn attack on Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey.

The design emerged as a deliberate one-year bridge between major programs, restoring John Flanagan’s original 1932 Washington profile while introducing Benjamin Sowards’ dramatic reverse. Circulation releases entered Federal Reserve distribution on April 5, 2021.

San Francisco issued only a limited run of this design, and every piece was struck exclusively as a Deep Cameo (DCAM) proof. MS66 specimens consistently trade around $18, while MS68 examples hold steady near $160. An NGC MS69 Early Release example realized $995 in March 2022—demonstrating what strong registry competition looks like for this design. A 2021-D PCGS MS68 sold for $439.95 on eBay in February 2025.

Collectors particularly pursue First Strike and Early Release designations, which verify coins received by the grading service within 30 days of the coin’s official release. These labels typically command a premium of $20 to $50 depending on grade level.

With only a one-year production and a transitional role between two quarter programs, proof examples are limited. The patriotic Delaware crossing design adds lasting collector appeal, making acquisition strategically wise.

The recent one-year market activity chart highlights current collector interest and value trends for this issue.

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

 

Rare 2021 Quarter Error List

The year 2021 witnessed a unique moment in American coinage history with two distinct quarter releases. The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site quarter concluded the America the Beautiful series (2010–2021), while the Crossing the Delaware quarter emerged as a transitional piece.

Combined production exceeded 2.1 billion pieces from Philadelphia and Denver mints, rendering standard examples commonplace in circulation. Manufacturing defects, however, can elevate these quarters from pocket change to collectible commodities valued between $10 and $3,000+.

1. Crown Die Chip Errors

Manufacturing precision occasionally falters during high-volume production. A die chip occurs when a tiny fragment breaks off the hardened steel die, leaving a small hole that fills with coin metal during striking—resulting in a raised blob on every coin produced by that die.

The crown die chip exemplifies this phenomenon on the 2021 Crossing the Delaware quarter. These particles lodge within design recesses—particularly intricate details like General Washington’s military cap on the reverse.

Identification requires examining the reverse’s central portrait. The defect manifests as a formless raised element contrasting with surrounding smooth surfaces. Because it originates from the die, every coin struck from the same die carries the identical chip in the same location—use online forums like CoinTalk to cross-reference your find.

Current market dynamics place mint state examples between $70–$200, with circulated pieces commanding lower premiums. The error’s relative accessibility positions it as a great introduction to error numismatics.

2. Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Errors

A Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) originates during die manufacturing rather than coin striking. When the master hub impresses the working die through multiple strikes with slight rotational shifts, design elements receive overlapping impressions. Both 2021 quarter designs exhibit this phenomenon.

Genuine doubled dies display rounded, well-defined separation between duplicated elements. Focus inspection on three critical obverse areas: “LIBERTY,” the “IN GOD WE TRUST” motto, and the “2021” date. Magnification of 5x–10x facilitates detection of subtle doubling.

A lightly doubled example in circulated condition can sell for $25–$100. Strong, well-defined DDO specimens graded MS65 or higher have sold at auction for $300–$800. A 2021-D Crossing the Delaware variant with clear obverse tripling across all three textual elements achieved $300 at documented auction.

3. Aircraft Die Chip Errors (Tuskegee Airmen)

The Tuskegee Airmen quarter presents unique error opportunities specific to its aviation-themed reverse. Die chips appearing on aircraft elements have generated collector interest, with the most discussed variety showing raised metal on the upper plane’s wing junction—creating what enthusiasts term the “burning plane” appearance.

The defect typically manifests as raised material where the wing meets the aircraft fuselage on the background plane, or less commonly, on the pilot’s goggles and equipment.

Graded examples from major certification services have sold within $50–$420 ranges depending on chip prominence and overall grade. An MS66 specimen with reverse die chip documented by NGC demonstrates the upper valuation potential. Circulated examples with visible but less dramatic chips typically fetch $10–$30.

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

One of the most visually striking 2021 quarter errors involves two simultaneous die chips on the obverse portrait of George Washington. One chip appears as a raised blob on the corner of Washington’s upper lip—resembling a mole. The second chip lands on Washington’s eye area, creating what collectors call “snake eyes.”

The combination of both chips on a single coin makes this variety highly collectible. In mint condition, coins with the lip mole and snake eye combination have reached $1,500. A circulated but ungraded example with two die chips on the letter “A” in “DELAWARE” sold for $1,990 at auction, demonstrating how location and character of the chip dramatically influence value.

5. Missing Clad Layer Errors

The 2021 quarter uses a cupronickel clad construction—a copper core sandwiched between two outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel, like a metallic sandwich. A missing clad layer error occurs when one of those outer layers fails to properly bond during planchet strip production.

The result is immediately visible: one side will appear the standard silver-gray nickel color, while the other shows a warm reddish-orange copper tone. A simple weight check is your best authentication tool—a standard quarter weighs 5.67 grams, while a coin missing one clad layer typically weighs only 4.5–5.0 grams.

A single missing layer example typically sells for $75–$200. Coins missing both clad layers (extremely rare) have sold for $500 or more. Do not confuse this with a chemically stripped or corroded coin—genuine missing clad layer errors have sharp, complete design details on both sides with no signs of acid treatment.

6. Off-Center Strike Errors

An off-center strike happens when the coin blank (planchet) is not properly centered between the dies at the moment of striking. The result is a coin where part of the design is missing, and a blank crescent-shaped area appears on one side.

Value depends entirely on how far off-center the strike is. A 5–10% off-center coin might bring $30–$75. A 50% off-center example with the date still visible can sell for $150–$500 or more. The most important rule for maximum value: the date “2021” must remain visible to confirm the coin’s identity.

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, illustrating how 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?

The 2021 Tuskegee Airmen quarter serves as the 56th and final coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program (2010–2021). It honors the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama, commemorating nearly 1,000 African American pilots and over 15,000 support personnel who trained at Moton Field during World War II.

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

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

Circulated 2021 Tuskegee quarters are worth face value ($0.25). Uncirculated examples graded MS65 typically sell for $12–$24. Higher grades command premiums: 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?

Standard circulation strikes are common, with combined mintages of 464.4 million coins (304 million Denver, 160.4 million Philadelphia). Most circulated pieces hold only face value.

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

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

The Crossing the Delaware quarter was produced in massive quantities for circulation—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.

Exceptional top-population pieces command far more: 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 of all 2021 Crossing the Delaware variants.

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

Flip the coin to the reverse (tails side). If you see a World War II pilot suiting up with P-51 planes overhead and the words “TUSKEGEE AIRMEN ALABAMA,” you have the America the Beautiful release. If you see General Washington standing in a rowboat with soldiers crossing an icy river and the words “CROSSING THE DELAWARE,” you have the transitional design.

A secondary clue is the obverse: the Tuskegee coin uses William Cousins’ slightly smaller Washington portrait, while 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—a grading designation applied by PCGS or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) to proof coins that display an especially strong contrast between mirror-like background fields and heavily frosted design elements. Think of it as a brilliant, reflective background with a frosty white portrait on top.

The DCAM designation commands a premium because not all proof coins achieve this high level of contrast. For the 2021-S proof quarters, DCAM-designated examples 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 single most valuable documented 2021 quarter error is the “Lip Mole and Snake Eye” die chip combination on the Crossing the Delaware obverse. Mint-condition examples with both die chips present have reached $1,500, while a circulated double die chip on the letter “A” in “DELAWARE” sold for $1,990 at auction.

To find these, examine the reverse of your coins under a 5x–10x loupe, looking for small raised bumps on Washington’s crown, portrait, or lettering. Die chips are always raised and smooth on top—never recessed. If you find a suspected error, 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 enormous 865.4 million Denver mintage (838.4 million Philadelphia, for a combined 1.7 billion) reflects the tail end of the U.S. coin shortage that had begun during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Reserve had imposed allocation limits on banks due to severe inventory shortages, and when demand recovered in late 2021, mints ramped production aggressively to catch up.

As a result, this one-year transitional design became one of the highest-production Washington quarter designs in modern history. High mintage means circulated examples are plentiful at face value, but also means finding a pristine MS68+ example is genuinely challenging amid the contact marks created during high-volume production.

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

For most 2021 quarters in MS63–MS65 condition, the cost of professional grading (typically $30+ per coin) will exceed the coin’s market value, making submission financially impractical. MS66 is generally the break-even point where potential resale value begins to justify grading fees.

If you believe your coin grades MS67 or higher—meaning minimal surface marks, full luster, and strong eye appeal under magnification—professional certification by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC becomes worthwhile. Certified coins in holders (“slabs”) almost always sell for more than raw coins of the same grade, particularly 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 with a soft cloth leaves microscopic scratches (called hairlines) that graders immediately detect and penalize. Cleaning can cost a coin its entire collector premium; PCGS and NGC label cleaned coins as “details” grades, which sell for far less.

Store your 2021 quarters in non-PVC coin holders, capsules, or inert Mylar flips. Avoid cardboard 2×2 holders that contain sulfur compounds. Keep coins away from humidity, direct light, and fluctuating temperatures. Handle them only by the edge, never touching the faces, to prevent skin oils from toning or spotting the surfaces over time.