Just when we thought we said our final goodbyes to America’s most loved quarter coin the U.S. Mint gifted us a surprise in 2021. A big comeback of an all-time classic with a slightly changed design – Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter. This patriotic coin design portrays General Washington crossing the Delaware River with his troops prior to the Battle of Trenton.
In previous articles, we discuss how Americans love commemorative coins that honor their culture, history, and notable persons, so there is no surprise why this coin became so sought-after among collectors and history enthusiasts. So naturally the logical step was to explore the Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter value and its fluctuation.
However, since this coin is relatively new on the coin market, our information is pretty limited due to the fact that most coin collectors still keep their coins locked and wait for prices to rise. We firmly support this knowing for sure that a coin with a limited design like this will grow in value in the following years.
There is a significant difference between the prices of uncirculated and circulated coins. For instance, Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarters in circulated conditions are estimated to be worth between $0.40 and $16.20, while those in mint state are in the range up to $29.70.
If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick preview for you. In general, Crossing the Delaware Quarter coins are pretty common in circulation, and due to the fact they are slightly worn out their prices are still relatively moderate.
However, a lot of circulated coins are still in good condition and suitable as collecting examples. Here is the list of the specimens we recommend you take a look at, they are worth investing in.
- 2021-D Washington Crossing The Delaware Quarter MS67 – $69
- 2021-S Washington Crossing The Delaware Silver Proof Quarter PR70DCAM – $90
Why Is Washington Crossing The Delaware Quarter Special And Valuable?
It is never a bad thing to refresh our knowledge with a little bit of history fact-checking. As you know the Washington Quarter was released back in 1932, in honor of the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s Birth.
The first idea broth by the U.S. Congress and Mint was that this coin would be a one-year-only issue. Oh but how the tables have turned in the favor of the coin, due to overwhelming popularity, this design remained in production indefinitely. Well, the last Washington Quarter coin with the original design was struck in 1998. This is when it was replaced with the commemorative 50-State Quarters program (from 1999 to 2009) and the National Parks Quarters program (from 2010 to 2021).
However, after these two series had finished, the U.S. Mint decided it was time to make a great comeback for the Washington Quarter. In April of 2021, they released Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter. This patriotic design on the reverse side is special and valuable for a few reasons. Naturally, the first one is historical value, since it portrays one of the nation’s most important historical battles.
The second one is rarity and uniqueness, due to the fact that this was a transitional coin minted for only a year, and no coin after this one will have the same design! In 2022 the US Mint launched a new program, the American Women’s Quarter that will run until 2025 featuring a new design each year.
Lastly, the silver-proof coin series is minted on a planchet made from 99.9% silver which significantly exceeds the face value of the coin with its melt value.
Price Guide For Common Washington Crossing The Delaware Quarter Coins Worth Investing
By now you have figured out that there were some significant design changes in our good old Washington Quarter. Even though in most cases changed design does not affect the value largely, in this case, the new and limited design affected the price significantly.
Since the last series of Washington Quarter was released in 1998 with an original Heraldic Eagle design on the reverse side, the new 2021 Washington Quarter featured the image of an epic Crossing the Delaware battle on the reverse side.
These coins hold a historical value as the unique specimen and one of the rarest minted US coin designs ever. In the table below we enlisted regular, as well as error varieties, and their current prices on the coin market so you don’t need to waste any time on your own research.
2021-P mint mark Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter
Surprisingly the minting volume scored by the Philadelphia Mint in this case was the second largest. Approximately 838,400,000 quarter coins were minted in 2021. You can recognize them by the “P” mint mark located on the obverse side. These coins were minted for circulation.
Due to the high mintage volume their value isn’t exceptionally large, however, they still each higher prices than regular Washington Quarter coins. You can buy 2021-P circulated specimens in a price range of $0.25 to $2 for those in better condition. Coins that are in mint state will sell for $10 at least.
The highest price of a 2021-P Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter coin in MS68 was $2,777.
2021-D mint mark Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter
The Denver Mint released the largest mintage volume out of all three facilities. In 2021 about 865,400,000 Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter coins were released into circulation. They are all engraved with the “D” mint marks so you’ll easily distinguish them from other varieties.
Therefore, considering the abundance of this variety their value is moderate. The average price of these coins on the coin market goes from the face value to $2 for circulated coins, depending on the condition. While a coin in mint condition is estimated to be worth at least $8, however, it sells for more on auctions.
The 2021-D Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter coin with grade MS69 was sold on auction for $995.
2021-S mint mark Washington Crossing the Delaware clad quarter
As we got used all coins that originated from the San Francisco Mint are proof coins and not intended for circulation. In 2021 San Francisco Mint produced clad and silver proof coins. Around 511,192 clad-proof coins were minted for the purpose of collecting. All of them are recognizable after the “S” mint mark.
Thanks to their low mintage volume and flawless design these coins are estimated to be worth at least $3 to $15 each, while they achieve higher prices on auction. Keep in mind that these coins are still relatively new and their prices will significantly grow in the following years.
2021-S mint mark Washington Crossing the Delaware silver proof quarter
The second variety is a silver-proof coin made of 99.9% silver, and in 2021 San Francisco Mint produced 347,825 silver-proof quarter coins. Once again a low mintage like that impacts the price significantly so these coins on average will cost at least $10, but usually, they sell for at least $50.
The silver 2021-S with grade R70DCAM was sold for $140 on auction.
Differences between CAM and DCAM proof coins
You must know that there are two different varieties in contrast – a cameo and a deep cameo contrast in proof coins. The difference between regular strike-proof coins and these is in clarity. You will easily recognize a CAM from DCAM coins by the difference in deep polish and highly reflective surface.
Keep in mind that the CAM coins feature a mirror-like luster contrast. You’ll easily notice all the details, like letters and bust appear milky white. These areas are not reflective.
On the other hand, DCAM quarters look completely different. At first glance, they look like they are black and white. This is due to the high contrast between the reflective field and design. All the details and letters on DCAM coins appear frosty white and creamy.
Most Valuable Washington Crossing The Delaware Quarter Coins Worth Money
The Main Features Of The Washington Crossing The Delaware Quarter Coins
After the last quarter from America The Beautiful program was issued in 2021 the U.S Mint decided to make major changes to the regular Washington quarter. These changes can be seen on the reverse side of the quarter coin since the Washington Quarter’s original Heraldic Eagle design did not return in 2021.
As usual, the obverse side features the original George Washington portrait designed by John Flanagan in the 1930s. You can see an image of the President facing right. The word “LIBERTY” is placed above his head, while on the opposite side, close to the bottom rim the minting year is engraved.
To the left side, just below his chin, the “IN GOD WE TRUST” saying is struck in two rows. The mint mark is placed behind his neck.
However, the original obverse design was paired with a new reverse design created by Michael Gaudioso. On the redesigned reverse side you’ll notice a young George Washington as an American Revolutionary War general leading Continental Army troops across the Delaware River. This significant battle against the British occurred on the night of December 25-26, 1776, and became one of the most important battles in America’s history.
The inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is placed close to the upper coin rim, just below this you’ll notice the saying “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. Above Washington’s sword, you can find “CROSSING THE DELAWARE”. A denomination inscription “QUARTER DOLLAR” is engraved on the bottom rim.
These coins were minted in three mints – Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). Crossing the Delaware Quarter coin was minted on clad planchet, with the exception of silver proof set coins which are made from 99.9% silver.
List Of Errors Found On Washington Crossing The Delaware Quarters
An error occurs when coins are incorrectly struck during the minting process. Even though today’s technology is more precise than ever some coins can have die chips while others can come with die breaks. Quarter error coins are very sought-after and valued among collectors. Their price depends on the grade, size, shape, and type.
What’s interesting about error quarter coins minted in 2021 is that the Denver and Philadelphia mints released some error coins casually, while San Francisco never released their regular strike error coins. On the other hand, all types of quarter coins that were minted in the West Point mint and had an error were sold to collectors only. But let’s get back to our main topic – Crossing the Delaware error coins.
The Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter coin features some different error varieties. You can find some die clash and die chip errors that were sold for a pretty nice amount of money on platforms like eBay, Etsy, etc.
A die chip error is a common error when the additional material appears on the face of a coin and is not related to the coin design. On the other hand, a die break error occurs when a coin is missing a piece from the edge. You can notice an error on the reverse side in the letter P, and on top of George’s head, you will see a die error looking like a crown.
The die clash error coins are selling for at least $30 each. We shouldn’t forget to mention that the 2021-D Double Die Reverse 25C graded MS67 of Crossing the Delaware Quarter is extremely rare and estimated to be worth a lot of money.
Some other noted errors include the following:
- 2021-D 25C Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter with feeder finger error on reverse
- 2021-P 25C Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter off-center and smooth edge error
- 2021-P 25C Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter Crown die chip error
- 2021-D 25C Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter Crown die chip error
- 2021-P 25C Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter rim to rim die crack error
Where Can You Trade Valuable Washington Crossing The Delaware Quarters?
When it comes to trading newly released coins your options are very limited, and in most cases, the Internet is your best option. Of course, you can try to sell your coin in person in your local coin or pawn shop but don’t expect to get any significant price offer for it due to the fact these coins still haven’t reached their full price ranges, and that takes years.
On the other hand, the Internet coin market can be an answer to your problem. Here you can research the fluctuations in prices, as well as demand and supply. This way you can form a final price with ease without damaging your budget, or a buyer’s budget.
When trading on the Internet it is important to find a reliable dealer that you’ll work with to avoid fraud and scams. Here is our list of auction houses and coin web pages that are proven and reliable – Heritage Auctions, PCGS, Coins For Sale, Stack’s Bowers, or Littleton Coin Company.
Unfortunately, currently, the majority of these auction houses do not sell any of the Washington Crossing in the Delaware Quarter since they are relatively new on the market. However, we still recommend that you check their offer from time to time, we do believe that soon they will have them listed in a regular offer.
All the specimens you can find in this article originate from eBay since they are the only ones who have an extensive collection of this coin to offer. The only advice we can share is to check the seller when trading on these platforms to avoid buying a fake coin.
FAQ
Which coin has a similar design as the Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter coin?
If you are an avid coin collector we are sure you already know which coin features a similar design. However, for those who are less experienced, a similar design appears on the 1999 New Jersey State Quarter coin.
This coin features a reverse design created by Alfred Maletsky who was inspired by an 1851 oil painting that depicts Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River.
Are there any other valuable error coins produced in 2021?
Apart from the errors that appeared in the 2021 quarter series, some other coins were also released with errors in 2021.
- Pennies – Valuable error Lincoln pennies are “spiked heads” (a line running from Lincoln’s head to the rime of the coin), the “cracked skull” (a diagonal line running across), the 2021 Lincoln shield 1c cent penny with a love heart, and incomplete clad layers.
- Nickels – Valuable error Jefferson nickel is a specimen with a reverse die deteriorating double error.
- Dimes – Valuable error Roosevelt dime is a specimen with a “cracked skull” error which is similar to the “spiked head” error. You’ll recognize it by die chips on the reverse side of the coin.
A Big Return Of America’s Favorite Coin
We are all about not recycling old coin designs and making innovative ones that will exceed the value and beauty of previous ones. However, when it comes to Washington Quarter coins we need to say we are a team original design. Yet, that does not mean we are against this particular coin, cause we ain’t, we just prefer the clean and simple design of the classic Washington Quarter.
Hopefully, this article answered some of your burning questions about the 2021 Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter value. We have high hopes that it will help you figure out how to handle your precious coins and where you can trade them risk-free.
You can find plenty of Washington-Quarter-coins-related articles on our web so we invite you to explore and read on. We would like to suggest you read the 1998 Washington Quarter value article and see the difference between these two completely different designs of the same coin.
In case you know some information that we didn’t mention here, please do not hesitate to share your opinions and advice in the comment section below. Also, please share your thoughts and opinions about this new design, we are eager to hear from you!
Good luck and happy hunting!
