denver coin front quarter

The Denver Mint’s Contribution to the State Quarter Program: The Denver Coin Front Quarter

The Denver Mint played a significant role in producing the State Quarter Program’s coins, including the “Denver coin front quarter”. These quarters, identifiable by the “D” mint mark, were minted in large quantities and circulated widely, becoming a familiar sight in everyday transactions.

The United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program, a popular initiative launched in 1999, honored each state with a unique design on the reverse of the quarter. The Denver Mint, along with the Philadelphia Mint, was responsible for producing these quarters. This article will explore the Denver Mint’s contribution to this program and what defines a “Denver coin front quarter”.

The Denver Mint and the “D” Mint Mark

The key identifier of a Denver-minted quarter is the “D” mint mark, which can be found on the obverse (front) of the coin, typically to the right of George Washington’s portrait. The mint mark indicates where the coin was produced. The absence of a mint mark signifies the coin was produced in Philadelphia. Understanding the mint mark is crucial for collectors and those curious about the origins of their coins.

The State Quarter Program

The 50 State Quarters Program, running from 1999 to 2008, released five new quarter designs each year, each representing a different state in the order of their admission to the Union. Each state’s design was featured on the reverse of the coin, while the obverse retained the familiar portrait of George Washington. This program was a massive success, increasing public interest in coin collecting and American history. More information can be found on Wikipedia’s page about 50 State Quarter.

Denver Mint’s Production Volume

The Denver Mint produced a significant portion of the State Quarters. While exact numbers vary by state and year, the Denver Mint generally produced a high volume of quarters, ensuring their widespread availability. For example, the Denver Mint produced over 400 million Virginia State Quarters in 2000. The sheer number of Denver-minted State Quarters in circulation makes them common finds, although some variations or errors may hold higher value.

Value and Collectibility

While most circulated Denver-minted State Quarters are worth only their face value (25 cents), certain factors can increase their collectibility. These include:

• Errors: Misprints, double dies, or other minting errors can significantly increase a coin’s value.
• Uncirculated Condition: Quarters in pristine, uncirculated condition are more desirable to collectors.
• Key Dates and Varieties: Some specific years or varieties of quarters are rarer than others, making them more valuable.

FAQs

Are Denver minted state quarters worth anything?

Most circulated Denver-minted state quarters are worth face value (25 cents). However, those with errors or in uncirculated condition may be worth more to collectors.

How do I know if my quarter was minted in Denver?

Look for the “D” mint mark on the obverse (front) of the quarter, usually located to the right of George Washington’s portrait. The “D” indicates that the coin was minted in Denver.

Which Denver minted state quarters are rare?

Rarity depends on factors like mintage numbers, existence of errors, and demand. Some specific years or varieties may be less common than others, but research is needed for each specific state quarter.

What years did the Denver Mint produce state quarters?

The Denver Mint produced state quarters from 1999 to 2008, throughout the entire duration of the 50 State Quarters Program.

How many state quarters did the Denver Mint produce each year?

The number of state quarters produced by the Denver Mint varied each year, depending on factors such as demand and the mint’s overall production schedule.

Summary

The Denver Mint played a vital role in the production of the State Quarters Program. Identified by the “D” mint mark, these quarters circulated widely and helped spark renewed interest in coin collecting. While most are worth only face value, the potential for errors and the appeal of uncirculated examples make them a worthwhile area of interest for collectors.