Forgotten Quarters From 2000 Worth Thousands: A Collector's Guide to Hidden Treasure in Your Change

Many people overlook what’s sitting in their piggy banks or junk drawers. If you happened to collect quarters from the year 2000, you might be sitting on some genuinely valuable pieces. Some of these quarters have sold for astronomical prices at auction, making them far more valuable than their 25-cent face value.

The Million-Dollar Question: Which Quarters Are Worth Money?

Between 1999 and 2008, the U.S. Mint released a new quarter design every ten weeks as part of the 50 State Quarters program. Each coin featured unique artwork representing a different state, along with the year that state joined the union. The 2000 releases included Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Virginia designs. These early editions have become increasingly sought after by serious collectors.

Auction Results Reveal Stunning Values

According to professional coin grading data, certain high-quality specimens from 2000 have fetched impressive sums. The determining factor isn’t rarity alone—condition is everything. Coins graded in “mint state” (designated MS) command premium prices, with ratings ranging from MS60 to MS70, with MS70 representing perfection.

Here’s what these quarters worth money actually sold for:

• Massachusetts 2000-P (Philadelphia Mint) MS69: $3,760
• South Carolina 2000-P MS69: $3,525
• Maryland 2000-P MS65: $1,495
• New Hampshire 2000-D (Denver Mint) MS68: $633
• Virginia 2000-P MS68: $400

Beyond Perfect Specimens: Error Coins and Rarity

Even quarters that don’t achieve pristine grades can hold substantial value. Numismatists particularly prize coins with minting errors—instances where dies doubled-struck or shifted during production, creating unusual variations. Since these mistakes are rarely replicated, each error coin becomes unique and collectible.

The condition of your quarters dramatically affects their market value. A single-point difference in grading can mean hundreds of dollars in price variation. If you suspect you own one of these valuable pieces, professional appraisal is the logical next step before considering auction or sale.

The Takeaway for Collectors

Before spending loose change, take a moment to inspect older quarters, particularly those from the 2000 era. You might discover that quarters worth money are already in your possession. While not every old quarter will make you wealthy, taking that extra minute to check could reveal hidden value that’s been overlooked for over two decades.