The 2023 U.S. quarters sit at an interesting crossroads. On paper, they look ordinary: massive mintages, modern production, and constant circulation. In practice, they belong to the American Women Quarters Program, a multi-year series that has already proven one thing—high production does not eliminate collector opportunity.
During 2023, the U.S. Mint released five different reverse designs, each honoring a notable American woman. Coins were struck at Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D), with total mintages exceeding 1.6 billion pieces. Most 2023 quarter varieties remain worth face value. Still, modern collecting rarely focuses on the date alone. Errors, die failures, and striking anomalies drive premiums.
Why Modern Quarters Can Still Be Valuable
Modern quarters differ from classic key dates. Value comes from manufacturing mistakes, not scarcity by design. High-speed presses, worn dies, and production shortcuts increase the likelihood of:
- Grease-filled dies
- Die chips and retained cuds
- Die clashes
- Partial or missing clad layers
- Lettering distortions and breaks
These flaws often appear randomly and escape quality control, making them scarce relative to the total mintage.
Collectors search circulation rolls, bank boxes, and vending machine returns, focusing on coins that show unusual texture, missing letters, raised metal, or distorted devices. A basic loupe, a free coin value app, and patience remain the primary tools.
Overview of 2023 American Women Quarters
| Honoree | Release Period | Key Collector Interest |
| Bessie Coleman | February | Die chips, rim cuds, clash marks |
| Edith Kanaka‘ole | March | “In Cod We Trust” grease fill |
| Eleanor Roosevelt | June | Retained cuds near rim |
| Jovita Idar | August | Shirt cracks, doubled legends |
| Maria Tallchief | October | Die cracks, missing clad layer |
Each design carries its own weak points, based on die stress and engraving depth.
Bessie Coleman Quarter — Early Errors Worth Checking
The Bessie Coleman quarter, released in February, features aviation imagery that places heavy stress near the rim and devices. Collectors report:
- Die chips and small cuds near the rim and goggles
- Obverse die clashes, often faint but collectible
- Minor doubling in aviation gear details
In circulated condition, these coins trade modestly. Clean Mint State examples with visible errors have sold between $40 and $120, depending on eye appeal and severity.
The takeaway is simple: even the earliest 2023 quarters deserve inspection. Modern coins reward attention to detail, not age.
Key Error Types and What to Look for on Each 2023 Quarter
By mid-year, patterns began to emerge. Certain 2023 quarter designs showed repeatable weaknesses that created recognizable error types. These are not one-off anomalies but production flaws confirmed across multiple examples and verified though the coin identification app, making them realistic targets for roll hunters.
Edith Kanaka‘ole Quarter — The Most Talked-About Error
The Edith Kanaka‘ole quarter quickly became the headline coin of 2023. A grease-filled die obscured the “G” in GOD, creating the now-famous “IN COD WE TRUST” error.
Key characteristics to inspect:
- The “G” appears soft or missing, not scratched
- Surrounding letters remain sharp
- Most confirmed examples come from Denver strikes
Market activity shows strong demand. Light grease fills sell around $150–250, while bold, unmistakable examples with sharp contrast have reached $700–900, especially in Mint State holders.
Hairline die clashes near the portrait also appear on this issue, bringing $80–160 when clearly visible.
Eleanor Roosevelt Quarter — Rim Stress and Retained Cuds
The Eleanor Roosevelt quarter presents a different profile. Stress along the upper rim led to retained cuds, particularly between 12 and 2 o’clock.
What defines a premium example:
- Raised, irregular metal connected to the rim
- No post-mint damage or flattening
- Consistent texture across the cud
One certified MS-63 example sold for $238, confirming collector interest when the defect remains intact. Smaller rim breaks trade lower but still exceed face value comfortably.
Jovita Idar Quarter — Subtle Errors with Upside
The Jovita Idar quarter rewards careful inspection. Errors tend to be smaller but scarcer:
- Die cracks through the shirt area
- Doubled lettering in the reverse legend
- Occasional clash marks near the neckline
Raw examples with visible cracking often sell for $20–60, while stronger doubled legends in higher grades move into the $150–300 range. Denver-mint coins dominate reported finds.
2023 Quarter Error Value Snapshot
| Design | Common Error | Typical Value Range |
| Edith Kanaka‘ole | “In Cod We Trust” | $150–900 |
| Eleanor Roosevelt | Retained rim cud | $50–250 |
| Jovita Idar | Shirt crack / doubling | $20–300 |
Modern quarters reward precision. Many valuable examples look ordinary at first glance. The difference appears only under close, patient inspection.
Maria Tallchief Quarter — Late-Year Errors with Real Demand
The final release of the year brought the Maria Tallchief quarter, and with it, some of the most visually dramatic errors of the 2023 series. Lower relative mintage compared to earlier releases added fuel to collector interest, especially once repeatable flaws began appearing.
The Maria Tallchief design shows consistent die stress around the arms and upper body. Two error types stand out:
- “Broken arm” die crack, where a raised line partially severs the arm detail
- Missing clad layer, producing a noticeably lighter coin with exposed copper core
Mint State examples showing a clear broken-arm effect have traded around $150–250, depending on sharpness and location. Missing clad errors attract stronger attention. Uncertified pieces have sold near $400, especially when weight confirms the loss of outer layer rather than post-mint damage.
Collectors should always verify weight and edge structure when inspecting these coins.
How Collectors Actually Find Valuable 2023 Quarters
Successful searching follows a routine rather than luck.
Where to look
- Bank-wrapped rolls and sealed boxes
- Coin return trays in vending machines
- Fresh change from high-turnover retail
What to check first
- Motto lettering (“IN GOD WE TRUST”)
- Rim areas for raised metal or breaks
- Unusual texture or color differences
- Weight inconsistencies
A 10× loupe remains essential. Many valuable errors disappear under casual inspection.
Using Digital Tools Without Guessing
Some collectors supplement visual checks with tools like the Coin ID Scanner app, available on Android and iOS. A quick photo upload helps confirm year, mint, composition, weight, and standard specifications from a database of over 187,000 coins. Collection tracking and filters make it easier to separate confirmed finds from common pieces while sorting 2023 quarters in bulk.
Digital tools do not replace knowledge, but they reduce uncertainty when cataloging modern coins.
The 2023 quarter program proves a simple point: modern coins still offer opportunity. Value does not come from age. It comes from attention, repetition, and understanding how errors form.
Most 2023 quarters remain worth face value. A small fraction does not. Those few reward collectors who slow down, look closely, and trust evidence over assumptions.
