2004 Washington State Quarter Errors: Value Guide & Rare Varieties
Complete 2004 Washington State Quarter error guide. The Wisconsin Extra Leaf (FS-901 High, FS-902 Low) is worth $50–$6,000+. Covers missing clad layers, off-center strikes, silver proofs, and Machine Doubling traps. Values updated January 2026.
Most 2004 State Quarters are worth face value ($0.25), but the 2004-D Wisconsin "Extra Leaf" varieties can be worth $50–$6,000+ and are still occasionally found in pocket change.
- 🌽 Wisconsin Extra Leaf High (FS-901): $50–$6,000+ — the star variety of the year
- 🌽 Wisconsin Extra Leaf Low (FS-902): $45–$3,000+ — slightly more available, still very valuable
- 💿 2004-S Silver Proof: $5–$20 based on condition; identified by solid silver-white edge
- 🔧 Missing Clad Layer: $150–$400 with weight verification (must weigh 4.7–5.1g)
⚠️ Most "doubling" seen on 2004 quarters is worthless Machine Doubling (flat, shelf-like). Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Iowa quarters have no comparable major errors. Check the traps section before assuming your coin is valuable.
2004 Washington State Quarter Errors Error Checker
Check your coin for valuable errors and varieties
Values shown are typical retail estimates as of 2026-01 based on verified auction records from Heritage Auctions and GreatCollections.
The 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf varieties (FS-901 High Leaf, FS-902 Low Leaf) are the primary valuable errors for this year. Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Iowa quarters have no comparably valuable die varieties.
Machine Doubling (flat, shelf-like doubling) is NOT a valuable error — it is a common manufacturing artifact worth face value only.
Grease-filled die errors such as 'IN GOD WE RUST' are ubiquitous on State Quarters and carry nominal premium ($0.25–$1.00 at best).
Professional authentication (PCGS/NGC) is recommended for Wisconsin Extra Leaf varieties in Mint State and for major planchet or striking errors.
Error coin values vary significantly based on grade, eye appeal, and current market conditions.
Over 2.4 billion 2004 Washington State Quarters were struck across five designs — Michigan, Florida, Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Almost all are worth exactly $0.25. But hidden among that sea of common coins is one legendary variety: the 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf, a quarter discovered at a coin show in December 2004 that turned the modern coin-collecting world on its head. Experts believe a Denver Mint employee deliberately tampered with a die, creating extra "leaves" on the Wisconsin corn stalk design. If you have a 2004-D Wisconsin quarter in your hand right now, do not spend it until you read this guide. For standard values by condition, see our complete 2004 Quarter Value guide.
2004 Washington Quarter Specifications & Mintage
2004 Washington Quarter Specifications & Mintage
Understanding the baseline of a normal 2004 quarter is essential before identifying errors. Any error must clearly deviate from these specifications.
Coin Specifications
| Specification | Clad (P & D Mint) | Silver Proof (S Mint) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Cu-Ni Clad (75% Cu / 25% Ni outer; pure Cu core) | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Weight | 5.67g | 6.25g |
| Diameter | 24.3mm | 24.3mm |
| Edge | Reeded — copper (brown-orange) stripe visible on edge | Reeded — solid silver-white, no copper stripe |
| Magnetic? | No | No |
2004 Business Strike Mintage
| State Design | Philadelphia (P) | Denver (D) | Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 233,800,000 | 225,800,000 | — |
| Florida | 240,200,000 | 241,600,000 | — |
| Texas | 278,800,000 | 263,000,000 | — |
| Iowa | 213,800,000 | 251,400,000 | — |
| Wisconsin | 226,400,000 | 226,800,000 | ⚠️ D-mint: check for Extra Leaf! |
San Francisco Proof mintage (identical for each state design): Clad Proof — 2,740,684 | Silver Proof — 1,769,786.
💡 Only One Design Has a Jackpot Variety
All five 2004 designs feature the standard Washington obverse. Only the 2004-D Wisconsin reverse (showing corn, cow, and a wheel of cheese) carries a known major die variety worth real money. Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Iowa have no comparable valuable errors.
For full value ranges by grade for standard (non-error) coins, visit our 2004 Quarter Value guide →
2004 Washington Quarter Quick Checks: What to Look For First
Searching a roll of quarters efficiently means applying fast, decisive filters. Run these three checks in order — start with the highest-value target and end by filtering out the fakes.
Check #1 — Wisconsin Extra Leaf (FS-901 High / FS-902 Low)
Reverse of 2004-D Wisconsin quarters only. Find the corn ear on the left side of the design. Focus on the area where the corn husk meets the wheel of cheese at the base of the ear.
High Leaf (FS-901): A distinct raised line arcing upward from the cheese wheel into the corn husk — thin, needle-like, smooth. Low Leaf (FS-902): A raised line arcing horizontally or downward into the cheese wheel, forming a thicker "pocket" shape. In both cases the feature must be raised above the coin surface, not scratched in.
Random die gouges that are jagged, irregular, or located on the cow or the banner. Any mark that is scratched into the coin (incuse/depressed) is damage, not a variety. The Extra Leaf must be raised (in relief) and smooth, mirroring the natural flow of the design. Requires a 10x loupe to verify.
Check #2 — Silver Proof or Missing Clad Layer (Edge + Weight)
The edge of the coin — hold it so you can clearly see the reeded third side. Then if suspicious, weigh it on a digital scale accurate to 0.01g.
Silver Proof: Edge is solid silver-white with absolutely no orange or copper stripe. Weight is 6.25g. Found on S-mint coins only. Missing Clad Layer: One face appears bright copper-red while the other is normal silver-color. Weight is approximately 4.7–5.1g instead of the standard 5.67g.
Environmental damage or toning. A coin buried in soil or chemically corroded may look dark or coppery, but its weight will remain near 5.67g. A dirty or toned edge is not a silver error. Weight is the definitive test — do not skip it.
Check #3 — Machine Doubling / Grease Strikes / PMD (NOT Valuable — Stop Here)
Lettering such as IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and high points of the state design on any 2004 quarter.
Nothing here is valuable. This check exists to stop you from chasing common manufacturing artifacts frequently mislabeled as rare errors online.
Machine Doubling (MD): Flat, shelf-like secondary image on letters that reduces device width. Die was loose — face value only. Grease-Filled Die: Faint or missing letters (e.g., "IN GOD WE RUST") — ubiquitous on State Quarters, worth $0.25–$1.00 at best. Ring of Death: A circular scratch in the lettering from a coin-rolling machine — Post-Mint Damage (PMD), zero premium. "Spitting" die cracks: Raised lines from animal mouths — minor die cracks worth $1–$5 at most.
2004 Washington Quarter Error Master Table
2004 Washington Quarter Error Master Table
Only errors with verified market data and authentication by major grading services are included. The Wisconsin Extra Leaf varieties dominate this list — they are the reason 2004 is a priority year for roll searchers.
| Error Type | Category | Designation | Mint | State | Rarity | Value Range | Auction Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Leaf High | Die Variety | FS-901 | D | Wisconsin | High | $50–$6,000+ | ~$6,000 (MS67) |
| Extra Leaf Low | Die Variety | FS-902 | D | Wisconsin | High | $45–$3,000+ | ~$1,500 (MS67) |
| Silver Proof (in circ.) | Wrong Planchet / Proof | — | S | Any | Scarce | $5–$20 | — |
| Missing Clad Layer | Planchet Error | — | P / D | Any | Moderate | $150–$400 | $310 (MS64) |
| Off-Center Strike | Striking Error | — | P / D | Any | Moderate | $5–$100+ | ~$150 (major) |
| Broadstrike | Striking Error | — | P / D | Any | Moderate | $15–$50 | ~$660 (lot) |
| Grease-Filled Die | Die Error | — | P / D | Any | Very Common | $0.25–$1.00 | — |
Amber border = investment-grade variety. Blue border = planchet-type premium. Values as of January 2026 based on Heritage Auctions and GreatCollections realized prices.
2004 Washington Quarter Valuable Errors: Detailed Jackpot Guide
⭐ The Wisconsin Extra Leaf Varieties: Background
The Extra Leaf varieties were discovered at a Tucson, Arizona coin show in December 2004. Unlike a typical manufacturing accident, these coins feature markings that are remarkably consistent, smooth, and design-appropriate — traits that point to deliberate die tampering. The leading theory, supported by experts including J.T. Stanton, is that a Denver Mint employee used a tool to gouge the working die face, adding extra "leaf" shapes to the Wisconsin corn stalk design as a prank or personal signature. Because the same die struck thousands of coins, every coin from that die carries the identical extra leaf in the identical location — qualifying these as Die Varieties (errors that repeat identically). They are listed as FS-901 (High Leaf) and FS-902 (Low Leaf) in the Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties and are fully recognized by PCGS and NGC.
⚠️ D-Mint Only
Both Extra Leaf varieties exist only on 2004-D (Denver) Wisconsin quarters. The P-mint Wisconsin and all non-Wisconsin designs have no equivalent varieties. If your Wisconsin quarter lacks a D mint mark, it will not have an Extra Leaf.
2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf High (FS-901)
Normal Wisconsin reverse (left) vs. FS-901 High Leaf variety (right), with the raised leaf arcing upward from the cheese wheel into the corn husk.
How to Identify
- Look at the corn ear on the left side of the Wisconsin reverse, specifically where the corn husk meets the wheel of cheese.
- The High Leaf appears as a sharply defined, raised line that initiates near the cheese wheel / husk intersection and arcs upward, appearing to pierce or emerge from the upper corn husk.
- The leaf is relatively thin and needle-like in some die states.
- The feature must be raised above the coin surface (in relief), smooth, and integrated with the design geometry — not jagged or random.
- Use a 10x loupe to confirm the feature is raised (not scratched in).
- High-grade examples may also show specific die markers on the obverse near Washington's profile, though the leaf itself is the primary diagnostic.
False Positives to Avoid
Die gouges that are jagged, straight, or irregularly shaped. Any mark on the cow or the banner is not the Extra Leaf. If you push a fingernail across the feature and it feels depressed (lower than the surrounding surface), it is a scratch, not a variety. The Extra Leaf must be physically higher than the surrounding coin surface.
Market Values
- Circulated (XF–AU): $50–$110
- Mint State (MS60–62): $130–$200
- Choice Unc (MS63–64): $200–$300
- Gem Unc (MS65): $300–$500
- Superb Gem (MS66): $600–$900
- Top Pop (MS67): $3,000–$6,000
Auction Record
~$6,000 for MS-67 (NGC Coin Explorer | PCGS CoinFacts).
2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf Low (FS-902)
Normal Wisconsin reverse (left) vs. FS-902 Low Leaf variety (right), showing the raised leaf arcing downward into the cheese wheel.
How to Identify
- Same corn husk / cheese wheel area as the High Leaf, but the trajectory is different.
- The Low Leaf is a raised line arcing horizontally or downward, often appearing to fold over into or onto the cheese wheel itself.
- This variety typically looks thicker than the High Leaf and creates a rounded "pocket" or heavy husk-bract shape.
- The definition of the Low Leaf remained robust across die states, making it identifiable even on circulated examples found in pocket change.
- Must be raised — verify with loupe.
False Positives to Avoid
Scratches, incuse marks, or random damage in the cheese wheel area. A true Low Leaf is raised and smoothly integrated into the design flow — it is not jagged, irregular, or isolated from the corn/cheese interface. If it doesn't sit in the correct corn husk location, it is not the variety.
Market Values
- Circulated (XF–AU): $45–$85
- Mint State (MS60–62): $100–$150
- Choice Unc (MS63–64): $150–$250
- Gem Unc (MS65): $250–$450
- Superb Gem (MS66): $500–$700
- Top Pop (MS67): $1,500–$3,000
Auction Record
~$1,500 for MS-67 (NGC Coin Explorer | PCGS CoinFacts).
2004-S Silver Proof Quarters: Finding One in Circulation
Clad quarter edge showing the copper stripe (left) vs. silver proof edge showing a solid silver-white band with no copper (right).
The San Francisco Mint produced 90% silver proof quarters in 2004 for all five state designs, sold in collector sets. These occasionally enter circulation when proof sets are spent or stolen. They are identified by:
- Edge: Solid silver-white with absolutely no copper (orange/brown) stripe visible.
- Weight: 6.25g vs. the standard clad 5.67g — the silver content adds measurable mass.
- Sound: If dropped on a hard surface, silver rings with a higher-pitched tone than clad.
- Mint mark: Always an S — Philadelphia and Denver never struck silver proofs.
Finding a silver proof in a roll of circulation quarters is a genuine cherrypick. The silver melt value alone (~$5 as of early 2026) provides a floor, and collector demand adds significant premium above melt. Do not attempt to clean or polish a silver proof — it will destroy value.
2004-S Clad Proof Quarter Values
San Francisco also produced standard clad proof quarters (same composition as circulation strikes but struck on polished planchets). These have mirror-like fields with frosted devices (Cameo effect) and are identified by the copper stripe on the edge.
- Clad Proof — Uncirculated / Proof State: $4–$7
- Clad Proof — Circulated / Impaired: $1–$3
Clad proofs were sold in the annual U.S. Mint Proof Set (mintage: 2,740,684 per state design). They carry modest collector value but no significant premium over a standard business strike unless in top Cameo grades.
2004 Quarter Missing Clad Layer Error
A quarter with a missing clad layer: one side is bright copper-red, the other side is normal silver-color.
Origin & Background
This is a metallurgical failure during strip manufacturing. The nickel-copper outer layer fails to bond to the copper core before blanks are punched. The resulting coin has one side that is bright copper-red (exposed core) and the other side that is normal silver-colored. The copper side often strikes weakly due to the missing metal thickness.
How to Identify
- One face is bright copper-red; the other is normal silver-colored.
- Weigh the coin: Must weigh approximately 4.7–5.1g. The missing layer removes 15–20% of the coin's mass.
- If the coin weighs 5.67g but appears copper-colored, it is environmental damage or plating — not a genuine error.
False Positives to Avoid
Environmentally damaged, buried, or chemically toned coins can appear copper-colored but will weigh the standard 5.67g. Weight verification is the definitive test — no exceptions. A coin that passes the visual test but not the weight test is not a missing clad layer error.
Market Values
- Any design (obverse or reverse layer missing): $150–$400
Auction Record
$310 for MS-64 (2004 Iowa Quarter obverse missing clad layer, NGC certified).
2004 Quarter Off-Center Strike Errors
A 2004 quarter struck significantly off-center, showing a blank crescent of unstruck metal and a partial design.
How to Identify
- The design is not centered on the planchet — a blank, unstruck crescent of metal is visible on one side.
- Estimate the percentage off-center. A 50% off-center coin is dramatically misaligned, with roughly half the design missing.
- Date visibility is critical for value. A coin that is 50% off-center but still shows the full date is worth significantly more than one without a visible date.
False Positives to Avoid
Misaligned dies (where the design is slightly shifted but complete) are much less valuable. A true off-center strike requires a visible blank unstruck area on the coin. Coins with slightly shifted but complete designs are minor misalignments, typically worth $5 or less.
Auction Record
~$150 for a major off-center example with date visible.
2004 Quarter Broadstrike Errors
A broadstruck quarter larger than 24.3mm with a smooth, plain edge instead of normal reeding.
How to Identify
- The coin is noticeably larger in diameter than a normal quarter (exceeds 24.3mm) — measure with calipers to confirm.
- The edge is completely smooth (no reeding) because the retaining collar that normally applies the reeds failed to deploy.
- The design is usually complete but spread outward, like a pancake — the metal flowed outward with nothing to contain it.
False Positives to Avoid
Coins damaged by dryers, rolling machines, or other post-mint machinery can have flattened edges. These will show evidence of external force: dents, scratches, and uneven spreading. A genuine broadstrike has a uniformly expanded diameter with a clean, smooth edge and no signs of post-mint mechanical distortion.
Auction Record
~$660 for a lot of broadstrike examples (Stack's Bowers archive).
2004 Washington Quarter Traps: Common False Alarms Worth Nothing
The high-speed manufacture of over 2.4 billion 2004 quarters produces many visual anomalies — but most carry no premium. These are the traps that fool novices into thinking they have valuable errors.
⚠️ Machine Doubling (MD)
A secondary or "shadow" image on lettering (IN GOD WE TRUST), the date, or state design elements — as if the letters were printed twice.
The die vibrates or slides slightly upon retraction after the strike. This smears already-struck metal into a flat, shelf-like duplicate. It is a die problem, not a valuable doubling.
- MD is flat and shelf-like — it sits flush with the field, not raised above it.
- MD reduces the width of the primary device. A true Doubled Die (DDO) creates a rounded secondary image and increases the apparent width of the device.
- Under a loupe, MD shows no rounded secondary element — just a smeared, flat extension.
- 99% of "doubling" found on 2004 quarters is Machine Doubling.
Value: Face value only. See error-ref.com on Machine Doubling.
⚠️ Grease-Filled Die ("IN GOD WE RUST")
Letters that are faint, filled-in, or entirely absent — for example, "IN GOD WE RUST" where the T in TRUST is missing, or a date with weak or absent digits.
Grease, metal dust, and debris collect in the recesses of the die, preventing the planchet metal from fully filling the design. The result is a weakly struck or missing element.
- Grease fills are extremely common on all State Quarters — ubiquitous on high-production runs.
- Unless the blockage is massive (obliterating 50%+ of the design), these carry virtually no premium.
- Most sell in bulk lots at $1–$2 per coin at best.
Value: $0.25–$1.00 at best.
⚠️ Ring of Death (PMD)
A circular scratch or groove running around the coin, often cutting through the lettering of QUARTER DOLLAR or the state name near the rim.
This is caused by the crimping mechanism of commercial coin-counting and coin-rolling machines after the coin has left the mint — 100% Post-Mint Damage (PMD).
- The scratch forms a near-perfect circle, which no mint process produces.
- Under a loupe, the groove is irregular and cuts across the design indiscriminately — inconsistent with die work.
- PMD is damage, not an error. No numismatic premium.
Value: Face value only.
Machine Doubling (left) showing flat, shelf-like smearing vs. a true Doubled Die (right) showing a distinct raised secondary impression.
A "Ring of Death" — a circular scratch caused by coin-rolling machinery after the coin left the mint. This is Post-Mint Damage, not an error.
2004 Washington Quarter Grading: Why Grade Matters So Much
For standard 2004 quarters, grade has almost no practical impact on value — a circulated coin is $0.25 regardless of condition. But for the Wisconsin Extra Leaf varieties, grade determines whether your coin is worth $50 or $6,000.
The Sheldon Scale runs from 1 (barely identifiable) to 70 (perfect). Key milestones for the Extra Leaf:
- XF (45–49): All design details sharp, slight high-point wear. The Extra Leaf is clearly visible. Pocket-change finds usually land here.
- MS (60–62): Uncirculated — no wear, but significant bag marks from mint handling. "Bank roll" quality.
- MS65 (Gem): Very few marks, booming luster. The key threshold for serious collector interest.
- MS67 (Superb Gem): Near flawless — fewer than 10–20 examples known for each variety. These are the coins that reach $3,000–$6,000 at auction.
ℹ️ Grade Jumps Are Exponential
Going from MS64 ($200–$300) to MS65 ($300–$500) on a High Leaf roughly doubles value. Going from MS66 ($600–$900) to MS67 ($3,000–$6,000) increases value by 4–7×. The top grade commands a massive premium because so few examples exist at that level.
2004 Washington Quarter Authentication: When to Submit & How to Protect Your Coin
2004 Washington Quarter Authentication: When to Submit & How to Protect Your Coin
Required Tools
- 10x–20x Loupe: Primary diagnostic tool. Distinguishes raised features (varieties) from incuse scratches (damage).
- Digital Scale (0.01g accuracy): Essential for verifying Missing Clad Layer errors and distinguishing Silver Proofs from plated fakes.
- Magnet: Quick screening tool — genuine 2004 quarters are never magnetic. A magnetic coin is a fake steel slug.
When to Submit to PCGS or NGC
✅ Submit (GO):
- 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf (High or Low) in Mint State condition — grading fees (~$30–$50) are justified by values of $200+ and the liquidity that a certified slab provides.
- Major planchet errors (Missing Clad Layer) or off-center strikes greater than 20% in excellent condition.
✋ Do Not Submit (STOP):
- Circulated Extra Leaf (XF/AU) worth $50–$85 — grading fees and shipping can consume the entire premium. Sell raw to a local dealer or at a coin show instead.
- "Minor Doubled Die" or Machine Doubling — attribution costs will far exceed the coin's market value.
- Grease-filled die errors — these are worth $0.25–$1.00 and cannot justify any submission fee.
⚠️ Do NOT Clean Your Coin
Never clean, polish, or rub a potential Wisconsin Extra Leaf or any error coin. Cleaning permanently destroys the surface, eliminates luster, and can reduce value by 50–90% or result in a "Details" grade that dramatically suppresses auction prices.
Dealer and marketplace information: For selling raw (uncertified) circulated Wisconsin Extra Leaf coins, local coin shows and established coin dealers are the most practical venues. Online options such as major auction platforms are best reserved for slabbed (certified) examples where the authentication is already established.
2004 Washington Quarter Errors: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf and why is it so famous?
The Wisconsin Extra Leaf varieties (FS-901 High Leaf, FS-902 Low Leaf) are 2004-D Wisconsin quarters that show an extra raised leaf on the corn stalk on the reverse. They are famous because experts believe they resulted from deliberate die tampering by a Denver Mint employee — not a random accident. Because the tampered die struck thousands of coins, the variety repeats identically on every affected coin, making them classifiable as Die Varieties recognized by PCGS and NGC. They were discovered in December 2004 at a Tucson coin show and quickly became among the most sought-after modern U.S. coin varieties.
How do I tell the High Leaf from the Low Leaf?
Focus on direction and shape. The High Leaf (FS-901) arcs upward from the cheese wheel into the upper corn husk — it is thin and needle-like. The Low Leaf (FS-902) arcs horizontally or downward into the cheese wheel, forming a thicker, rounder "pocket" shape. Both must be in the specific corn husk / cheese wheel area and must be raised (in relief), not scratched in. When in doubt, compare to reference images on PCGS CoinFacts or NGC Coin Explorer.
Are any 2004 Michigan, Florida, Texas, or Iowa quarters valuable?
No major die varieties are known for Michigan, Florida, Texas, or Iowa 2004 quarters. Circulated examples are worth $0.25. Uncirculated specimens carry a small collector premium of $0.50–$1.00. The only significant value opportunity across these four designs is if you find a major planchet or striking error (e.g., missing clad layer, large off-center strike), which can occur on any design. Be very skeptical of YouTube videos or online listings claiming "rare" Michigan or Florida varieties — most are clickbait about high-grade registry coins, not errors anyone can find in change.
What is Machine Doubling and why isn't it valuable?
Machine Doubling (MD) happens when a die bounces or slides slightly upon retraction after striking — it smears already-struck metal into a flat, shelf-like shadow duplicate. Under a loupe, MD is flat and reduces the width of the primary device. A true Doubled Die (DDO or DDR) creates a distinctly rounded secondary element and increases device width, often showing split serifs on letters. On 2004 quarters, 99% of apparent "doubling" is Machine Doubling, worth face value only. The coin industry estimates millions of MD coins exist for any given high-production year.
How do I know if I have a 2004-S Silver Proof?
Check the edge of the coin. A Silver Proof has a solid silver-white edge with absolutely no copper (orange/brown) stripe. A standard clad proof shows a thin copper stripe on the edge. Then weigh it: a Silver Proof weighs 6.25g vs. 5.67g for a clad coin. Silver Proofs also have an S mint mark and were sold exclusively in the U.S. Mint Silver Proof Set — they would only enter circulation if a proof set was accidentally spent or broken up.
My 2004 quarter has a copper-colored side — is it a Missing Clad Layer error?
Maybe — but weight is the definitive test. A genuine Missing Clad Layer error weighs approximately 4.7–5.1g because the missing outer layer removes 15–20% of the coin's mass. If your coin weighs close to 5.67g but appears copper, it is most likely environmental damage (corrosion, burial, chemical reaction) or surface plating — not a mint error. Weigh it before drawing any conclusions.
Should I submit a circulated Wisconsin Extra Leaf to PCGS or NGC?
Generally, no. A circulated Wisconsin Extra Leaf (XF/AU grade) is worth approximately $45–$110 raw. With grading fees (~$30–$50) plus return shipping, certification can consume most or all of your profit margin. The better strategy is to sell it raw at a coin show or to a reputable dealer who specializes in modern varieties. Save the submission fees for Mint State examples (MS63+) where the certified value clearly justifies the cost.
What tools do I need to search 2004 quarters effectively?
Three tools cover nearly all scenarios: (1) A 10x loupe for identifying the Extra Leaf, distinguishing raised varieties from incuse scratches, and spotting Machine Doubling vs. true doubled dies. (2) A digital scale accurate to 0.01g for verifying Missing Clad Layer errors (should weigh 4.7–5.1g) and Silver Proofs (should weigh 6.25g). (3) A magnet for quick screening — genuine 2004 quarters are never magnetic.
2004 Washington Quarter Research Methodology & Sources
All values in this guide are derived from verified auction records and institutional pricing sources. No eBay listings, forum speculation, or blog estimates were used.
- NGC — "Face Value: 2004 Wisconsin Quarters" — primary variety reference and NGC population data.
- PCGS CoinFacts — Extra Leaf High (FS-901) and Extra Leaf Low (FS-902) — auction records and certification data.
- error-ref.com — Machine Doubling — diagnostic reference for distinguishing MD from true doubled dies.
- Heritage Auctions and GreatCollections — realized auction prices for planchet errors, off-center strikes, and broadstrikes (2021–2025).
- U.S. Mint press releases and CoinNews.net — verified mintage figures for all five 2004 state designs.
- Wikipedia — 50 State Quarters program overview, proof mintage confirmation.
Values as of January 2026. Coin markets fluctuate — consult current PCGS/NGC population reports and recent realized auction results before making buying or selling decisions.
A note on images: To help illustrate coin diagnostics and rare varieties — especially complex errors that are difficult to describe in text alone — this guide uses AI-generated images. All written values, diagnostics, and variety attributions have been manually reviewed against the cited sources above. While our editorial team works to ensure every image is accurate and helpful, AI-generated illustrations may occasionally misrepresent fine details. If you spot any discrepancy between an image and its written description, please contact us or leave a comment below — we review all feedback and correct errors promptly. Numismatic knowledge is a community effort, and your input helps us build a more accurate resource for everyone.
