How rare is the Kansas state quarter in your pocket and is it worth more than $0.25?

If you’re a coin collector or simply someone who enjoys keeping an eye out for unique items, you may wonder about the rarity and value of the Kansas state quarter. Part of the U.S. Mint’s 50 State Quarters program, the Kansas quarter was released in 2005 and features iconic symbols like a bison and sunflowers.

While most Kansas quarters are worth just their face value of $0.25, certain error coins and specific conditions can make them more valuable to collectors. In this article, we’ll explore how rare the Kansas state quarter is, the types of errors that can increase its worth, and whether you might have a rare find in your pocket.

Kansas, like all states, has its own quarter that showcases significant symbols such as a bison and sunflowers, created by the U.S. Mint as part of the 50 State Quarters program. The Kansas state quarter was released in 2005 and has remained in widespread circulation since then.

The U.S. Mint produced over 550 million Kansas state quarters. This figure places Kansas in the middle range when compared to the production numbers of quarters from other states. However, this doesn’t mean that the Sunflower State’s quarters were entirely free from errors.

Coin Trackers, a site that tracks U.S. coin minting, highlights five error types for the Kansas state quarter that are sought after by collectors or attract bids at auction. While the U.S. Mint typically recycles error coins before they leave the production facility, a few rare ones do make it into circulation. Here are some Kansas state quarter errors you might come across:

• Missing Clad Layer – The coin’s top layer is missing, exposing the copper interior.
• Tilted Planchet – The bison and sunflower design appears misaligned or off-center.
• Clipped Planchet – Part of the coin’s edge is missing.
• Oval Planchet – The coin has an oval shape rather than the typical round one.
• ‘In God We Rust’ – The letter ‘T’ is missing from the side of the quarter with George Washington’s portrait, resulting in an error in the inscription “In God We Trust.”

In addition to error coins, Coin Trackers also notes that silver proof state quarters and those in mint condition hold higher value, typically around $12 and $7, respectively.

Matthew Nichols, the owner of Jayhawk Coins, Games & More in Topeka, warns those hoping to sell a potentially rare coin or believe they’ve discovered something valuable. He describes the hunt for rare coins as “kind of a rat race” and mentions he frequently receives requests to evaluate state quarters, most of which are only worth face value.

If you think you’ve found a rare coin, it’s a good idea to do some online research or consult collector’s guides. Auction websites like eBay can provide a helpful reference point to see what similar quarters have sold for in the past.

“Generally speaking, every error I’ve looked up has been worth around $5 or $10,” Nichols explained. “Does it have value? Yes. But does it have significant value? Not really.”

Nichols also suggests consulting with experts in the field, like those at his business or local numismatists, who can offer a more accurate assessment of a coin’s worth, if it holds any value at all.

“We’d be happy to take a look and verify if it’s worth anything,” Nichols added. “However, the chances of finding a truly valuable one are very slim.”

Kansas isn’t the only state to have quarter design errors. For example, Wisconsin’s “high” and “low” leaf designs have also become popular collector’s items and can sell for more than their face value.

When searching for rare coins, Nichols advises checking for details like the mint mark, luster, any damage, design features, and the coin’s time period. For more coin collecting tips from the U.S. Mint, you can visit their official website.

Conclusion:

While the Kansas state quarter is not typically worth more than $0.25, certain error varieties or coins in mint condition can hold a higher value. Most error coins are minor, and their value usually ranges between $5 to $10. However, the chances of finding one of these rare quarters in your pocket are slim. For serious collectors, researching and consulting with experts can help assess whether you have a valuable coin.

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