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Gold Quarter Coins: What Are They & Why They Exist

Have you ever searched for collectible coins and wondered why some were gold? Gold quarters are relatively new on the market, though other gold coins have existed since the Coinage Act of 1792.

When shopping for gold coins, you must know the difference between genuine gold quarters and gold-plated quarters. One has significant value, and the other is worth little more than the face value.

This guide will teach you the ins and outs of buying coins. You will learn about the history, value, and whether or not you should take the plunge and invest.

Do they make gold quarters? What is a gold-plated quarter worth? Keep reading to find out.

Our Quick Summary

  • The only officially sanctioned gold quarter in the U.S. is the 2016 Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coin, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Hermon Atkins MacNeil's design.
  • Genuine gold quarters, like the 2016 Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coin, contain 1/4 oz of 24-karat gold and have significant value, while gold-plated quarters are worth little more than face value.
  • Historical gold coins, such as the 1808 Capped Bust Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagles, can be extremely valuable, with some worth millions of dollars.
  • Investing in genuine gold quarters can be a good way to diversify an investment portfolio, especially as a hedge against inflation.
  • To distinguish between genuine gold quarters and gold-plated ones, look for factors like weight, mint marks, and authenticity documentation.
  • When purchasing gold coins, it's important to buy from reputable dealers and thoroughly research the coin's history, mintage, and authenticity to avoid scams or overpriced plated coins.

What Is an Officially Sanctioned Gold Quarter?

There is only one officially sanctioned gold quarter in the United States now. The 2016 Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coin was released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Hermon Atkins MacNeil's stunning design.

The 2016 version features the beautiful Lady Liberty on one side and a soaring American Bald Eagle on the other. What does a gold quarter mean?

In this instance, Lady Liberty holds a shield in one hand, meaning protection, and an olive branch in the other, representing peace.

This 25-cent gold quarter features 13 stars representing the 13 original colonies. The obverse side features a bald eagle.

History of Genuine Gold Quarters

The Coinage Act of 1792 allowed the United States to mint copper, silver, gold quarters, and other coins. Since then, the US Mint has minted many gold coins for circulation and some that never circulated and were marketed to collectors. Some quarters have become significantly valuable because of their gold content and rarity.

While this is not a comprehensive list, it includes some of the most valuable coins. Though you may never be able to afford such a high price tag in most cases, it never hurts to learn about the most expensive gold coins on the planet and dream about owning them.

1. The 1808 Capped Bust Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagles retail for around $2,350,000 in uncirculated condition, but it is a rare find.

2. The 1796 Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle with no stars on the obverse is worth up to $2,160,000.

3. The 1798 Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle costs around $763,750.

4. The 1807 Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle is worth the price of around $558,125 because it is so rare.

5. The 1854-S Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle sells for around $551,147.

6. The 1825 Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle coins are worth around $499,375.

7. The 1854-S Liberty Head Quarter Eagle coins retail for $384,000.

There are many more quarters worth exploring. Most of us can only dream about adding these rare coins to our collections, but learning about their history is fascinating. Each United States coin is worth considerably more than its face value of $2.50.

Although gold is the most popular among collectors, other precious metals exist, including platinum, silver, and copper. The coin market is booming right now, and it is an excellent time to learn all you can about minting locations.

The History of Gold Quarter Prices

The 2016 Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coin has continued to rise in price since its release in 2016. These quarters have appreciated over the years by as much as 66.98%. Gold is in greater demand than ever because people worry about inflation and financial futures.

Should You Invest in Gold Quarters?

Gold quarter worth continues to rise, making it a popular addition to many investment portfolios. You should consider investing in a real gold quarter because it can help you get some of your investments from the stock market. Investing in precious metals helps you with diversification.

How to Spot a Gold-Plated Quarter vs. a Genuine Gold Coin

You need to know how to spot plating and genuine precious metals. An example of plating is the state quarter collection.

Although they are coated in gold, the layer is extremely thin, making the state gold quarter dollar practically worthless.

Consider the following before buying quarter-dollar gold coins:

-Strike the quarter-dollar gold coin on another coin or solid object. It should make a nice ringing noise.

-Hold the coin in your hand. It should feel heavier than platinum, copper, or other metals. Of course, the rule always has exceptions, so use the other indicators too.

-Look for the mint mark. For instance, the 2016 Standing Liberty Centennial Gold has a “W” mint mark, indicating it was minted at West Point, of course.

-Never spend money on a coin you cannot research and authenticate. Know how much gold it contains in weight, its mintage, and age. Find out if it has been in circulation or is uncirculated.

-Gold-plated quarters typically lack the shine and beautiful hue of genuine gold.

Can You Legally Own Gold-Plated Quarters?

You can legally own gold-plated quarters because the manufacturers do not intend to deface the money. These coins have no aftermarket value. The price you pay is the price you get when selling.

Unfortunately, these are worthless and not even as collectible as jewelry because of the small amounts of gold they contain. Also, they are not scarce, so you cannot get lucky and sell them for a high amount because of their rarity.

Where Is the Best Place to Purchase Gold Coins?

The best place to purchase coins is from American Hartford Gold. They can help you buy coins for your gold IRA or personal collection.

Other reputable options include American Hartford Gold, Goldco, Birch Gold Group, and Noble.

They only sell genuine precious metal pieces and not gold-plated quarters. You will need to look elsewhere if you want a gold-plated quarter.

FAQ About Gold Quarters

There is a gold quarter called the 2016 Standing Liberty Centennial Coin. It was minted in the United States to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first mintage of Hermon Atkins MacNeil's stunning Lady Liberty design. As the spot price rises, these quarters remain highly popular among investors. Our best advice is to buy these quarters before they are gone since they were limited to 91,752 pieces.

Some quarters are gold to commemorate special events, like the 100th anniversary of Hermon Atkins MacNeil's original Standing Liberty Gold Quarters design. Some quarters only have a thin layer of gold, thinner than human hair. These quarters are available in a much larger quantity and are rarely worth more than the face value.

A gold quarter is a valuable coin minted at the West Point Mint in 2016. Thousands of these have sold over the years, and the weight of each one includes 1/4 oz of pure gold. These coins make the perfect investment and significantly benefit new investors because they do not require many dollars.

Not all gold quarters are real. The 2016 Standing Liberty Centennial coin is made of 1/4 ounce of genuine 24-karat gold. It is essential to note some gold quarters may appear pure gold, but they only contain a small amount.

People bought these in significant numbers in 2016, believing they would be very valuable out of circulation. When investors tried to cash in, they discovered these golden quarters were worth considerably less than they thought. A gold-colored quarter will likely only bring you its face value in a sale if you can even get a buyer interested.

West Point Mint only made 91,752 pieces of gold quarters. Why are there gold quarters?

The United States, throughout the years, has released commemorative coins that were never meant to enter circulation after leaving the minting location. A solid gold quarter worth far exceeds a golden quarter for the melt value alone. You can almost always make a profit when you sell these coins.

The gold quarter weighs 6.25 grams. It has 1/4 ounce of 24-karat gold. The weight of the gold is why these coins go up in value so much when the spot price rises. Investing in a quarter-dollar gold helps you diversify your investments. Make sure you only invest in a genuine quarter coin by checking it for authenticity.

Your quarter looks gold because it has a very thin plating of genuine gold. The gold plating is only 0.003 of an inch thick, less than a human hair. Why is my quarter gold-colored?

These state quarters should be considered artwork and collectible only for that reason. The gold 25-cent coin is considered a stable investment option because it is usually only worth the face value. Unfortunately, you will find it challenging to sell these coins.

If you have been holding on to that quarter golden set, hoping for a financial windfall, you might as well use it to decorate your home or office instead. Invest in genuine gold quarters that are truly valuable because of their gold content.

Get Started Investing in Gold Quarters

Although you should avoid gold-plated coins or colorized coins as a part of your investment strategy, the Standing Liberty Quarter design is beautiful and contains 1/4 ounce of pure 24-karat gold. These coins are worth far more than the colorized coins and are worth investing your dollars in.

As with any investment, make sure to research. Buy from a reputable dealer like American Hartford Gold. Check for the authenticity of each coin so you never get fooled into buying colorized coins that are worth nothing more than their face value, with no melt value.