Title: 2023 Quarter Errors: Die Cracks, Die Chips, Off-Center Strikes, and What They’re Actually Worth Slug: valuable-2023-quarter-errors-mint-marks-die-cracks-and-their-values Categories: Washington Quarters, Error Coins
2023 Quarter Errors: Die Cracks, Die Chips, Off-Center Strikes, and What They’re Actually Worth
The 2023 American Women Quarters continued the U.S. Mint’s multi-year program honoring women who shaped American history. Five designs were released that year:
- Eleanor Roosevelt (humanitarian and diplomat)
- Bessie Coleman (first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license)
- Jovita Idar (journalist and civil rights advocate for Mexican Americans)
- Edith Kanaka’ole (Hawaiian cultural preservationist, composer, and educator)
- Maria Tallchief (first major Native American prima ballerina)
All five were struck in copper-nickel clad composition at the Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) mints, with proof versions from San Francisco (S). These coins contain zero silver and carry no melt premium. Any value above face comes from collector demand for specific errors, condition, or variety status.
Hundreds of millions of 2023 quarters entered circulation. Most are worth exactly 25 cents. But a small percentage left the mint with die cracks, die chips, clashed dies, and other production errors that collectors actively hunt.
Here is what to look for, which errors have actually sold, and what realistic prices look like.
Common Error Types on 2023 Quarters
Before looking at specific designs, it helps to understand the error categories that show up on modern quarters. If you are new to quarter error coins, our guide on which quarters are worth money covers the basics.
Die Cracks
Raised lines on the coin surface caused by fractures in the steel die. Minor die cracks are common on high-volume production runs and sell for $3 to $15. Major die cracks, especially those crossing key design elements, can reach $30 to $100 in mint state.
Die Chips
Small pieces of the die break away, leaving raised bumps or blobs on the struck coin. These often appear in recessed areas like letters or design edges. Most die chips sell for $3 to $10. They are the most common error type on 2023 quarters.
Clashed Dies
The obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them. This transfers a faint ghost image of one side onto the other. Clashed die errors range from barely visible (worth a few dollars) to dramatic full clashes that can sell for $20 to $75.
Doubled Dies (DDO/DDR)
A misalignment during the die hubbing process creates doubling on design elements like letters, dates, or design features. True doubled dies on modern quarters are scarce and command $15 to $100+ depending on severity. Do not confuse machine doubling (flat, shelf-like) with a true doubled die (split serifs, separated design elements).
Off-Center Strikes
The planchet feeds into the press misaligned, so part of the design is missing. Value depends on how far off-center the strike landed and whether the date is still visible. Strikes 5-10% off-center sell for $10 to $50. Strikes over 25% off-center with a visible date can reach $100 to $300+.
Struck-Through Errors
Foreign material (grease, metal fragments, cloth fibers) gets between the die and planchet during striking, blocking part of the design. Values range from $5 for minor grease-filled areas to $50+ for dramatic struck-through-metal errors.
Clipped Planchets
A misaligned blank-cutting operation removes a curved section of the planchet before striking. Straight clips and crescent clips are most common. Minor clips sell for $8 to $25; large clips can reach $50 to $100.
Errors by Design
Eleanor Roosevelt Quarter Errors
The Eleanor Roosevelt design shows her in profile. Die cracks have been reported running through the obverse lettering and across the portrait area. Most are minor and sell for $5 to $15 in uncirculated condition.
Bessie Coleman Quarter Errors
The Bessie Coleman reverse features her in pilot gear with a biplane. This design produced a notable number of die chip errors from the Philadelphia Mint, particularly on the wing area of the airplane.
Die chips on the plane wing are the most frequently found Bessie Coleman error. These appear as raised bumps along the wing edges. Expect to pay $5 to $15 for a typical example. Larger, more visible chips on the fuselage or propeller area can reach $15 to $30.
Die cracks running through the obverse Washington portrait have also been reported, with values in the $5 to $20 range.
Jovita Idar Quarter Errors
Two errors on the Jovita Idar quarter have attracted collector attention:
Die cracks: Multiple die crack varieties have been documented on Philadelphia-struck Jovita Idar quarters, including cracks running through the obverse portrait and across the reverse design. Values range from $5 to $25 for most examples.
“In Cod We Trust” variety: Some 2023-D Jovita Idar quarters appear to show “In Cod We Trust” instead of “In God We Trust,” where the letter G looks like a C. This variety is debated. It may result from a filled die (grease in the lower curve of the G) or from post-mint contact damage. If it is a genuine die variety, it would be a notable collectible. eBay listings have ranged from $25 to over $400, but most completed sales for ungraded examples fall in the $10 to $40 range. Treat high asking prices with skepticism until PCGS or NGC formally attributes this variety.
Edith Kanaka’ole Quarter Errors
The Edith Kanaka’ole quarter produced the most talked-about error of the 2023 series: a die clash.
Clashed die error: On some 2023-P Edith Kanaka’ole quarters, portions of the reverse design appear as ghost impressions on the obverse, and vice versa. The letters “EDITH” from the reverse have been spotted transferred onto the obverse. Dramatic examples of this clash sell for $20 to $75. Minor clashes with barely visible transfer marks bring $5 to $15. This error was reported by Numismatic News and confirmed by multiple collectors.
Maria Tallchief Quarter Errors
The Maria Tallchief design depicts her in a ballet pose with feathers in her hair. One die chip variety has become widely collected:
“Extra feather” die chip: A die chip in the feather area of her hair creates the appearance of an additional feather that was not part of the original design. This is a common error. Completed eBay sales show prices of $3 to $6 for circulated examples and up to $10 to $15 for coins in mint state. Do not overpay for this variety; it is not scarce.
2023 Quarter Error Value Table
The table below reflects realistic prices based on completed eBay sales and dealer pricing. Raw (uncertified) coins will generally fall at the low end; PCGS or NGC certified examples command higher premiums.
| Error Type | Circulated | AU/Low MS | MS-65+ | MS-65+ Certified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Die Chip (minor) | $1-$3 | $3-$8 | $8-$15 | $15-$30 |
| Die Crack (minor) | $3-$5 | $5-$10 | $10-$20 | $20-$40 |
| Die Crack (major/cud) | $8-$15 | $15-$30 | $30-$60 | $60-$100 |
| Clashed Die (minor) | $3-$5 | $5-$10 | $10-$20 | $20-$50 |
| Clashed Die (dramatic) | $10-$20 | $20-$40 | $40-$75 | $75-$150 |
| Doubled Die (DDO/DDR) | $10-$20 | $20-$50 | $50-$100 | $100-$300 |
| Off-Center Strike (5-10%) | $10-$20 | $20-$40 | $40-$80 | $80-$150 |
| Off-Center Strike (25%+) | $30-$60 | $60-$120 | $120-$250 | $200-$500 |
| Struck-Through Error | $5-$10 | $10-$25 | $25-$50 | $50-$100 |
| Clipped Planchet | $5-$10 | $10-$25 | $25-$50 | $50-$100 |
Keep in mind: most minor die chips and small die cracks on modern quarters sell for under $10. Only dramatic errors, true doubled dies, or significant off-center strikes regularly break the $100 mark.
How to Identify 2023 Quarter Errors
- Use magnification. A 10x loupe is the minimum. A USB microscope ($20-$40) makes spotting die chips and small cracks much easier.
- Check both sides. Errors can appear on the obverse (Washington portrait side) or the reverse (design side). Clashed dies affect both.
- Compare to a normal coin. Set a known-good example next to your suspect coin. Differences become obvious with a side-by-side view.
- Learn the difference between errors and damage. Post-mint damage (scratches, dings, environmental discoloration) is not an error and adds no value. A raised line is a die crack; an incused scratch is damage.
- Check the mint mark. Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) quarters circulate freely. San Francisco (S) proof quarters are sold in sets and rarely appear in change.
Selling Tips for 2023 Error Quarters
eBay completed auctions are the best price reference for modern error coins. Ignore active listing prices. Many sellers list common die chips at $50 or $100, but the completed sales tell the real story. Search “2023 quarter error SOLD” to see what buyers actually paid.
Certification matters for higher-value errors. If you find a significant doubled die, major off-center strike, or dramatic die clash, sending it to PCGS or NGC for grading and attribution will increase buyer confidence and sale price. For a $10 die chip, grading fees ($30+) will cost more than the coin is worth.
Raw coins sell fine for common errors. Clear photos showing the error with good lighting will move a $5 to $20 error coin on eBay without certification. Include close-up shots of the error area alongside full-coin images.
Unlike pre-1965 silver quarters, these copper-nickel clad coins carry no bullion value at all. The entire premium is numismatic, driven by collector demand for the specific error type and its visual impact. For comparison, a 2022 American Women Quarter error or a 2004 Wisconsin Quarter error can carry much higher premiums because those varieties have been formally attributed and widely collected for longer.
FAQ
Are 2023 quarters made of silver? No. All 2023 quarters are copper-nickel clad (91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel). They have no silver content and no melt premium above face value.
What is the most valuable 2023 quarter error? Based on completed sales, dramatic off-center strikes (25%+ with date visible) and confirmed doubled dies command the highest prices, ranging from $100 to $500 in mint state with certification. The Edith Kanaka’ole clashed die error is the most well-known variety from the series.
How do I know if my 2023 quarter has an error? Use a 10x loupe or USB microscope. Look for raised lines (die cracks), raised bumps (die chips), ghosting of opposite-side design elements (clashed dies), or missing/doubled design details. Compare against a normal coin.
Is the “In Cod We Trust” Jovita Idar quarter real? This variety has not been formally attributed by PCGS or NGC. It may be a filled-die variety or post-mint damage. Buy with caution, and do not pay high premiums for unverified examples.
Should I get my error quarter graded? Only if the error is significant enough to justify grading fees. For a major doubled die, large off-center strike, or dramatic die clash worth $50+, certification can increase the sale price by 50-100%. For common die chips worth $5 to $10, certification costs more than the coin’s value.
Where can I sell a 2023 error quarter? eBay is the primary market for modern error coins. Coin shows and local dealers are also options, though dealers typically pay 50-70% of retail. Online collector forums on Reddit (r/coins, r/errorcoins) can help with identification before listing.
How many 2023 quarter designs were there? Five designs were released as part of the American Women Quarters program: Eleanor Roosevelt, Bessie Coleman, Jovita Idar, Edith Kanaka’ole, and Maria Tallchief.
Are 2023 quarter errors rare? Most are not. Die chips and minor die cracks are common byproducts of high-volume minting. True doubled dies and significant off-center strikes are much scarcer. Rarity and visual impact together determine value.
Error Quarter Collecting Guides
- Top 7 State Quarters Worth Money: Valuable Quarters to Look For in Your Change
- 2022 American Women Quarter Error Coin Values
- Which Washington Quarters are Silver? (Full List + Melt Value)
- 1964 Quarter Value, Proof, Errors, D and No Mint Marks Worth Money
- 1965 Quarter Value: What’s Worth Keeping & Why It Matters
- 1966 Quarter Value, Including Error Coins, No Mint Mark, SMS, and others Worth Money
