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If you are an avid gold quarters collector, you might be wondering whether you have accumulated a fortune. And as with any investments, if there is value, the question is if it’s better to sell immediately or protect your savings with gold IRA investments.
In order to understand whether you’re holding wealth in your hand or, sadly, just a handful of regular coins, you need to distinguish between gold-plated and gold quarters. This article explores how much your quarters are worth and how you can either sell them profitably or store them securely.
Table of Contents
What Is a Gold-Plated vs. Gold Quarter?
Gold-Plated Quarters
Not every gold quarter is made of actual gold. Many gold-plated quarters were aggressively advertised on TV, claiming they would have a great investment value. Unfortunately, the high expectations were not met since most of the sold quarters were only plated with a thin layer of gold, at times, even less than 0.003”.
As a result, quarters with a thin gold coating aren’t worth much, and they do not make a profitable investment.
A good example of a gold-plated quarter is the 1788 Virginia Statehood Quarter Dollar. Outside, the quarter is covered with 24-karat gold. Inside, the quarter is made of copper, so it is free from the precious metal.
On the other hand, a real gold quarter is worth much more because it is made of precious metal. The U.S. Mint released a few commemorative gold coins for circulation, such as the 1903 Louisiana Purchase Expo dollar, the 1916 McKinley Memorial dollar, and the 1922 Grant Memorial dollar.
Gold coins gained popularity in the late 20th century, and the U.S. Mint started releasing gold coins not intended for circulation (NIFC). Hence, you can encounter coins that serve only a collecting purpose and are very rare.
Gold Quarters
Genuine gold quarters are worth a lot more than any gold-plated coin, especially if they are collectible items.
The only officially sanctioned gold quarter in existence is the Standing Liberty 2016 Centennial Gold Coin. It was issued in 2016 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Standing Liberty.
Compare the table to see whether you are a lucky owner of the real gold coin:
| Composition | 99.99% Gold |
| Content | .9999 Fine Gold (7.776 grams) |
| Weight | 0.2500 troy oz. (7.776 grams) |
| Diameter | 0.866 inch (22.00 mm) |
| Thickness | 0.0064 inch (1.63 mm) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Obverse Inscriptions | LIBERTY
IN GOD WE TRUST AU 24K ¼ oz.
2016 |
| Reverse Inscriptions | UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
E PLURIBUS UNUM QUARTER DOLLAR |
According to the United States Mint, the mintage limit was 100,000.
Low vs. High Melt Value
A high melt value is one when a quarter contains a sufficient amount of precious metal. Hence, when a quarter is melted, there is an actual amount of gold that is enough to make it valuable.
So, when a gold-plated quarter is melted, the gold weight is too little to make an investment out of it. In contrast, melting a real gold quarter results in a heavy piece of precious metal. Moreover, the heavier the weight of gold, the more value it has.
How Much Is a Gold Quarter Worth?
If you are a lucky owner of the rare Standing Liberty 2016 Centennial Gold Coin, it has a value of about $500. The final price may vary since it is an estimated ¼ of the spot price of a one-ounce gold bullion bar.
Note that the price may be either higher or lower, depending on the condition of the coin. Clearly, if the coin wasn’t taken care of and is presented with scratches or damages, its value may be reduced. Either way, as a genuine gold coin, the final price will always be greater than its 25-cent face value.
Sometimes, it makes sense to store away your gold collection since the gold quarter price increases with the spot price of gold bullion. As an example, have a look at how the Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coin has changed in value over the past years:
| 2016 | $289.78 |
| 2017 | $324.12 |
| 2018 | $320.41 |
| 2019 | $379.87 |
| 2020 | $483.87 |
| 2021 | $438.70 |
| 2022 | $463.50 |
| 2023 | $495.26 |
Should You Invest or Store Gold Quarters?
Gold quarters are a sensible investment that is shown to grow over time. They may be as profitable as gold bullion and can shield you from rising inflation as other types of investment.
As you can notice from the table above, the Standing Liberty Gold Coin’s value has been steadily increasing. There are no risk-free investments, but you can choose the safest and most stable option to put your money into.
While the US dollar may lose its value over time, the value of precious metals like gold tends to grow. Gold is also one of the optimal investments to diversify your portfolio, especially when there are still some uncertainties in the economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gold-plated quarters valuable?
Gold-plated quarters are not worth much. The golden part is only a thin layer of gold on top of the copper. Sadly, most gold-plated quarters cost no more than their face value.
What gold quarters have a high melt value?
The only coins with high melt value, which equals good investment opportunities, are those that were issued by the U.S. Mint. This is because their content is 0.9999 fine 24-carat pure gold.
One of the genuine gold coins there is the Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coin. It’s also the only officially sanctioned gold quarter in existence.
How do Quarter Eagle gold coins differ from regular gold coins?
Gold quarters shouldn’t be confused with Quarter Eagles. Quarters Eagle gold coins are worth more now because of their rarity.
Initially, Quarter Eagles were produced in the 18th century and have a face value of $2.50. In comparison to the Standing Liberty Centennial gold quarters, Quarter Eagle coins are smaller and contain only 0.900 fine gold.
The reason Quarter Eagle coins are so pricey is that they were melted into gold bars during the Great Depression. Hence, there are so few of them left.
Article Sources
At Gold IRA Blueprint, we dive deep into the world of gold IRAs, using trusted sources to back up our insights. Our sources range from official documents to expert interviews, ensuring our content is both accurate and reliable. We also draw on research from reputable publishers to give you the most comprehensive understanding possible. Check out our editorial policy to see how we maintain our high standards for accuracy and fairness. Also make sure to check out our Financial Review Process to have a better understanding of our process.
Standing Liberty 2016 Centennial Gold Coin. Usmint.go. Accessed 07/21/2023
How Much Is A Gold-Plated Quarter Worth? Oprs.org. Accessed 07/21/2023
Purchasing Gold And Silver: Your Entire Guide.Goldirablueprint.com. Accessed 07/21/2023
