One of the Rarest U.S. Coins Ever: The $195,000 Quarter-Dollar Mule!
Did you know one of America’s most valuable modern coins started with a simple minting mistake? 
Meet the legendary Washington Quarter / Sacagawea Dollar Mule Coin, a breathtaking numismatic error that has sold for nearly $200,000 at auction.
Only three confirmed examples exist — making it one of the holy grails of U.S. modern coin errors. Let’s explore what makes this incredible coin so special and how to identify one yourself!
What Is a Mule Coin?
In coin collecting, a mule is a coin struck with mismatched dies — meaning the front (obverse) and back (reverse) designs belong to two completely different coin types.
Normally, strict quality control prevents these errors, but every so often, a few slip through the cracks… and that’s when legends like the Quarter-Dollar Mule are born! 
The 2000 Washington Quarter / Sacagawea Dollar Mule Explained
This mind-blowing mint error features:
Obverse (Front): Standard Washington Quarter design
Reverse (Back): Sacagawea Dollar’s soaring eagle reverse 
Because of this die mix-up, the resulting coin is larger, heavier, and smoother-edged than a normal quarter.
Quick Comparison: Real Quarter vs. Rare Mule
| Feature | Normal Quarter | Mule Error Coin |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.26 mm | 26.50 mm (dollar size) |
| Edge | Reeded (119 reeds) | Plain edge (like dollar) |
| Weight | 5.67 g | 8.10 g |
| Reverse Design | Washington Eagle | Sacagawea Eagle |
| Mint Mark | “D” (Denver) | “D” (Denver) |
These physical differences make it instantly recognizable once you know what to look for!
Grading & Market Value
Because only three specimens have been verified, each is a six-figure collectible.
| Grading Service | Grade | Known Examples |
|---|---|---|
| PCGS | MS66 | 1 |
| NGC | MS67 | 2 |
Recent Auction Highlights:
$195,000 – PCGS MS66 (Heritage Auctions, 2023)- $192,000 – NGC MS67 (Stack’s Bowers, 2022)
Private Sale – NGC MS67 (~$200,000, 2024)
Certified coins consistently sell for 200–300% more than raw (ungraded) ones.
How This Extraordinary Error Happened
During the minting process at the Denver Mint (2000), a Washington Quarter obverse die was accidentally paired with a Sacagawea Dollar reverse die inside a dollar coin press.
This explains:
- The larger 26.5 mm diameter
- The plain edge instead of reeding
- The heavier 8.1-gram weight
Quality control missed the error — and the coins made their way into collectors’ hands. Experts estimate that 5–10 may exist, but only three have been confirmed so far.
How to Spot a Possible Mule Coin
Before you faint with excitement 
, here’s a checklist to help confirm your find:
Size Test: Should be larger than a quarter (matches a dollar).
Weight Test: Around 8.10 grams (use a precision scale).
Edge Check: Smooth edge (not reeded).
Reverse Design: Shows Sacagawea eagle, not the quarter’s eagle.
Pro Tip: Compare it side-by-side with a normal 2000-D quarter — differences should be obvious!
Spotting Counterfeits
With great value comes imitation. Here’s how to avoid fake mules:
Gold-Plated or Color-Altered Coins – Real mules aren’t gold-colored.
Incorrect Weight or Size – Authentic coins weigh 8.10g and are dollar-sized.
Tooling Marks or Seam Lines – These are signs of glued or altered coins.
Where You Might Still Find One
Yes — believe it or not, undiscovered mules might still be out there! 
Best Places to Search:
- 2000-D U.S. Mint Sets (the origin of known examples)
- Coin rolls from Denver Mint ($10 quarter rolls)
- Estate or garage sale collections
Recent Discovery: A Nevada collector reportedly found one in an unopened mint set bought for just $5. Talk about a lucky day! 
Found a Potential Mule? Do This First
If you think you’ve hit the jackpot, act carefully:
Don’t clean it! Cleaning can erase thousands in value.
Handle only by the edges — use cotton gloves.
Take timestamped photos (front, back, and edge).
Store securely in a coin holder or safety deposit box.
Then, get it professionally authenticated and graded:
PCGS or NGC Submission (fees around $150+)
XRF Metal Testing (verifies composition)
Provenance Research (boosts value for sale)
Selling Your Treasure
For a coin of this caliber, go straight to the best:
Top Auction Houses:
- Heritage Auctions
- Stack’s Bowers
- Legend Rare Coin Auctions
Certified coins can sell for up to 3x more than raw examples!
Free Professional Evaluation
Think you might have the real deal? Let the experts take a look!
Email: errors@pennyverse.info
Subject: “QUARTER MULE CHECK”
Include:
- Clear photos (front, back, edge)
- Any background info (where it came from, purchase details)
You’ll receive:
Free preliminary assessment
Market valuation estimate
Next-step recommendations
Expert Insight
“The Quarter-Dollar Mule represents the perfect storm of rarity, beauty, and modern minting mystery — a true icon among U.S. coin errors.”
— Dr. Eleanor Vance, Chief Numismatist, RareCoin Guild
