A special series of quarters minted at West Point (W mintmark) featuring the “Drummer Boy” design can be worth 50to50to600+ due to rare errors and low mintage. Here’s how to identify these valuable coins in your change.
Key Identification Features
1. West Point Mintmark (W)
- Location: Small “W” to the right of Washington’s head
- Rarity: Only 2 million of each design struck at West Point
- Designs Affected:
- 2019: War in the Pacific (S) / River of No Return (W)
- 2020: Baton Rouge (W) / Tallgrass Prairie (W)
2. Valuable Error Types
| Error Type | How to Identify | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| Die Crack | Visible line across design | 50−50−150 |
| Off-Center Strike | Partial design missing | 100−100−300 |
| Double Die | Duplicated lettering/devices | 200−200−600+ |
| Missing Clad Layer | Copper core visible | 300−300−800 |
3. Condition Matters
- MS67+: 100−100−300 (regular W-mint)
- MS67+ with errors: 400−400−600+
- Perfect MS70: $1,000+ (for top-tier errors)
Recent Sales Examples
| Quarter | Error Type | Grade | Price | Sold Via |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-W River of No Return | Double Die Obverse | MS68 | $600 | eBay |
| 2020-W Baton Rouge | 30% Off-Center | MS65 | $425 | Heritage |
| 2019-W War in the Pacific | Missing Clad Layer | MS64 | $550 | Stack’s Bowers |
Where These Are Being Found
- Circulation Finds: Several discovered in ordinary change
- Bank Rolls: Particularly $10 rolls of quarters
- Mint Sets: Some errors escaped quality control
Success Story:
A Virginia teen found a 2019-W double die in his allowance money – sold for $650
Authentication Tips
Genuine vs. Altered Coins
- Real Errors: Show mechanical doubling (not machine doubling)
- Fake Alert: Tool marks near design elements
Professional Verification:
- PCGS/NGC certification adds 50-100% value
- Cost: 25−25−50 per coin (worth it for potential $500+ coins)
Where to Sell for Maximum Value
Best Platforms by Coin Value
| Value Range | Best Venue | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| 50−50−200 | eBay | 12.9% |
| 200−200−800 | Heritage | 15% |
| $800+ | Stack’s Bowers | 10% |
Selling Tip: Use keywords like “W-mint error” and “West Point rarity”
Free Error Coin Check
Found a potential error quarter? Email clear photos to:
quarters@pennyverse.info
Subject: “DRUMMER QUARTER”
We’ll respond within 24 hours with:
Error verification
Current market value
Best selling method
