The next time you reach for a quarter to buy a candy or a coffee, you might want to make sure you have the right coin.
A 2004 Wisconsin state quarter that looks normal could be worth a lot more than its 25-cent face value because of some rare and highly sought-after mistake types. Whether you’re a seasoned coin collector or just a casual fan, knowing how much these quarters might be worth could turn a simple purchase into a valuable find.
What’s Unique About the 2004 Wisconsin State Quarter?
The 2004 Wisconsin state quarter was released by the U.S. Mint as part of the 50 State Quarters Program. It shows a cow, a wheel of cheese, and an ear of corn, which are all famous figures in the state. On the other hand, the corn is what makes these quarters so important.
Some of the coins that were made had extra leaves on the corn design by mistake. These extra leaves could be high or low, making the error rare and interesting to collectors.
The “High Extra Leaf” Error: A Must-Have for Fans
One of the most valuable mistakes is the “high extra leaf,” which is when a small extra leaf shows up on top of the corn stalk on the back of the quarter. The extra leaf wasn’t supposed to be there, which makes this mistake even more noticeable.
This mistake can be worth up to $2,530 for a quarter that is in great shape. But even more common types may still sell for a lot of money.
Normally used coins with the “high extra leaf” mistake are worth about $50, while never-been-used coins can fetch around $130. For graded and slabbed coins, the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) says that perfect MS67 examples can fetch as much as $3,200. A grade of MS60 (Mint State) is worth $115.
It’s important to remember that the actual auction results may be different from the prices mentioned in guides, even if the prices are big. For example, an NGC-graded MS67 specimen sold at a GreatCollections auction in 2021 for $825, which is a lot less than the quoted price but still a great deal.
The “Low Extra Leaf” Mistake: Another Unknown Treasure
There is a rare and valuable mistake in the 2004 Wisconsin quarter set called the “low extra leaf.” An extra leaf put below the corn shows that this is a mistake. Collectors are still very interested in it, even though it’s not as popular as the high extra leaf.
“Extra Leaf Low” quarters that have never been used or graded are worth about $100, according to The Spruce Crafts. For certified items, PCGS says that an MS60 piece is worth about $95. But if you find a very good coin, its value could go through the roof. PCGS’s price guide says that an MS67 copy could sell for as much as $5,500.
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Why the flawed 2004 Wisconsin quarters are worth more
How valuable these quarters are depends a lot on how rare they are. Most 2004 Wisconsin quarters are worth only what they’re printed on, but those with either a high or low extra leaf are considered mistakes because they don’t look like the ones that were meant to be made. Because of this, collectors who focus on error coins or state quarter sets really want these coins.
The coin’s state is also a big part of how much it’s worth. Coins that have never been used or that have been properly graded and kept in good condition are worth a lot more than coins that have been used.
Higher-grade coins, especially those with an MS67 rating, usually fetch the highest prices because they are in such great condition.
What to Do If You Discover One of These Priceless Quarters
It’s important to be careful with a 2004 Wisconsin quarter that has either the “high extra leaf” or “low extra leaf” mistake. To keep the coin’s value, keep it in its original state. You could also have it graded by a professional service like PCGS or NGC to get a more accurate idea of how much it’s worth.
Some of these error coins have sold at sale for huge amounts of money, but it’s important to keep in mind that not all of them will bring in a lot of money. The worth of a 2004 Wisconsin quarter can change based on things like its state, demand, and the error it has.
A quarter is worth more than what it’s worth.
The 2004 Wisconsin state quarter might look like any other coin, but it might have a valuable mistake on it that makes it worth a lot more than 25 cents. Collectors really want these rare coins, and some have sold at sale for thousands of dollars.
They are called “high extra leaf” or “low extra leaf.” For that reason, before you spend that quarter, look for those tiny leaves. You might find something valuable inside them.