News & Trending Collectibles

The 2002 Louisiana Quarter Skyrocketing in Value Right Now

Be on the lookout for a tiny error on the Louisiana quarter's reverse.

By Calista Headrick , Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated May 22, 2026

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Over the past few decades, coin collecting has become a popular hobby and, with that, has presented a serious money-making opportunity for those who happen to have rare or extremely well-preserved coins in their possession.

When it comes to state quarters, which were released in a special U.S. Mint program that ran from 1999 to 2008, most are not worth more than face value, despite their popularity. Yet there are some worth so much that you may be able to pay off lingering debts, start a nice little nest egg, or even set yourself up for retirement. The Louisiana quarter, produced in 2002, could be the next big seller.

Recent reports indicate that the Louisiana quarter, which features a pelican, a trumpet, and the words "Louisiana Purchase" on the reverse, has been slowly growing in value, but for now, you will need to have a rarity to strike it big.

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What to look for on the Louisiana quarter

The two main factors that make coins valuable are grade (condition) and errors. A double die error, which occurs during the minting process and causes text and images on coins to look doubled or blurry, is one of the more well-known examples.

There is reportedly a minting error on a select few Louisiana quarters that makes it appear that the pelican on the reverse is spitting. One "spitting pelican" version of the quarter is currently listed on eBay for nearly $200.

Quarters in excellent condition can be worth even more. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) puts the auction record for an MS69 graded Louisiana quarter minted in Philadelphia at nearly $500.

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Do other state quarters have value?

Though state quarters were incredibly popular with collectors and the general public while they were being released, most of these quarters aren't worth much more than their 25-cent face value.

There are some rarities and misprints, though, that could be worth hundreds, and some have even sold for thousands. In addition to the Louisiana quarter, keep an eye out for these five quarters and check for the unique features that could make them worth a small fortune.

1999-P Connecticut quarter

The Connecticut quarter was the fifth design released in the state quarter series and the final one released in 1999. The coin's reverse features a Charter Oak Tree, the hiding place for the original Constitution, and some feature a unique striking error around the rim known as a "broadstruck" error.

According to PCGS, the auction record for one of these quarters is more than $4,000.

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2004-D Wisconsin quarter

Some of the Wisconsin quarters minted in Denver in 2004 feature a well-known error on the reverse where a corn stalk appears to have an extra leaf. There are two known versions of the "extra leaf" error, and collectors refer to them as either "high" or "low" to indicate where on the stalk the third leaf appears.

The auction record for one of the "high leaf" coins is $2,530, according to PCGS.

2005-P California quarter

California quarters have been known to sell for big bucks due to both excellent condition and an error known as "missing clad." Missing clad means that the coin's outer layer of nickel is missing, so the coins appear to be nickel on one side and copper on the other.

These mistakes can be quite valuable to collectors, and several versions of the 2005 California quarter happen to have them. These coins will regularly pop up on eBay for well over $1,000, and the auction record for an extremely well-graded, MS69 coin is $2,950.

2001-D New York quarter

Like most other state quarters, the New York coin minted in 2001 by the millions is not worth more than 25 cents in most cases. However, some New York quarters have an error where the Statue of Liberty, featured on the coin's reverse, is missing one of the spikes in her crown.

A "missing spike" quarter is currently attracting much attention with a $300 asking price on eBay.

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Bottom line

Getting into coin collecting and sales can be quite the lucrative side hustle, and it is possible to get started after some careful combing through your old change jar and some quick online research.

However, if you are considering listing coins online to earn extra money, it's worth it to get them professionally graded by a service like PCGS. You can get a better idea of your product's worth, and buyers may be more willing to shell out big bucks for coins graded by professionals.

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