What W Mint Mark Quarters Are and Why They're Worth Saving (2019-2021)

The First Circulating W Quarters in History

In 2019, the United States Mint did something unprecedented: it released quarters struck at the West Point Mint — bearing the "W" mintmark — directly into circulation. This was the first time a "W" mintmark had ever appeared on a circulating coin. The program continued through 2021 with varying mintages, creating a modern collectible that anyone can find in their pocket change.

Why the Mint Did It

The W quarter program was the brainchild of then-Mint Director David Ryder, who wanted to spark interest in coin collecting among a new generation. By placing limited-mintage coins into circulation — rather than selling them exclusively through the Mint's numismatic products — the program created a real-world treasure hunt. The strategy worked: media coverage was extensive, and the program generated significant public interest in the hobby.

The Complete W Quarter List

Year	Design	Mintage	Approx. Value (Circ.)
2019	War in the Pacific	10,000,000	$5-8
2019	American Memorial Park	10,000,000	$5-8
2019	San Antonio Missions	10,000,000	$5-8
2019	Frank Church River of No Return	10,000,000	$5-8
2020	National Park of American Samoa	2,000,000	$10-15
2020	Weir Farm	2,000,000	$10-15
2020	Salt River Bay	2,000,000	$10-15
2020	Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller	2,000,000	$10-15
2020	Tallgrass Prairie	2,000,000	$10-15
2021	Tuskegee Airmen	2,000,000	$10-15

How to Identify a W Quarter

The "W" mintmark is located on the obverse (front) of the quarter, just below "IN GOD WE TRUST" to the right of Washington's neck — the same position where you'd find a "P," "D," or "S" mintmark. The "W" is small but clearly visible to the naked eye.

Don't confuse these with:

P mintmark quarters — The most common variety. The "P" can look similar to a "W" if the coin is worn, but the strokes are different.
D mintmark quarters — Denver-minted quarters are also common.
No-mintmark quarters — Pre-1980 Philadelphia quarters didn't carry a mintmark at all.

Should You Get Them Graded?

For W quarters found in circulation, professional grading is generally not cost-effective unless the coin is in exceptional condition (AU-58 or better). The grading fee ($20-45+) would exceed the value of most circulated examples. However, if you find a W quarter that appears nearly uncirculated — sharp details, minimal wear, good luster — it may be worth submitting.

Uncirculated W quarters (MS-65+) can be worth $25-50+ for the 2020-2021 issues.

The Future of W Mint Mark Coins

The Mint has not announced plans to continue the W quarter program with the 2027 Youth Sports Quarters or subsequent series. This makes the 2019-2021 W quarters a discrete, complete set — which tends to increase collector interest over time. The 2020 and 2021 issues, with only 2 million each, have particularly strong long-term collecting appeal.

Explore 2019 Quarters, 2020 Quarters, and 2021 Quarters in the NumisDex catalog.