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Double-Check Your Change for Kansas Quarters — They Could Be Worth Way More Than 25 Cents

A minting error that works in your favor. 

Remember when the US Mint first started issuing special quarters honoring each of the 50 states? Kids and adults filled maps of the country with each new state they came across in their spare change. Some believed they were investing in their future for a time when the coins would rack in some big bucks as collector’s items.

Unfortunately, a full collection of all 50 state quarters is currently only valued at about $12.50 — the combined amount of each 25-cent piece. However, that doesn’t mean they might not be worth something with a little more time behind them. Perhaps your grandkids or great-grandkids will be able to rake in the payoff for your complete set. In the meantime, there are a few things you can look for that can earn you more than 25 cents for your quarter. 

During the minting process of coins, mistakes can happen. In the case of some 2005 Kansas quarters, built-up gunk and grease in the diecast caused the “T” in the word “trust” to appear erased. That’s right, instead of reading, “In God We Trust,” the coins produced on this faulty mechanism instead read, “In God We Rust.” Yikes! Experts at the Muncie, Indiana, Coin and Stamp Club admit that this error is indeed a rarity, but are also quick to fact-check any claims that those coins are also worth about $100 each.

That’s not to say quarters with this typo are worthless, though. A quick scroll through eBay listings shows these coins going for $25, $50, and up to $75 a pop. That’s definitely still more than you would have gotten out of the coin just using it to pay a parking meter or vending machine. It’s just another reason why you should take the time to take a second look at the coins jangling around in your pocket or purse. Who knows, you might even have a penny worth thousands just waiting for you to cash in on, too!

It just goes to show that you shouldn’t always take everything at its initial face value.

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