The true coin-collecting buffs amongst us will be immediately irked by this title. This is because these aficionados will likely already know that the United States Mint was not opened until four years after this quoted date, in 1792, and the first widely-circulated coins were not issued until 1796.
So, why do we have “1788 quarters,” and are they fake?
No, 1788 quarters are not fake currency. However, these quarters were not actually issued in 1796, despite bearing a tag with that year.
All 1788 quarters are part of the 50 States Quarters Program, a program that saw the release of 50 different circulating commemorative quarters to celebrate each of the states in the country and their year of joining the Union.
Editor’s Note:
The 50 States Quarters Program was initiated in 1999 (authorized by a bill enacted in 1997) as a means to encourage the formation of a new generation of coin collectors that could get easy, cheap access to commemorative coins they could relate with.
This program, which featured 50 unique designs, went on to become the most successful numismatic program in United States history, with it creating $3 billion in profits for the federal government and acquiring a consumer base that was around half of the entire United States population.
During this program, the United States Mint released one new quarter design every ten weeks, around five a year, and 50—for the 50 states in the U.S.—in under 10 years.
These quarters, which were released in the order of the year the states joined the Union or ratified the constitution, featured designs produced by the matching state on the reverse of the coin commemorating them.
The authorizing legislation and the United States Mint Leadership gave each state considerable leeway in deciding this design on the coin’s reverse and picking motifs that represented their state to their liking. The only prohibited exceptions were bust profiles of deceased persons, images of living persons, and state flags.
Multiple designs were often sourced from shortlists created by advisory boards commissioned by the state’s governor before the final decision was made by the Mint. These advisory commissions solicited the submission of designs from members of the public in that particular state.
Consequently, this program produced coin designs that were adored by citizens of each state, contributing to its overwhelming success.
Consequently, each state’s coin bears their year of joining the United States on its reverse. Hence, all United States 1788 quarters are commemorative quarters in honor of the states that joined the Union during that year.
There are eight 1788 quarters in the series:
- The Georgia quarter, released on July 19, 1999 and commemorating Georgia’s ratification of the Constitution on January 2, 1788
- The Connecticut quarter, released on October 12, 1999 and commemorating Georgia’s ratification of the Constitution on January 9, 1788
- The Massachusetts quarter, released on January 3, 2000 and commemorating Georgia’s ratification of the Constitution on February 6, 1788
- The Maryland quarter, released on March 13, 2000 and commemorating Georgia’s ratification of the Constitution on April 28, 1788
- South Carolina quarter, released on May 22, 2000 and commemorating Georgia’s ratification of the Constitution on May 23, 1788
- New Hampshire quarter, released on August 7, 2000 and commemorating Georgia’s ratification of the Constitution on June 21, 1788
- Virginia quarter, released on October 16, 2000 and commemorating Georgia’s ratification of the Constitution on June 25, 1788
- New York quarter, released on January 2, 2001 and commemorating Georgia’s ratification of the Constitution on July 26, 1788
Editor’s Note
Eleven years after the declaration of Independence, and four years after the end of the American Revolutionary war, the Constitution of the United States that is still in force today was accepted by the state delegates as a worthy replacement of the Articles of Confederation, the nation’s first constitution.
However, the constitution needed to be ratified by at least nine of the then-existing thirteen states to officially become the supreme law of the United States of America.
With New Hampshire becoming the ninth state to accept the constitution in June 1788, the constitution came into full effect.
What, then, is the value of these eight commemorative 1788 quarters?
Since the 1788 quarters, like all commemorative state quarters, were released fairly recently (1999-2001) with a clad composition and in massive quantities, these coins do not attract exceptionally high prices on the collectors market.
On average, you should expect uncirculated variants of these coins to sell for between $1 and $5 on the open market. Proof and silver proof variants will typically sell for much higher, retailing in the $10 – $25 range.
For circulated specimens, you can expect regular issue coins to sell around their face value of 25 cents, while silver proof coins will typically range near their silver melt value of around $3 to $4.
As with all types of collectible currency, you will find exceptionally rare variants that will break this pricing mold. These exceptions are often cameo coins with an uncharacteristic perfect mint or super-rare in-demand error coins.
The 1788 Quarters and their Value
Let us now look at the eight 1788 commemorative quarters—in order of their production date—assessing their unique properties and potential value on the collector’s market today.
Editor’s Note
It is important to note that the estimates we provide for these coins are a general guide to what the average coins in that category and condition level will cost. However, like with most forms of collectible currency, there are outliers with the 1788 quarter too.
These outliers often cost exponentially higher than regular offerings with similar condition ratings. This price discrepancy stems from specific rare features—such as having a unique minting error, being double structured, or having a deep cameo—that are particularly desirable to collectors.
For example, considering the Georgia 1788 Quarter, you will find several examples of specimens like this one rated MS 66 that sold for $15 in 2013.
This $15 pricing is typical and within the range of what you would expect for such a coin, but there are also particular units that break that price mold.
Case in point, this Georgia 1788 quarter sold for $4200 in 2023 despite being rated only MS 65, one rating lower than the piece that sold for $15. The massive difference in price lies in the finer details, as this coin was double struck and shows a deep die cap effect.
1. The Georgia 1788 Quarter
This quarter commemorating the state of Georgia was the first piece to bear the year 1788, signifying that it formally joined the Union of the United States in that year.
Editor’s Note
The Province of Georgia was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that signed the 1776 Declaration of Independence, effectively revolting against British rule and starting the American Revolution.
By the following year, Georgia had ratified its first constitution for self-governance. The state was the 10th state to ratify the Articles of Confederation and the 4th state to ratify the United States Constitution—on January 2nd, 1788—the document which marked the formal starting point of the United States as we know it today.
While each state quarter featured the customary bust of President George Washington on the obverse, each state was given considerable leeway in curating the motifs that appeared on the reverse.
For Georgia, this design featured a peach that appears in the center of the outline of the state’s map and is flanked by two oak branches. This design pays respect to core elements of the state identity, as Georgia is officially known as the peach state, and the oak tree is the state’s official tree.
Editor’s Note
The outline map of the state of Georgia that appears on the reverse of the quarter accidentally excluded Dade County, a county located in the northwestern fringes of the state.
A potential cause of this issue may be the unintentional use of an older map created during a period when the county was a source of political strife.
In 1860, Dade county residents voted to secede from the state of Georgia and the United States. However, the secession plan never materialized. The initial attempt was never formally (legally) recognized by the United States, and the county’s residents voted to rejoin the U.S. 85 years later in 1945.
Like all the other state quarters, the standard issue Georgia 1788 Quarter released in 1999 features a clad composition of nickel and copper. The United States Mint also released premium clad proof and silver proof variants to satisfy the demand from collectors further.
Mintage, Rarity, and Value
The United States Mint produced a total of 939,932,000 Georgia quarters.
This figure ranks the Georgia 1788 quarter near the bottom of the top ten minted states quarters. Furthermore, the implication of these statistics is that this quarter is abundant in the wide, and there is enough supply to satisfy the needs of all interested collectors.
During the production of this coin, the Philadelphia and Denver Mints handled the bulk of the work, striking all the regular-issue coins. The Denver Mint created 488,744,000 1999-D Georgia quarters, while the Philadelphia produced a close 451,188,000 1999-P coins.
All the proof and silver proof coins from this series were minted in the San Francisco Mint. This facility produced 3,713,359 Proof 1999-S coins and 804,565 Silver proof variants.
Editor’s Note
Similar to all the other 49 state quarters, the Georgia quarter bears mint marks on its obverse, to the right of Washington’s head, and under the inscription of “In God We Trust.”
Like with most of the other state quarters produced as part of the program, you can still find considerable amounts of Georgia quarters in circulation today. Since they are also not particularly rare, the standard issue variant of this coin rarely exceeds its face value of 25 cents in circulated states.
In an uncirculated state (with MS 63 rating or higher,) these coins can attract at least four times their face value, retailing for between $2 – $5 per coin.
However, the proof and silver proof variants that were made in limited quantities, especially for collectors, are worth considerably more.
On average, you can expect the 1999-S Georgia quarter to sell for between $10 and $20 in its uncirculated state. The 1999-S silver proof quarter will sell for even higher, bringing in prices in the $28 – $38 range in its uncirculated state.
Irrespective of the coin’s condition, the silver variant of this quarter is worth at least its silver melt value of around $4.
| COIN VARIANT | Mintage | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
| 1999-P | 451,188,000 | $0.25 | $2 – $5 |
| 1999-D | 488,744,000 | $0.25 | $2 – $5 |
| Proof 1999-S | 3,713,359 | – | $10 – $20 |
| Silver Proof 1999-S | 804,565 | – | $28 – $38 |
2. The Connecticut 1788 Quarter
The next quarter produced in the States quarters program is the Connecticut quarter, which bore the year 1788, commemorating the event of Connecticut joining the Union.
Similar to the other coins in the series, this coin’s obverse has a left-facing portrait of George Washington. However, on the flip side, you will find an iconic image representing Connecticut that no state members would argue against. The coin’s reverse is dominated by a prominent image of the legendary Charter Tree, one of Connecticut’s most loved symbols.
Editor’s Note
The Charter Oak tree is a legendary tree that is immersed in the history of the state and has consequently become one of its most used symbols.
Back in 1662, with Connecticut still being a British Colony, King Charles II of England granted the Colony’s General Assembly a royal charter that guaranteed its right to self-governance and granted it the ability to choose its own leaders without interference from England.
However, this liberal charter only was in effect for 25 years, until 1687, when a new English king, King James II, attempted to rescind it and reinstate Connecticut as a fully controlled colony of England. This move birthed the drama that made the Charter Oak tree famous and a state symbol in Connecticut to this day.
When the newly appointed (by King James II) governor of the region arrived in the state’s capital to seize control of the government and confiscate the charter, the then-governor, Robert Treat, refused to surrender it. He opted instead to give it to one of his trusted subordinates (supposedly Captain Joseph Wadsworth) to hide.
The charter ended up hidden in a large hollow oak tree located on the Wyllys estate, which was a stone’s throw from the meeting place of the governors.
However, this move did not stop King James II’s takeover of the state, as he seized power anyway, ignoring the charter until he was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
The new rulers of England, William, and Mary, who ascended the throne in 1689, opted to reinstate the provisions of the original charter, making it the official state constitution for over a century afterward.
Nevertheless, the 1000+-year-old charter oak tree remained a symbol of the state and one of American freedom and shrewdness, even after the tree fell in a lightning storm in August 1856.
Like all the other state quarters, the standard issue, The Connecticut 1788 quarter released in 1999 features a clad composition of nickel and copper. The Mint also released premium clad proof and silver proof variants in considerably smaller quantities to meet collector demand.
Mintage, Rarity, and Value
The United States Mint produced a total of 1,346,624,000 Connecticut 1788 quarters.
This statistic ranks the Connecticut quarter in the top 5 of all the state quarters by total quarters minted. Consequently, there is an abundance of these quarters in circulation and on the open market, especially with the standard issue clad version.
However, the proof and silver proof variants of this coin, which were minted in San Francisco, features the same supply numbers as the Georgia quarters with 3,713,359 Proof 1999-S coins and 804,565 Silver proof specimens minted.
With the abundance of easily accessible clad 1788 Connecticut quarters, it is no surprise that they only retail for their face value of 25 cents in a circulated state.
Uncirculated clad pieces will retail for much higher, typically selling for between $1.5 – $5, depending on their condition.
Proof versions are unsurprisingly in a different class price-wise as they would easily sell for between $8 and $20 when preserved in their original pristine release state. Similarly, silver proof variants will easily sell in the $28 – $38 price range in its uncirculated state. In contrast, its base price, irrespective of condition, is set by its silver melt value of almost $4.
| COIN VARIANT | Mintage | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
| 1999-P | 688,744,000 | $0.25 | $1.5 – $5 |
| 1999-D | 657,880,000 | $0.25 | $1.5 – $5 |
| Proof 1999-S | 3,713,359 | – | $8 – $20 |
| Silver Proof 1999-S | 804,565 | – | $28 – $38 |
3. The Massachusetts 1788 Quarter
The next quarter branded with the year 1788 is the one the United States Mint produced commemorating the state of Massachusetts.
Like all the state quarters, the Massachusetts 1788 quarter bears a design on the reverse that is particular to the state and displays some of its symbols and ideals. Here, that honor is given to the Minutemen who played a crucial role in the fight for American independence.
Editor’s Note
The Minutemen were members of the organized militia in the colonial states of America that were so named for their ability to be ready for deployment at a minute’s notice.
This highly mobile force—who were skilled in military strategies, tactics, and weaponry—were assembled to deal swiftly with all forms of military threats. However, they became famous for being some of the first to begin fighting in the American Revolutionary War.
The image on the coin’s reverse is that of the Minuteman state, located in the historic town of Concord, Massachusetts. Behind him sits an outline of the state’s map.
The coin bears the inscription Massachusetts 1788 on its reverse as well, signifying the year in which the state joined the Union.
Mintage, Rarity, and Value
The United States Mint produced a total of 1,163,784,000 Massachusetts 1788 quarters.
With this total supply, the Massachusetts quarter ranks in the top 10 state quarters by total numbers struck. These statistics combined with the fact that this piece is a newer one produced in 2000, make it relatively cheaper than the Georgia and Connecticut quarters, both of which were struck in 1999.
On average, you can expect an uncirculated specimen of the standard issue Massachusetts quarter to sell for between $1 and $4, depending on its grade level. In contrast, circulated pieces will be typically only worth their face value of 25 cents.
Proof variants of this quarter retails for between $4 and $15, while the silver proof version sits in the $12 to $20 price range.
| COIN VARIANT | Mintage | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
| 2000-P | 628,600,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| 2000-D | 535,184,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| Proof 2000-S | 4,020,172 | – | $4 – $15 |
| Silver Proof 2000-S | 965,421 | – | $12 – $20 |
Error Coins and Other Special Variants
The Massachusetts quarter is one of the few from the state quarters series that has an abundance of valuable error coins and special varieties. Some of the most popular entries from this error list include:
- This Sacagawea dollar struck over a 2000-P Massachusetts Quarter that sold for $8812.50 in 2017.
- A 2000-P 25C Massachusetts Statehood Quarter Dollar struck on bowtie nickel scrap that last sold for $3720 in 2021
- An MS 67 rated 2000-P 25C Massachusetts Statehood Quarter Dollar struck off center on double straight clip planchet that brought in $3360 at an auction held in July 2021.
However, there is an abundance of other error types for the Massachusetts 1788 quarter, many of which retail for considerably less than the top sellers we quoted above.
While these error coins dot the price range from the high four figures to the low tens, the bulk of these unique coin variants typically sell for between $80 and $650, depending on the collector’s demand for its defining properties.
4. The Maryland 1788 Quarter
When the state of Maryland was asked by the United States Mint to submit a design for their state quarter, they chose to keep this simple, opting for the most obvious, longstanding state symbol.
The image on the reverse of the Maryland 1788 quarter is that of the Maryland statehouse, an iconic architectural piece with more than 250 years of history.
Editor’s Note
The majestic Maryland State house has been the home to the offices of the state’s governor, lieutenant governor, president of the Senate, and speaker of the house of Delegates for over two centuries of American history. However, the building also has considerable historical significance on the national level.
The Maryland statehouse is the only state house to have ever served as the nation’s capitol, doing so for almost a year from November 26, 1783, to August 13, 1784. During that time, the Continental Congress met here, and the building also saw the occurrence of notable events like the ratification of the Treaty of Paris that signified the official end of the American Revolutionary war.
Flanking the image of the Maryland state house, which sits in the center, are two branches from the white oak tree, the state’s official tree and a species that is found commonly throughout Maryland
The only other features on the Maryland quarter’s reverse are inscriptions of “Maryland 1788” signifying its year of joining the Union, “The Old Line State” the state’s motto, and “E Pluribus Unum” a motto of the United States.
Mintage, Rarity, and Value
The United States Mint produced a total of 1,234,732,000 Massachusetts 1788 quarters, placing it in the top 5 of all minted state quarters. Consequently, there is an abundance of these coins in circulation, and you can easily find specimens in loose change.
However, these circulated specimens (which would be of the clad variant, as proof and silver proof coins are not made for circulation) will not be of special interest to collectors just yet as they are currently worth only their face value of 25 cents.
Editor’s Note
Proof coins are special sample coins that are produced with methods that result in a considerably higher level of detail than regular issue coins.
Creating a proof coin typically involves polishing the (often unused) die and treating it with chemicals to ensure the end product of the striking sports enhanced details with a frosted appearance or mirror finish. Proof coins are also typically double-struck under higher pressure to further enhance their features.
After these coins are struck, they are handled separately and packaged to prevent wear, unlike clad coins that are thrown together into large bins.
Consequently, proof coins typically pack superior details and come in as immaculate a condition as is possible.
These coins are not released into general circulation, but are rather sold directly to collectors who want the best specimens for their collections. Hence, it is extremely unlikely that you will find a proof or silver proof coin in loose change.
The uncirculated variant of the Maryland quarter fares much better on the collector’s market, selling in the $1 – $4 price range.
With proof specimens, you can expect prices between $4 and $15, depending on its MS rating, while silver proof variants can reach the $12 to $20 price range.
| COIN VARIANT | Mintage | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
| 2000-P | 678,200,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| 2000-D | 556,532,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| Proof 2000-S | 4,020,172 | – | $4 – $15 |
| Silver Proof 2000-S | 965,421 | – | $12 – $20 |
Error Coins and Other Special Variants
The Sacagawea dollar over struck error that created the highest-priced Massachusetts error quarter also occurred with the Maryland 1788 quarter. Here too, it is the most sought-after error variant on the market.
Several versions of this 2000-P $1 Sacagawea Dollar struck on a 2000-P Maryland quarter error coin have seen high demand at auction, with the highest-priced specimens selling for $6,462, $4,700, and $4,600.
An abundance of similar errors and other error variants exist that sell in similar price ranges or lower.
The one exception we found that sold for considerably higher was not for a coin but for a feeder finger that got struck by 2000-D Maryland Quarter dies that sold for $15,600 at auction in August 2019.
5. The South Carolina 1788 Quarter
South Carolina opted instead for a more busy design for the reverse of their state quarter commemorating their year of joining the Union.
This unique coin reverse features the depiction of a bunch of images, including an outline of the state map with a star placed on the location of the state capital, Columbia, a palmetto tree, a yellow jessamine flower, and a Carolina wren bird.
All of these symbols are official emblems of the state, but the palmetto tree holds even more special symbolism in the state’s history.
Similar to the Charter oak tree of Connecticut, an event in history made the palmetto tree become the embodiment of American ideals like freedom to the South Carolinians. In 1776, when the British army laid siege to Charleston Harbor, the South Carolinians managed to successfully resist the attack thanks in part to a fort built using palmetto wood.
Released on May 22, 2000, the South Carolina quarter is the eighth coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program and the third released in 2000. The coin bears the inscription “South Carolina 1788” signifying the year the state was admitted into the Union.
Mintage, Rarity, and Value
The United States Mint produced a total of 1,308,784,000 South Carolina 1788 quarters, making it the third most minted coin from the States quarters program.
On average, you can expect an uncirculated specimen of the standard clad South Carolina quarter to sell for between $1 and $4, depending on its grade level. In contrast, circulated pieces will typically be only worth their face value of 25 cents.
Proof variants of the South Carolina quarter retail for between $4 and $15, while the silver proof version sits in the $12 to $20 price range.
| COIN VARIANT | Mintage | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
| 2000-P | 742,576,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| 2000-D | 566,208,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| Proof 2000-S | 4,020,172 | – | $4 – $15 |
| Silver Proof 2000-S | 965,421 | – | $12 – $20 |
6. New Hampshire 1788 Quarter
The New Hampshire quarter features the image of a famous rock formation located in the state that is called The Old Man of the Mountain, The Great Stone Face, or The Profile. This coin reverse design also displays the state motto “Live Free or Die.”
Mintage and Value
The United States Mint produced a total of 1,169,016,000 New Hampshire 1788 quarters.
Uncirculated standard clad South Carolina quarters typically retail for between $1 and $4, depending on its grade level, while uncirculated variants are worth only 25 cents.
In contrast, proof coins sell in the $4 and $15 range, while the silver proof version can reach the $12 to $20 price range.
| COIN VARIANT | Mintage | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
| 2000-P | 673,040,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| 2000-D | 495,976,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| Proof 2000-S | 4,020,172 | – | $4 – $15 |
| Silver Proof 2000-S | 965,421 | – | $12 – $20 |
Virginia 1788 Quarter
Unsurprisingly, the image on the reverse of the Virginia quarter pays homage to its housing of the first English settlement in America.
The depiction shows Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, three ships that brought the English to the new world, landing in Jamestown, Virginia, and resulting in the founding of that settlement in 1607.
Mintage and Value
The United States Mint produced a total of 1,594,616,000 Virginia 1788 quarters, making it the most minted coin from the States quarters program.
Uncirculated standard clad Virginia quarters typically retail for between $1 and $4, depending on their grade level, while uncirculated variants are worth only 25 cents.
In contrast, proof coins sell in the $4 and $15 range, while the silver proof version can reach the $12 to $20 price range.
| COIN VARIANT | Mintage | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
| 2000-P | 943,000,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| 2000-D | 651,616,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| Proof 2000-S | 4,020,172 | – | $4 – $15 |
| Silver Proof 2000-S | 965,421 | – | $12 – $20 |
7. New York 1788 Quarter
The image on the New York quarter is one of the Statue of Liberty, the most iconic structure in the city and arguably one of the most symbolic national monuments in the United States.
Mintage and Value
The New York quarter is the first state quarter minted in 2001 with a total mintage of 1,275,040,000.
On average, you can expect an uncirculated specimen of the standard clad New York quarter to sell for between $1 and $4, depending on its grade level. In contrast, circulated pieces will typically be only worth their face value of 25 cents.
Proof variants of the New York quarter retails for between $8 and $15, while the silver proof version sits in the $12 to $20 price range.
| COIN VARIANT | Mintage | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
| 2000-P | 655,400,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| 2000-D | 619,640,000 | $0.25 | $1 – $4 |
| Proof 2000-S | 3,094,140 | – | $8 – $15 |
| Silver Proof 2000-S | 889,697 | – | $12 – $20 |
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