In January 2019, the United States was introduced to a 2019-W Proof Lincoln Cent that was included in the 2019 Proof Set. Collectors were excited about this until they received the Proof Set. The 2019-W Lincoln Cent was in its separate plastic container. The US mint did not even put them in the envelope that was included with the set. One person told me they opened the Proof Set box with the cent falling out. The worst part was looking at the obverse of this cent and seeing small smudges on above Lincoln’s head. I hope that the US Mint does better with the W Cents that will be included with the Silver Proof and Mint Sets.
In any case, I heard something a couple of weeks ago that may interest people and not just collectors. It was discovered that 2,000,000 of each of the 2019 America the Beautiful quarters will have a “W” mint mark. The difference between the 2019-W cents and quarters is the cents will only appear in collector sets, and the quarter will appear in circulation. That’s right! Even non-collectors may be able to find 2019-W quarters in change. Just like the 2017-P Lincoln Cent, anyone can obtain these quarters.
This will be the first time a circulating United States coin will have a “W” mint mark. West Point did mint Lincoln Cents in the 1970s and 1980s, but didn’t include a mint mark. This makes it impossible to distinguish between a Philadelphia and West Point Cent as neither Mint had a mint mark then. West Point is more known for commemoratives and American Eagle Bullion Coins, though they did include a 1996-W Roosevelt Dime in the 1996 US Mint Set.
2019 America the Beautiful Quarters
It’s hard to believe, but we’re in the tenth year of the America the Beautiful Quarters collection. Since 2010, the US Mint has released five different designed quarters representing a National Park or Preserve from each state, the District of Columbia, and each US Territory. These quarters would replace the Statehood and Territorial ones that were minted between 1999 and 2009. This year’s quarters are the following:
- Lowell National Historical Park in Massachusetts – Released February 4, 2019
- American Memorial Park in the Northern Mariana Islands – Released April 1, 2019
- War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam – Released June 3, 2019
- San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in Texas – Released August 26, 2019
- Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho – Released November 4, 2019
A Special Offer from PCGS
You may think these quarters may not worth looking for, but listen to this. As an added incentive, PCGS is offering a reward for the first of each 2019 West Point Quarter sent to them. As I write this, the Lowell and American Memorial Park have been found and PCGS rewarded the owners with $5,000 and $2,000 respectively. The first person to send the War In The Pacific Quarter to PCGS will get $2,000. I don’t know yet what the reward will be for the first San Antonio Missions and River of No Return Quarter, but keep checking back at the PCGS website to find out.
So, Keep Checking Your Change
You may find a 2019 Quarter with a W Mint Mark, and you may say “There will be 2,000,000 of each one. What’s the big deal?” Well, let me put it to you this way. West Point Quarters will only represent about 1% of the circulating quarters that will come out in 2019. In 2017 alone, there were over 2,100,000,000 quarters minted in Philadelphia and Denver combined. With only 10,000,000 West Point Quarters minted in 2019 that will make them a circulation rarity. We are looking at the latest Coin Collecting Hunt for everyone to enjoy.
2019 is becoming an interesting year for the West Point Mint and hopefully for coin collecting. First there were Proof and Uncirculated Lincoln Cents, now circulating Washington Quarters. Could West Point produce other coins this year? They’ve done a Lincoln Cent, Roosevelt Dime and Washington Quarter. They even did a special 2014-W Kennedy Half Dollar for its 50th anniversary. Could a West Point Jefferson Nickel be next?
Do you think you’ll look for these West Point Quarters? I hope I can find at least one of each, but I’m still waiting to find a Rhode Island Quarter that came in 2018. As I finish writing this, I have yet to see one. I’m planning on going to a local coin show and wondering if I will see any there. If you do find one, let me know. I’d be interested to hear from anyone that finds them.
Would like to have 1 bag of sanoton mission quarters
I’d settle for 1 quarter at this point.
Hey found your site via a google search about these quarters.
I JUST found a war in the pacific W mint mark quarter in my drawer at work tonight. I’ve been checking all of my change for months to find any of the W mint marks and I only JUST found one. These aren’t easy to find in pocket change in rural no where USA.
I’m posting a video to my youtube channel very soon. Out of respect for the website I will not mention it until I hear from the site admin to make sure that’s ok.
Lucky you Ryan! I have yet to find one in change or quarter rolls. I’m glad you found my site. Let me know when you post the video.
I just found a san Antonio quarter with the W mint mark
Lucky you! Still haven’t found one. I’m glad others have found them.
I found a 2019 W Lowell quarter in a roll I bought from my FCU. I was trying to find the value of it, but can’t. I also checked my 2020 Red book and they are not listed anywhere. What is the value?
That’s great that you found one. Haven’t heard anything about their value yet, but they currently have them on Ebay between $10 and $20.
Found first San Antonio “P” quarter October 3rd, 2019; no “D” yet; found “W” San Antonio Jan. 19th, 2020. In Brooklyn NY
Thank youy for this interesting article