If you’re searching for a comprehensive 1973 Quarter error list, you’ve come to the right place. These Washington quarters from 1973 contain some of the most valuable minting mistakes in numismatic history, with certain errors selling for thousands of dollars.
Accurate identification is crucial for coin collectors who want to maximize their investment returns. Many collectors miss valuable errors simply because they don’t know what to look for or how to properly authenticate their finds.
Coin identifier app like CoinKnow can help you identify these errors instantly, provide professional grading, and determine accurate market values. Let’s explore the most sought-after 1973 quarter errors and what makes them valuable.
Rare 1973 Quarter Error List & Value
1. 1973 Quarter Struck on Penny Planchet Error
This dramatic error occurs when a quarter die strikes a blank intended for a penny. The penny planchet measures only 19.05mm compared to the quarter’s 24.3mm diameter, causing significant design elements to be cut off.
The weight difference is immediately noticeable—these errors weigh just 3.1g instead of the standard 5.67g. Look for missing portions of Washington’s portrait, truncated lettering, and incomplete edge details that clearly show the undersized planchet.
Values for this error are impressive across all grades. A business strike 1973 quarter on a penny planchet graded MS 64 sold for $1,495, while a 1973-S proof specimen graded PF 67 RD commanded an exceptional $3,100 at auction.
Need help identifying this error and checking its value? CoinKnow offers instant coin identification, professional grading, and market value—a must-have coin value app for serious collectors.
2. 1973 Quarter Struck on Dime Planchet Error
Even rarer than the penny planchet error, the dime planchet variety shows extreme design truncation. Since dime blanks are significantly smaller at 17.91mm, massive portions of the quarter’s design simply vanish.
The most dramatic feature is the completely missing portrait head and the entire “LIBERTY” inscription. The eagle on the reverse is similarly affected, with wings and talons partially or fully absent.
A 1973-D quarter struck on a dime planchet graded MS 64 has been valued at $1,900. These errors are immediately recognizable due to their severely compromised designs and lighter weight of approximately 2.27g.
Authenticating dime planchet errors requires careful measurement and weight verification. CoinKnow’s coin value app provides instant authentication tools that can confirm these rare errors in seconds with professional-grade accuracy.
3. 1973 Quarter Struck on Nickel Planchet Error
This error features a quarter design struck on a 5-cent nickel blank. The nickel planchet’s diameter of 21.21mm is closer to the quarter’s size, but still results in noticeable design loss, particularly at the top of the coin.
These errors typically weigh around 5g instead of the standard quarter weight. The wording at the coin’s upper edge appears chopped off or incomplete, and the rim may show irregularities.
A 1973 quarter on a nickel planchet graded AU 58 sold for $145. While less valuable than penny or dime planchet errors, these remain highly collectible due to their distinctive appearance.
The composition difference is also notable—nickel planchets are 75% copper and 25% nickel throughout, unlike the clad copper core of standard quarters. CoinKnow’s advanced coin value app can help distinguish these subtle compositional differences.
4. 1973 Quarter Double Strike Error
Double strike errors occur when a coin receives multiple impressions from the dies, with the blank shifting between strikes. This creates overlapping or offset images that are visually striking and highly collectible.
The 1973 Philadelphia quarter with 85% and 95% misalignment represents one of the most dramatic examples. Letters, numbers, and design elements appear in duplicate positions, creating a distinctive “shadow” effect.
A double strike 1973 quarter graded MS 62 has been valued at $1,000. The more dramatic the misalignment, the more valuable the error becomes to collectors.
Flip-over double strikes are even more unusual—the coin flips between strikes, placing reverse elements on the obverse side. An MS 65 specimen of this type sold for $370, making it an accessible yet impressive error.
Looking to verify a potential double strike? CoinKnow’s coin value app uses advanced image recognition to detect multiple strike patterns and provides instant market value estimates.
5. 1973 Quarter Die Cap and Brockage Error
Die cap errors occur when a struck coin adheres to the die face and becomes a makeshift die itself. Subsequent coins struck receive a mirror image (brockage) from the capped coin rather than the proper die.
These errors create coins with normal obverse designs but reversed, mirror-like images on what should be the reverse. The effect is unmistakable—the design appears backwards and slightly flattened.
A 1973 quarter with half-cap brockage graded AU 48 achieved $690 at auction. These errors are particularly prized because they represent multiple mechanical failures occurring simultaneously.
The coin that created the brockage (the cap itself) is even more valuable when found. CoinKnow’s coin value app can identify both cap and brockage varieties instantly.
6. 1973 Quarter Broadstrike Error
Broadstrike errors happen when the collar mechanism that holds the planchet in place during striking fails or is absent. Without the collar’s constraint, the metal spreads outward under the die’s force.
The result is a coin with a wider diameter, flatter rim, and often incomplete edge reeding. The design elements may appear slightly spread or distorted compared to normal examples.
A 1973 Philadelphia quarter broadstrike has been valued at $115 in typical grades. While less dramatic than planchet errors, broadstrikes are collectible and relatively affordable.
Identifying broadstrikes requires careful diameter measurement—these coins exceed the standard 24.3mm specification. CoinKnow’s coin value app includes measurement tools to verify broadstrike characteristics accurately.
7. 1973 Quarter Doubled Die Error
Doubled die errors result from misalignment during the die creation process. The hub (master die) strikes the working die multiple times with slight offset, creating doubled features.
Look for doubling in letters, especially in “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the date. Washington’s profile may show doubled lines, and the eagle’s feathers can display doubled details.
Values vary significantly based on the doubling’s prominence and location. Major doubled dies affecting multiple design elements command premium prices, while minor doubling may add modest value.
Authentication is critical—many collectors mistake machine doubling (worthless) for true doubled dies (valuable). CoinKnow’s advanced coin value app distinguishes between these error types with precision.
8. 1973 Quarter Foreign Planchet Error
Perhaps the rarest category, these errors occur when quarter dies strike planchets intended for foreign coinage. The U.S. Mint produced coins for other nations, occasionally leading to spectacular mix-ups.
A documented example is a 1973-S proof quarter design struck on a Nepalese 1-paisa coin planchet. The size, weight, and composition differences create immediately recognizable errors.
This particular error graded PF 64 achieved an remarkable $4,800 at auction. Foreign planchet errors combine extreme rarity with fascinating historical context.
These errors are investment-grade rarities requiring professional authentication. CoinKnow provides coin value app services that connect you with expert authenticators for high-value specimens.
How Much is a 1973 Quarter Worth? Coin Identifier I Recommended
Finding and valuing 1973 quarter errors requires professional-grade tools. Two apps stand out for their accuracy and comprehensive features.
CoinKnow delivers the industry’s most precise grading accuracy using advanced AI technology. It automatically detects rare errors including doubled dies, off-center strikes, and wrong planchet varieties within seconds. The app features exclusive capabilities for photo-based design and proof finish identification, with daily free scans and comprehensive collection management tools. CoinKnow is ideal for collectors seeking absolute grading precision and error detection capabilities.
CoinValueChecker combines sophisticated error detection with comprehensive market intelligence. Beyond identifying errors, it offers in-depth market trend analysis, price tracking across multiple auction platforms, and detailed investment monitoring. The app provides robust collection management tools making it perfect for collectors who want both identification capabilities and market analysis to track their 1970 quarter investments over time.
Both apps offer instant professional-grade identification, but your choice depends on whether you prioritize absolute grading precision or comprehensive trading insights and market analysis for your collection strategy.
