As a lifelong coin collector and numismatic scholar, I‘ve always been drawn to U.S. coinage that artfully and intelligently honors our nation‘s rich history. That‘s why I was thrilled by the U.S. Mint‘s decision to feature General George Washington‘s famed Delaware River crossing on the reverse of 2021 quarters. This dramatic design celebrates one of the most pivotal moments in America‘s struggle for independence – and as the first new Washington quarter reverse in over 20 years, it‘s sure to be prized by collectors for generations to come.
In this in-depth guide, I‘ll share my expert insights on collecting and investing in the 2021 Washington Crossing the Delaware quarters. We‘ll delve into the history behind the coin, study mintages and key varieties, assess the rarity and values of these quarters today, and I‘ll offer my thoughts on the set‘s long-term potential. Whether you‘re just starting a collection or are a seasoned numismatist, I hope you‘ll find valuable information and inspiration in this article. So grab your loupe and let‘s explore this exciting new chapter in the Washington quarter series!
A New Reverse for an Iconic Coin Series
First minted in 1932 to honor the bicentennial of George Washington‘s birth, the Washington quarter is one of the most widely collected U.S. coins. Its original reverse design, featuring a majestic eagle with wings outspread perched on a bundle of arrows with two olive sprigs, was the work of acclaimed sculptor John Flanagan. Flanagan‘s eagle reverse graced the coin for an impressive 67 years with only slight modifications, making it one of the longest-running reverse designs in U.S. quarter history.
In 1999, to much excitement in the collecting community, the Mint launched the 50 State Quarters program – a decade-long initiative honoring each state with a unique reverse design. These commemorative quarters were a smash hit, attracting millions of new collectors and generating over $3 billion in seigniorage (profit made from producing coins) for the U.S. Treasury. Following the success of the State Quarters, the America the Beautiful Quarters program showcased national parks and landmarks from 2010-2021.
When the America the Beautiful series concluded, the Mint had a unique opportunity to introduce a meaningful one-year reverse design before the American Women Quarters program launched in 2022. They chose to feature General Washington‘s legendary crossing of the Delaware River on the night of December 25-26, 1776 to make a surprise attack on Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey. This daring maneuver, captured in Emanuel Leutze‘s iconic 1851 painting, was a crucial morale-boosting victory for the Continental Army and a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
The 2021 quarter‘s reverse design, created by Benjamin Sowards and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso, portrays a close-up view of Washington navigating through the icy, storm-tossed Delaware in the lead boat of his flotilla. The design puts the viewer right in the heart of the action on that fateful night, with a determined Washington standing resolutely at the bow as soldiers row behind him. It‘s an intimate and immersive perspective that captures the importance of Washington‘s leadership in the fight for American independence.
Significantly, this design is different from past numismatic tributes to Washington‘s crossing like the 1999 New Jersey State quarter, which used a more distant view modeled directly on Leutze‘s painting. By focusing on Washington from the perspective of one of his men, the 2021 quarter brings new artistic vitality to this familiar historical scene. With inscriptions including CROSSING THE DELAWARE and E PLURIBUS UNUM ("Out of Many, One"), it also carries deeper symbolism about the themes of American unity, resolve, and democracy that Washington was fighting for.
Mintage Figures, Varieties, and Rarity
In 2021, the Philadelphia and Denver Mints both struck Washington Crossing the Delaware quarters for general circulation. The Philadelphia Mint produced 838,400,000 quarters while the Denver Mint contributed 865,400,000 for a combined mintage of over 1.7 billion coins. Here‘s how that total mintage breaks down by issue:
| Issue | Mintage |
|---|---|
| 2021-P | 838,400,000 |
| 2021-D | 865,400,000 |
| Total | 1,703,800,000 |
While these are substantial mintage figures, it‘s important to remember that with the discontinuation of the America the Beautiful series, 2021 saw a significant reduction in overall quarter production compared to previous years. In 2020 for example, the Mint produced nearly 3 billion quarters across the five America the Beautiful designs. So in the broader context of modern U.S. coinage, the 2021 Crossing the Delaware quarters are scarcer than their mintage alone implies – especially considering their one-year design type status.
The 2021 quarters are generally well-struck with sharp details, as is typical of contemporary U.S. Mint production. However, there are some notable strike varieties to be aware of. A small number of the Philadelphia Mint quarters exhibit incomplete detailing on the boat‘s gunwale and Washington‘s knee, indicating a slightly worn reverse die. Denver quarters are more uniformly bold in strike.
In addition to the circulation strikes, the San Francisco Mint produced 511,192 clad proof quarters for inclusion in the 2021 Proof Set, 2021 Silver Proof Set, and other numismatic products. These S-mint proofs feature a deeply mirrored background and frosted raised elements, with most earning the coveted Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation from third-party grading services. The San Francisco Mint also struck 99.9% pure silver proofs for the Silver Proof Set to the tune of 347,825 coins.
| Issue | Mintage | Composition |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-S Clad Proof | 511,192 | Copper-Nickel Clad |
| 2021-S Silver Proof | 347,825 | 99.9% Silver |
While not especially rare in an absolute sense, the 2021-S silver proofs are the lowest mintage Crossing the Delaware quarters and the key to a complete collection. They‘re also the first 99.9% pure silver Washington quarters the U.S. Mint has ever produced, making them historic firsts. For these reasons, I expect the 2021-S silver proofs to remain highly sought-after and to appreciate well in value over time, especially in top grades.
Current Values and Investment Potential
As a one-year type coin with an attractive patriotic design, the 2021 Crossing the Delaware quarters have strong appeal for both casual collectors and serious numismatists. Let‘s take a look at approximate values for these quarters across the grading spectrum, drawing on recent auction results and my own market analysis.
For raw circulated examples of the 2021-P and 2021-D quarters, there is currently only a small premium over face value. A typical circulated quarter might sell for 50 cents to a dollar. In uncirculated condition with original Mint luster, values rise to the $10-20 range for coins graded MS-65 by PCGS or NGC, the leading third-party certification services.
Choice uncirculated coins in MS-66 holder are decidedly scarcer and command $50-75, while superb gem pieces graded MS-67 routinely bring $200-300. Any Crossing the Delaware quarter certified MS-68 is a major condition rarity. In August 2022, an incredible PCGS MS-68 2021-P quarter sold for $2,880 through Heritage Auctions, setting a record for the issue. While not many people collect modern quarters in these ultra-high grades, I anticipate fierce competition to acquire the finest known examples in registry set collecting.
The 2021-S clad proofs, issued at a premium by the Mint, are highly affordable collectibles with most PR-69 DCAM and PR-70 DCAM examples changing hands for $10-30. The lower-mintage 2021-S silver proofs start around $30 in PR-69 DCAM and reach $75-100 in perfect PR-70 DCAM. As I mentioned earlier, I believe these 99.9% silver proofs have some of the best long-term upside potential given their key status and numismatic significance.
It‘s still early for the 2021 Crossing the Delaware quarters in terms of the market‘s understanding of rarity and value, especially for errors and varieties which are still being discovered. However, some dramatic errors have already surfaced and are selling for impressive sums. In May 2022, a PCGS MS-65 2021-D quarter struck 50% off-center realized $1,440 in a GreatCollections auction. A 2021-P with a large die crack from rim to rim commanded $504 in an August 2022 Heritage sale. And a dramatic 2021-D doubled die reverse in PCGS MS-66 brought $720 earlier this year. Clearly errors and varieties will be an important part of the Crossing the Delaware quarter collector market going forward.
Strategies for Collecting
For collectors interested in assembling a 2021 Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter set, my main advice is to be patient and selective in your acquisitions. Avoid the temptation to overpay for these coins simply because of their novelty. Focus instead on acquiring attractive, high-quality examples at fair market prices. Here are a few specific strategies to consider:
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Acquire one each of the 2021-P, 2021-D, 2021-S clad proof, and 2021-S silver proof to form a basic four-coin set showcasing the different finishes. A set like this can be completed for under $100 in typical uncirculated and proof grades.
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Cherrypick circulation finds for gem uncirculated coins. With over 1.7 billion quarters minted for commerce, there are surely MS-66 and even MS-67 examples waiting to be found. But you‘ll need to sort through many rolls and bags to find those pristine coins. Buying certified coins eliminates the guesswork but expect to pay a significant premium.
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Focus on the 2021-S silver proof as a key collectible. If your budget allows, consider buying a certified PR-70 DCAM example for your collection as these will likely be the most prized Crossing the Delaware quarters in the future. The 2021-S silver proof is also an important first-year type coin for a larger Washington quarter proof set.
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Study and collect notable errors and varieties. This is an area where knowledge can translate to real profit potential. Learn to identify doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, and striking errors like off-centers, broad strikes, and trail strikes. Focus on dramatic, visually apparent errors as these have the most demand among specialists.
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Hold your coins for the long term. As a one-year issue, the 2021 Crossing the Delaware quarters will only become more desirable over time as collectors seek to complete Washington quarter sets. Don‘t be surprised if key dates and varieties are already trading for multiples of their 2022 prices a decade from now.
Of course, all collectors have their own goals and strategies. But if you build a quality set of 2021 quarters and stay attuned to the market, I‘m confident you‘ll be rewarded both numismatically and financially over time. The wonderful thing about these coins is that you can assemble a respectable collection starting with pocket change. Yet you can also take your set to the highest levels of rarity and value if you so choose. That‘s the beauty of the Washington quarter series as a whole.
A New Chapter for Washington Quarters
In conclusion, the 2021 Washington Crossing the Delaware quarters represent an exciting new chapter in the rich history of the Washington quarter series. With a bold and beautifully crafted reverse design, an important one-year type coin status bridging different commemorative programs, and the intrigue of errors and varieties, these quarters have much to offer collectors of all budgets and interests.
As you build your collection, I encourage you to study the fascinating history behind Washington‘s fateful Delaware crossing in 1776 and reflect on how it changed the course of the American Revolution. The power of coinage is that it connects us to pivotal moments and figures from our nation‘s past in an intimate, tactile way. By collecting the 2021 Crossing the Delaware quarters, you are honoring the sacrifices and victories that gave birth to America, and preserving that heritage for future generations.
While the numismatic future is unwritten, I predict these quarters will take their place alongside other historic Washington quarters like the 1932-D and 1932-S, the 1937 Doubled Die Obverse, and the 1976-S Silver Bicentennial as key coins in the long and storied Washington quarter series. I look forward to seeing what new discoveries and market developments unfold in the years to come. In the meantime, I wish you the best of luck in your collecting journey and hope to see you on the other side of the Delaware!
References
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PCGS CoinFacts. "2021 25C Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter." Accessed September 15, 2022. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/2021-25c-washington-crossing-the-delaware-quarter/686
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NGC Coin Explorer. "2021 Washington Quarter." Accessed September 15, 2022. https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/washington-quarters-2021-to-date-pscid-29
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USCoinBook. "2021 Washington Quarter Value." Accessed September 15, 2022. https://www.uscoinbook.com/coins/7245/quarters/washington/2021-P/
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Newman Numismatic Portal. "2021 Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter." Accessed September 15, 2022. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/605430
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The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins 2023 (76th edition). R. S. Yeoman (edited by Jeff Garrett). Whitman Publishing, 2022.
