2020 Quarter Error Discovered
Posted by Andrew Adamo - A certified ANA Professional Numismatist, Active member of ICTA, contributor to CoinWeek, Numismatic News, NGC and ANA on May 28th 2025
2020 Quarter Error Discovered: Rare Mistake Coins Worth Money
If you're wondering whether you’ve found a 2020 quarter error, you’re not alone. Coin collectors nationwide are uncovering rare and valuable mistakes in the 2020 America the Beautiful quarters — coins that initially entered circulation as ordinary pocket change. From off-center strikes and doubled dies to dramatic missing clad layers and strike-throughs like the “Faceless Bat,” these error coins are now commanding anywhere from $50 to over $2,000 at auction.
Issued as part of the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters Program (2010–2021), the 2020 quarters feature five unique designs celebrating national parks and historic sites. But it's the rare minting errors—especially from the Philadelphia and Denver mints—that have captured collectors' attention.
Whether you’re just starting out or actively searching for high-grade W-mint examples, this guide highlights the most valuable 2020 quarter errors, how to identify them, and what they're worth today.
Top 2020 Quarter Errors Discovered
1. 2020 Quarter “Faceless Bat” Error (2020-P American Samoa Quarter)
AUCTION RECORD: $400 • MS68 • 03-11-2021
One of the most striking discoveries was the so-called Faceless Bat. On some Philadelphia-mint quarters, the facial features of the mother bat appear faint or missing — due to a chip in the die or strike-through.
Value: $50 to $500+ depending on grade and visibility.
| Data Point | Value / Note |
|---|---|
| PCGS base coin # | 812418 – 2020-P American Samoa NP (Type 1, clad) PCGS |
| Error label | PCGS certifies these as “Minor Obverse Struck Thru” or “Major Struck Thru – Reverse.” |
| Population, all grades | ≈110 pieces bearing a strike-through notation in the PCGS pop report (May 2025). |
| Recent PCGS auction | MS-66 Struck-Thru sold $295 (eBay, 10-2024); MS-67 regular (no error) record $399 gives a ceiling for non-error coins. PCGS |
| Typical retail | $50–$500 • XF/AU raw $50–$80 • MS-65 $150–$225 • MS-66/67 $300–$500+ |
Collector tip: Photograde matters—buyers pay 2-3× more when the strike-through obscures the entire face versus a single eye.
2. Missing Clad Layer Error (2020-D Bat Quarter)
A Denver-minted American Samoa quarter was found with 98% of its reverse clad layer missing, exposing the copper core and making it appear dramatically different.
Value: Up to $2,499 at auction.
| Data Point | Value / Note |
|---|---|
| PCGS base coin # | 812419 – 2020-D American Samoa NP PCGS |
| Error class | “Reverse Missing Clad Layer” (dual-layer examples have not been reported for 2020) |
| What PCGS says | Missing-layer quarters weigh ≈15 % less and show a full copper core on the affected side. PCGS |
| Certified sightings | 4 pieces slabbed by PCGS (MS-62 to MS-65) as of May 2025. |
| Auction record | $2,499 (MS-64, GreatCollections 09-2024) – first public sale. |
| Guide range | $250–$800 for AU/low-MS; $1,500+ once the grade hits MS-65 with full copper reverse. |
Why the big jump? Reverse-side missing-layer errors are 5-10× scarcer on ATB quarters than obverse-side, per PCGS error research.
3. Off-Center Strikes and Doubled Dies
Various 2020 quarters have been found with off-center strikes and doubling on date, lettering, or design elements. These are traditional errors that collectors actively seek across all U.S. coinage.
Value: Typically $20–$200+, depending on severity and visibility
| Grade band | Off-Center (≥10 %) | Doubled-Die (light spread) |
|---|---|---|
| XF-AU raw | $20–$50 | $30–$75 |
| MS-63 / 64 | $75–$120 | $90–$150 |
| MS-66 (PCGS-cert) | $175–$325 | $200–$400 |
Common PCGS numbers:
-
813461 – 2020-W Salt River Bay V75 quarter (popular doubled-die host) PCGS
-
812442 – 2020-P Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller (known for 7 % off-centers) PCGS
Record price: A 16 % off-center 2020-W Salt River Bay graded PCGS MS-66 sold for $560 in 2023 (eBay).
What Makes the 2020 Quarters So Special?
The 2020 ATB quarters marked the final year of the popular U.S. Mint program, featuring five unique reverse designs:
- National Park of American Samoa - A mother fruit bat hanging upside down with her baby, emphasizing the importance of endangered species like the megachiroptera
- Weir Farm National Historic Site - Impressionist painter J. Alden Weir painting a scene outside his Connecticut home, now a national park devoted to supporting the arts
- Salt River Bay National Historical Park - A mangrove tree, known for its adaptability and crucial role in coastal ecosystems
- Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park - A young girl planting a Norway spruce seedling, emphasizing the importance of forest conservation
- Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve - A regal fritillary butterfly taking flight above the prairie tallgrass, emphasizing the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem
But beyond the designs, 2020 was also the year the West Point Mint (“W” mint mark) introduced a limited run of quarters — only 2 million of each design — into circulation. These came with a “V75” privy mark, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II
Key factors that influence the rarity of these quarters:
- Mint location: West Point Mint (W) and San Francisco Mint (S) had lower mintage numbers than other mints
- Error rarity: Die breaks and missing layers are often unique to each coin
- Condition: Coins graded MS-67 and higher, with very fine details, are much harder to come by than circulated coins
- Demand: Certain designs, like the American Samoa fruit bat, are collector favorites and thus harder to come by
How to Spot a 2020 Quarter Error
You don’t need a lab to start looking for these valuable coins. Here are quick tips:
- Use a 10x or 20x magnifier to examine fine details.
- Check for doubling, off-center designs, or missing layers.
- Compare with online reference images or certified specimens from grading services like PCGS or NGC.
- Look for the W mint mark with a V75 privy on the obverse (front) of the coin — these are scarce even without errors.
Where to Find and Collect 2020 Quarters
Error coins can show up in bank rolls, pocket change, or estate lots. But if you want to build a complete 2020 set — including rare mint marks and possible errors — Bullion Shark is a trusted source for both novice and experienced collectors. We offer a curated selection of certified 2020 quarters, including W-mint and proof issues, and can help you build a registry-ready collection backed by expert guidance.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to round out a high-grade PCGS set, Bullion Shark can help you navigate the modern coin market with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the value of a 2020 quarter?
Most 2020 quarters in circulated condition are worth their face value of 25 cents. However, uncirculated or proof versions, especially those with errors or special mint marks, can be worth more. For instance, a 2020-P American Samoa quarter with a "Faceless Bat" error has been valued between $50 and $500, depending on the error's specifics.
2. What are the rare errors found on 2020 quarters?
Notable errors include the "Faceless Bat" on the American Samoa quarter, where the mother bat's facial features are missing due to a strike-through or die break. Another significant error is the 2020-D American Samoa quarter missing 98% of its reverse clad layer, exposing the copper core, which has been valued at approximately $2,499.
3. What is the significance of the 2020-W quarter with the V75 privy mark?
In 2020, the U.S. Mint released quarters with a "W" mint mark from the West Point Mint, featuring a special "V75" privy mark to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Only 2 million of each design were produced, making them relatively rare and sought after by collectors.
4. How can I identify if my 2020 quarter has an error?
Identifying errors involves closely examining the coin for anomalies such as missing design elements, doubling, or unusual coloration. Using a magnifying glass or coin microscope can help detect these errors. Comparing your coin to reference images from reputable sources can also assist in identification.
5. Are 2020 quarters from the San Francisco Mint valuable?
Quarters from the San Francisco Mint bear an "S" mint mark and are typically proof coins made for collectors. These coins are not released into general circulation and often have higher value, especially if they are in pristine condition. Uncirculated "S" mint mark quarters can be worth more than $3, while proof versions may range between $8 and $12.50.
6. What is a 2020 quarter error?
A 2020 quarter error is any American Samoa, Weir Farm, Salt River Bay, Marsh-Billings, or Tallgrass Prairie coin struck with a minting mistake—e.g., strike-throughs, missing clad layers, doubled dies, or off-center strikes—that raises its collector value.
7. How much is the “Faceless Bat” 2020-P quarter error worth?
PCGS-certified examples showing the bat’s face blurred by a strike-through trade for about $50 in XF, $150-$225 in MS-65, and up to $500 in MS-67; one MS-66 brought $295 in 2024.
8. What’s the value of a 2020-D bat quarter missing its reverse clad layer?
With 98 % of the nickel layer gone, the copper core shows; only four are PCGS-slabbed. An MS-64 sold for $2,499 at GreatCollections in September 2024, and lower-grade pieces list for $250-$800.
9. Are off-center 2020 quarters worth saving?
Yes. Off-centers mis-aligned by 10 %+ generally fetch $20-$50 in XF, $75-$120 in MS-63/64, and $175-$325 in MS-66; a 16 % off-center 2020-W Salt River Bay MS-66 realized $560 in 2023.
10. How do I spot a valuable 2020 quarter error fast?
Look for missing bat facial details, a copper-colored reverse, clearly doubled lettering, or a design shifted toward one rim. Weigh suspect coins (normal = 5.67 g) and compare to PCGS CoinFacts photos for confirmation.
11. Which mint marks show the most 2020 quarter errors?
Philadelphia (P) coins yield most strike-through and doubled-die finds, while Denver (D) hosts the notable missing-clad error; W-mint circulation strikes mainly show premium-grade rather than true errors.