Here is the tale of the 1999 South Carolina State Quarter, which has sold for $99,000! This coin was one of the US Mint’s 50 State Quarters series and became extremely popular with collectors. While this coin is widely available in circulation, some high-grade (Mint State – MS) specimens have sold for millions. Let us discover why this coin is so precious and whether you can have one of the rare ones!
50 State Quarters Program—A Little Background
Launched in 1999, this program had begun as a tribute to all the states in the US. It made a special design for every state, which was gathered by millions. It became so popular that a few coins got scarce and their rates skyrocketed.
Design of the 1999 South Carolina State Quarter
This coin was released in 2000 and bears the classic portrait of George Washington on the obverse.
The reverse side contains:
A crescent moon and palmetto tree, which represent the state flag of South Carolina.
The inscriptions “South Carolina” and “The Palmetto State” are written.
The design was done by Thomas D. Rogers and engraved by William Cousins.
What makes a coin valuable?
The worth of any scarce coin relies on the following factors:
Grade: Coins that are in top condition (Mint State – MS) are worth more.
Rarity: If high-grade copies of a coin are present in small numbers, its value rises.
Demand: Demand by collectors also determines the value of a coin.
Provenance: If a coin has some special history or previous ownership, it could be worth more.
High-Grade Coin Prices
The majority of 1999 South Carolina quarters are sold at about their usual price, but some special high-grade ones have commanded remarkable prices:
2000-P MS69 graded quarter – sold for $3,525 in 2017.
2000-D MS63 graded quarter – sold for $2,990 in 2003.
This transaction demonstrates that coins in good condition can command high prices.
Coin Sold for $99,000 – What Made It So Special?
In 2018, one of the rare 1999 South Carolina State Quarters sold for $99,000. The justification for this staggering price was:
High quality (MS69 grade): Coins with this grade are very scarce.
Provenance (history and past ownership): This coin could have been owned by famous collectors previously.
Market Demand: Interest from collectors in scarce high-grade quarters was at its highest at that moment.
Could You Have a Valuable Quarter?
This coin’s history indicates that if you own a rare coin in fine condition, it is very valuable.
If you come across an odd-looking quarter, have a professional grading service check it. You might just have a valuable coin!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why does the 1999 South Carolina State Quarter cost so much?
A: The price has increased because of the scarce editions located in high-grade (MS69) and collector demand.
Q2: How do I have my South Carolina State Quarter graded?
A: Send the coin to a professional grading service (NGC, PCGS) to evaluate its quality.
Q3: Are all 1999 South Carolina State Quarters costly?
A: No, the majority of coins sell at a regular price. But some coins in excellent condition can cost lakhs.
Q4: Where can I sell my precious coins?
A: You can sell them at any reputable coin dealer, auction house, or online numismatic forums.