The 2013-D Great Basin Quarter is worth anywhere from $0.25 in worn pocket change to over $150 in high-grade mint condition. While most of these coins you find today are only worth their face value, certain rare specimens and high-quality strikes can be a hidden treasure in your spare change.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $0.25 |
| About Uncirculated (AU) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Mint State 63 (MS63) | $3.00 – $8.00 |
| Mint State 67 (MS67) | $40.00 – $85.00 |
| Mint State 68+ (Rare) | $150.00+ |
Understanding the History of the 2013-D Great Basin Quarter
If you’ve recently found a quarter featuring a gnarled, ancient tree on the back, you’re looking at the Great Basin National Park quarter. This coin was the 18th release in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, a popular series that honored national sites across the United States. To find out if yours is rare, many collectors use the best coin identifier app to scan their finds instantly.
The “D” mint mark on this 2013 quarter signifies that it was produced at the Denver Mint. In 2013, the Denver Mint struck exactly 141,400,000 of these coins. Because over 141 million were made, they are very common in everyday circulation. However, the condition of the coin is everything. Most quarters in your pocket have been banged against other coins, losing their original luster. Only those kept in pristine, “uncirculated” condition carry a significant premium for collectors.
To truly know if you have a winner, you can use CoinHix, a powerful tool designed to help hobbyists identify specific minting details. While a standard quarter is just twenty-five cents, a sharp-eyed collector might spot a high-grade specimen worth fifty times that amount.
How Grading Affects the 2013-D Great Basin Quarter Value
In the world of coin collecting, the “grade” is the most important factor in determining price. We use a 70-point scale where 1 is barely recognizable and 70 is perfect. For a modern coin like the 2013-D Great Basin Quarter, the value only begins to climb once you hit “Mint State” (MS) grades, specifically MS65 and above.
A coin that has been in a wallet or a vending machine is usually graded as “Circulated.” These are worth exactly face value. However, if you find one that looks like it just came from the bank—with no scratches and a bright shine—it could be an MS67. You can check the latest market trends by looking at 2013 quarter value charts to see how prices shift based on these professional grades.
Because so many were minted, collectors are very picky. They want the highest grade possible. An MS68 2013-D Great Basin Quarter is significantly rarer than an MS65, which is why the price jumps so sharply at the top end of the scale.
| Grade Designation | Description | Retail Price |
|---|---|---|
| MS63 | Typical luster, many small marks | $2.50 |
| MS65 | Strong luster, very few marks | $12.00 |
| MS67 | Nearly perfect to the naked eye | $65.00 |
| MS68 | Flawless under 5x magnification | $160.00+ |
Identifying Key Features and Design Details
The reverse (back) of the quarter was designed by Ronald D. Sanders. it depicts a single Bristlecone pine tree sitting amidst the rocky glacial moraines of Great Basin National Park in Nevada. These trees are among the oldest living organisms on Earth, which makes the design a favorite among nature lovers.
On the obverse (front), you will see the familiar portrait of George Washington. Beside his ponytail, look for the small letter “D.” This confirms the Denver Mint origin. If you see a “P,” it was made in Philadelphia; an “S” means it came from San Francisco and is likely a proof coin intended for collectors.
Determining the specific Great Basin quarter price trends requires looking at recent auction sales. Often, coins sold in “Mint Sets” or original rolls are the ones that achieve these higher price points because they haven’t been damaged by the general public.
Potential Mint Errors to Watch For
While no famous “major” errors exist for the 2013-D Great Basin Quarter like the 1955 doubled-die penny, collectors still hunt for minor variations. These errors occur when something goes wrong during the high-speed striking process at the Denver Mint. Using CoinHix can help you compare your coin to known error types.
Look for “die chips,” which appear as small, raised bumps of extra metal, often found on the branches of the Bristlecone pine tree. Another common error is a “die crack,” which looks like a thin raised line running through the design. While these don’t usually worth hundreds of dollars, they can turn a 25-cent coin into a $5 or $10 collector’s item.
“Off-center” strikes are the most valuable errors. If the design is not perfectly centered and part of the metal is blank, you could be looking at a coin worth $20 to $50 or more, depending on how much of the design is missing. Always check the edges and the rims for any unusual shapes.
| Error Type | Rarity Level | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Die Chip | Common | $2 – $5 |
| Die Crack (Tree) | Uncommon | $5 – $15 |
| Major Off-Center Strike | Rare | $50 – $100+ |
How to Store and Protect Your 2013-D Quarters
If you believe you’ve found a high-value 2013-D Great Basin Quarter, stop touching it with your bare hands! The oils from your skin can cause “toning” or corrosion over time, which lowers the grade and the value. Instead, handle the coin by its edges or use cotton gloves.
Storing your coins properly is the best way to ensure they maintain their value. Professional collectors use PVC-free plastic flips or cardboard 2×2 holders. These protect the coin from scratches and environmental moisture. If you have a specimen that appears to be in perfect condition, you might even consider sending it to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC.
Before spending money on professional grading, it is wise to use CoinHix to get a baseline idea of the coin’s potential. Grading services charge fees, so you want to be reasonably sure your quarter will land a grade of MS67 or higher to make the investment worthwhile.
Summary: Should You Save Your 2013-D Great Basin Quarter?
The vast majority of 2013-D Great Basin Quarters are meant for spending. However, if you have one that looks exceptionally shiny, has no visible scratches, or features a strange minting error, it is definitely worth setting aside. The market for America the Beautiful quarters continues to grow as more people start hobby collecting.
Keep an eye on the “D” mint mark and the level of detail on the Bristlecone pine needles. If the needles are sharp and the rock texture is crisp, you have a high-grade coin. Even if it’s not worth a fortune today, high-quality modern coins often appreciate in value as “pocket change” versions become more worn and dirty.
Happy hunting! Whether you’re looking through a jar of change or buying uncirculated rolls from the bank, the thrill of finding a rare 2013-D Great Basin Quarter is what coin collecting is all about.
FAQ
Q: Where is the mint mark on the 2013 Great Basin Quarter?
A: The mint mark is located on the obverse (front) of the coin, to the right of George Washington’s ponytail. You will see a small “D” for Denver, “P” for Philadelphia, or “S” for San Francisco.
Q: Is there a silver version of the 2013-D Great Basin Quarter?
A: No. The Denver (D) and Philadelphia (P) mints only produced copper-nickel clad versions for circulation. Silver versions were only produced at the San Francisco (S) mint as part of special Proof Sets for collectors.
Q: How much is a 2013-D Great Basin Quarter with a die chip worth?
A: Depending on the size and location of the die chip, it can be worth between $2 and $10. Most collectors look for chips that are easily visible to the naked eye, particularly on the tree or the rocky ground.
Q: Should I clean my 2013 quarter to make it look newer?
A: Never clean a coin! Cleaning creates micro-scratches that professional graders can easily spot. A cleaned coin will almost always lose its collector value, even if it looks “shinier” to you.