The 1999-P Connecticut State Quarter is worth anywhere from $0.25 in worn condition to over $600 in high-grade Mint State or for rare errors. While most of these coins found in pocket change are only worth their face value, certain specimens carry a premium for collectors and investors alike.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $0.25 |
| About Uncirculated (AU) | $0.35 – $0.50 |
| Mint State 63 (MS63) | $1.00 – $3.00 |
| Mint State 65 (MS65 Gem) | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| Mint State 67+ (High Grade) | $30.00 – $600.00+ |
Historical Background of the 1999-P Connecticut Quarter
The 1999-P Connecticut State Quarter was the fifth coin released in the United States Mint’s ambitious 50 State Quarters Program. This series changed the face of American numismatics, encouraging millions of people to start looking at their change. If you have a handful of coins and aren’t sure where to start, using the best coin identifier app can help you quickly sort through your finds and identify the mint marks.
Connecticut joined the Union on January 9, 1788, making it the fifth state to be honored. The design features the famous “Charter Oak,” a large white oak tree that, according to legend, was used to hide the Connecticut Royal Charter from British agents in 1687. The “P” mint mark on the obverse (the side with George Washington) indicates that the coin was produced at the Philadelphia Mint.
Because the Philadelphia Mint produced over 600 million of these quarters, they are extremely common today. However, just because a coin is common doesn’t mean every specimen is ordinary. Using tools like CoinHix can assist you in determining if yours has the specific luster and lack of scratches that professional graders look for when assigning a high value.
Grading and 1999-P Connecticut State Quarter Value
When determining the value of your 1999-P Connecticut quarter, the most important factor is the “grade.” Most coins you find in your wallet are considered “circulated.” This means they have been passed from person to person, acquiring scratches, dents, and wear on the high points of the design. These coins are generally only worth their face value of 25 cents.
Collectors are primarily interested in “uncirculated” or “Mint State” (MS) coins. These are coins that never entered the channels of commerce and still look as fresh as they day they were struck. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale to rate these coins. A grade of MS60 is a basic uncirculated coin, while MS70 is a perfect coin with no visible flaws.
For this specific issue, the 1999-P state quarter value jumps significantly once you reach the MS67 or MS68 level. Because these coins were made for mass circulation and not necessarily handled with care at the mint, finding one without any contact marks is a rarity.
| Grade (Mint State) | Estimated Market Price |
|---|---|
| MS60 – MS62 | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| MS63 – MS64 | $2.00 – $5.00 |
| MS65 | $10.00 – $15.00 |
| MS66 | $20.00 – $45.00 |
| MS67 | $150.00 – $250.00 |
| MS68 | $600.00+ |
Valuable Errors to Look For in 1999-P Quarters
Errors are where the real excitement begins for everyday Americans. While a regular 1999-P Connecticut quarter might be common, an “error” coin is a mistake made during the manufacturing process that managed to escape the mint. These are highly sought after by specialists and can be identified using the CoinHix app’s visual database.
One of the most notable errors for the 1999-P Connecticut quarter is the “Broadstruck” error. This happens when the coin is struck without the retaining collar, causing the metal to spread out beyond its normal diameter. These can sell for $50 to $100 depending on the severity and condition. Another exciting possibility is the “Off-Center Strike,” where only a portion of the design is visible on the blank.
Other minor errors include “Die Cracks” or “Cuds,” which appear as raised blobs of metal on the surface of the coin. While these aren’t always worth hundreds of dollars, they are certainly worth more than 25 cents. Checking your 1999-P Connecticut quarter value details against documented error lists can help you decide if you should send your coin in for professional authentication.
Identifying the Different Mints: P, D, and S
In 1999, the US Mint produced quarters at three different locations: Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). If you have a Connecticut quarter, look closely at the right side of Washington’s portrait, just below the “In God We Trust” motto. You will see a small letter—this is the mint mark.
The “P” mint mark means it was minted in Philadelphia. These coins were intended for general circulation. Similarly, the “D” mint mark indicates the Denver Mint. In 1999, the Philadelphia Mint produced 688,744,000 Connecticut quarters, while Denver produced 657,880,000. Because the numbers are so similar, their values in circulated condition are nearly identical.
The “S” mint mark is different. These coins were minted in San Francisco and were only sold in special “Proof Sets” for collectors. Proof coins have a mirror-like finish and were not intended to be spent. If you find an “S” mint mark in your change, it likely came from a broken-up proof set and is worth a premium even if it has some light wear.
| Mint Mark | Type | Mintage Volume |
|---|---|---|
| P (Philadelphia) | Business Strike | 688,744,000 |
| D (Denver) | Business Strike | 657,880,000 |
| S (San Francisco) | Clad Proof | 3,713,359 |
| S (San Francisco) | 90% Silver Proof | 804,565 |
How to Sell Your 1999-P Connecticut Quarter
If you believe you have found a high-value 1999-P Connecticut Quarter or a rare error, the next step is knowing how to sell it. For coins worth only a few dollars, local coin shops or online marketplaces like eBay are often the best route. However, for coins that might be worth hundreds, you should consider professional grading.
Services like PCGS and NGC verify the authenticity and condition of the coin, sealing it in a plastic “slab.” A graded coin is much easier to sell because the buyer knows exactly what they are getting. Before spending the money on grading fees, use the CoinHix app to compare your coin’s condition against high-resolution photos of graded specimens.
Remember that “raw” or ungraded coins rarely sell for the top-tier prices seen in auction records. Auction records of $600 or more are specifically for coins that have been professionally certified at the highest levels of preservation. For the average person, looking for “unusual” features like missing letters or weird shapes is the most realistic way to find a treasure in your pocket.
The “Silver” 1999 Connecticut Quarter
While almost all 1999-P Connecticut quarters are made of a copper-nickel “clad” composition, there is a special silver version. These were only minted in San Francisco (S mint mark) and were part of the 1999 Silver Proof Set. They are made of 90% silver and 10% copper.
You can identify a silver quarter by looking at the edge of the coin. A standard clad quarter will show a brownish-copper stripe along the edge. A silver quarter will be solid silver-white all the way around. Additionally, a silver quarter is heavier than a standard quarter (6.25 grams vs. 5.67 grams).
Silver proof quarters are always worth significantly more than their face value because of their precious metal content. Even if the coin is scratched, its “melt value” provides a price floor that ensures it remains a valuable piece for any collector.
FAQ
Q: Is a 1999-P Connecticut quarter rare?
A: No, the 1999-P Connecticut quarter is not rare. There were over 688 million minted. However, coins in “perfect” condition (MS67 or higher) or coins with significant minting errors are considered rare and valuable.
Q: How can I tell if my 1999 quarter is silver?
A: Check the edge of the coin and the mint mark. If the edge is solid silver with no copper stripe and it has an “S” mint mark, it might be silver. You can also weigh it; silver quarters weigh 6.25 grams, while standard quarters weigh 5.67 grams.
Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1999-P Connecticut quarter?
A: High-grade specimens certified as MS68 have sold at major auctions for over $600. Most common versions found in circulation, however, are only worth their face value of $0.25.
Q: What does the “P” stand for on my 1999 quarter?
A: The “P” mint mark stands for the Philadelphia Mint, where the coin was produced. It is located on the right side of the coin’s front (obverse), near George Washington’s ribbon.