The 2013-S White Mountain Quarter is worth anywhere from its face value of $0.25 to over $400 for high-grade silver proof versions. Whether you found one in your pocket change or inherited a collection, understanding the difference between “S” mint marks is the key to discovering if you have a common coin or a treasure.
| Condition/Type | Estimated Value Range |
|---|---|
| Circulated Clad Business Strike | $0.25 – $1.00 |
| Uncirculated Clad (MS65+) | $5.00 – $35.00 |
| Clad Proof (PR69-PR70D CAM) | $7.00 – $25.00 |
| 90% Silver Proof (PR70DCAM) | $30.00 – $450.00 |
The History and Significance of the 2013 White Mountain Quarter
The 2013 White Mountain quarter was the 16th release in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. This ambitious project by the U.S. Mint honors national parks and historic sites across all 50 states and territories. The White Mountain National Forest, located in New Hampshire, was selected to represent the “Granite State.”
If you are unsure whether the coin you found is a rare variety or a common circulating piece, using the best coin identifier app can save you hours of research. Collectors particularly prize the “S” mint mark versions because they were not intended for general circulation.
Unlike the Denver (D) or Philadelphia (P) mints, the San Francisco (S) mint produced these coins specifically for collectors. This limited production immediately makes the 2013-S White Mountain National Forest coin more interesting to the numismatic community than your average pocket change. You can quickly double-check your finds using the CoinHix app to see if your specific year and mint mark combination is trending in value.
Understanding the San Francisco “S” Mint Mark Varieties
The “S” mint mark on a 2013 quarter can mean three different things, and the price varies wildly between them. In 2012, the U.S. Mint began a special program where they struck “Business Strike” coins at the San Francisco mint for sale in rolls and bags to collectors. These were made of the standard copper-nickel “clad” composition but were never sent to banks for public use.
If you find a 2013-S White Mountain quarter in your change, it is likely one of these “NIFC” (Not Intended For Circulation) clad coins. However, the Mint also produced “Proof” versions. A Proof coin is struck twice using special polished dies to create a mirror-like background and frosted details. There are two types of 2013-S proofs: Clad and 90% Silver.
Knowing how to distinguish between a “Business Strike” S-mint and a “Proof” S-mint is crucial. A simple way to check is to look at the edge of the coin. If you see a copper stripe, it is clad. If the edge is solid silver-colored, you might have hit the jackpot with a silver proof. For real-time updates on market trends, the current White Mountain quarter market price data shows a steady demand for high-grade specimens.
| Mint Mark & Type | Mintage Quantity | Rarity Level |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-S Clad Business Strike | 1,475,460 | Uncommon |
| 2013-S Clad Proof | 1,348,790 | Common Proof |
| 2013-S Silver Proof | 766,742 | Scarce |
Grading and How It Affects Your 2013-S Quarter Value
In the world of coin collecting, condition is everything. A 2013-S White Mountain quarter that has been scratched or handled roughly will rarely be worth more than a dollar or two. However, a coin that looks “fresh from the mint” can command a significant premium. Experts use a 70-point scale to grade coins, where 70 is perfect perfection.
For the 2013-S silver proof quarters, achieving a grade of Deep Cameo (DCAM) is the goal. This means the contrast between the shiny field and the white, frosted design of Mount Chocorua is extremely sharp. A PR70 Silver Proof can sell for hundreds of dollars at auction, whereas a PR68 might only be worth $20.
Most everyday Americans won’t have a professional grade for their coins. You can use CoinHix to upload a photo and get an estimate of your coin’s condition. If you want to dive deeper into historical sales, you can find a comprehensive 2013 quarter price guide that lists recent auction results for various grades. Even a small difference in luster can lead to a big difference in the final price.
The Silver Content Factor: 2013-S Silver Proofs
One of the reasons the 2013-S White Mountain quarter attracts so much attention is the existence of the 90% silver version. While standard quarters are made of a mix of copper and nickel, the silver proof sets issued in 2013 contained coins made of 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver.
Even if the coin has no “collector” value (which is unlikely), it will always be worth its “melt value.” As the price of silver fluctuates, the baseline value of a silver 2013-S quarter changes. During times of high silver prices, these quarters become even more desirable as both a numismatic item and a precious metal investment.
Always check the weight if you are unsure. A standard clad quarter weighs 5.67 grams, while a 90% silver quarter weighs 6.25 grams. Small details like this are what professional collectors look for. If you find one that seems heavier or sounds “clinkier” when dropped on a wooden table, you might have found a silver proof that was accidentally spent as regular money.
| Grade | Clad S-Mint Price | Silver S-Mint Price |
|---|---|---|
| MS63 / PR65 | $2 – $5 | $12 – $18 |
| MS67 / PR69 | $15 – $25 | $35 – $60 |
| MS68 / PR70 | $100+ | $400+ |
Common Errors Found on 2013 Quarters
Errors are the “wildcards” of the coin world. Even though the modern minting process is very precise, mistakes still happen. For the 2013 White Mountain quarter, collectors often look for “Die Chips” or “Double Dies.” A die chip occurs when a small piece of the metal stamp breaks off, leaving an extra bump of metal on the coin’s surface.
On the White Mountain design, common places to look for errors are around the birch tree or the lettering. While no major “revolutionary” errors have been discovered for this specific issue yet, minor mechanical doubling is often found. These are usually worth $5 to $20 to the right buyer.
If you suspect your 2013-S quarter has a mistake, do not clean it! Cleaning a coin destroys its value instantly. Instead, take a clear photo and use CoinHix to compare it with known error catalogs. Identifying a unique error could turn a $0.25 coin into a $50 prize.
Where to Sell Your 2013-S White Mountain Quarter
If you’ve identified that your coin is a 2013-S and it’s in great condition, you might be wondering where to cash in. For lower-value “Business Strike” S-mints (worth $1-$5), your best bet is often a local coin shop or a platform like eBay. However, keep in mind that shipping costs and seller fees might eat up your profit on inexpensive coins.
For high-grade silver proofs or coins you suspect might grade at PR70, professional auction houses or PCGS/NGC certification is the way to go. Certified coins sell for much higher prices because the buyer has a guarantee of the coin’s authenticity and grade.
Before selling, always check the most recent “Sold” listings rather than “Asking” prices. This gives you a realistic view of what people are actually paying. Many people list common quarters for thousands of dollars hoping for an uneducated buyer, but the real market value is determined by what has actually changed hands in the last 30 days.
FAQ
Q: Why is there an “S” mint mark on my 2013 quarter?
A: The “S” stands for the San Francisco Mint. In 2013, this mint only produced quarters for special collector sets and rolls sold directly by the U.S. Mint, rather than for general bank circulation.
Q: Is every 2013-S White Mountain quarter made of silver?
A: No. Most are “clad,” which is a mixture of copper and nickel. Silver versions were only sold in special “Silver Proof Sets” and have a distinct solid silver edge with no brown copper stripe.
Q: How can I tell if my quarter is a “Proof”?
A: Proof coins have a very shiny, mirror-like background and the design details (like the mountain and trees) usually look “frosted” or matte. They look much higher quality than a regular coin.
Q: Where is the mint mark located?
A: On the 2013 White Mountain quarter, the mint mark (P, D, or S) is located on the “heads” side (obverse), to the right of George Washington’s ponytail and just below “In God We Trust.”
Q: What is the most expensive 2013-S White Mountain quarter ever sold?
A: High-grade Silver Proofs in PR70 Deep Cameo condition have sold for over $400 in professional auctions. In contrast, a regular circulating “P” or “D” mint quarter is usually only worth its face value of 25 cents.
