At first glance, a 2020 quarter might look like any other coin in your pocket but don’t be too quick to spend it. These coins commemorate the final year of the America the Beautiful Series, i.e., a ten-year program dedicated to national parks and historic sites in the United States. And detailed designs, remarkable variety, and even a few rare versions make these coins a good and affordable start to your coin collection.
Whether you are hoping to build a beautiful display or just want to hunt down something special in your change, the 2020 quarter offers history, art, and even investment potential — so let us discuss this coin in more detail.
The America the Beautiful Quarters Program — A Quick Overview
The America the Beautiful Quarters Program was launched in 2010 and aimed to celebrate U.S. history and nature by showing national parks and historic sites on the back of the quarter. It ran for 11 years and included 56 unique designs — one for each U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia.
Key facts about the program:
Years active: 2010–2021
Total designs: 56
Subjects: National parks, forests, monuments, and historical sites
Coverage: All 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and D.C.
Obverse: George Washington portrait (unchanged throughout)
Reverse: New design for each location, changed five times a year
Collectors loved the variety, artistry, and cultural richness of the series. Many people started casually — finding them in change — and ended up building full albums.
Collector tip: Starting with the 2020 issues is a great strategy, as just five coins to hunt down, and they wrap up the entire series with beautiful, high-interest designs.
Meet the 2020 Quarters — The Five Final Designs
The 2020 quarters are special not just because they came last, also because they show some of the most diverse and meaningful imagery in the whole series. Each design highlights an important part of America’s story (from tropical ecology to conservation and the arts).
Here is a quick look at the five coins released in 2020:
Location | State/Territory | Design Description | Theme |
National Park of American Samoa | American Samoa | A mother fruit bat hanging with her pup | Wildlife, family, island ecology |
Weir Farm National Historic Site | Connecticut | Artist painting outdoors with easel and brush | American art and creativity |
Salt River Bay National Historical Park | U.S. Virgin Islands | Red mangrove trees growing from the water | Natural ecosystems, biodiversity |
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park | Vermont | Youth planting a tree | Sustainability, conservation |
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve | Kansas | Regal image of a flying pheasant over prairie grass | Grassland ecosystems, heritage |
Each of these coins tells a story of the place and at the same time of broader ideas like preservation, creativity, and environmental awareness. The fruit bat quarter from American Samoa quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its bold and unexpected design, while the Vermont and Kansas quarters drew praise for their themes of conservation and natural beauty.
Key Characteristics of 2020 Quarters
Before talking about nuances, rare types and hunting techniques, it helps to understand what makes this coin a 2020 quarter. While they may look like ordinary pieces, their design, structure, and variants offer a lot more than meets the eye.
The main characteristics of the coin you can see in the table below:
Feature | Description |
Diameter | 24.26 mm |
Weight | 5.67 grams |
Composition | Standard versions: copper-nickel clad (durable for circulation). Collector versions: 99.9% fine silver (available in special Mint sets). |
Obverse (Front) | Classic portrait of George Washington, first introduced in 1932. This design has remained consistent throughout the America the Beautiful series. |
Reverse (Back) | Unique designs for each 2020 coin, created by U.S. Mint artists and members of the Artistic Infusion Program (AIP). Themes range from fruit bats to prairie chickens. |
Interesting fact: Silver proof versions of the 2020 quarters sometimes have a matte or satin-like finish, giving them a soft, elegant appearance that collectors love. These are typically found in special collector sets sold by the U.S. Mint.
Mint Marks and Rare 2020 Quarter Types
Mint marks are small letters on coins that tell you where the coin was made — and in the case of 2020 quarters, they can mean the difference between ordinary and collectible. Here is what to look for:
P — Philadelphia Mint
D — Denver Mint
S — San Francisco Mint (used for proof and silver proof coins, not for general circulation)
W — West Point Mint (now here’s where it gets exciting!)
In 2020, the U.S. Mint did something special: it released "W" mint mark quarters into general circulation — a first for this kind of coin. Only two million of each of the five designs were minted at West Point, meaning that just 10 million W-quarters exist in total. That’s incredibly low compared to hundreds of millions from the other mints.
These coins were distributed randomly through banks and mixed in with ordinary change, which makes them real objects of huntings.
Collector tip: If you find a 2020-W quarter, don’t spend it! Even in circulated condition, it could be worth $10–$20 or more. Quarters with mint errors or in high-grade uncirculated condition can fetch significantly higher prices from collectors.
Where and How to Find 2020 Quarters Today
Think it is too late to start collecting 2020 quarters? Think again — many are still out there, waiting to be found.
Places to look these quarters include:
Your own pocket change — check every quarter before you spend it!
Bank rolls — ask for quarter rolls at local banks; W-mints have turned up here often.
Online marketplaces — eBay, Etsy, and collector forums offer all versions (circulation, BU, silver).
Coin shows and collector events — great for browsing, learning, and trading.
U.S. Mint sets — for silver proof or uncirculated versions, these can still be bought sealed.
If you want a shortcut to identify whether your coin is special, try this collector's lifehack— use the Coin ID Scanner app. It can instantly detect your coin’s type, mint mark, condition, and even provide an estimated market value.
Storage and Display Tips for Your Collection
So, you've collected your 2020 quarters — or maybe you are just planning to. Now comes a key part of numismatics that often separates casual collectors from careful curators: storage and display. Proper storage doesn’t mean your coins should look good on a shelf — it is how you protect your coins’ condition, maintain their value, and enjoy them for many years.
Albums
Coin albums are a favorite choice for collectors who like structure and visual appeal. These books often have clear slots and labels for each coin in a series, which makes it easy to track your progress. Albums also help keep coins organized by year, mint mark, or design — perfect for a set like the America the Beautiful quarters. Just be sure to choose acid-free and PVC-free materials to avoid chemical damage over time.
Capsules
Airtight capsules are ideal for high-value or proof coins. They are small, round, and usually made from clear acrylic, allowing you to admire both sides of the coin without removing it from its protective shell. Capsules are also useful if you plan to handle your coins more frequently — they protect from fingerprints, dust, and humidity, all enemies of long-term coin preservation.
Holders
2x2 cardboard holders or plastic flips are cost-effective options for storing circulated coins. They are easy to label and sort in boxes or trays. Make sure your holders are made of inert materials and do not contain PVC, which can cause coins to tone or corrode.
A Small Step into Coin Collecting, a Big Step into American History
Five coins. That is all it takes to start a way into the great world of American history, geography, and design. For beginning collectors, these coins can be a perfect start as they are accessible, affordable, and filled with stories. Each design leads you to a different corner of the country from the coral reefs of American Samoa to the battlefield of Tallgrass Prairie.
Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small — with each coin, you begin to build a collection and preserve a part of America’s story. And who knows, maybe today’s five quarters might be tomorrow’s lifelong passion and even investment piece.