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The 1999-S Connecticut Silver State Quarter is worth anywhere from $10 in standard proof condition to over $1,200 for rare, high-grade specimens. This beautiful coin, featuring the historic Charter Oak, remains a favorite among collectors and casual hobbyists alike for its high silver content and stunning mirrored finish.
| Grade/Condition | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| PR 65 (Standard Silver Proof) | $10 – $15 |
| PR 69 (Near Perfect) | $25 – $40 |
| PR 70 (Deep Cameo) | $100 – $1,250+ |
Identifying the 1999-S Silver Connecticut Quarter
If you’ve found a shiny 1999 quarter in a plastic case or a felt box, you might be holding a piece of American history. To determine if your coin is the silver version, you first need to look for the “S” mint mark located to the right of George Washington’s ponytail. This signifies it was struck at the San Francisco Mint. However, not all “S” quarters are silver; the Mint also produced copper-nickel clad proof versions.
The easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at the edge of the coin. A silver quarter will have a solid silver-colored edge, while a clad coin will show a distinct copper stripe. If you’re still unsure about what you found, using a top coin identifier app can help you confirm the composition and variety instantly. The 1999-S Silver Connecticut Quarter is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, making it significantly heavier and more valuable than your everyday pocket change.
Using a tool like CoinKnow can make this process much faster. CoinKnow allows you to snap a photo and get immediate feedback on whether you have a silver proof or a standard clad coin. This is essential because the silver content alone gives this coin an intrinsic “melt value” that never drops to zero, regardless of the collector market.
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The Significance of the Charter Oak Design
The 1999 Connecticut quarter was the fifth coin released in the groundbreaking 50 State Quarters Program. The reverse features the famous Charter Oak, an ancient tree that played a pivotal role in Connecticut’s colonial history. According to legend, the oak was used to hide the Connecticut Charter from British agents in 1687, preserving the colony’s independence. This rich storytelling makes the coin highly desirable for history buffs.
Because these coins were minted specifically for collectors in proof sets, they were never intended to circulate in general commerce. This means that if you find one, it should still have its original luster. The silver version is particularly striking because the “Proof” finish involves polished dies and planchets, resulting in a mirror-like background and a frosted appearance on the tree and the portrait.
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To get a better idea of how these designs impact the market, you can check the latest 1999 state quarter price guides to see how Connecticut stacks up against Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia. While all 1999 silver quarters share the same metal content, the Connecticut design is often cited as one of the most aesthetically pleasing of the early releases.
Grading and Condition Impacts on Value
In the world of coin collecting, condition is everything. For the 1999-S Silver Connecticut Quarter, the value scale is compressed because most “Proof” coins are already in excellent shape. However, the difference between a PR 69 (almost perfect) and a PR 70 (absolutely perfect under 5x magnification) can be several hundred dollars.
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Collectors look for “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) designations. This refers to the intense contrast between the shiny, reflective fields (background) and the opaque, white frosting on the raised parts of the design. Any scratches, fingerprints, or “milk spots” (white cloudy patches often found on silver coins) will drastically lower the value.
| Attribute | Description | Value Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Cameo | Strong contrast between frost and mirror | High |
| Milk Spots | White residue from the cleaning process | Negative |
| Hairlines | Tiny scratches from improper handling | Moderate Negative |
Silver Content vs. Numismatic Value
Even if the collector market for State Quarters fluctuates, the 1999-S Silver Quarter will always have value because of its metal content. Each coin contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. When silver prices rise, the “floor price” of this coin rises with it. This creates a safety net for investors that standard clad quarters simply don’t have.
Many people use CoinKnow to track the live bullion value of their silver coins. It’s a great way to decide whether to sell a coin for its silver weight or to hold out for a collector who recognizes its numismatic (rare coin) value. If you look at 1999 silver quarter auction results, you will notice that silver proofs consistently outperform their copper-nickel counterparts by a wide margin.
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If you have a full 1999 Silver Proof Set, the value is even higher. The 1999 sets were the first of their kind and had a relatively lower mintage compared to later years, making them a “key” year for collectors of the series.
Mintage Figures and Rarity
Understanding how many coins were made is vital to understanding their worth. While billions of Connecticut quarters were struck for circulation in Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D), the San Francisco (S) Silver Proofs were produced in much smaller quantities. Roughly 800,000 of the 1999 Silver Proof sets were sold, which is a drop in the bucket compared to the 1.3 billion total Connecticut quarters minted.
| Mint Mark | Composition | Approx. Mintage |
|---|---|---|
| 1999-P | Clad (Circulation) | 688,740,000 |
| 1999-D | Clad (Circulation) | 657,880,000 |
| 1999-S | Clad (Proof) | 3,713,359 |
| 1999-S | 90% Silver (Proof) | 804,565 |
As you can see, the silver version is the rarest of the bunch. Because these were sold as sets, “loose” silver quarters found in the wild often come from broken-up sets. If you find one that is still in its original US Mint packaging, it’s generally better to keep it that way to protect its grade.
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How to Sell Your 1999-S Connecticut Silver Quarter
If you’ve checked CoinKnow and determined your coin is a high-grade silver proof, your next step is deciding how to sell it. For lower-grade silver proofs worth $10-$20, local coin shops or eBay are usually the best bet. If you believe your coin is a perfect PR 70, you should consider having it professionaly graded by a service like PCGS or NGC.
A “slabbed” (professionally graded) 1999-S Connecticut Silver Quarter in PR 70 DCAM condition can sell for over $100, and in some rare cases, they have auction records exceeding $1,000. However, be aware that grading costs money (usually $20-$50 per coin), so you should only send in coins that appear flawless.
Before you sell, always check recent “Sold” listings rather than “Active” listings. Anyone can ask for $500 for a quarter, but the actual value is what someone is willing to pay. Look for recent sales to get a realistic expectation of what’s in your wallet.
FAQ
Q: How can I tell if my 1999-S quarter is silver or clad?
A: Check the edge of the coin. If you see a solid silver stripe with no copper, it is 90% silver. If you see a brown or orange copper stripe, it is a standard clad proof. You can also weigh them; silver quarters weigh 6.25 grams, while clad quarters weigh 5.67 grams.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Q: Is the 1999-S Connecticut quarter rare?
A: It is rare compared to circulation quarters, with only about 800,000 minted. However, because they were sold to collectors, many have been preserved, meaning they are common in “Proof” condition but rare in “Perfect” condition.
Q: What is the most expensive 1999 Connecticut quarter ever sold?
A: While most sell for under $20, a perfect PR 70 Deep Cameo specimen has reached prices as high as $1,200 at major auctions. These coins are exceptionally rare and must be verified by a professional grading service.
Q: Should I clean my silver quarter to make it worth more?
A: No! Never clean a coin. Cleaning creates microscopic scratches that collectors can easily spot, and it can reduce the value of a coin by 50% or more. Always handle your silver quarters by the edges to avoid leaving fingerprints.