The 2010-D Mount Hood Quarter is worth anywhere from its face value of $0.25 in circulated condition to over $500 for high-grade specimens. While most of these quarters found in pocket change are common, certain rare mint errors and pristine uncirculated versions can command a significant premium among coin collectors.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| About Uncirculated (AU58) | $0.75 – $1.25 |
| Uncirculated (MS63) | $3.00 – $8.00 |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS67+) | $150.00 – $600.00+ |
Overview of the 2010-D Mount Hood National Forest Quarter
The 2010-D Mount Hood quarter was the fifth and final release of the inaugural year of the “America the Beautiful” (ATB) Quarters Program. This ambitious series, which ran from 2010 to 2021, honored a national site from each U.S. state and territory. The Mount Hood design represents the state of Oregon, featuring the iconic snow-capped peak of Mount Hood with Lost Lake in the foreground. Because 2010 was the first year of the series and the U.S. was still recovering from an economic recession, the mintages for these coins were unusually low compared to the previous State Quarters program.
If you have found one of these coins and aren’t sure of its grade, using a top coin identifier app can help you quickly determine if your find is a common spender or a collector’s item. Most people use CoinKnow to get an instant valuation by simply snapping a photo of the coin’s obverse and reverse. The “D” mint mark on this quarter indicates it was struck at the Denver Mint, which typically produced coins for general circulation in the western half of the United States.
What makes the 2010-D Mount Hood quarter particularly interesting to collectors is its relatively low mintage of 34,400,000. While thirty-four million sounds like a lot, it is quite small in the world of modern quarters. For comparison, many state quarters from the early 2000s had mintages exceeding 500 million. This scarcity in the “America the Beautiful” series is one reason why even circulated versions are sometimes saved by enthusiasts rather than being spent immediately at the grocery store.
Determining the 2010-D Mount Hood Quarter Value by Condition
When assessing the value of your 2010-D Mount Hood quarter, condition is the most critical factor. Most quarters found in daily change are considered “circulated,” meaning they show scratches, smoothening of the mountain peaks, or loss of original luster. These coins are generally only worth their face value of 25 cents. However, if you find a coin that looks like it just came out of a fresh mint roll—with no scratches and a bright, frosty shine—it could be worth significantly more.
Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale to determine a coin’s quality. A coin graded MS60 (Mint State) is uncirculated but may have “bag marks” from bumping into other coins at the mint. A coin graded MS67 or higher is considered “Gem” quality and is extremely rare for this specific issue. To get a better idea of the market, you can check the current 2010 quarter value guides which track recent auction sales for different grades.
| Grade (Sheldon Scale) | Denver Mint (D) Value | Philadelphia Mint (P) Value |
|---|---|---|
| MS63 (Uncirculated) | $5.50 | $6.50 |
| MS65 (Choice) | $12.00 | $15.00 |
| MS66 (Gem) | $35.00 | $40.00 |
| MS67 (Superb Gem) | $450.00+ | $500.00+ |
Key Errors and Varieties to Look For
Error coins are the “holy grail” for many casual hunters. Because 2010 saw the beginning of a new design format, some striking errors slipped through the Denver Mint’s quality control. One of the most common things to look for is a “die crack,” which looks like a raised line of metal that shouldn’t be there. On the Mount Hood design, check the area around the mountain peak and the lake’s surface for any unusual bumps or lines.
Another valuable discovery would be an “off-center strike,” where the design is not perfectly centered on the coin. If the coin is missing part of the design and shows a blank crescent-shaped area, its value could skyrocket to $50 or $100 depending on the percentage of the error. While searching, you might find that different coins from this era have different market trends; for instance, the Yellowstone National Park quarter price trends often mirror the Mount Hood quarter since they were released in the same year.
Using an app like CoinKnow can be incredibly helpful when identifying these subtle errors. The app’s high-resolution database allows you to compare your coin against known error types. Even a small “doubled die” error—where the letters or numbers appear to have a slight ghost image or shadow—can turn a 25-cent coin into a $20 prize. Always keep an eye out for any 2010-D quarters that look “different” than the rest of the coins in your jar.
Why the 2010 Mintage Figures Matter
Mintage refers to the total number of coins produced by the mint. For the 2010-D Mount Hood quarter, the mintage was approximately 34.4 million. While this seems like a large number, it is actually one of the lowest mintages for any circulating quarter in the last 50 years. Due to the 2008-2009 financial crisis, the demand for new coinage was low, so the U.S. Treasury ordered fewer quarters to be struck in 2010.
Because of this supply-and-demand dynamic, “America the Beautiful” quarters from 2010 and 2011 are generally more valuable than those from later years like 2015 or 2018, where mintages often reached the hundreds of millions. Collectors who are trying to build a complete set of ATB quarters often struggle to find 2010 coins in high grades, which keeps the prices stable and rising over time.
| 2010 ATB Design | Denver Mint Mintage | Rarity Level |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs (AR) | 29,000,000 | High |
| Yellowstone (WY) | 34,800,000 | Moderate |
| Yosemite (CA) | 35,000,000 | Moderate |
| Grand Canyon (AZ) | 35,400,000 | Moderate |
| Mount Hood (OR) | 34,400,000 | Moderate |
Tips for Maintaining the Value of Your Quarters
If you believe you have found a high-value 2010-D Mount Hood quarter, the first rule is: do not clean it! While it is tempting to scrub away dirt or tarnish to make the coin look shiny, cleaning a coin actually ruins its value for serious collectors. Micro-scratches caused by cloths or chemicals are easily spotted by professionals and will significantly lower the coin’s grade.
Instead, handle the coin only by its edges. Oils from your skin can cause “toning” or fingerprint marks that become permanent over time. Store your coins in individual PVC-free flips or cardboard coin holders. Many people use CoinKnow to log their collection digitally, keeping a record of when and where they found each piece while storing the physical coin safely away from moisture and light.
Storing your quarters properly ensures that if you decide to sell them in the future, they will still be in the same condition as the day you found them. For modern coins like the 2010-D Mount Hood, even a tiny scratch can mean the difference between a $1 coin and a $50 coin. Protect your investment by being a careful steward of your pocket change finds.
How to Sell a 2010-D Mount Hood Quarter
When it comes time to turn your coin into cash, you have several options. For common circulated quarters, you might find a collector on eBay or locally who is willing to pay a small premium just to finish their album. However, for high-grade or error coins, you might want to consider professional auction houses or reputable coin shops.
Before selling, it is vital to know the current market value. Most experts suggest checking multiple sources to avoid being low-balled. Sites that track real-time auction data can provide a baseline, while mobile apps can give you a quick estimate. If you find a rare error, getting it authenticated and “slabbed” (placed in a protective plastic holder) by a service like PCGS can significantly increase its resale price, as buyers are willing to pay more for a guaranteed grade.
Remember that the “value” of a coin is ultimately what someone else is willing to buy it for. Trends change, and demand for specific series can fluctuate. By staying informed and using tools like CoinKnow, you can time your sale to get the best possible price for your 2010-D Mount Hood Oregon quarter.
FAQ
Q: Where is the mint mark on the 2010-D Mount Hood Quarter?
A: The mint mark is located on the obverse (front) of the coin, to the right of George Washington’s ponytail and just below the phrase “In God We Trust.” A “D” stands for Denver, while a “P” stands for Philadelphia.
Q: Can I find a silver 2010-D Mount Hood Quarter?
A: No, quarters struck for circulation with a “D” or “P” mint mark are made of a copper-nickel clad composition. Silver versions were only struck at the San Francisco Mint (“S” mint mark) as part of special Proof sets intended for collectors.
Q: Is the 2010-D Mount Hood Quarter rare?
A: It is not considered “rare” in the sense that millions exist, but it is “scarce” compared to other quarters because it has one of the lower mintage figures in modern U.S. history. Uncirculated examples in perfect condition are quite rare.
Q: How can I tell if my 2010-D Mount Hood Quarter is an error?
A: Look for anomalies like doubling in the letters, strange blobs of metal (die chips), or part of the design being cut off. You can use a magnifying glass or a coin identification app to compare your coin’s features against a standard 2010 quarter.