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The 2010-S Mount Hood Silver Quarter is worth anywhere from $10 in circulated condition to over $150 in high-grade pristine condition. Finding one of these in your change is a Rare treat, as they were never intended for general circulation and contain 90% pure silver.
| Grade/Condition | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Circulated / Slight Wear | $8 – $12 |
| Proof-65 (Typical Proof) | $15 – $25 |
| Proof-69 (Near Perfect) | $35 – $50 |
| Proof-70 (Perfect Grade) | $120 – $180+ |
Overview of the 2010-S Mount Hood Silver Quarter
If you’ve recently come across a shiny quarter featuring a majestic mountain and a lake, you might be holding a piece of the “America the Beautiful” series. Identifying whether yours is the silver version is the first step in determining its true market price. Using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between the common copper-nickel versions and the valuable silver proofs minted in San Francisco.
The 2010-S Mount Hood Silver Quarter was minted as part of a special collector’s set. Unlike the quarters we use to buy groceries, these were struck on planchets consisting of 90% silver and 10% copper.
Because they were sold directly to collectors by the US Mint, seeing one in “the wild” or pocket change is rare. However, many people inherit collections or find these coins in estate sales without realizing the current 2010 quarter silver prices have risen significantly due to the fluctuating precious metals market and collector demand.
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How to Identify the Silver Mount Hood Quarter
The most important feature to look for is the “S” mint mark located on the obverse (the side with George Washington) to the right of his ponytail. The “S” stands for the San Francisco Mint. However, keep in mind that the Mint also produced “S” clad proofs that contain no silver.
To be sure it is silver, check the edge of the coin. A standard quarter has a copper-colored stripe visible on the edge. A silver quarter will be solid silver-white all the way around. Professionals often use CoinKnow to verify weights, as a silver quarter weighs exactly 6.25 grams, while a standard clad quarter weighs only 5.67 grams.
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The design itself is breathtaking. Created by Phebe Hemphill, it depicts Mount Hood with Lost Lake in the foreground. It was the fifth and final release of the 2010 series, making it a “closer” for many annual sets.
Grading and Its Impact on Mount Hood Silver Values
In the world of coin collecting, “Condition is King.” A coin that looks perfect to the naked eye might have microscopic scratches that lower its value. Collectors use a scale from 1 to 70. For silver proof quarters, the most common grades are Proof-68, Proof-69, and the elusive Proof-70.
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A Proof-70 coin is considered “Deep Cameo,” meaning there is a sharp contrast between the frosted design and the mirror-like background. These are the “holy grails” for modern quarter collectors and command the highest premiums at auction.
| Grading Tier | Description | Typical Buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Raw / Ungraded | Straight from a lens or set | Casual collectors |
| PR69 DCAM | Nearly flawless, no visible marks | Registry set builders |
| PR70 DCAM | Absolute perfection under 5x mag | High-end investors |
Current Market Trends for 2010 Quarter Varieties
The market for America the Beautiful (ATB) quarters has remained steady, but 2010 was a particularly low-mintage year compared to later dates. Because this was the inaugural year of the program, many people didn’t realize how small the production runs for the silver versions would be.
The market value for 2010 silver quarters fluctuates with the spot price of silver, but the “collector premium” usually keeps the price well above the melt value. Currently, with silver prices climbing, the floor for these coins is much higher than it was five years ago.
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If you are looking to sell, avoid pawn shops that only pay “melt value” for the silver content. Instead, check the CoinKnow app for recent auction results to see what collectors are actually paying on platforms like eBay or Heritage Auctions. You’ll often find that the numismatic value is double or triple the raw metal value.
Why the 2010-S Mount Hood Silver Quarter is a Must-Have
For residents of Oregon or nature enthusiasts, this coin is more than just money; it is a piece of art. The Mount Hood Silver Quarter captures the “Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge” in stunning detail.
Because the silver sets were sold in plastic “lenses,” coins that have been removed from these sets and handled with bare hands will lose value quickly. Oils from your skin can cause “toning” or spotting on the silver surface.
If you find one that is “raw” (not in a holder), it is best to place it in a PVC-free coin flip immediately. Analyzing the coin’s luster with CoinKnow can help you decide if it is worth the $30-$50 fee to have it professionally graded by a service like PCGS or NGC.
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| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Mintage (Silver Proof) | Approx. 585,000 |
| Silver Content | 0.1808 troy oz |
| Diameter | 24.3 mm |
Errors and Variations to Look Out For
While major errors on modern silver proof quarters are rare, they are not impossible. Some collectors look for “strike-throughs,” where a piece of debris gets between the die and the coin during minting.
Double dies are also a possibility, though none have been significantly documented for the 2010-S Mount Hood silver version yet. Always inspect the lettering in “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the details on the mountain peak. If you see doubling in those areas, your coin could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars to a specialist.
Using a high-resolution camera and an app like CoinKnow can help you zoom in on these tiny details that the naked eye might miss. Finding a previously unknown error is the dream of every “cherrypicker” in the coin world.
FAQ
Q: Is every 2010 Mount Hood quarter made of silver?
A: No. The vast majority of 2010 Mount Hood quarters are made of a copper-nickel “clad” composition. Only the special “S” mint marked versions specifically sold in Silver Proof Sets are 90% silver.
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Q: How much silver is in a 2010-S Silver Quarter?
A: These coins contain 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. This means if the silver price is $25 per ounce, the “melt value” is about $4.50, though the collector value is much higher.
Q: Where can I sell my 2010-S Mount Hood Silver Quarter?
A: You can sell it to local coin shops, through online auction sites like eBay, or to reputable online bullion and coin dealers. Always check the current market price on CoinKnow before accepting an offer.
Q: What is the difference between a “Clad Proof” and a “Silver Proof”?
A: A clad proof has a copper core (visible as a brown stripe on the edge), while a silver proof is solid silver throughout. Both will have a mirror-like finish and an “S” mint mark.