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The 2016-D Fort Moultrie Quarter is worth anywhere from $0.25 in worn condition to over $35 in pristine uncirculated condition. While most coins found in your change today are worth only face value, certain high-grade specimens or those with specific Mint errors can command a much higher price among dedicated coin collectors.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $0.25 |
| About Uncirculated (AU50) | $0.30 – $0.50 |
| Mint State (MS63) | $1.00 – $3.00 |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS65+) | $10.00 – $35.00+ |
History of the 2016-D Fort Moultrie Quarter
The 2016-D Fort Moultrie (Fort Sumter National Monument) quarter is part of the United States Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. This ambitious series, which began in 2010 and concluded in 2021, honors a national site from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. If you are unsure exactly which coin you have held in your hand, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between the different issues released that year.
Fort Moultrie, located in South Carolina, is famously known for its role in the Revolutionary War. The reverse design of the quarter depicts Sergeant William Jasper returning the regimental flag to the ramparts while under fire from a British ship. The “D” mint mark signifies that this specific coin was struck at the Denver Mint. With a mintage of over 142 million units, the 2016-D is not considered a rare coin by production standards, but its historical significance makes it a staple for every modern collection.
To ensure you are getting the most accurate information on your pocket change, many collectors use CoinKnow to browse through high-resolution images and verify the physical characteristics of their quarters. Understanding the history helps you appreciate why a simple 25-cent piece could eventually be worth more to the right buyer. Generally, pieces found in daily circulation are easy to find, which keeps the price for “raw” coins at their face value of 25 cents.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Determining the 2016-D Quarter Value by Grade
The primary factor in determining the 2016-D Fort Moultrie quarter value is the grade or “condition” of the coin. Because these quarters were released for circulation, the vast majority have scratches, dings, and “bag marks” from bumping into other coins. A coin that has never been spent—referred to as “Uncirculated”—is where the real value begins to grow. You can check the current market price data for South Carolina quarters to see how much of a premium these mint-state coins fetch.
Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale. A grade of MS60 (Mint State 60) means the coin is uncirculated but might have many surface marks. A grade of MS67 or higher is considered “Gem” quality and is quite rare for coins pulled from bank rolls. If you suspect you have a high-grade specimen, the CoinKnow app can help you compare your coin to professional grading standards.
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| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| MS63 | Typical Uncirculated | $1.50 |
| MS65 | Gem Uncirculated | $5.00 |
| MS66 | Very Choice Gem | $12.00 |
| MS67 | Superb Gem | $35.00+ |
Key Design Features and Symbols
The design of the 2016-D Fort Moultrie quarter is rich with patriotic symbolism. On the obverse, you’ll find the familiar portrait of George Washington, used on the quarter since 1932. However, the America the Beautiful series features a slightly different restoration of the original John Flanagan design. The reverse is where this coin truly shines, showcasing a pivotal moment from the Battle of Sullivan’s Island in 1776.
The inscriptions on the reverse include “FORT MOULTRIE,” “SOUTH CAROLINA,” “2016,” and the national motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The detailed depiction of the Palmetto log fort is significant because those soft logs were able to absorb the impact of British cannonballs, leading to a surprising American victory. For collectors, seeing these details in sharp, crisp relief is a sign of a well-struck coin.
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If you are looking for specific 2016 America the Beautiful coin price charts, you will notice that the Denver (D) and Philadelphia (P) mints generally follow a similar value trend. The San Francisco (S) mint versions, however, are usually produced in much lower quantities for collectors and often carry a higher baseline value.
Mint Errors to Look For in 2016-D Quarters
Errors are the “holy grail” for many hobbyists because they turn a common 25-cent coin into a unique treasure worth hundreds of dollars. While the 2016-D Fort Moultrie quarter does not have a widely publicized “major” error like some other years, subtle mistakes still occur. These can include die chips (small bumps of extra metal), doubled dies (blurred or ghosted images), and off-center strikes.
A common error to look for in the America the Beautiful series is the “Feeder Finger” error, which looks like faint scratches or streaks across the surface from the machinery during the striking process. While these aren’t always valuable, a significant “Doubled Die Reverse” (DDR) where the lettering or Sergeant Jasper’s image looks doubled can be worth a significant premium.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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To identify these tiny anomalies, you often need high-magnification tools. Using the CoinKnow app’s zoom features or a jeweler’s loupe can help you spot these defects. Even a small die crack on a National Park quarter can raise the value to $5-$10 to the right error-collector.
How Mintage Figures Impact the Value
The Denver Mint produced exactly 142,200,000 Fort Moultrie quarters in 2016. In the world of numismatics, mintage usually dictates scarcity. Because over 142 million were made, there is no shortage of these coins. This high mintage is why “circulated” versions are only worth their face value. To find a 2016-D quarter that is truly valuable, you must look for one that has been “slabbed” (certified) by a grading service in a very high grade.
| Mint Location | Mintage Total | Scarcity Level |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (P) | 154,400,000 | Very Common |
| Denver (D) | 142,200,000 | Very Common |
| San Francisco (S) – Uncirculated | 1,061,000 | Scarce |
As the table shows, the Denver mintage is slightly lower than Philadelphia, but not enough to create a price gap between the two. The real “wins” are found in the San Francisco mintages, which were sold only in special sets to collectors and never released into general circulation.
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Tips for Selling Your 2016-D Fort Moultrie Quarter
If you believe you have a valuable 2016-D Fort Moultrie quarter, the first step is to protect its condition. Never clean your coins! Cleaning a coin with chemicals or even a soft cloth can leave microscopic scratches that destroy its numismatic value. Instead, place it in a protective plastic flip or an archival-safe coin holder.
When you are ready to sell, you have several options. Local coin shops are great for quick cash, but they need to make a profit, so they may offer less than the full market value. For high-end rare errors or MS67+ graded coins, online auctions like eBay or GreatCollections are usually the best places to find serious buyers willing to pay top dollar.
Always research recent “Sold” listings rather than “Asking” prices to get a realistic view of the market. Many people list common quarters for thousands of dollars hoping for an uninformed buyer, but the true market value is reflected in what people actually paid.
FAQ
Q: Is the 2016-D Fort Moultrie Quarter made of silver?
A: No, the 2016-D quarters found in circulation are made of a “clad” composition, which is a core of pure copper sandwiched between layers of cupronickel (75% copper and 25% nickel). Only special “Silver Proof” versions from the San Francisco Mint contain 90% silver.
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Q: Where is the mint mark on the 2016 quarter?
A: The mint mark is located on the obverse (heads) side of the coin. Look to the right of George Washington’s ponytail, just below the “In God We Trust” motto. You will see a small “D” for Denver, “P” for Philadelphia, or “S” for San Francisco.
Q: Why is my 2016-D quarter worth only 25 cents?
A: Most 2016-D quarters were minted in the hundreds of millions and spent in stores. Because they are so common and show signs of wear and tear, collectors are generally not interested in buying them for more than their face value. Only coins in perfect condition or with rare errors carry a premium.
Q: How can I tell if my quarter is worth grading?
A: Generally, it is only worth paying for professional grading if the coin appears to be in perfect, mark-free condition (MS66 or higher) or if it has a glaring mint error. The cost of grading (usually $20-$50) often exceeds the value of a common 2016-D quarter unless it is a top-tier specimen.