The 2009-P Northern Mariana Islands Quarter Value and Guide

The 2009-P Northern Mariana Islands quarter is worth anywhere from its face value of $0.25 in circulated condition to over $1,500 for rare high-grade specimens. Whether you found one in your change or a jar, understanding its specific condition and mint mark is key to determining its true market price.

Condition	Estimated Value (USD)
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.25 – $0.50
About Uncirculated (AU)	$0.75 – $1.25
Uncirculated (MS-63)	$2.00 – $5.00
Gem Mint (MS-67+)	$50 – $1,500+

The History of the 2009 Northern Mariana Islands Quarter

The Northern Mariana Islands quarter was released in 2009 as the penultimate design in the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. This series succeeded the famous State Quarters Program, honoring areas under U.S. jurisdiction that are not formal states. Finding one of these coins today is a treat for many because 2009 was a year of exceptionally low mintage due to the global economic recession.

If you are looking at your pocket change and wondering if you’ve hit the jackpot, you aren’t alone. Using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a common find and a rare specimen. The 2009-P specifically refers to coins minted at the Philadelphia Mint, denoted by the “P” mint mark located on the obverse (tails) side near George Washington’s portrait.

While billions of quarters are usually struck every year, the 2009 territorial quarters saw much lower production numbers. For the Northern Mariana Islands, the Philadelphia Mint produced only about 35 million coins. Compared to the hundreds of millions of coins per design in previous years, this scarcity makes the CoinKnow app a high-value tool for collectors trying to track down these specific dates.

Grading Your 2009-P Northern Mariana Islands Quarter

Condition is the biggest factor when determining price. Most quarters you find while shopping are “Circulated,” meaning they have scratches, dings, and have lost their original luster. These are generally only worth their face value. However, if you find a coin that looks “Mint State”—as if it were freshly struck today—the value climbs significantly.

Professional graders use a 70-point scale. A grade of MS-60 represents a basic uncirculated coin, while MS-67 or MS-68 represents a coin that is virtually perfect. Because 2009 was a year where many coins were roughly handled at the mint, finding a 2009-P Northern Mariana Islands quarter in high-grade condition is quite difficult, driving up the 2009-P Northern Mariana Islands quarter market price among serious hobbyists.

To get a better idea of where your coin fits, check this breakdown:

Grade Name	Appearance Details	Value Range
Good (G-4)	Heavily worn, outlines faint.	$0.25
Extra Fine (EF-45)	Slight wear on high points.	$0.50 – $0.80
Uncirculated (MS-65)	No wear, strong luster.	$10.00 – $25.00
Superb Gem (MS-67)	Flawless to the naked eye.	$400.00+

Identifying Key Design Features and Mint Marks

The reverse design of this coin is beautiful and culturally significant. It features a limestone latte stone, which is a traditional pillar used by the Chamorro people to support houses. You will also see a Carolinian canoe (skiff) and a mwar (decorative head floral lei). These elements represent the rich seafaring and indigenous history of the islands.

Look for the “2009” date at the bottom and the words “Northern Mariana Islands” along the top rim. On the front, below the “In God We Trust” motto, you should see the “P” mint mark. If you see a “D,” it was minted in Denver. If you see an “S,” it is a proof coin from San Francisco, usually intended for collectors. Using CoinKnow can help you identify these tiny markings if they’ve been worn down over time.

Because the Philadelphia Mint (P) focuses on circulation strikes, their coins often feature more contact marks from being tumbled in bins. This makes a “clean” P-mint quarter extremely rare and highly sought after by registry set collectors.

The “Low Mintage” Factor of 2009 Quarters

The year 2009 is often called the “Holy Grail” year for modern quarter hunters. Because of the recession, the demand for new coinage dropped. This resulted in production numbers that are roughly 10% of what they were during the height of the State Quarters era. While a 1999 Connecticut quarter had a mintage of over 1.3 billion, the Northern Mariana Islands design had a total mintage (P and D combined) of just about 70 million.

This scarcity creates a “supply and demand” curve that favors sellers. Even in circulated condition, some collectors are willing to pay a small premium just to fill a hole in their album. If you are building a collection, the CoinKnow app is excellent for cataloging your finds and ensuring you don’t spend a low-mintage date by accident.

Mint Mark	Mintage Volume	Rarity Level
Philadelphia (P)	35,200,000	High (for moderns)
Denver (D)	37,600,000	High (for moderns)
San Francisco (S) Proof	2,113,478	Rare (in change)

Are There Any Valuable 2009-P Errors?

Error coins are the most exciting part of the hobby for everyday finds. Since the 2009-P Northern Mariana Islands quarter was produced in relatively low numbers, errors are less common but highly valuable when they appear. Common errors to look for include “Die Deterioration Doubling,” where the letters look ghosted or doubled.

However, you should be on the lookout for true “Doubled Die” or “Clad Layer” errors. A doubled die error happens when the hub strikes the die twice at slightly different angles, creating a distinct second image. While no major, “famous” errors have been recorded for this specific territory yet, new discoveries are made every year by people looking through their spare change.

If you suspect your coin has a mistake—such as being struck on the wrong metal or having a clipped edge—it could be worth hundreds of dollars. Always have a professional verify an error before assuming it is a simple wear-and-tear blemish.

How to Sell Your 2009 Northern Mariana Islands Quarter

If you discover that you have a high-grade or rare version of this coin, the next step is selling it. For coins worth only a few dollars, local coin shops or eBay are your best bets. For coins that look like they could be worth $100 or more, you should consider getting them “slabbed” or authenticated by a service like PCGS or NGC.

When selling online, high-quality photos are essential. Buyers want to see the luster and lack of scratches on the latte stone design. Prices fluctuate based on the current market, so keeping an eye on recent auction results is a smart move for any amateur numismatist.

FAQ

Q: Why is the 2009-P Northern Mariana Islands quarter worth more than other quarters?

A: It is worth more because of its low mintage. In 2009, the U.S. Mint produced significantly fewer quarters than in previous years due to the economic downturn. This makes any 2009 territorial quarter harder to find in circulation today.

Q: How can I tell if my 2009-P quarter is “Uncirculated”?

A: An uncirculated coin will have its original “mint luster,” which is a frosty, cartwheel-like sheen when you rotate it under a light. If the highest points of the design (like the latte stone) look flat or dull, it has likely been circulated.

Q: Is there a silver version of this quarter?

A: Yes, the San Francisco Mint produced silver proof versions (90% silver) for collectors. These have an “S” mint mark and a much shinier, mirror-like finish. They are never intended for circulation, but they sometimes show up in the wild if someone spends a collection.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 2009-P Northern Mariana Islands quarter?

A: High-grade specimens in MS-68 condition have sold for over $1,500 at auction. These coins are exceptionally rare because they were preserved perfectly from the moment they were minted.

Q: Where is the mint mark on the 2009 quarter?

A: The mint mark is found on the “heads” side (obverse). Look to the right of George Washington’s ponytail, just above the “Quarter Dollar” text. You will see a small “P,” “D,” or “S.”