2017-S George Rogers Clark Quarter Value: What Is It Worth?
The 2017-S George Rogers Clark Quarter is worth anywhere from $0.25 in circulated condition to over $1,200 for rare high-grade specimens. While most quarters you find in your pocket are only worth face value, certain S-mint marks and proof versions can be quite valuable to collectors looking to complete their sets.
| Condition/Mint Mark | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (P or D) | $0.25 |
| Uncirculated (P or D) | $1.00 – $5.00 |
| 2017-S Business Strike (NIFC) | $2.00 – $15.00 |
| 2017-S Silver Proof | $10.00 – $35.00 |
Understanding the 2017 George Rogers Clark Quarter History
The 2017 George Rogers Clark quarter is the 40th release in the United States Mint’s “America the Beautiful” (ATB) Quarters Program. This specific coin commemorates the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Indiana. To get a quick read on any coin you find, you can use a free coin identifier app to see where it fits in the series. The reverse design depicts George Rogers Clark leading his men through the flooded plains of the Illinois territory during the American Revolutionary War. It captures a heroic moment of “The Conqueror of the Old Northwest.”
While the Philadelphia and Denver mints produced hundreds of millions of these coins for general circulation, the San Francisco (S) mint versions occupy a more exclusive category. In 2017, the S-mint business strikes were not released into general circulation. Instead, they were sold in bags and rolls directly to collectors. This makes finding one in your change a rare and exciting event. Using CoinKnow, you can easily track whether your specific S-mint find has the matte finish of a business strike or the mirror-like shine of a proof.
The design itself was created by Frank Morris and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso. Because this series is so popular, many everyday Americans have started checking their change more frequently. If you’ve stumbled upon a 2017 quarter and want to know more about the 2017 quarter value for different mint designs, you’ll find that collectors are most interested in the “S” mark and the condition of the metal surfaces.
Identifying the S-Mint Mark and Its Significance
The most important factor in determining the 2017-S George Rogers Clark quarter value is the mint mark located on the obverse (heads side), just to the right of George Washington’s ponytail. You will see a small “P,” “D,” or “S.” The “S” stands for the San Francisco Mint. Unlike the P and D quarters used for buying groceries, the S-mint coins were intended for numismatic collections.
There are actually three different types of S-mint quarters from 2017. First, there is the “Business Strike” S-mint, which looks like a normal shiny quarter. Second, there is the Clad Proof, which has a frosted design against a mirror-like background. Finally, there is the Silver Proof, minted in 90% silver. If you aren’t sure which one you have, the CoinKnow app can help you distinguish between the luster of clad and silver coins by comparing photo references.
Because the production numbers for S-mint coins are significantly lower than those for Philadelphia or Denver, they command a premium. Even a circulated S-mint Clark quarter is usually worth more than its 25-cent face value because a collector likely pulled it from a roll and spent it by accident. Keep an eye out for these “S” marks, as they are the “hidden gems” of modern pocket change.
| Mint Type | Mintage (Estimated) | Typical Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-P (Philadelphia) | 196,600,000 | $0.25 – $3.00 |
| 2017-D (Denver) | 180,800,000 | $0.25 – $3.00 |
| 2017-S (Business Strike) | 916,000 | $2.00 – $18.00 |
| 2017-S (Clad Proof) | 880,000 | $5.00 – $15.00 |
The Value of the 2017-S Silver Proof Quarter
If your 2017-S George Rogers Clark quarter looks exceptionally shiny and has a “mirror-like” finish on the flat parts of the coin, you might be holding a Silver Proof. These were sold only in special Proof Sets and contain 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. In today’s market, the intrinsic melt value of the silver alone makes this coin worth several dollars, but the collector value is much higher.
For those tracking high-grade collections, professional grading by services like PCGS or NGC can skyrocket the price. A perfect “Proof 70” (PR70) specimen with “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) effects is the holy grail for this specific release. Professional data on the market prices for the 2017 America the Beautiful series high grades shows that there is a dedicated group of collectors willing to pay a premium for flawless finishes.
When checking your silver proof, pay attention to the edge. If you see a solid silver color without a copper-colored line, you likely have the 90% silver version. If you see a copper ring around the edge, it is a “clad” proof made of copper-nickel. Both are valuable, but the silver version is the prize of the 2017 series.
Pricing Guide for Higher Grades and Registry Sets
Most people who find a 2017 quarter will find one that is “circulated,” meaning it has scratches and has lost its original mint luster. However, if you find one that looks like it just came from the mint, it is “Uncirculated” or “Mint State.” The value of a 2017-S George Rogers Clark quarter in Mint State 67 (MS67) or higher can be surprisingly high.
Registry set collectors—people who compete to have the finest known collection of a specific series—will pay hundreds of dollars for a 2017-P, D, or S quarter that receives a grade of MS68 or MS69. While these grades are almost impossible to find in pocket change, they do pop up in bank-wrapped rolls. Pro-tip: if you find a whole roll of 2017 quarters, don’t just dump them in a Coinstar. Look for the “S” mint mark!
The CoinKnow app is a great tool for beginners to learn how to spot these grades. By taking a high-resolution photo, you can check for “bag marks” (the tiny nicks caused by coins hitting each other in large bags) that lower the grade. Even a tiny scratch on Washington’s cheek can take a coin from being worth $50 down to being worth $0.25.
| Condition Grade | 2017-P/D Value | 2017-S Business Value | 2017-S Silver Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS63 (Average Uncirculated) | $1.00 | $5.00 | $12.00 |
| MS65 (Gem Uncirculated) | $5.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 |
| MS67 (Superb Gem) | $25.00 | $75.00 | $60.00 |
| MS68+ (Rare Elite) | $400+ | $1,000+ | N/A (Proofs only) |
Collecting the America the Beautiful Series
The George Rogers Clark quarter is just one of 56 quarters in the America the Beautiful series that ran from 2010 to 2021. For many everyday Americans, these quarters are a fun way to start a coin collection without spending a fortune. Because each design is only minted for a few months, once they are gone from the mint, the only way to get them is from the secondary market or by searching through change.
Collecting these quarters by mint mark (P, D, and S) is a common goal. While the P and D quarters are easy to find, the 2017-S George Rogers Clark quarter value often holds steady or increases because there were fewer than a million of the business strikes made. Compared to the nearly 400 million combined P and D quarters, you can see why the S-mint is a “key date” for the year 2017.
If you enjoy hunting for these coins, it’s worth investing in a simple coin album. Putting your S-mint quarters in a protective holder prevents them from getting scratched, which preserves their value for years to come. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just someone who found a “weird” quarter in your laundry, understanding the story behind George Rogers Clark and his men adds layers of meaning to your 25-cent discovery.
FAQ
Q: Why did the San Francisco Mint make quarters if they aren’t for circulation?
A: Since 2012, the U.S. Mint has produced “Non-Circulating Legal Tender” (NIFC) quarters at the San Francisco Mint specifically for collectors. They are technically legal tender and can be spent at a store, but they were originally sold at a premium to people who wanted higher-quality versions of the ATB quarters.
Q: Is the George Rogers Clark quarter made of silver?
A: Most of them are not. The ones you find in your pocket are made of a copper-nickel “clad” composition. Only the special S-mint Silver Proof versions, sold in sets by the U.S. Mint, are 90% silver. You can tell the difference by looking at the edge of the coin; if you see a copper stripe, it is not silver.
Q: Are there any known errors on the 2017 George Rogers Clark Quarter?
A: There are no massive, famous errors like the 1955 Doubled Die penny, but some collectors have found “Leaking Bucket” or “Die Chip” errors where extra metal appears on the reverse design. These small errors can add $5 to $20 to the value of the coin depending on the severity of the flaw.
Q: How much is a circulated 2017 George Rogers Clark quarter worth?
A: If it has the “P” or “D” mint mark and shows signs of wear, it is generally worth only its face value of $0.25. However, if it has an “S” mint mark, even a circulated version can sell for $2.00 to $5.00 to a collector who is missing that specific coin.
