2010-S Mount Hood Quarter Value Guide: Is Your Coin Rare?

The 2010-S Mount Hood Quarter is worth anywhere from $0.25 in circulated condition to over $500 for high-grade specimens. While most quarters you find in change are face value, the “S” mint mark from San Francisco indicates a coin that may carry a significant premium for collectors.

Condition/Type	Estimated Value
Circulated (Clad)	$0.25 – $0.50
Uncirculated (MS65)	$1.00 – $3.00
San Francisco Proof (Clad)	$4.00 – $10.00
Silver Proof (90% Silver)	$15.00 – $35.00

Identifying the 2010-S Mount Hood Quarter Mint Mark

Finding a 2010-S Mount Hood quarter is an exciting moment for many casual hunters. To truly understand its worth, you should use a top coin identifier and value app to confirm the specific variety you have in your hand.

The “S” mint mark is Located on the obverse (heads) side, just to the right of George Washington’s ponytail. Unlike the common “P” (Philadelphia) or “D” (Denver) mint marks, the “S” stands for the San Francisco Mint. Historically, San Francisco focused on producing “Proof” coins specifically for collectors.

However, in 2010, the Mount Hood quarter was part of the “America the Beautiful” series, which sparked renewed interest in secondary mintages. If you have an “S” marked coin, it was likely removed from a specialized United Kingdom-style proof set or was a rare uncirculated striking. Using the CoinKnow app can help you zoom in on that mint mark to ensure you aren’t misreading a dirty “D” for an “S.”

Why the 2010-S Mount Hood Coin Value Varies

The value of this specific quarter depends heavily on its composition. There are two main types of “S” mint quarters from 2010: the Copper-Nickel Clad version and the 90% Silver version. A silver quarter will always be worth at least its weight in bullion, whereas a clad version depends entirely on its “grade” or condition.

Collectors often look for “Proof” strikes, which feature mirrored backgrounds and frosted details. These were never intended for general circulation. If you find one in your pocket change, it is considered “impaired,” but it still holds more interest than a standard Denver-minted coin. For a detailed breakdown of America the Beautiful quarter price trends, it is essential to monitor how the market treats these early 2010 releases.

Generally, the lower the mintage, the higher the price. The 2010-S Mount Hood had a relatively low production run compared to the millions of quarters produced in other years, making even the base versions slightly more desirable to those completing a full state and national park set.

Grading Your 2010-S Mount Hood Quarter

Condition is the king of coin collecting. Professionals use a scale from 1 to 70. A coin that looks like it just came out of the mint is “Mint State” (MS) or “Proof” (PR). If your 2010-S Mount Hood quarter has scratches, dullness, or smoothed-out details on the mountain peaks, its value drops significantly.

Grade	Description	Estimated Price
Good (G-4)	Heavily worn, outlines clear	$0.25
Fine (F-12)	Moderate wear, some detail remains	$0.50
About Uncirculated (AU-58)	Hardly any wear, looks new	$1.50
Proof-69 (PR69)	Perfect except for tiny flaws	$12.00
Proof-70 (PR70)	Flawless under magnification	$40.00+

If you think you have a “70” grade coin, it might be worth sending to a grading service like PCGS or NGC. However, for most people, simply checking the current 2010 quarter market value via online guides is the best first step. The CoinKnow app also offers a visual grading tool that helps you compare your coin to high-resolution photos of known grades.

Differences Between Clad and Silver Proofs

It is vital to know if your “S” mint coin is made of silver or the standard copper-nickel “clad” layers. In 2010, the US Mint produced silver proof sets containing a 90% silver version of the Mount Hood quarter. You can check the edge of the coin: if you see a copper stripe, it is a clad coin. If the edge is solid silver/white, you likely have the silver version.

The silver 2010-S Mount Hood quarter is always worth more because of its precious metal content. Even if the coin is damaged, it will never be worth less than its melt value. As of today, the silver content alone makes these coins worth significantly more than 25 cents.

Collectors specifically seek out “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) proofs, where the design stands out in sharp, white contrast against a mirror-like field. These are the “Rolls Royces” of the 2010-S series. If you’re lucky enough to find a silver deep cameo in its original packaging, you have a true treasure.

Are There Any Rare Errors for the 2010 Mount Hood Quarter?

Error hunting is a favorite pastime for many. While the 2010-S Mount Hood quarters are generally well-struck, small errors can sometimes escape the mint. Look for “doubled dies,” where the lettering or the image of the mountain appears to have a slight ghost image or double outline.

Another error to look for is a “capping” error or “off-center” strike. Because the “S” quarters are usually inspected more closely at the mint, errors are extremely rare and could be worth hundreds of dollars. Many collectors use the CoinKnow app’s community features to post photos of potential errors and get feedback from more experienced hobbyists.

Keep an eye out for “die chips” or “cracks” in the design. On the Mount Hood quarter, these often appear near the trees or the base of the mountain. While a small crack might only add a few dollars to the value, a major error can turn a common quarter into a high-value auction item.

Error Type	Rarity	Value Premium
Doubled Die Obverse	Rare	+$10 – $50
Die Crack (Small)	Uncommon	+$2 – $5
Off-Center Strike	Very Rare	+$100+

How to Store and Sell Your Quarters

If you discover your 2010-S Mount Hood quarter is a high-grade proof or a silver variety, you must handle it with care. Never clean your coins! Cleaning a coin with chemicals or cloth creates micro-scratches that ruin the numismatic value. Instead, hold the coin by the edges and place it in a PVC-free flip or a plastic capsule.

When it comes time to sell, you have several options. Local coin shops are great for quick cash, but they need to make a profit, so you might get a lower offer. Online auctions like eBay are better for reaching specific collectors, especially if you have an “S” mint mark that people need to complete their collections.

Always use a reliable price guide or an app like CoinKnow to stay updated on the latest sales. Market prices for the “America the Beautiful” series fluctuate, and being informed ensures you won’t accidentally spend a $20 coin on a soda.

FAQ

Q: Why does my quarter have an ‘S’ but doesn’t look shiny?

A: It is likely an “impaired proof.” This means it was originally part of a collector’s set, but someone broke the set and spent the coin. Over time, it lost its mirror-like finish due to being handled and tossed in pockets.

Q: Is the 2010-S Mount Hood Quarter made of real silver?

A: Only the ones designated as “Silver Proofs.” These were sold in special sets. Check the edge of the coin; if you see a copper line, it is a standard clad coin worth less than a silver one.

Q: How many 2010-S Mount Hood Quarters were made?

A: For the clad proof version, approximately 1.3 million were minted. For the silver proof, roughly 585,000 were made. These numbers are very low compared to the hundreds of millions of coins minted in Philadelphia or Denver.

Q: Can I find a 2010-S in my pocket change?

A: It is rare, but possible. Usually, “S” quarters are found when a collector spends a set or a “Business Strike” S-mint (produced in later years) enters circulation. For 2010, any “S” in circulation is likely an escaped proof coin.