The 2022-D Dr. Sally Ride Women Quarter is worth anywhere from $0.25 in circulated condition to over $500 in high-grade mint state or for specific rare errors. If you just found this beautiful coin in your pocket change, you might be holding a valuable piece of American history that collectors are hunting for.

Regardless of whether you are a seasoned numismatist or someone who just happened to notice a unique design on their change, knowing the value of your coins is essential. To get an instant valuation, many people use a top coin identifier app to see if their specific specimen has any characteristics that drive up the price. The 2022-D Sally Ride quarter was the second issue in the revolutionary American Women Quarters Program, honoring the first American woman in space. Because millions were minted in Denver, most are only worth face value, but certain “die chips” and high-grade specimens are selling for significant premiums on auction sites today. Identifying these nuances is much easier when you use tools like the CoinHix app to compare your coin against known varieties.

Historical Significance and Design of the Sally Ride Quarter

The 2022-D Dr. Sally Ride quarter marks a pivotal moment in the United States Mint’s history. As part of a four-year program to honor prominent American women, this coin celebrates the legacy of Dr. Sally Ride, the physicist and astronaut who broke barriers in 1983. The obverse features a refreshed portrait of George Washington, originally designed by Laura Gardin Fraser in 1932.

The reverse side, which captures Dr. Ride next to a window on the space shuttle, was designed by Elana Hagler and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. It portrays Ride’s sense of wonder and the inspiration she provided to generations of scientists. While billions of quarters circulate through our hands, this specific series has sparked a renewed interest in coin collecting among everyday Americans.

Many people are holding onto these quarters as keepsakes, which actually reduces the number of pristine coins in circulation. This scarcity in high grades meant to be used for trade can lead to a higher 2022-D Sally Ride quarter value among collectors who want a perfect set. When you find one that looks exceptionally shiny and scratch-free, it is worth setting aside.

Understanding the 2022-D Mint Mark and Production

The “D” mint mark located on the obverse of the coin signifies that it was struck at the Denver Mint. In 2022, the Denver Mint produced over 278 million Sally Ride quarters. Because of this high production volume, a standard coin you find at the grocery store will likely only be worth its 25-cent face value. However, the sheer volume of production often leads to “mint errors,” which are mistakes made during the manufacturing process.

Collectors often look for coins struck early in the life of a die, as these exhibit the sharpest details. If your Denver-minted quarter looks like it just came off the press with a satin-like luster and no “bag marks” (the tiny nicks coins get from hitting each other in large ballistic bags), it could be a “Mint State” (MS) candidate. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC assign grades from 1 to 70; a 2022-D Sally Ride quarter graded MS67 or higher can command prices upwards of $30 to $100.

If you aren’t sure how to tell the difference between a regular shiny coin and a high-value collector’s item, modern technology can help. Using a mobile tool like CoinHix allows you to scan the coin’s surface and get an idea of its grade and potential market price based on recent sales data.

Evaluating the Price of the 2022-D Dr. Sally Ride Quarter

Determining the value of your 2022-D quarter depends primarily on its condition and the presence of any errors. Most coins found in circulation are considered “fines” or “very fines,” meaning they have lost some of their original luster through handling. For these, the value remains at $0.25. However, in the world of modern coin collecting, even a small difference in condition can mean a big difference in price.

The following table provides a general guide to what these coins are currently selling for in the collector market based on their condition and rarity.

Condition / Variety	Estimated Value (USD)
Circulated (Average Pocket Change)	$0.25
Uncirculated (Mint State 63)	$1.00 – $3.00
Choice Uncirculated (Mint State 65)	$5.00 – $15.00
Superb Gem (Mint State 67+)	$100.00 – $450.00
Significant Mint Error (e.g., Off-Center)	$50.00 – $250.00+

Identifying Rare Errors: The “Ghost Ear” and Die Chips

The most exciting part of searching through 2022-D Sally Ride quarters is the hunt for “Errors.” Because the U.S. Mint produces coins at lightning speed, things occasionally go wrong. One of the most famous errors found in this series is the “Dr. Sally Ride Die Chip” error, often found on the reverse side.

Die chips occur when a small piece of the steel die breaks off, leaving a hole that gets filled with molten metal during the striking process. This results in a raised “blob” of metal on the finished coin. On the Sally Ride quarter, these are frequently found near the window of the space shuttle or on her clothing. Some collectors refer to specific chips near her head as the “Ghost Ear” or “Extra Hairbit.”

Additionally, keep an eye out for “grease strikes,” where machinery lubricant gets into the die and prevents certain details from being struck clearly. While not all errors are worth a fortune, a significant and visible die chip can easily turn a 25-cent coin into a $20 or $50 item. To see high-resolution images of these errors and compare them to your find, the CoinHix app is an invaluable resource for error hunters.

How to Preserve Your Quarter’s Value

If you believe you have found a high-value 2022-D Sally Ride quarter, the most important thing you can do is stop touching it with your bare hands. The oils from your skin can cause oxidation and fingerprints that permanently damage the coin’s “original skin” or luster. Instead, hold the coin only by its edges.

Store your coins in PVC-free plastic flips or cardboard 2×2 holders. Do not clean your coins! Cleaning a coin with chemicals or even a soft cloth creates micro-scratches that professional graders can detect instantly. A cleaned coin is often worth only its weight in metal to a serious collector, as the “natural” patina is destroyed.

If your coin appears to be one of the rare error varieties mentioned above, you might consider having it professionally graded. Grading can verify the error and protect the coin in a hard plastic slab, making it much easier to sell for a premium price on the open market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is every 2022 Sally Ride quarter rare?

A: No, most 2022 Sally Ride quarters are very common. The Denver (D) and Philadelphia (P) mints produced hundreds of millions. Only those in nearly perfect condition or those with verified mint errors carry significant value above 25 cents.

Q: Where is the mint mark on the 2022-D Sally Ride quarter?

A: The mint mark is located on the obverse (heads) side of the coin. It is a small letter “D” found to the right of George Washington’s ponytail, just below the “In God We Trust” motto.

Q: What is the Dr. Ride “Leaking Space Shuttle” error?

A: This is a nickname for a specific die chip error where a raised bump of metal appears near the thrusters or the window of the shuttle on the reverse side. Depending on the size of the chip, it can be worth between $5 and $50.

Q: How can I tell if my coin is worth sending for professional grading?

A: Generally, you should only grade a 2022-D quarter if it looks absolutely flawless under a magnifying glass (no scratches at all) or if it has a very obvious and dramatic error. Most collectors use an app to check comparable sales before spending the money on grading fees.