The 2022-S Dr. Sally Ride Women Quarter is worth anywhere from $1 in circulated condition to over $500 for high-grade specimens. As one of the most popular entries in the American Women Quarters series, this coin honors the first American woman in space and has become a favorite for both casual finders and serious collectors.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value (USD)
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.25 – $1.00
Uncirculated (MS63 – MS65)	$5.00 – $15.00
Proof (San Francisco Mint)	$10.00 – $45.00
Silver Proof (90% Silver)	$25.00 – $150.00+

The Significance of the Sally Ride Quarter Series

The 2022-S Dr. Sally Ride Women Quarter is the second release in the revolutionary American Women Quarters Program. This multi-year initiative by the United States Mint celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women to the development and history of the United States.

Sally Ride was a physicist, astronaut, and educator who became the first American woman to soar into space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983. Because of her legacy, many people find themselves checking their pocket change for her image. If you aren’t sure if you have a rare version, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a common circulation strike and a valuable “S” mint mark coin.

The design of the coin is striking. On the reverse (tails) side, it depicts Dr. Ride next to a window on the space shuttle, inspired by her famous quote about the beauty of Earth from space. If you think you’ve found a special one, the CoinKnow app can provide instant recognition. Collectors specifically look for the “S” mint mark, which signifies the coin was produced at the San Francisco Mint.

Understanding the Value of the “S” Mint Mark

Most quarters you find in your daily change come from Philadelphia (P) or Denver (D). However, the San Francisco Mint (S) occupies a unique place in the market. In 2022, the “S” mint mark quarters were primarily produced as Proof coins for collectors, though some “Business Strike” S-mint coins were sold in bags and rolls directly to the public.

Because these were not intended for general circulation, finding one in your spare change is a lucky event. The 2022 Dr. Sally Ride quarter value is significantly higher for these San Francisco strikes compared to the millions of P and D quarters minted that same year.

A “Proof” coin is struck twice using polished dies, giving the background a mirror-like finish and the design a frosted appearance. If your Sally Ride quarter looks exceptionally shiny or “glassy,” it is likely a proof coin. Even business strikes from San Francisco carry a premium because of their lower mintage numbers and limited availability.

Mint Mark	Strike Type	Rarity Level
P (Philadelphia)	Business / Circulation	Common
D (Denver)	Business / Circulation	Common
S (San Francisco)	Business Strike (NIFC)	Uncommon
S (San Francisco)	Clad Proof	Collector Only
S (San Francisco)	Silver Proof	High Value

Grading and How It Impacts Price

Condition is everything in the world of coin collecting. A 2022-S Sally Ride quarter that has been rattling around in a vending machine will only be worth a small amount over its face value. However, a coin that was pulled immediately from a US Mint roll and remains in “Mint State” (MS) can be worth a lot more.

The Sheldon Scale, which ranges from 1 to 70, is used to grade these coins. A grade of MS67 or MS68 is considered superb and is very difficult to find. For the San Francisco business strikes, reaching a grade of MS67 can push the value over $50. If you are lucky enough to have an MS69 or the perfect MS70, you are looking at hundreds of dollars at auction.

To get a quick estimate of your coin’s grade, you can use the CoinKnow app to compare your coin’s surface details with high-resolution images. Features to look for include the crispness of Sally’s hair and the absence of scratches (called “bag marks”) on the space shuttle’s windows.

Silver vs. Clad Sally Ride Quarters

It is vital to distinguish between the “Clad” proof and the “Silver” proof. Both are minted in San Francisco and bear the “S” mint mark, but their compositions are vastly different. The Clad version is made of copper and nickel, while the Silver version is 99.9% fine silver.

The most reliable way to tell the difference is by looking at the edge of the coin. If you see a solid silver color with no copper stripe, you likely have a silver proof. You can also weigh the coin using a jewelry scale; silver quarters are heavier than clad ones.

The silver versions carry an inherent “melt value” based on the current price of silver, but their numismatic (collector) value is usually much higher. A 2022-S Silver Proof Sally Ride Quarter in a PR70 Deep Cameo grade is a prize for any modern coin collector.

Composition Type	Weight (grams)	Visual Identifier
Copper-Nickel Clad	5.67g	Copper stripe visible on edge
99.9% Silver	6.34g	Solid silver color on edge

Errors and Varieties to Look For

Modern minting technology is very advanced, but errors still happen. Error hunting is one of the most exciting ways to find a “diamond in the rough.” For the 2022 Sally Ride quarter, collectors have reported several minor “Die Chip” errors.

A common area to check is the space shuttle’s windows and the wording “DR. SALLY RIDE.” If you see a small raised blob of metal that shouldn’t be there, it might be a die chip. While these aren’t as valuable as major errors, they can still double or triple the value of an otherwise common quarter.

Major errors like “Off-Center strikes” or “Double Dies” are extremely rare for this series but would be worth significant money. If you find a coin that looks “wrong” or misaligned, do not clean it! Keep it in a soft holder and use the CoinKnow app to help identify if you have a genuine mint error.

The Future Outlook for Sally Ride Quarters

Many people ask if they should hold onto these quarters or spend them. Since the American Women Quarters program is a limited-run series (2022-2025), the demand is expected to remain steady, especially for the “S” mint mark versions.

Because Sally Ride is such an inspirational figure, these coins are popular not just with coin collectors, but also with space enthusiasts and those who collect women’s history memorabilia. This crossover appeal often leads to higher long-term prices compared to other modern quarters.

If you find a high-quality 2022-S Dr. Sally Ride Quarter, the best advice is to protect it from further wear. Keeping it in a flip or a plastic capsule ensures that the luster remains intact. Over the next decade, as the program finishes and collectors try to complete their sets, these early releases like the Sally Ride quarter are likely to see a bump in interest.

FAQ

Q: Why is the 2022-S Sally Ride Quarter more valuable than others?

A: The “S” mint mark indicates it was minted in San Francisco. Unlike Philadelphia and Denver quarters, San Francisco quarters were not released into general circulation. They were sold in limited quantities to collectors, making them much rarer to find in your pocket change.

Q: How can I tell if my 2022-S quarter is silver?

A: Check the edge of the coin. If you see a copper-colored ring, it is a standard clad coin. If the edge is solid silver and the coin is exceptionally heavy (6.34g), it is a silver proof.

Q: Is it worth getting my Sally Ride quarter professionally graded?

A: Professional grading by services like PCGS or NGC is generally only worth the cost if you believe your coin is in “near perfect” condition (MS67 or higher) or if it is a Silver Proof. For standard circulated coins, the grading fee often exceeds the value of the coin.

Q: Where can I sell my Dr. Sally Ride quarter?

A: You can sell these coins on platforms like eBay, at local coin shops, or through coin collecting forums. For the best price, make sure to take clear, high-quality photos of both sides and the mint mark.

Q: What is the most ever paid for a Sally Ride quarter?

A: While most sell for under $20, high-grade examples (MS68 or Proof 70) have been known to sell for $200 to $500 at major auctions, depending on the current market demand.