2023 Maria Tallchief Quarter Value Chart and Error Coins Explained

What is the 2023 Maria Tallchief Quarter? It’s part of the American Women Quarters™ Program, a U.S. Mint series (2022–2025) honoring women who made significant contributions in many fields.

The Maria Tallchief quarter was released on October 23, 2023.

Maria Tallchief was a renowned ballerina of Osage heritage, widely regarded as America’s first major prima ballerina.

Design / Features

Physical & Minting Details

• Denomination: 25 cents (quarter dollar)

• Composition (circulating version): copper-nickel (balance copper, 8.33% nickel)

• Weight: about 5.670 grams

• Diameter: ~24.26 mm (~0.955 inches)

• Edge: Reeded (i.e. the ridged edge)

• Mint marks: P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), and S (San Francisco) are used for different versions (circulating, proof, etc.)

Where it fits in the series

It’s the 10th coin issued in the Women Quarters program. Five new reverse designs are released each year under this program; Maria Tallchief is the last one for 2023.

Who Was She?

Maria Tallchief, born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief on January 24, 1925, in Fairfax, Oklahoma, was a groundbreaking ballerina of Osage heritage and is widely remembered as America’s first major prima ballerina. From an early age she studied music and dance, eventually moving with her family to Los Angeles to pursue advanced ballet training. Her career took shape in New York, where she became the first star of the New York City Ballet under the direction of George Balanchine. Tallchief was celebrated for her unmatched speed, precision, and musicality, and she originated iconic roles such as The Firebird in 1949 while also bringing new brilliance to works like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.

Tallchief’s impact was formally recognized with some of the highest cultural honors in the United States, including the Kennedy Center Honors in 1996 and the National Medal of Arts in 1999. Her personal life included a high-profile marriage to Balanchine, later followed by her marriage to Henry D. “Buzz” Paschen Jr., with whom she had a daughter. She passed away in 2013, leaving behind a legacy of artistic brilliance and cultural significance. In 2023, her life and achievements were further honored when she appeared on a U.S. quarter as part of the American Women Quarters Program, a lasting tribute to her role as a pioneer of American ballet and a proud representative of the Osage Nation.

Value Table for the 2023 Maria Tallchief Quarter

Factors That Affect Value Over Time

These are the major variables that determine whether a coin’s value will rise significantly or stay low:

• Condition / Grade — Coins in mint or proof condition, with sharp details and no wear, tend to gain more value.

• Mint Mark / Edition — Proof versions, special mint marks, or silver proofs tend to be more collectible.

• Rarity & Survivorship — How many coins like yours are still around in good condition. Low numbers help value.

• Collector Demand / Popularity — Interest in the coin (e.g. the person honored, the medal program) shapes demand.

• Special Features or Errors — Any minting error or unusual feature could make value jump.

• Metal Content — For silver proofs (if applicable), the spot price of silver matters.

• Grading / Certification — Having a coin graded by a respected service and certified as a high grade often boosts price.

Worst-Case Scenario

In the worst case, the coin remains common and without unusual features.

Even 10–20 years from now, a circulated Maria Tallchief quarter might still be worth roughly its face value, maybe a small premium (e.g. $0.25 to $1-5) for collectors who want a full set of the American Women Quarters.

Uncirculated versions may fetch a modest premium—possibly $5-$10 (or local equivalent), especially if kept in good condition.

Silver proof or special proof versions may hold their value or increase slightly, but their value growth could lag if silver prices are flat and collector interest remains steady.

Best-Case Scenario

In the best case, many favorable conditions align.

If you have a high-grade proof or silver proof coin, in exceptional condition (graded near perfect), it might appreciate significantly over, say, 20-30 years. It could become worth many times its original premium (for example from modest proof price to tens or even low hundreds of dollars) depending on how many survive in similar condition.

If a mint error or rare variety is discovered (or if a special “limited edition” version gets more collector interest), the coin could become highly sought after, pushing its value even higher.

The silver content (if your version is a silver proof) may contribute additional upside if silver prices rise.

Collectors’ interest in women’s history, Native American heritage, or ballet (e.g. Maria Tallchief’s Osage roots) could increase over time, boosting demand.

Projection Table

* These are rough estimates in U.S. dollars; local markets and condition matter, so the results may vary.

Errors on the Coin

The 2023 Maria Tallchief quarter is still a relatively new issue, but collectors have already reported and confirmed several error types. These can make a normally common coin into something far more valuable. Here are the main categories of errors you might encounter.

1. Strike Errors

• Off-Center Strike: Part of the design is missing because the blank wasn’t aligned correctly in the press. The more dramatic the off-center, the higher the value (sometimes $50–$200+ if details remain visible).

• Broadstrike: The coin was struck without a collar, causing it to spread out and appear wider than normal. Values vary, usually $20–$100+.

• Multiple Strike / Double Strike: The coin received more than one strike, creating overlapping images. These are scarcer and can bring high premiums.

2. Planchet Errors

• Clipped Planchet: A portion of the coin’s edge is missing, often crescent-shaped. Small clips might be $10–$30; large dramatic ones fetch more.

• Wrong Planchet: If struck on a blank meant for another denomination (like a dime), this would be extremely rare and valuable (hundreds of dollars).

• Lamination Flaws: Metal layers peel or flake due to impurities, leaving rough or missing sections. Value depends on severity.

3. Die Errors

• Die Cracks / Cuds: Raised lines or blobs on the coin caused by cracked or broken dies. Small cracks are common, but large cuds (missing chunks of design filled with metal) can be $50–$150+.

• Die Clash: Design elements from the opposite side appear faintly because the dies struck each other without a planchet in between. Collectible, often $20–$50.

• Misaligned Die: One side of the coin is shifted relative to the other. Strong misalignments can be $10–$75+.

4. Proof Coin Errors (San Francisco Mint)

• Missing Frosting / Mirror Finish Issues: Proof coins are expected to have sharp contrast; if the frosting is missing or weak, collectors may pay extra.

• Double-Die Proofs: Doubling of letters or numbers is especially desirable on proofs.

5. Varieties (Design Anomalies)

So far, no official major doubled dies or RPMs (repunched mint marks) have been confirmed for the Tallchief quarter, but collectors continue to search. If such a variety is discovered, it could quickly become the most valuable version of the coin.

Conclusion

The 2023 Maria Tallchief quarter is part of the American Women Quarters series. It honors America’s first major prima ballerina and her Osage heritage. Most coins in circulation are worth face value. Uncirculated and proof coins can sell for more. Silver proofs hold extra appeal for collectors. Errors like off-center strikes or clipped planchets can raise values further. This coin is both a tribute and a collectible. It shows that even modern quarters can carry history and hidden worth.