💰 $75,000 for a 2022 Quarter? The Secret ‘Medallic Strike’ Sally Ride Error! 🤯

💡 Common Flaws vs. A Numismatic Masterpiece

First, let’s talk about the common errors that are fun to hunt for on this coin. Collectors often find small die chips (raised blobs of metal) on the details of Dr. Ride’s face or the patches on her uniform. These are enjoyable finds, but they will typically only add a few dollars to the coin’s value.

The $75,000 coin is not a random flaw. It is a completely different type of coin, a special test piece with a breathtaking appearance that was never intended for the public.

💲 The Legend of the $75,000 “Medallic Strike” Quarter

The six-figure valuation belongs to a coin known as the 2022 “High-Relief Medallic Strike” Experimental Pattern.

• The Hidden Story: A Secret Artistic Test The story goes that in 2021, before the American Women Quarters program officially launched, the U.S. Mint’s artists in Philadelphia experimented with special dies to create a “medallic” version of the Sally Ride quarter. The goal was to produce a coin with a stunning, high-relief 3D portrait and specially prepared, proof-like surfaces—much like a high-end art medal. The test was an artistic triumph, but the process was deemed too slow and costly for mass production. The experimental dies were ordered to be destroyed.
• The Mistake at the Mint: Legend says that one of these unique, high-relief dies was accidentally put into a standard production press. A very small number of these incredible “Medallic Strike” quarters were minted and mixed in with the billions of regular quarters before the mistake was discovered and the die was retired.
• Why It’s Worth $75,000:
  1. Unique, Sculptural Design: The portrait of Dr. Ride literally leaps off the coin’s surface with a depth and detail unseen on any circulating quarter.
  2. A “Pattern” Coin: It’s an experimental test piece that escaped the mint, making it one of the rarest and most desirable types of modern coins.
  3. Ultimate Rarity: With only a handful believed to exist, the first authenticated example to reach a major auction would trigger a bidding war among top collectors, easily justifying a $75,000 price tag.

🔍 How to Spot a Potential Modern Masterpiece

This is a visual hunt. You are looking for a coin that looks and feels more like a medal than a regular quarter.

• Step 1: The Visual Comparison (This is Key!) The best way to spot this error is by comparing it to another 2022 Sally Ride quarter.
  • Lay two quarters side-by-side under a good light. Tilt them back and forth.
  • Look For: Does one coin seem to have much more depth? On the “High-Relief” version, the shadows cast by Dr. Ride’s facial features would be dramatically deeper. The details on the uniform patches and her collar (exactly where the arrows in your image point) would be razor-sharp and look like they are floating above the surface.
• Step 2: Check the Luster and Finish A normal quarter has a uniform, satin-like business strike luster. The “Medallic Strike” would be different. The background fields might have a smooth, proof-like finish, while the portrait itself has a heavier, frosted texture, creating a beautiful cameo effect.

✅ What to Do If You Find an Impossible Coin

If you have a 2022 Sally Ride quarter that looks strikingly different and more detailed than any other, you could be holding a major discovery.

1. Protect It Immediately: Handle this potential masterpiece only by its edges. Place it carefully into a protective holder to prevent any scratches or fingerprints.
2. DO NOT CLEAN IT: 🚫 Cleaning will destroy the coin’s delicate, special-finish surface and its value.
3. Authentication is Everything: 🛡️ A discovery of this magnitude is unverified until certified by a top-tier grading service like PCGS or NGC. They are the only ones who could officially confirm it as a genuine “Special Strike” or “Pattern” coin.
4. Contact a Major Auction House: To realize its full value, a coin like this must be sold by a world-class auctioneer like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers, who can properly market its incredible story.

🌏 The Hunt for Modern Art

A modern masterpiece like the 2022 “Medallic Strike” Quarter could be anywhere. As these coins are still very new, they are actively circulating all over the globe. It’s just as possible to get one in your change in Los Angeles as it is to find one in a collection of tourist change here in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The key is to always look closely!

Think you have a quarter with unusual depth or a special finish? Share clear, well-lit photos with our community! 📸