The W’s Are Still Out There: My Journey Hunting for West Point Quarters

I’ve been hunting those elusive West Point ‘W’ quarters for years now, and here’s the best part—they’re still turning up in circulation! Like many collectors, I’ve gone through dry spells where I wondered if it was even worth checking my change anymore. Then suddenly, there it is: that tiny ‘W’ under Washington’s head, reminding me why I love this hobby. Today I want to share what I’ve learned about tracking down these modern treasures.

The Thrill of Finding ‘W’ Quarters

Just last week, I nearly dropped my coffee when I spotted a 2020 Tallgrass Prairie quarter with the ‘W’ mint mark in my grocery change. That rush never gets old! These quarters were only struck at West Point during 2019 and 2020, with a scant 2 million of each design released into the wild. After years of searching, I’ve only found one myself—but I keep hearing from fellow collectors who score them regularly. Your best bet? Check every single quarter that crosses your path, especially those from bank rolls, vending machines, or cash-back transactions. It’s like a mini treasure hunt every time you get change.

Why They’re So Hard to Find Now

Living in the city means I’m competing with dozens of sharp-eyed collectors, but that’s not the real challenge. Our cashless world has made loose change surprisingly scarce—how many stores have you seen with “coin shortage” signs lately? Here’s my workaround: I’ll occasionally get $20 cash back with debit purchases just to break the bill and examine the quarters. While I miss the old days of digging through coffee cans full of change, this trick keeps me in the game. If you’re in a rural area with less competition, you might have better luck, but disappearing cash is making ‘W’ hunts tougher everywhere.

Comparing This Program to Past Quarter Series

Remember the 50-state quarters? That series got ordinary people hooked on checking their change for Philadelphia and Denver mint marks. Then came the National Park quarters—I still think they had the cleanest designs with that beautiful open space around the images. (I actually completed a full silver proof set!) But the ‘W’ program never caught fire like those did. My theory? People connect more with state pride than national parks or the American Women series. The Mint could’ve sparked more interest by offering special finishes like the satin proofs from the 2009 Territories quarters—I’d jump at those if they brought them back!

Practical Tips for Your Own Hunt

Through trial and error, I’ve found these approaches help:

• Focus on high-traffic spots: Try busy convenience stores or banks where coins move fast—and avoid known collector hotspots if possible
• Work the system: When paying with card, request cash back to guarantee fresh coins. Scan them right away—that ‘W’ hides below Washington’s ponytail
• Know your targets: Only 2019 and 2020 issues matter, with five designs each year. Stay alert for other surprises too—I’ve found silver proofs in circulation!
• Trade smart: If you score duplicates, swapping with other collectors is the fastest way to complete your set. Some of my best hobby friendships started this way

Why Did the Program End After Only Two Years?

I’ll admit it stings that the Mint cut this program short. Though they never gave official reasons, I suspect it didn’t generate the same excitement as the state quarters. With digital payments rising, they probably saw less value in circulation programs. What a missed opportunity—imagine ‘W’ nickels or dimes! For now, we’ll keep searching these quarters and hope the Mint brings back similar programs.

So keep looking, friends—those ‘W’s are still out there waiting to be found. When you score one, it feels like winning the collector’s lottery. Share your finds and trades; swapping stories is half the fun in this hobby we love!