The 2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarter is worth anywhere from 25 cents in circulated condition to $5 or more in uncirculated mint state, with certified high-grade examples occasionally reaching $15 to $20 or beyond. If you just found one in your change jar, you’re in the right place — let’s break down exactly what it’s worth.
What Is the 2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarter?
The 2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarter is part of the U.S. Mint’s District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program, a special six-coin series released in 2009. This particular quarter honors the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a group of islands in the western Pacific Ocean that became a U.S. territory in 1978. The “D” mintmark means it was struck at the Denver Mint. The reverse design features a latte stone, a local canoe called a flying proa, a garland of plumeria flowers, and a superimposed outline of the islands. It’s a genuinely beautiful coin, and a lot of people don’t even realize they have one sitting in a drawer somewhere.
If you want to quickly identify what you’ve got before diving deeper, a free coin identification app can help you confirm the coin’s details using just your smartphone camera. That’s a great first step before checking values.
2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarter Mintage and Rarity
The Denver Mint produced 37,600,000 of these quarters in 2009. That’s a fairly modest mintage compared to state quarters from earlier years, some of which were produced in quantities exceeding 500 million. Lower production numbers generally mean more collector interest, and that’s one reason this coin holds a modest premium above face value even in average condition.
For context, here’s a quick comparison of the 2009 Territories quarter mintages from the Denver Mint:
| Quarter Design | Denver Mintage |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 88,800,000 |
| Puerto Rico | 53,200,000 |
| Guam | 42,600,000 |
| American Samoa | 39,600,000 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 37,600,000 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 41,000,000 |
The Northern Mariana Islands quarter has the lowest Denver Mint production of the entire 2009 series, which makes it the most desirable from a collector standpoint.
How Much Is the 2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarter Worth by Grade?
Coin value depends heavily on condition. Here’s a straightforward value guide for the 2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarter:
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (worn) | $0.25 – $1 |
| Uncirculated (MS-60 to MS-63) | $1 – $4 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS-64 to MS-65) | $4 – $8 |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS-66+) | $10 – $20+ |
For a more detailed breakdown of 2009 quarter values across all grades and mint marks, it’s worth checking a dedicated coin value resource that tracks recent sales data.
Coins that look bright, sharp, and fully lustrous with no visible wear are worth the most. If your quarter looks dull, scratched, or the high points on the design look flattened, it’s considered circulated and is worth close to face value.
Finding and Tracking Your 2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarter Value
If you’re building a collection or just want to know exactly what your coin might sell for today, using a tool like CoinHix makes the whole process much easier. CoinHix is a coin value app that lets you look up current market prices based on grade, mintmark, and recent sales — all from your phone. Instead of digging through price guides or auction records manually, CoinHix pulls that information together in one place. It’s especially handy if you’ve found a roll of these quarters or are putting together a complete 2009 territories set.
Complete 2009 Territories sets in uncirculated condition are popular with collectors, and the Northern Mariana Islands quarter is typically the hardest coin to find in high grade within that set, which supports its value relative to the others.
Should You Get It Graded?
For most circulated 2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarters, professional grading (through services like PCGS or NGC) isn’t cost-effective — grading fees typically run $20 to $30 or more per coin, which would exceed the coin’s value. However, if you believe you have a truly gem-quality example with exceptional luster and no contact marks, a high certified grade can significantly boost resale value. MS-67 examples of this coin are genuinely scarce and have sold for $30 to $50 at auction. In that case, the grading investment makes sense.
FAQ
Q: Is the 2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarter rare?
A: It’s not rare in the traditional sense, but it has the lowest mintage of all six 2009 Territories quarters from the Denver Mint at 37.6 million. High-grade uncirculated examples are harder to find and do carry a collector premium.
Q: Can I find the 2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarter in circulation today?
A: It’s possible but uncommon. Most circulated examples you’ll find today came from coin rolls or collections, since these quarters were not widely saved when they were released and many entered circulation and were spent normally.
Q: What’s the best way to know exactly what my 2009-D Northern Mariana Islands Quarter is worth right now?
A: Check recent auction results on platforms like eBay or use a dedicated coin value app. CoinHix is a great option for getting up-to-date values based on real sales data, and it helps you assess your coin’s grade even if you’re not an expert.
