2004 Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarter (High & Low) Value & Price Guide (2026)
Somewhere in the Denver Mint in late 2004, something went wrong with a pair of reverse dies for the Wisconsin state quarter. An extra leaf appeared on the ear of corn on the reverse design. Nobody knows exactly how it happened. Was it a die gouge? Intentional sabotage by a Mint employee? An accident during die preparation? The Mint has never confirmed. But the result was two distinct varieties that coin collectors call the Extra Leaf High and Extra Leaf Low, and they turned a 25-cent coin into a $50-$300 collectible.
Quick Value Summary
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Item | 2004-D Wisconsin Quarter Extra Leaf |
| Year | 2004 |
| Category | Coins |
| Extra Leaf High | |
| AU-55 (circulated) | $80 - $120 |
| MS-63 | $100 - $175 |
| MS-65 | $200 - $300+ |
| Extra Leaf Low | |
| AU-55 (circulated) | $40 - $70 |
| MS-63 | $60 - $100 |
| MS-65 | $130 - $200 |
| Normal 2004-D Wisconsin | |
| MS-60 to MS-65 | $0.50 - $20 |
| MS-69 | $900 |
| Rarity | Uncommon (error varieties) |
The Story
The 50 State Quarters program ran from 1999 to 2008, with five new reverse designs released each year honoring a different state. Wisconsin's quarter, designed by Alfred Maletsky, featured a cow, a wheel of cheese, and an ear of corn. Standard fare for America's Dairyland.
The error was discovered by Tucson, Arizona coin collector Robert Wilharm in December 2004. He was searching through rolls of new Wisconsin quarters when he noticed something odd on the reverse: an extra leaf on the ear of corn. The normal design shows two leaves curving away from the corn husk. The error coins show a third leaf.
Two distinct varieties emerged:
Extra Leaf High: The extra leaf points upward, curving toward the top of the corn ear
Extra Leaf Low: The extra leaf points downward, curving below the corn ear
Both varieties came exclusively from the Denver Mint (2004-D). No Philadelphia mint examples have been confirmed.
The origin remains debated. The Mint's official position is that the varieties resulted from damage to the dies during production. Some numismatists believe a Mint employee deliberately altered the dies, perhaps as a prank or to create collectibles. Others argue it was an accidental die gouge that happened to create a leaf-like shape. Whatever the cause, an unknown but apparently small number of coins were struck before the damaged dies were pulled from service.
How to Identify It
Checking a Wisconsin quarter for the extra leaf is straightforward:
Confirm it's a 2004-D: Look for the "D" mint mark below "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the obverse. Only Denver Mint coins have the error.
Examine the corn ear on the reverse: Look at the left side of the ear of corn. The normal design has two leaves curving away from the husk.
Extra Leaf High: Look for a third leaf between the two normal leaves that curves upward (toward the top of the corn). It's a clearly defined, leaf-shaped protrusion.
Extra Leaf Low: Look for a third leaf below the lower normal leaf that curves downward. It's lower on the corn ear.
Common confusions:
Die deterioration doubling: Normal die wear can create faint, shelf-like ridges near design elements. These are not extra leaves. The genuine varieties show a distinct, leaf-shaped addition.
Post-mint damage: Scratches, dings, or corrosion can create marks that resemble extra leaves. Genuine varieties are raised from the surface with consistent form.
Machine doubling: Creates a flat, shelf-like appearance rather than a distinct leaf shape.
A 5x to 10x magnifier is helpful. Compare your coin side-by-side with images of confirmed High Leaf and Low Leaf examples from PCGS or NGC coin facts pages.
Value by Condition
Extra Leaf High
The High Leaf is the scarcer and more valuable of the two varieties.
AU-55 (About Uncirculated): $80 - $120 Light wear on the highest points. Found in circulation by sharp-eyed collectors. The extra leaf is clearly visible even with wear.
MS-63 (Choice Uncirculated): $100 - $175 No wear, but may show bag marks or contact marks typical of coins that went through counting machines. The extra leaf is prominent.
MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated): $200 - $300+ Clean surfaces with minimal marks. Strong strike with clear extra leaf definition. PCGS-certified MS-65 examples have sold in this range. The PCGS CoinFacts page for this variety (PCGS #914033) tracks auction results.
Extra Leaf Low
More common than the High Leaf variety.
AU-55 (About Uncirculated): $40 - $70 Circulated with light wear. Still a desirable find from pocket change.
MS-63 (Choice Uncirculated): $60 - $100 Uncirculated with typical bag marks.
MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated): $130 - $200 Clean gem example with clear error.
Normal 2004-D Wisconsin Quarter
For reference, a normal 2004-D Wisconsin quarter without the error is worth face value (25 cents) in circulated condition. MS-60 examples are worth about $0.50, and even MS-65 examples only bring $10-$20. The NGC Price Guide shows MS-69 examples at $900, but those are condition rarities rather than error premiums.
Authentication & Fakes
The main risk isn't counterfeiting but misidentification:
Die deterioration vs. genuine variety: Many coins show marks near the corn that resemble but aren't the extra leaf. PCGS and NGC have specific attribution criteria.
Altered coins: Someone could theoretically add material to create a leaf appearance, but this would show under magnification as different surface texture.
For coins in the $100+ range, PCGS or NGC certification with the specific variety attribution ("Extra Leaf High" or "Extra Leaf Low") is strongly recommended. It removes all doubt about authenticity. Grading fees are $30-$65 per coin depending on service level.
PCGS attributes these as specific varieties:
PCGS #914033: 2004-D 25C Wisconsin Extra Leaf High
PCGS #914034: 2004-D 25C Wisconsin Extra Leaf Low
Where to Sell
eBay: The most active market for state quarter errors. Use "2004 Wisconsin Extra Leaf" in the title. Include clear photos of the error. Auction format works well. Expect 13% in fees.
Heritage Auctions: For PCGS/NGC-certified examples in MS-65 or better.
Local coin shops: Will buy these, especially certified examples. Expect 70-80% of market value.
Coin shows: State quarter error collectors attend major shows. Direct sales with no fees.
Shipping a single coin costs $4-$8 with tracking in a padded mailer with the coin secured in a 2x2 flip or small holder.
Not sure if your Wisconsin quarter has the extra leaf? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for a quick check.
Related Items
Have This Item?
Our AI appraisal tool is coming soon. Upload photos, get instant identification and valuation.
Get Appraisal