How to Identify the White Mountain Quarter
A collector's checklist for spotting the 2013 White Mountain National Forest quarter by its inscriptions, mountain scene, metal, and mint mark.
Read the full White Mountain Quarter encyclopedia entry →
Start with the inscriptions on the scenic side. A genuine White Mountain Quarter reads WHITE MOUNTAIN at the top and NEW HAMPSHIRE with the date 2013 at the bottom, plus the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. These four elements together confirm the design and separate it from every other America the Beautiful quarter, which share the same shape and metal but differ in the scene and name.
Read the picture itself. The design shows a single prominent mountain peak — Mount Chocorua — set behind a cluster of slender birch trees, with water (Chocorua Lake) in the foreground. If the scene instead shows a different landmark, building, or animal, you have a different ATB quarter, not the White Mountain issue.
Check the portrait side and physical traits. The other face carries the left-facing George Washington bust with QUARTER DOLLAR and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The coin should be about 24.3 mm wide, copper-nickel clad with a reeded edge showing a copper stripe, and weigh roughly 5.67 grams. A coin of the wrong size, a plain edge, or an all-silver-looking edge on a supposedly circulating piece is a red flag.
Locate the mint mark to attribute the coin. Look on the obverse near Washington's neck ribbon for a P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), or S (San Francisco). Circulation strikes are P and D; an S usually indicates a San Francisco proof or uncirculated collector coin, and the silver proofs will have a brighter, more reflective surface and mirror fields.
Because this is a common modern coin, outright counterfeits are rare, but be cautious with pieces advertised as "rare errors" or "colorized" novelties. Privately colorized or gold-plated quarters are altered after minting and carry no official premium. For any coin claimed to be a valuable variety or high grade, rely on a reputable third-party grading service rather than the seller's description.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell the White Mountain Quarter from other America the Beautiful quarters?
Read the reverse inscription. Only this design says WHITE MOUNTAIN and NEW HAMPSHIRE with a 2013 date and shows a single peak behind birch trees over water. The state name and scene are the definitive identifiers.
My quarter is dated 2013 but shows a different scene. What is it?
Five different America the Beautiful quarters were issued in 2013. If it does not read WHITE MOUNTAIN, it is one of the other 2013 designs; check the site name printed on the scenic side to identify it.
Is a colorized or gold-plated White Mountain Quarter valuable?
No. Those finishes are applied by private companies after minting and are novelties, not official Mint products. They generally carry no numismatic premium beyond their appeal to some buyers.
How can I tell if mine is the silver version?
Silver examples are San Francisco proofs or five-ounce bullion pieces, not circulation coins. They lack the copper edge stripe of clad quarters and have highly reflective surfaces; the five-ounce coin is much larger and heavier.