In 2020, the U.S. Mint released the America the Beautiful quarter honoring the National Park of American Samoa, featuring a striking design of a Samoan fruit bat mother and pup. The unique subject matter and limited mintage of certain varieties have quickly made the 2020 bat quarter a top modern issue among collectors.
Whether you‘re new to collecting or a seasoned numismatist, this comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about 2020 bat quarter values and how to build a top-quality collection.
The America the Beautiful Quarters Program
Signed into law in 2008, Public Law 110-456 authorized the America‘s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act to showcase the natural beauty, history, and diversity of the United States. Following the successful 50 State Quarters program (1999-2008) and the D.C. and U.S. Territories Quarters program (2009), the America the Beautiful quarters series features 56 designs celebrating national parks and national sites in each state, territory, and Washington D.C.
From 2010 through 2021, the Mint released five new reverse designs each year in the order in which the honored site was first established. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner selected the final sites after consulting with the governor or top official of each jurisdiction and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
"These new quarters will honor some of our most revered, treasured, and beautiful national sites – majestic and historic places located throughout the United States and its territories that truly make us ‘America the Beautiful.‘"
– U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy
The 2020 National Park of American Samoa quarter is the 51st overall release in the series and the first design issued in 2020. The coin‘s unique subject, the Samoan fruit bat, has made it an immediate standout with collectors.
The National Park of American Samoa and the Samoan Fruit Bat
Located in the heart of the South Pacific, the National Park of American Samoa is one of the most remote national parks in the U.S. system. The park encompasses 13,500 acres, including sections of three separate islands – Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta‘ū – and 4,000 acres of ocean and coral reefs. It‘s known for its stunning cliffs, secluded villages, and lush rainforest landscape.
Notably, the National Park of American Samoa is home to the only native mammal in American Samoa: the Samoan fruit bat. Also called the flying fox, the Samoan fruit bat plays a vital role in pollinating the rainforest and dispersing seeds.
Unfortunately, habitat loss and hunting have left the Samoan fruit bat endangered and in need of conservation efforts. By featuring the species so prominently on a U.S. coin, the 2020 bat quarter helps raise awareness about this important and threatened animal.
2020 Bat Quarter Design and Sculptors
The reverse of the 2020 National Park of American Samoa quarter, designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, depicts a Samoan fruit bat mother hanging upside down with her pup clinging to her in the classic pose of these species. The design is meant to symbolize the care and protection the species provides to its young.
Masters, a U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) designer, has created several other notable coin designs like the 2017 Boys Town Centennial commemorative silver dollar. Hemphill joined the Mint as a medallic artist in 2006 after a prestigious sculpture career and has worked on numerous coins and medals in her tenure.
Inscriptions on the reverse read "NATIONAL PARK," "AMERICAN SAMOA," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM", along with the year "2020". The obverse features the common right-facing portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan, used on quarters since 1932.
Mint Marks, Strike Types, and Mintages
The 2020 National Park of American Samoa quarter was produced in seven different varieties at four mint facilities.
| Variety | Mint Mark | Mintage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-P | P | 215,800,000 |
| 2020-D | D | 211,800,000 |
| 2020-S Proof | S | 855,092 |
| 2020-S Silver Proof | S | 364,037 |
| 2020-W Uncirculated (WWII privy) | W | 2,000,000 |
| 2020-W Proof | W | closed set |
| 2020-W Silver Proof | W | closed set |
The P, D, and S-mint coins were struck for circulation at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints respectively. These issues will be the ones you‘re most likely to find in pocket change.
Conversely, the S-mint and W-mint proof coins were produced exclusively for collector sets. The S-mint varieties were individually available for purchase, while the W-mint issues could only be obtained by buying the full 2020 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set or Silver Proof Set.
The most notable and scarce 2020 bat quarter variety is the 2020-W with the special WWII 75th anniversary privy mark. The West Point Mint struck just 2 million of these uncommon coins for circulation, creating an instant collector‘s item.
Grading and Valuation
Professional coin grading is crucial for determining the value and collectibility of modern issues like the 2020 bat quarter. Most numismatists use the 70-point Sheldon grading scale, ranging from 1 (Poor) to 70 (Perfect Uncirculated). Leading third-party grading services PCGS and NGC assign grades from 60 to 70 for uncirculated examples.
Factors that can affect a coin‘s grade include:
- Sharpness of strike
- Presence of wear, bag marks, or scratches
- Luster and toning
- Centering and eye appeal
Here is a breakdown of 2020 bat quarter values by variety and grade, based on recent auction results and retail prices as of 2024:
| Variety | MS/PF 63 | MS/PF 65 | MS/PF 67 | MS/PF 69 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-P | $0.25 | $1 | $10 | $25 |
| 2020-D | $0.25 | $1 | $10 | $25 |
| 2020-S Proof | N/A | $5 | $20 | $50 |
| 2020-S Silver Proof | N/A | $30 | $50 | $100 |
| 2020-W Uncirculated | $25 | $50 | $100 | $200 |
| 2020-W Proof | N/A | $75 | $150 | $300 |
| 2020-W Silver Proof | N/A | $100 | $200 | $500 |
As you can see, the 2020-W quarters, particularly in high Mint State and Proof grades, carry the biggest premium over face value. Circulation strike 2020-P and 2020-D quarters will only sell for a premium in grades of MS 67 or higher.
Varieties and Errors
Certain die varieties and errors can significantly enhance a 2020 bat quarter‘s collectible value. While none are particularly rare, these anomalies pique collector interest and often command higher prices than coins without them. Here are a few to look out for:
Doubled Die
Doubled dies occur when a die strikes a coin multiple times in slightly offset positions, creating a doubled image. Check all lettering and devices for signs of mild to strong doubling.
Mint Error
Striking and planchet preparation issues can lead to off-center strikes, clipped planchets, and broadstrikes that extend past the coin‘s rim. These mint errors are rare but highly desired.
Privy Mark Variants
Watch for any variations or irregularities in the WWII privy mark like doubling, weakness, or repunching on the 2020-W quarters. Minor privy differences can become quite collectible.
Building a 2020 Bat Quarter Collection
For collectors looking to maximize their 2020 bat quarter holdings, consider the following expert strategies:
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Acquire one example of each variety in the best condition you can afford. Focus on the scarcer and higher value 2020-W issues if your budget allows.
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Purchase certified coins already graded by PCGS or NGC for an unbiased assessment of quality. Buying raw coins can be risky if you‘re unsure how to grade accurately.
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Be patient and selective. Don‘t feel pressured to buy the first example you see. Take time to evaluate multiple coins and their respective grades and prices to get the best value.
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Study variety and error diagnostics so you can cherrypick unattributed examples in the marketplace. Many sellers unknowingly offer these in raw lots.
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Store your coins in non-reactive plastic flips or slabs in a cool, dry place out of direct light. Proper storage will help maintain their condition and value over time.
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Consider collecting the entire America the Beautiful quarter series or joining PCGS and NGC registry set programs to establish collectible goals and compete with other collectors.
Selling 2020 Bat Quarters
When it comes time to sell your 2020 bat quarters, here are some tips to maximize your return:
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Have your coins professionally graded by PCGS or NGC. Certified coins often sell for more than raw examples and give buyers greater confidence.
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Sell scarcer varieties like the 2020-W individually to a specialized audience rather than as part of a large group.
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Consider selling through a reputable auction house for the widest exposure and competitive bidding, especially for high-value rarities and errors.
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Timing is important. Sell when collector demand and prices are high, not during lulls in the market cycle. Monitor price trends on dealer and auction sites.
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Be realistic about your coins‘ value. Over-grading and over-pricing will scare off potential buyers. Use population reports and price guides to determine fair market rates.
Expert Outlook
The 2020 bat quarter‘s unique design, low mintages, and historical significance point toward strong long-term collector interest and appreciation potential. As one of the scarcest modern circulating issues, the 2020-W quarter will likely remain the key date in the series.
Population reports from PCGS and NGC provide useful data for predicting future value. As of April 2023:
- PCGS has graded 5,248 examples of all 2020 bat quarter varieties combined
- NGC has graded 4,519 for a total of 9,767 certified by both services
These relatively low populations 3+ years after release underscore the conditional rarity of these coins, particularly in grades of MS/PF 67 and higher. Mint state and proof 70s are the pinnacle for registry collectors.
Going forward, the 2020 bat quarter‘s connection to the COVID-19 pandemic will only enhance its collectible appeal and place in numismatic history. The public may never look at bats the same way again, making this coin an apt symbol of a world-changing event.
While not all examples will be rare or valuable, the 2020 bat quarter is definitely an issue to collect and watch in the coming decades. Whether you‘re building a complete America the Beautiful set, specializing in 21st century coinage, or simply appreciate the coin‘s aesthetic beauty, now is the time to secure your pieces for the future.
