This 2005 Kansas ‘In God We Rust’ Quarter Error Is Worth Hunting

Most people use quarters every day without giving them a second thought. But what if one of those everyday coins had a rare mistake—something so unusual that it made the coin worth far more than its face value? That’s the case with the famous 2005 Kansas “In God We Rust” quarter. This error coin got its nickname because of a missing letter in the U.S. motto, which resulted in a funny and strange message: “In God We Rust.” It might sound like a joke, but it’s a real minting mistake that collectors are now actively searching for. This unique error turned an ordinary state quarter into a collectible item worth far more than 25 cents.

Coin Name: 2005 Kansas “In God We Rust” State Quarter

In 2005, the U.S. Mint released a quarter honoring the state of Kansas as part of its 50 State Quarters Program. The coin features a buffalo and the words “Kansas 1861” on the reverse. On the front (obverse), like most U.S. coins, it displays the motto: “In God We Trust.” However, some quarters minted in Philadelphia had a strange error. Due to a build-up of grease or debris on the die (the tool that stamps the coin), the letter “T” in “TRUST” was not fully visible. This caused the motto to appear as “IN GOD WE RUST.”

Even though it was a simple mechanical problem, this error grabbed a lot of attention. The phrase “In God We Rust” was unusual, humorous, and unexpected—instantly turning these coins into collectibles. The mistake became widely known and began circulating among collectors who started calling it the “Grease-Filled Die Error.”

Why This Quarter Is Worth Hunting

So why are people collecting these error coins? Here’s why the 2005 Kansas “In God We Rust” quarter stands out:

• Funny and rare error – The missing “T” creates an accidental phrase that’s unusual and collectible.
• Real U.S. Mint mistake – These were genuine errors made during minting, not post-mint damage.
• Affordable for beginner collectors – Unlike coins worth thousands, this one is rare but still within reach.
• Easy to find – These quarters were released into circulation, so it’s possible to find one in your pocket or coin jar.

Depending on the condition, these error quarters can sell for $10 to $100 or more. If you find one in top condition (uncirculated), you might earn even more. Coins that have been graded and certified by services like NGC or PCGS are especially valuable to serious collectors.

How to Identify a Real “In God We Rust” Quarter

If you think you’ve found one of these coins, here’s what to check:

• Date and design – The coin must be a 2005 Kansas State Quarter.
• Mint mark – Most known error coins come from the Philadelphia Mint, marked with a “P.”
• Missing “T” – On the obverse (front side), look closely at the word “TRUST.” If the “T” is faint or missing, you may have the error coin.
• Condition – The better the condition, the higher the value.

Remember, this is a grease-filled die error, not a design change. So the missing “T” may look different from coin to coin—sometimes light, sometimes completely gone.

Table: Quick Facts – 2005 Kansas “In God We Rust” Quarter

Feature	Details
Coin Name	2005 Kansas “In God We Rust” Quarter
Official Motto	In God We Trust
Error Type	Grease-Filled Die (missing “T”)
Mint Location	Philadelphia (P)
Value Range	$10 – $100+ (depending on condition)
Found In Circulation	Yes

The 2005 Kansas “In God We Rust” quarter shows how even small minting mistakes can lead to big interest in the world of coin collecting. What started as a simple grease error turned into one of the most recognizable modern coin mistakes. This quarter is fun, affordable, and still out there—waiting to be found in circulation, piggy banks, or old coin jars. So the next time you get change at a shop, take a closer look at your quarters. You might be holding a coin with a printing error that collectors would love to own—and it might just put a little extra cash in your pocket.

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