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Two bits worth big bucks

The Wisconsin quarter at top has no defects. The two at bottom bear markings resembling extra corn leaves. The one at left carries the
Associated Press
The Wisconsin quarter at top has no defects. The two at bottom bear markings resembling extra corn leaves. The one at left carries the

MILWAUKEE – Some Wisconsin quarters issued last year are turning out to be worth considerably more than 25 cents.

Coin collectors say quarters with two variations in the design of a cornstalk on the back have been spotted in Tucson, Ariz., and San Antonio.

Rick Snow, who owns Eagle Eye Rare Coins Inc. in Tucson, said he started paying $50 each for the coins as soon as he learned of them.

“As soon as word got out about that, the prices escalated,” Snow said.

On Monday, he was offering a set of three Wisconsin quarters – the normal one, one with a leaf marking pointed up and a third with the marking pointed down – for as much as $1,099. Individual coins with the variations were selling for $500 to $600, depending on condition, he said.

The U.S. Mint, which produced 453 million Wisconsin quarters for its state coin series, is trying to determine how the differences came about.