Montanans Should Start Checking Their Quarters Today

My kids make fun of me all the time because I still carry cash. 

In a world filled with electronic payments, I'm still the guy digging through his pocket change looking for a hidden treasure. 

A Rare Collector's Dream: Special-Edition Quarters

This summer, that habit could actually pay off. 

The U.S. Mint has announced the release of just 250,000 special-edition quarters celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Unlike most commemorative coins, these won't be sold directly to collectors. Instead, they're being randomly mixed into circulation and distributed through banks and financial institutions across the country.

The limited-edition coins are part of the nation's 250 year birthday celebration. 

What Sets Them Apart: Unique Features of the New Quarters

The quarter features Thomas Jefferson on the front and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. What collectors should look for is a special "July 4th" privy mark and the absence of a traditional mint mark. Only 250,000 of these quarters are being released, making them significantly rarer than standard circulation coins. 

The special quarters are expected to reach banks nationwide before Independence Day. 

READ MORE: Montana, That Dollar Bill Could Be Worth Big Bucks

If you're old enough to remember the Bicentennial quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins from 1976, this feels a lot like that excitement all over again. 

The difference is that those Bicentennial coins were produced in huge numbers. These new quarters are much harder to find, which is why coin collectors across the country are already planning to search through rolls of quarters from their local banks. 

With the U.S. Mint ending production of the penny for circulation, many businesses are beginning to round cash transactions up or down to the nearest nickel. While electronic payments continue to dominate, this might be one of those rare times when carrying cash gives you an advantage.  

READ MORE: These Astonishing Montana Towns Printed Money In The Past

Every quarter you get back in change could be a potential collector's item. 

Stay Alert: The Importance of Checking Your Change

So Montana, keep your eyes on your pocket change. 

You never know when a quarter worth only 25 cents today could become a sought-after piece of American history tomorrow.