You’re digging through a jar of loose change and you see it. That silhouette of a bucking horse. It’s the 2007 Wyoming state quarter, part of the massive 50 State Quarters Program that turned half the country into casual numismatists. Most people just see twenty-five cents. But if you’ve been hanging out in coin collecting forums lately, you’ve probably heard whispers about a 2007 Wyoming quarter error that turns a common coin into a payday.
Honestly? It’s complicated.
Collectors call it the "Pooping Horse." Yeah, it’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s a die break—basically a crack in the metal stamp used to hit the coin—that creates a little extra blob of metal right behind the horse’s tail. It looks like the horse is... well, you get it. This specific "error" became a viral sensation years ago, and people started listing them on eBay for insane prices. But here’s the reality check: not every weird-looking Wyoming quarter is a gold mine. In fact, most of them are just worth a quarter.
The "Pooping Horse" and Other Die Breaks
Die breaks are common. When the U.S. Mint is cranking out millions of coins, those steel dies take a beating. Eventually, they crack. When a cracked die hits a blank planchet, the metal flows into that crack, creating a raised line or "cud" on the finished coin.
In the case of the Wyoming quarter, the crack appeared near the horse's backside. It’s a classic example of a "boutique" error. It isn't a major structural mistake like a double die or an off-center strike, which the Mint considers a "true" error. Instead, it’s a minor die chip. Because it looks funny, it caught the public's imagination. You might find one that sold for $20 or $50 back in 2007 or 2008 when the hype was peaking. Today? You’re lucky to get $5 for a circulated one.
There are also "Spitting Horse" variations. Similar concept. A die crack runs from the horse's mouth. People love naming these things. It makes the hobby feel less like a history lecture and more like a treasure hunt. But don't quit your day job over a die crack. If the coin is beat up from being in a vending machine for fifteen years, the "error" loses almost all its premium value.
Double Dies: The Real Value in 2007 Wyoming Quarters
If you want the real money, you have to look closer. Much closer. Like, get a jeweler's loupe or a digital microscope close.
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The 2007 Wyoming quarter error that actually matters to high-end collectors is the Doubled Die Reverse (DDR). Look at the saddle horn on the bucking horse. On certain coins, you’ll see clear doubling. It looks like a ghost image or a second horn slightly offset from the first. This happens during the die-making process itself, not because of a crack.
Why does this matter? Because it’s a recognized variety. Major grading services like PCGS or NGC will actually slab these and label them. A high-grade (MS65 or better) Wyoming quarter with a significant doubled die can fetch hundreds of dollars. Ken Potter, a well-known error expert, has documented several of these varieties. Some show doubling on the horse’s mane, others on the rider's hat.
Why Condition Is Everything
You could have the rarest error in the world, but if it looks like it was dragged behind a truck, it’s junk. Coins are graded on a 70-point scale.
- MS60: Typical uncirculated coin with many marks.
- MS65: Beautiful luster, very few "bag marks."
- MS67: Nearly perfect. This is where the big money lives.
Most 2007 Wyoming quarters you find in your pocket are "Circulated." They’ve been touched by thousands of hands. They’ve bumped into other coins. The delicate doubling on a saddle horn gets worn down fast. If you find a shiny, pristine quarter in an old mint set or a forgotten roll, check that saddle. That’s your best bet for a real find.
The "Extra Sun" and Other Myths
Internet rumors are a nightmare for coin collectors. You’ll see listings claiming an "Extra Sun" error on the Wyoming quarter. Usually, this is just a small die chip or even just a stain on the coin that someone is trying to hype up.
There is also the "Double Rim" error. Sometimes a coin is struck slightly out of alignment, creating a wide rim on one side. If it's extreme, it's worth money. If it's just a hair off? That's just within the Mint's "tolerance." The Mint allows for a certain amount of imperfection. If the error doesn't interfere with the design, it's usually not worth a premium.
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I’ve seen people on Etsy trying to sell "gold" 2007 Wyoming quarters for $500. Don't fall for it. Those are just regular quarters that someone plated with a microscopic layer of gold in their garage. They are "altered coins," and most serious collectors won't touch them. They’re basically souvenirs, not investments.
How to Spot a Fake vs. a Real Error
The first thing you do is weigh it. A standard copper-nickel clad quarter should weigh 5.67 grams. If it’s significantly lighter or heavier, you might have an "off-metal" strike or a "wrong planchet" error. Those are the holy grails. Imagine a Wyoming quarter struck on a penny blank. It would be smaller, copper-colored, and worth thousands.
But those are incredibly rare. The Mint has scanners and magnets to catch those before they leave the building.
For the 2007 Wyoming quarter error, your best tool is your eyes. Use a 10x magnification loupe. Look at the letters in "WYOMING" and "THE EQUALITY STATE." Are the letters thicker than usual? Is there a clear separation between two sets of serifs? That’s doubling. Is there a blob of metal that shouldn't be there? That’s a die chip.
The Market Reality
Let's talk brass tacks. If you go to a local coin shop with a "Pooping Horse" quarter, the dealer might offer you a dollar just to be nice. Maybe five if they have a customer who likes oddities. The market for these "meme" errors is very thin.
However, if you have a certified MS67 Doubled Die, you should head to an auction house like Heritage Auctions or GreatCollections. That’s where the real players are. They want the perfection. They want the variety that is listed in the "Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins."
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Actionable Steps for Your Change Jar
Don't just dump your 2007 quarters into a Coinstar. That’s a rookie move. Instead, follow this workflow to see if you’ve actually struck oil in the Cowboy State.
First, separate all your 2007-P (Philadelphia) and 2007-D (Denver) Wyoming quarters. The "Pooping Horse" die crack is most commonly found on the Philadelphia strikes. Get yourself a decent light source—LED is best—and look at the area behind the horse's tail and under its belly. If you see a raised "blob" of metal, you’ve found a die chip. Put it in a protective flip (those little cardboard and plastic squares). It’s not a retirement fund, but it’s a cool conversation piece worth a few bucks.
Next, check the saddle horn and the rider’s hat. This is where you look for the Doubled Die. If you see what looks like two saddle horns, compare it to photos on sites like VarietyVista or Wexler’s Die Varieties. These sites are the bibles of the error world. They list every known "stage" of the die. If your coin matches their photos exactly, you have a winner.
Finally, check the condition. If the coin is incredibly shiny with no scratches, even without an error, it might be worth sending to a grading service if you think it can hit an MS67 or MS68 grade. But be warned: grading costs about $20–$50 per coin. If the coin is only worth $10, you’re losing money.
The hunt is the fun part. Most of the time, you'll just find regular quarters. But the one time you find a legitimate Doubled Die or a massive die crack, the rush is worth the squinting. Stick to the facts, avoid the eBay "get rich quick" listings, and keep your magnifying glass handy.