In 1976, to commemorate the United States Bicentennial celebration, the U.S. Mint issued a special quarter with a unique design.
Though millions of such quarters were minted, there are some rare types that are highly sought after by collectors today and fetch a great price in the market.
In this article, we will discuss five such rare Bicentennial quarters that are still in circulation today and can fetch a staggering price.
1. 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter
Special silver proof Bicentennial quarters were made by the San Francisco Mint using 40% silver.
They were not released for circulation, but sold primarily to collectors.
If these coins are in near perfect condition, especially in PR70 Deep Cameo (DCAM), then they can cost between $1,800 and $3,000.
Their value highly depends on issues such as design depth and there is no mistake made in those.
2. 1976-D Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Bicentennial Quarter
One rare type of such an error found on a doubled die obverse in which two printings may be noticed by one’s eye, mainly by “LIBERTY” along with the date “1776–1976,” at the front of this coin.
That mistake occurred with the die-hubbing method.
High-grade uncirculated examples (MS65 or higher) can sell for between $1,000 and $3,000, with exceptional specimens fetching even higher prices.
3. 1976 No Mintmark Bicentennial Quarter
Typically, quarters minted in Philadelphia did not have a mintmark. But some quarters, which were produced for the San Francisco Mint (which should have had an ‘S’ mintmark), were accidentally produced without a mintmark and shipped to Philadelphia.
No-mintmark quarters are extremely scarce. Coins which are discovered circulating can be $50–$100, but uncirculated coins can sell for $500–$1,000 or more.
4. 1976-S Copper-Nickel Clad Proof Bicentennial Quarters
In addition to the silver proof version, the San Francisco Mint also struck copper-nickel clad proof quarters. The coins have a mirror-like surface and portions of the design are frosted.
They can be worth $100–$300 in the best condition (PR70 DCAM) while coins in slightly lower grades sell for $20–$50.
5. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter With Major Die Break Error
Die break is the process by which a portion of the die breaks or cracks while it is still being used for stamping. It produces a raised line or blemish on the coin.
A major die break error on a Bicentennial quarter could add significant value to it.
Small die break errors increase the value of the coin to $20-$50. Big die break errors may send its value jumping in hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
6. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter Struck on Wrong Planchet
Sometimes Bicentennial quarters were minted on planchets made for other money, like dimes or pennies.
Such error coins have a different size and weight from the usual quarter.
These are quarters that have been struck on a dime planchet, so they are worth $1,000 or more. And the ones that were struck on a penny planchet are worth $2,000–$3,000.
Type Estimated Price Range
| Type | Estimated Value Range |
|---|---|
| 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter | $1,800–$3,000 |
| 1976-D Doubled Die Obverse Bicentennial Quarter | $1,000–$3,000+ |
| 1976 No Mintmark Bicentennial Quarter | $50–$1,000+ |
| 1976-S Copper-Nickel Clad Proof Bicentennial Quarter | $20–$300 |
| 1976 Bicentennial Quarter with Major Die Break Error | $20–$1,000+ |
| 1976 Bicentennial Quarter Struck on Wrong Planchet | $1,000–$3,000+ |
Many of these are common, but some errors and variants render them very valuable.
Collectors have to be very careful in order to find these precious coins, as some can still be picked up in circulation.
Proper authentication and grading are necessary in order to determine its real value.
FAQs
Q1. What are Bicentennial quarters?
They are special U.S. quarters minted in 1976 to celebrate America’s Bicentennial.
Q2. Are Bicentennial quarters rare?
Most are common, but some rare varieties and errors are highly valuable.
Q3. How much are rare Bicentennial quarters worth?
They can range from $50 to over $3,000, depending on rarity and condition.
Q4. How can I find valuable Bicentennial quarters?
Check for errors like doubled dies, missing mintmarks, or unique planchets.
Q5. Can I still find Bicentennial quarters in circulation?
Yes, they can occasionally be found in loose change or coin rolls.